Bob Baker Marionette Theater

July 27, 2016, 5 Comments

Just a few hours after arriving home from San Diego Comic Con, Patrick and I were off to LA to attend Charles Phoenix‘s show at the Bob Baker Marionette Theater, a rare, if not slightly bizarre, gem in Los Angeles. I had heard about this theatre from Charles on a few occasions, but the show…

Sabado en la Plazita

July 18, 2016, 13 Comments

Over the weekend a few friends and I got together for a Saturday afternoon at Olvera Street, dining on delicious Mexican food, peeking into the museums, and shopping the unique stalls and shops along the oldest stretch of Los Angeles. We dined at Casa La Golondrina Mexican Cafe, which opened in 1928, and is located within…

Spirit of ’76

July 3, 2016, 12 Comments

When someone says “Knott’s Berry Farm” a lot comes to mind… Boysenberries of course, fried chicken, the infamous Ghost Town created because of the massive lines for said famous chicken, and perhaps Peanuts characters. What may not immediately spring to mind though is the Liberty Bell or Independence Hall, even though an exact replica of…

Salvation Mountain

March 14, 2016, 4 Comments

Each time I would visit Palm Springs and return home I would get asked “Did you go to Salvation Mountain?” Here’s the funny thing about where Salvation Mountain is… It’s hardly “close” to Palm Springs. Palm Springs, and its neighboring cities of Palm Desert, Cathedral City, and Indio are the closest cities of any real consequence…

Thanksgiving at Clifton’s

November 27, 2015, 19 Comments

April 2026 Update: After years of ups and downs and intermittent closures, Clifton’s has new owners. I hope that the change will result in more regular hours. When Patrick and I heard that Clifton’s was doing a special Thanksgiving meal we instantly decided that is what we were going to do for the holiday. I’m…

Clifton’s Cafeteria At Last

September 22, 2015, 11 Comments

April 2026 Update: After years of ups and downs and intermittent closures, Clifton’s has new owners. I hope that the change will result in more regular hours. When I think about iconic old Los Angeles, a few places immediately spring to mind. The Bradbury Building, LA City Hall, Angels Flight, Griffith Observatory, and Clifton’s Cafeteria.…

Sleep in a Tipi & Visit the Site of the First McDonald’s along Route 66

June 11, 2015, 7 Comments

During the week Patrick decided to surprise me with a mini, one night getaway at the Wigwam Motel in Rialto on Route 66! An icon of the Mother Road, the Wigwam Motel is a handful of concrete tipi structures (not actual wigwams, which are domelike in shape) that are quaint, and of course, small. There…

Giant Rock

April 25, 2015, 2 Comments

When I told my dad we were headed out to Joshua Tree for my birthday he suggested we visit Giant Rock. Giant Rock is pretty much exactly how it sounds, an enormous rock out in the middle of the Mojave, and accessible only by dirt roads with small, wooden, hand written markers to point the…

Sleeping Where the Pioneer of Country Rock Took His Last Breath

April 22, 2015, 4 Comments

Not only do I have a long list of places I wish to visit day little day trips here in California, but also a long list of places I wish to stay at. California offers a lot with regards to unique accommodations, from the Madonna Inn to the Wigwam Motel, there are many neat places…

Paramount Ranch

April 2, 2015, 13 Comments

Lost Places Update: Paramount Ranch been recategorized as a Lost Place. On Friday, November 9th, 2018, Paramount Ranch fell victim to the Woolsey Fire that tore through the Malibu, Thousand Oaks and Agora Hills areas. Paramount Ranch was reduced to cinders with only the train depot from Dr. Quinn: Medicine Woman and church built for…

Atomic Redhead

unique places to visit in California

Bob Baker Marionette Theater

Sabado en la Plazita

Spirit of ’76

Salvation Mountain

Thanksgiving at Clifton’s

Clifton’s Cafeteria At Last

Sleep in a Tipi & Visit the Site of the First McDonald’s along Route 66

Giant Rock

Sleeping Where the Pioneer of Country Rock Took His Last Breath

Paramount Ranch