I can’t help seeing this Classic episode of California’s Gold, originally aired April 5, 1998, as a perfect reminder of the way many different cultures can come together to make our country much richer in so many ways. Of course, small town life isn’t for everyone, but Huell is very much in his element, chatting with various people around town and learning a bit about the history of their families and of the town itself, as well as the bounty of local agriculture and natural resources, making this area of the California coast an ideal environment for wildlife and humans alike.

At first you can’t believe it’s real. It must be a movie set of a small, picturesque, agricultural town at the turn of the century. But with just a little exploration host Huell Howser discovers this is no movie set, but a fine example of “California’s Gold.”

Located halfway between San Francisco and Los Angeles just a few miles off the 101 freeway, the little town of Guadalupe sits right in the middle of one of the richest agricultural areas in our state. Huell gets up early and visits the fields, talks with the workers and watches as they harvest celery and lettuce. While there, he also discusses the rich cultural heritage of the area as he talks with descendants of Filipino families who have been living and working in the Santa Maria Valley for generations.

The adventure also includes a tour of the authentic and colorful town itself and a visit to the nearby spectacular Guadalupe Dunes. In reality this entire adventure provides an opportunity to meet some nice people, see some beautiful scenery, learn about our agricultural heritage and savor the ambiance of a very special place on our central coast.

(Click on the linked image below to see the video.)