These days there are Busch Gardens theme parks in both Tampa Bay, Florida, and Williamsburg, Virginia. However, in this episode of California’s Gold (originally aired 20 years ago, on November 7, 2004) Huell begins by talking about a once very popular Southern California tourist attraction — the Busch Gardens in Van Nuys, which closed back in 1979. I never visited that park, although from the photos and descriptions it sounds like it must have been a truly enjoyable way to spend the day. But of course, as is usually the case with Huell’s segments, there’s so much more to discover about the beautiful Busch Gardens of Southern California.

Before there was Disneyland and other large amusement parks, there was Busch Gardens. Huell goes to Pasadena where he literally uncovers the lost and largely forgotten original Busch Gardens, a botanical paradise, which amused visitors from 1905 to 1938.

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