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 […]
Today the chances are high that I’m somewhere in the outdoors, soaking up some natural beauty and avoiding anything to do with current events. And after watching this episode of California’s Golden Parks — originally aired in January 2006 — I would just love to be on Catalina Island exploring this beautiful and unique botanical garden. I’ve been a botanical […]
This hour-long episode of California’s Gold, most likely first aired in 2007, takes a close look at one of California’s most iconic signs. Huell once again takes us where the general public is not allowed to go — although there are public hiking trails to the top of Mount Lee, where you can look over the back of the sign. […]
At the beginning of this one-hour episode of California’s Gold, Huell describes this segment as a “learning experience,” and I certainly learned a few things relating to a portion of California about which I know very little. I believe the closest I’ve ever been to the Owens Valley was a visit to Death Valley National Park — which lies to […]
A couple of years ago I bought journalist Sean Flynn’s book Why Peacocks? as a gift for my mom, and I finally got around to reading it myself, finishing it early last week. In one chapter the author talks about Lucky Baldwin and the fact that he was responsible for introducing six Indian Blue peafowl to his Southern California ranch […]
Often imitated, the Meyers Manx remains unique — and more sought after — even all these years later. It just may be impossible to live in California and not have known about these fun little cars, but I had never heard the name “Meyers Manx” until now. And although I’ve never had the pleasure in riding in either an original […]
Over the past 8 years, I’ve really enjoyed sharing links to episodes of the various shows Huell Howser created during his time at KCET in Los Angeles. And I’ve always been very happy to showcase the Chapman University Archives in doing so. But recently their page has changed one single aspect that’s making it very difficult for me to continue […]
When Huell attended the grand reopening of the railroad depot in Perris on January 31, 2009, it was not his first visit to this community in Riverside County; you may recall his tour of the railway museum from 2003. I always love to see California towns embrace their history as they move forward into the future, and Perris seems to […]
Another beautiful day in Southern California and another state beach I have never had the pleasure of seeing in person. This episode of California’s Golden Parks, originally aired in February 2006, features Carpinteria State Beach is just twelve miles south of Santa Barbara and is a great family destination that offers a mile of beach for swimming, surfing, fishing, tidepool […]