A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day...11-14-03...California ~ The Golden State

Mama_Bear

[Mama_Bear]

I might freep mail you on it to see if I'm full of tin foil or not.

LOL! Okay.

[Calpernia]

More fun spots in CA that I've been too:

Big Sur!

The name "Big Sur" is derived from the original Spanish-language "El Sur Grande", which translates as "the Big South". And so it seemed to early settlers in Monterey. The coastal area to their south was huge and unexplored, and its coastline was especially treacherous to ships.

The Big Sur region, about 90 miles (145 km) in length along California's coastal Highway 1, lies between the San Francisco Bay area and the Los Angeles area. For the purposes of this guide, the Big Sur region's northern end is at Carmel, approximately 130 road miles (210 km) south of San Francisco and adjacent to Monterey. Its southern end is at San Simeon, approximately 240 road miles (385 km) north of Los Angeles and near Cambria, Morro Bay, and San Luis Obispo.

[MEG33]

The Hearst castle is a treat as is the drive up the coast from LA on Highway 1.

[Calpernia]

Scared Straight!

This tour was surreal! I felt dread in my stomach, I swear I felt misery around me. I felt the history. On one hand I couldn't wait to leave, on the other I need to see more.

Welcome to Alcatraz:

Out in the middle of the San Francisco Bay, the island of Alcatraz is a world unto itself. Isolation, one of the constants of island life for any inhabitant - soldier, guard, prisoner, Indian, bird or plant - is a recurrent theme in the unfolding history of Alcatraz.

Alcatraz Island is one of Golden Gate National Recreation Area's most popular destinations, offering a close-up look at a historic and infamous federal prison long off-limits to the public. Visitors to the island cannot only explore the remnants of the prison, but can also learn about the Indian occupation of 1969 - 1971, early military fortifications (the first U.S. fort on the coast), and the West Coast's first (and oldest operating) lighthouse. These structures and the island's many natural features - gardens, tide pools, bird colonies, and bay views beyond compare - are being preserved by the National Park Service which is working to make it accessible to visitors, preserve its buildings, protect its birds and other wildlife, and interpret its history.

[Calpernia]

You did that too? I think that was my favorite part of CA.

I also enjoyed SF (for a short visit...!)

Lombard Street-most crooked street, San Francisco

[Mama_Bear]

In all fairness MB, you should do two days for Calif. and Texas because of their size.

JustAmy also said something to that effect. Maybe I will do a "California Part II" someday. I did have to leave so much out. Wasn't able to even mention Death Valley, one of the most interesting parts of CA (IMO).

Fine job you did on this one though.

Thanks, Nan. :-)

A Thanksgiving angel for you.

[Mama_Bear]

Big Sur is one of the most beautiful places on earth, I think.

[Calpernia]

Fisherman's Wharf

Trolley

Least impressed with:

I did enjoy the old Universal Studios; but now it is more like a theme park

[MEG33]

I loved that crooked street,the Streetcars,Fine dining and Irish coffee.It has been years since I was last in San Francisco/Monterrey,Carmel,etc.I loved going across the bay from San Francisco and looking back.Tiburon,I think is where we stayed.

[MEG33]

We did Universal City,took our college kids to Disneyland and they liked it so much,we returned that week before they had to go back to college!

[Calpernia]

We flew into California twice and drove in once from NV.

Death Valley National Park is the lowest point in the Western Hemisphere and one of the hottest places in the World. It is also a vast geological museum, containing examples of most of the earth's geological eras. Here, plant and animal species, some of which occur nowhere else in the world, have adapted to the harsh desert environment. Humans have adjusted to these severe conditions, as evidenced by extensive archeological sites; historical sites related to successive waves of prospectors; miners, and homesteaders; present-day residences of Native Americans; and the current resort developments and active mines.

Death Valley National Park includes all of Death Valley, a 156-mile-long north/south-trending trough that formed between two major block-faulted mountain ranges: the Amargosa Range on the east and the Panamint Range on the west. Telescope Peak, the highest peak in the Park and in the Panamint Mountains, rises 11,049 feet above sea level and lies only 15 miles from the lowest point in the United States in the Badwater Basin salt pan, 282 feet below sea level.

  Death Valley Ghost Towns

As you visit these ghost towns, consider that every piece of rusting machinery and bit of wood represents a part of our past. Please treat them with the respect these "Outdoor Museums" deserve. Do not remove, burn or disturb anything.

Ballarat

1897 marked the year Ballarat came into being. The main mine was the Radcliffe which produced 15,000 tons of gold ore from 1898-1903. The town was named after an Australian gold camp and was home to 400 people in 1898. Several Death Valley legendary figures lived there. Ballarat is privately owned and the site of several adobe ruins. It is located off the Panamint Valley road west of Death Valley.

Chloride City

Chloride City became a town in 1905 when the Bullfrog strike brought people into the area to re-work old mining claims. It became a ghost town the following year. There are numerous adits and dumps in the area and one grave of a James McKay, of whom nothing is known. In addition, there are remains of 3 stamp mills. It is located off a four wheel drive road 3.5 miles east of Hell’s Gate or off the dirt road 7 miles further east at the Park boundary. Turn right after the cattle guard.

Greenwater

This town was built around a copper strike in 1905. Water had to be hauled into the town and was sold for $15 a barrel. The town grew to a population of 2,000 and was known for its lively magazine, The Death Valley Chuckwalla. By 1909 the mining had collapsed without ever showing a profit and people left for other areas. There are no ruins left in Greenwater, which is located south of Dante’s View off the Greenwater Valley gravel road.

Harrisburg

Originally this town was to be named Harrisberry after the two men who found the gold that launched it in 1905. Shorty Harris later took credit for the strike and changed the name of the town to Harrisburg after himself. Nevertheless, Pete Aguereberry, one of the original strike finders, spent 40 years working his claims in the Eureka gold mine. Harrisburg was a tent city that grew to support a population of 300. Today nothing remains of the town but Pete’s home and mine which are located to the right two miles down the dirt road to Aguereberry Point.

Leadfield

Copper and lead claims had been filed in the area as early as 1905 but it wasn’t until 1926 that the area was heavily mined. In February, Charles Julian, the flamboyant promoter became president of the town’s leading mining company, the Western Lead Mines. Julian’s promotions were responsible for bringing great numbers of people into the area and in April, 1926 the town was laid out with 1749 lots.

Two things contributed to the demise of the town by 1927. One was the financial downfall of Charles Julian and the other was the playing out of lead in one of the main mines. The area is scattered with mines, dumps, tunnels and prospect holes. There are remains of wood and tin buildings, a dugout and cement foundations of the mill. The town is located on the Titus Canyon road. This is a one way high clearance unpaved road that sometimes requires 4-wheel drive.

  Panamint City

It was called the toughest, rawest, most hard-boiled little hellhole that ever passed for a civilized town. Its founders were outlaws who, while hiding from the law in the Panamint Mountains, found silver in Surprise Canyon and gave up their life of crime. In 1874 the town was at the height of its boom with a population of 2,000 citizens. By the fall of 1875 the boom was over, and in 1876 a flash flood destroyed most of the town. The chimney of the smelter is the most prominent remnant of the town's heyday. The site of Panamint City is accessible via a 5 mile hike from Chris Wicht’s Camp, which is located 6 miles northeast of the ghost town of Ballarat. Mining in the area continued on a sporadic basis up until recent times. The ruins of old Panamint City were added to Death Valley National Park in October of 1994.

Rhyolite

This was the biggest town in the Death Valley area boasting a population of 5,000-10,000 people. During its heyday from 1905-1911 it contained 2 churches, 50 saloons, 18 stores, 2 undertakers, 19 lodging houses, 8 doctors, 2 dentists, a stock exchange and an opera. The town contains numerous ruins including a Bottle House, the train depot, remains of a 3 story bank building and the jail. It is on BLM land and is accessible by passenger car. Rhyolite is located 4 miles west of Beatty and 35 miles from the Furnace Creek Visitor Center.

Skidoo

This town was founded in 1906 when 2 prospectors were on their way to the strike at Harrisburg and found gold. The town reached a population of 700 and became famous as the site of the only hanging to take place in Death Valley. It occurred when Hootch Simpson, a saloon owner who had fallen on hard times, tried to rob the bank, was foiled in the attempt, and later went back and killed the owner of the store in which the bank was located. During the night the townspeople hanged Hootch. According to legend, he was hanged twice. The second hanging was to accommodate news photographers who missed the first hanging. No one was ever arrested for the hanging of Hootch Simpson. Skidoo is located off the Wildrose road on a high clearance unpaved 4wd road. Nothing remains of the town except an interpretive sign.

[Calpernia]

Ok, ok, one for Disneyland. My memory of Disneyland was being excited to see the castle (mind you, I just came from Hearst Castle). And my heart sank to find out it was just and archway

CLICK!

There’s magic in the stars at the one and only Disneyland® Resort! At Disneyland® Park, we’re starting off the 21st Century by celebrating “45 Years of Magic!” Experience classic attractions, unique shops, unforgettable shows and entertainment, and of course those lovable Disney Characters. It may be a new millennium, but the magic of the Happiest Place on Earth is timeless, so be sure to come and play among the “stars” at Disneyland®! And when you’re done, keep the magic going with a stay at the world-famous Disneyland® Resort Hotels, where we’re celebrating too. There, you can relax and enjoy that legendary Disney hospitality – and feel like a star yourself!

[MEG33]

The real thing is more impressive!I have not been to Death Valley.The drive from Needles to Barstow was enough desolation for me!

[Mama_Bear]

Wow, Cal! Thank you for all these great California images.

Even though I have lived in CA for the past 30 years, I still have never taken that Alcatraz tour. I would like to do that someday, but like you said Cal, I am afraid it would be a haunting, strange experience....just plain creepy.

Hearst Castle is a great place to visit. I have taken those tours several times. Each time, it seems an entirely different experience. I notice things that I overlooked before.

The "crookedest" street in the world - have been down that many times. Whenever we took visiting friends or family to SF, that was always on the "tour", along with Coit Tower and Golden Gate Park, Fisherman's Warf and Ghirardelli Square. There is no city in the world like San Francisco.

[Syncro]

Goat Island off the Mendocino coast

View from the town of Mendocino. I rowed a boat through this cave many years ago, and also to Goat Island and stayed the night.

That last view can be seen sitting on this bench.

[Calpernia]

>>>>Ghirardelli Square

Chocolate! Chocolate!

Welcome to Ghirardelli Square, a historic San Francisco destination, offering shopping San Francisco style, waterfront dining near Fisherman's Wharf, art galleries, family events, walking tours and more. Find out why we're one of San Francisco locals' favorite fun things to do in San Francisco and why San Francisco visitors love Ghirardelli Square! See our San Francisco Visitors Guide for links to fun things to do in San Francisco, including San Francisco lodging, dining, entertainment, shopping, events and more. Also, request your free Ghirardelli Square visitor discount pass for special offers and free chocolate!

[Syncro]

I made that ride many times to see my Daughter in Arizona...desolate 10 hours.But not that bad, cruizing at 90 in a 1966 Cadillac Coupe de Ville...

Mendocino, a one horse town...

[Calpernia]

Ooo, another creepy about Alcatraz. You can smell the chocolate from there! Honestly. And it isn't pleasant. You can feel the isolation and removel because of it.

You look at over the water and see the interaction and smell the chocolate. *shivers*

[Calpernia]

Nice pictures! I bet there is trout in that water!

[Mama_Bear]

Those are grate photos, Syncro, especially the first one, "Goat Island". Mendicino is one of the parts of CA that I don't know well. Sure is beautiful!