Category: 0 California

Union Hotel in Occidental, CA

11/29/2018

Italian Feast at Noon

Don and I don't usually eat big lunches, especially when we're traveling. But when we saw Occidental on the roadmap, we knew we needed to add it to our route... and prepare for a little feasting.

As we headed into the 5-block town, we tried to remember the name of the place where we'd had an amazing Italian meal, about 38 years ago!

Since 1879

We spotted a couple of Italian restaurants in the small town. We weren't absolutely sure if the old Union Hotel was the place we remembered, but it was open and it looked pretty charming.

Quiet Patio

We parked and headed towards the gate with the Union Hotel clock. The patio area looked lovely on a September day, but it didn't seem to be open.

Lots of Doors

We headed towards the 2-story hotel. I loved the words up near the roof.

"1879... Union Hotel... Italian Dinners"

I liked everything about those words. I love old restaurants and I love old hotels. Sadly, I don't believe there are hotel rooms upstairs anymore.

The Saloon

I believe the saloon is the original structure from 1879. It began as a general store and meeting house. Then it became a saloon and eventually a hotel and restaurant. I was tempted to ask the bartender, since he had no customers. But he didn't look like he was up for a talking history. We moved on down the hall.

Hallway Entrance

It was an adventure searching for the dining room. I loved the stairway with the funny little "baby gate" thing. There must have been 50 coats of brown paint on the stairs and railing.

I later learned a little history about those brown stairs. A man named Carlo Pannizera, bought the building in 1925. He reopened the saloon as a rooming house and restaurant. One day he ran to the rescue when his waitress, Mary fell down the stairs.

Carlo carried Mary to the doctor and before long, they were married. Their descendants own and run the Union Hotel today!

Half-Door

I don't know if there's any history about this swinging half door, with a shelf.

It was doing a good job holding a wine glass, when we passed by.

I love stories about the families behind historic restaurants and hotels.

The Main Dining Room

I had to grin when I saw the red and white checked curtains and table cloths in the dining room.

Candlelight!

I grinned even bigger when I saw the classic, wax-covered Chianti bottles on all the tables.

Better yet, the candles were lit at the tables where there were diners.

I can't think of the last time I had lunch by candlelight. I know that breaks some kind of dining etiquette rule. I'm all for breaking that rule.

Family Style

Our server (Terry, I think) was wonderful. She seemed excited to know we were from Texas, since she'd lived there a while herself. She gave us some ordering suggestions and then the food started coming... family style!

Before the Main Course

The bread and oil arrived first. A plate of salami and cheese came next, with serving bowls of minestrone and salad and kidney beans.

Lasagna and Ravioli

We had to order a little Chianti to go along with our lasagna and ravioli. Don looks happy about that. But actually we were just happy about the fun of this cozy place, where the food kept coming.

Don and I love to eat, but neither of us can actually eat all that much. It's sort of embarrassing sometimes. But, Terry was happy to wrap up about all our leftovers. Usually that doesn't work well when we're traveling, but we actually microwaved them for dinner, in our hotel room that night.

My Kind of Cozy

I had a great view from my chair of the cozy dining room. There is just nothing better than comfort food in a comfy-cozy setting. Not all people love the red & white checked look, or even the dark wood paneling, but this is my idea of comfort dining.

From Doors to Barrels

I loved the kitchen door with its little square window, balancing on point. I loved the barrel supported shelf, holding pumpkins, flowers and the Virgin Mary.

Off to Explore

Don took care of the bill and I told him I was heading to the restroom. He knows those words actually mean, "I'm going exploring... with my camera."

The retro pink bathroom was worthy of a photo. I love pink tile.

Bocce Ballroom

I took a little peek into the Bocce Ballroom with its own bar and raised stage. Flowers and decorations told me a wedding had been celebrated recently.

The Dining Room

From the Bocce Ballroom, I looked back at the dining room. The dining room was actually built in the 1940's to connect the original Union Hotel and the Bocce Ballroom.

As I looked at the candles and lights strung from the ceiling, it made me hope to return sometime for a dinner, at night. I'd love to see the place filled with families and romantic couples... and maybe a little Italian music!

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Lil Joes' & Sammy's - Sacramento

11/24/2018

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Two Diners in North Sacramento

Last winter, Don and I drove out to Sacramento since our son and daughter-in-law had just moved.

We spent time helping Scott and Chali try out some curious eating establishments, within walking distance.

Lil Joe's was our pick for breakfast one morning.

The brown building, with tile trim had a nice retro look. But it was the sign that lured us. "God Bless...Over a Million Steaks Sold... Dinner... Ham & Eggs... New York..."

Since 1953, on Del Paso Blvd

It was February and Scott and Chali were still trying to figure out what this whole area was about. The Del Paso Boulevard showed a couple good signs of beautification here and there. There were some new businesses, but some pretty sketchy stuff as well. We figured if Lil Joe's had lasted this long, then it must be worth trying.

Bold Menu and Stylin' Vinyl

We were greeted by a smiling waitress, who called everyone at our table "Sweetie". The pink counters, blue booths and original stools pleased me. The giant cow on the menu sort of scared me. I ordered oatmeal and coffee, so I can hardly comment on the steaks.

Banter at the Cash Register

Probably the best part of the dining experience was watching all the locals come and go. We seemed to be the only non-locals. I asked about the cash register and was told it had been there since 1953. The fellow in the kitchen was actually very friendly and was happy for me to take a photo.

Sammy's

On another day, we gave Sammy's a try. The family restaurant has been sitting on Del Paso Boulevard even longer than Lil Joe's.

Pink & Green

Although Sammy's has been on this corner since 1944, I believe the current building is much newer. There was a fire at some point and maybe that's why the pink and green, stone building has a 1960's look about it.

Welcoming Counter

It was tempting to have a seat right there at the pink counter. The swivel stools looked mighty comfy and the cups and utensils were just waiting for us.

I don't think those mugs (decorated with emojis) were around when Sammy's first opened!

The Back Room

We were greeted with smiles, but ushered to a table in the back. I'm pretty sure that was to prevent us from grabbing any of the tables that are usually claimed by regulars.

We placed our breakfast order with our waitress, who has probably worked at Sammy's for decades. She didn't blink at the notion of someone wanting a grilled cheese sandwich for breakfast. However she was pretty concerned about Don ordering the proper potatoes to go with his scrambled eggs and grilled ham.

"Do you want peppers and onions on them taters? Because if you don't, they're just gonna be naked taters." Naked was pronounced neck-ed.

Lots of Leftovers

Hopefully the cook and staff took it as a compliment that we wanted to take home what we couldn't eat. They seemed pretty pleased that we newcomers had enjoyed our eggs, pancakes and grilled cheese.

Past & Future

Before 1964, North Sacramento was its own town and Del Paso Boulevard was a thriving Main Street. I wish I could go back, 60 years in time and visit both diners and all that surrounded them.

Last February, we spent some time wandering up and down the Boulevard, imagining the past and seeing some signs of good things to come. I'm glad we got to step back in time, with our 2 breakfasts. I hope the diners can keep on doing what they do!

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Swiss Hotel in Sonoma, CA

11/24/2018

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Not Just Wine With Lunch

Don and I expected a little wine with our lunch when visiting the sweet town of Sonoma. But we ended up getting lots of history with our cozy meal, in this old building from the mid 1800's.

Originally, the adobe building was the home of Don Salvadore Vallejo. By the late 1800's it became a hotel. In 1923, a Swiss-Italian family bought the hotel. The same family still runs it!

Old Doors

It was just after noon when Don and I stepped through the beautiful old doors. They took us directly to the bar.

The Old Bar

The bar was charming. I'm guessing not much has changed since it opened in 1923.

Cozy Corner

The walls across from the bar were covered in old photographs. The checkered table cloths made me want to sit down with some Italian wine and pasta and read up on the family history.

Whiter and Brighter

The dining room also had a cozy corner or two, with a slightly formal feel. Each table had a rose and black napkins and of course more framed historic photos.

Another Cute Corner

This corner near the old fireplace had a little bench seating and some cocktail tables.

I wonder what that funny little window-sized door is for?

Tempting Stairs

I was tempted to head up the old staircase and see if I could get a peek at one of the 5 guest rooms. Oh how I wanted to stay a night and add to my 90-Notable Nights list! But we were only passing through.

Time For Lunch

We had wondered why the dining room was so empty, until we stepped out the back door. What a lovely patio with a fountain, umbrellas and fireplace, checkered cloths and grapevines!

A Sweet Little Feast

I was pretty delighted with the crusty bread and olive oil, for starts. Don had a pulled pork sandwich, with pepper Jack and onion strings... on the softest roll ever. My spinach salad with tons of bacon, beets and crumbled egg was just perfect. It was the perfect little feast before hitting the road.

Jasper and Friend

A dining adventure is always a little more memorable if you get to chat with a local.

As we headed out, I spotted this wonderful pair sitting together on the veranda. Jasper the pup, was seated on a pillow. I asked the gentleman in the purple shirt, if I could take his dog's photo. "Only if you take a picture of the two of us!" He laughed. "And send it to me." What a fun few minutes we had talking. The sweet fellow told me he was 80 and just didn't know what he'd do without Jasper. "Dogs teach us so much about living ...and about dying." He spoke those words in the most positive way.

What a great way to complete a dining adventure!

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Tonga Room & Hurricane Bar

10/19/2018

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Fairmont San Francisco

When Don and I learned about the Tonga Bar, we were so excited we switched our evening plans and had an Uber take us to The Fairmont Hotel, instead. Our driver drove us to the top of Nob Hill, but instead of taking us to the classy front entrance, he dropped us on the side.

We walked in a side door and got pretty lost. But that was no problem. It was 5pm and the popular lounge had just opened. We weren't in too big of a hurry.

The Grand Lobby

The Fairmont is a fun place to get lost in. The swirling columns in the lobby did not look very Polynesian. We moved on.

Hidden Down Below

We found the entrance to the exotic lounge in the basement. There was a crowd, even though the bar had only been open for 5 minutes. There was a line of people, hoping to dine beside the lagoon, when the food service began at 6.

The Fairmont Plunge

In Pre-Tonga Room days, things looked a little different in the lower level of the hotel. In 1929, a 75-foot swimming pool was added to the hotel. Traveling guests and movie stars, like Ronald Reagan and Helen Hayes, were lured to the new hotel pool!

Tropical Paradise

By 1945, the pool became a lagoon when MGM set designer, Mel Melvin transformed the area into a tiki themed paradise.

A Floating Boat/Bandstand

It took a while for our eyes to adjust when we first made our way inside. The blue-green water surrounding the boat, reflected the playful light display above.

The Bar

It took us a while to figure things out. The tables on both sides of the water were reserved for diners. The bar, housed inside what looked like a pirate ship, had a few available tables. We attempted to grab one, but learned there was a system for bar seating. No seats for us.

Hanging By the Lagoon

We were totally fine with standing at the railing, near the lagoon. We had a great view of the water. The diners, under their palapas and the mostly younger-than-us-crowd at the pirate bar, gave us some good people watching. And of course we had some very yummy drinks in coconut cups and tall tiki glasses, with lots of umbrellas and fruit.

Empty Boat

I was very curious about the lagoon's best feature. Back in the day, the boat acted as a floating stage, with an orchestra. The boat was empty and quiet during our visit, but I'm sure it gets put to use on weekends.

My Pirate

My very own pirate kindly posed for me, so I could capture a little of the bar area, with all its bamboo and ropes. Don was pretty delighted with the place, that he'd just read about hours before. If only we'd had more planning time, we would have dressed in our tropical best. Next time.

Rainstorm!

We hadn't been in the bar long before we experienced our first storm. There were many of them and the thunder and lightening and rainfall, made us crack up each time. It was very clear which guests were visiting for the first time. They were the ones grinning and attempting photos, like us.

Enjoying the Decor

Don and I kind of loved our little spot right on the railing, where we could take in all the carved decor and thatched roofs. We were busy taking it all in, when a young couple, asked to share a little of the railing space. They turned out to be a delightful pair and we swapped lots of stories.

Sharing the Railing

We were glad to that our new friends were just as giddy over all the tropical gimmicks, as we were. They had seen The Tonga Bar featured on Anthony Bourdain's show and were excited to finally make a visit, themselves.

They couldn't stay long, since they were going to see a friend perform Flamenco at another club. They invited us along and we were tempted to add Spain to our international evening. But we had plans for dinner in Chinatown.

Next Time

We hardly had time to scratch the surface at The Fairmont, but it was time to move on. We waited for our Uber, under the blowing flags. We will definitely come back for some Polynesian dining next time. Maybe we can stay the night... if we win the lottery.

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Jungle Bird in Sacramento

6/8/2018

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Tiki Time in February!

It was chilly when Don and I visited the California capital, early this year. Our son and daughter-in-law had just moved from New Orleans and their blood was as thin as our Texan blood. Surrounding ourselves in tropical decor, sounded like a good idea.

Scott and Chali had heard about the Tiki Bar in Sacramento's Midtown. We arrived on a Sunday night to check it out. For a moment, the dark windows made us think the place might be closed. But evidently the windows are kept dark on purpose.

Corner Hut

The first thing we saw was a corner bar, under a thatched roof. The bamboo stools were mostly taken, but luckily there were more options for seating.

Birds!

There were birds hanging from the ceiling, but also a wall covered in bird prints. Don and I love a tiki theme, but this additional bird theme should have pleased our son the most. As a little boy, Scott was obsessed with birds. He had as much bird decor at his 4-year-old "Bird-Day Party" as the well decorated tiki bar.

Where to Sit?

The 4 of us were hungry and cold and ready to cozy up with food & drink in the jungle atmosphere. Luckily it was early and it wasn't crowded. The wicker chairs would have been nice, if it had just been Don and me. One corner had a nice little palapa roof and some carved masks.

Dining in Back

We found a nice table in the back with some interesting art work above our heads.

I'm pretty sure there is a good story behind every collected piece in the bar/restaurant.

I wanted to ask a ton of questions, but our server was a little rushed. She clearly was not up for chit chat, about all the tiki decor surrounding us.

Festive Drink Menu!

I've never been in a tiki bar that was bright enough to read a menu. My cell phone light was helpful, though. There were lots of delicious drink ingredients to choose from, but I basically chose my drink because of the vessel it was served in.

Posing

We hadn't even had more than a sip or two, when we snapped these photos. But these drinks made us very cheery. Our drinks came with fruit garnishes and umbrellas, curly straws and lots of alcohol. I'm lightweight, so I took my time.

Tabar Island Toucan

All the drinking containers were mighty fine, but I was the only one who had to hand over my credit card for collateral. My 10-dollar drink with vodka, syrup, mint and lime was worth it. Evidently, my credit card would have been charged $100. if my 4-pound copper bird had accidentally slipped into my large purse.

Our Tiki Gang

The youngin's were good sports when I asked our, not so friendly server to take our photo. But after 3 sips of tiki drinks, none of us were too concerned about looking touristy.

Pu Pu Platter

It's never a good idea to do your tiki-drinking on an empty stomach. We shared a Pu Pu Platter and a rice bowl. Having a flame at the table added a little more drama, but we didn't really use it. The food was satisfying, but mostly Jungle Bird is about the drinks.

Music Changes

After enjoying ourselves a while, the vibe suddenly changed at Jungle Bird. Early on, we'd enjoyed sipping our drinks, to the Faux-Polynesian Exotica tunes of Arthur Lyman. There is no better music for Tiki! Suddenly at 9 pm, the volume was cranked up and sounds of Metallica, replaced marimba and bird sounds. Ugh. Our little escape to paradise, lost its magic. We finished up and ordered an Uber.

Inquiring Minds...

The next day I called up Jungle Bird. I had to find out what the deal was. Maybe they turned on that music to get the Oldsters out. It turns out, we were experiencing Savage Sunday. Every Sunday at 9 pm, the tropical music haters get to enjoy a little heavy metal. Good to know.

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Heidi's in South Lake Tahoe

11/6/2016

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Since 1962

This fun little cottage of a place has been serving pancakes in South Lake Tahoe for over 50 years.

I love the yellow color and I love the name.

The Alps?

As you west from Nevada on US 50, you can see the mountains and the sign for Heidi's. I'm guessing the mountains were the inspiration for the Swiss themed restaurant. Or maybe there was an actual Heidi who inspired this restaurant name. We stopped for breakfast and hoped to find out.

Inspired by the Name

Don and I were also lured to the little Swiss pancake house, because our daughter's name is Heidi. She suffered a little bit of teasing over the years, being called Heidi of the Alps. The least we could do was visit a restaurant in honor of the name we gave her. The theme inside was definitely based on the famous story.

Cozy Booths

The hostess was very perky for 7:30 in the morning. She pointed towards the line up of shiny pine booths.

Dot-toDot

I was tempted to grab a children's menu with crayons. The dot-to-dot entertainment was as retro as the restaurant. With so many dining kiddos staring at I-Pads these days, I wondered if kids would know what to do with a dot-to-dot?

A Sturdy Start

The Heidi story wasn't just reflected in the room decor. As we sat in our cozy booth we were handed hefty menus with engraved Heidi images. When I opened the menu I was greeted with a snowy peak and a display of decadent breakfast foods. I didn't notice if they offered any "light" options, but everything from mug to menu set me up for a hearty feast. I was ready.

Ready to Dig In

Suddenly our table was covered with food. The smells of coffee and pancakes, potatoes and sausage filled our booth. The only thing that could have made it better, would have been a light snow falling outside.

Warm Breakfast

Our service was friendly and attentive, with lots of coffee refills. I ordered Heidi's Stack, even though I really only wanted about one pancake. Don's sausage & cheddar scramble with potatoes, fruit and blueberry muffin could have fed many. Our feast was enough to fuel us for a 15-mile hike or a day on the slopes. We accomplished neither, but then we didn't exactly finish all our food.

Exploring

There were more rooms and tables in the back. I loved the shingled house, the beams, the homey wallpaper and pans hanging. I'm not sure if this is how the place looked in 1962, but I'm guessing little

has changed. I'll bet they occasionally get adult customers who have memories and stories of coming here as a child.

Heidi and Her Goats

I would have loved this place as a little girl. I remember watching the Shirley Temple version of Heidi when I was 6. Later I was a little confused to see illustrations of Heidi without curls.

Quiet in the Back

I imagine in the winter the tables are filled with hungry skiers before they hit the slopes. There have only been 2 owners since 1962. I was curious about what inspired the first owner with the obvious theme. It must have brought in some business or the second owner would have changed things more. Our hostess hadn't been around long enough to know much history. She did say something about how the low-carb diet craze, hurt business. To keep from scaring away dieting customers, they dropped "Pancake House" from the name. Sad.

Heidi Coke?

The hostess had no stories about all the Heidi related treasures on the shelf. I wanted to know why Heidi was printed on the label of the Coke bottle. She didn't know.

Costumes

I spotted the lederhosen and asked if servers had ever worn Swiss costumes, because I could picture that. (She didn't know) I can also picture the current owner having a hard time hiring staff, if that had beena requirement.

Trim and Tower

By the time we finished up, the sun was shining on the flower trim and the little clock tower. We noticed a Howard Johnson's Motel next door, with the same wood and stone trim. Suddenly I had more questions. Could this have once been an orange roofed Howard Johnson's restaurant? Maybe next time we'll dine beside an old local, who has all the answers!

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Harborside Restaurant in 2014

8/24/2015

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Balboa Pavilion in Newport Beach, CA

I love the word pavilion. It conjures up images of spacious grand structures, where fun things happen. The Balboa Pavilion has been having some fun since it opened on Newport Bay in 1906.

Ferry from the Island

Don and I were visiting Balboa island in May of 2014, when we realized we could catch the ferry across the bay to the iconic waterfront pavilion and recreation area.

It was a pretty fun little trip, watching the sailboats and glide by. We could see the ferris wheel, palms and the flag waving on the top of the ornate cupola.

Best Approach

Seeing the pavilion from the water, was ideal. You could imagine the ballroom on the second level, where there was no charge for dancing, unless you wanted to dance in the roped off area in the center. In the 1930's, during the Big Band Era, Goodman, Basie and the Dorseys played here. There were also dance marathons in the ballroom, where contestants danced until they could dance no more!

A Bathhouse!
I've always been curious about the seaside bathhouse world at the turn of the century. When I visit nearby Galveston, I have to just imagine those Victorian structures. They're all gone.

It was just an hour ride on the new Pacific Electric Railway from downtown Los Angeles in 1906. The whole lower floor was a bathhouse, so travelers could change from their city clothes for a day at the beach. There were even options for renting bathing suits. For those who would rather look at bathing suits, in the 1920's there were bathing suit parades with judges of course.

Today

The look is not so impressive today. But at least the pavilion continues to run. And there was a very cute Balboa Bakery on the corner with a fun old Donuts sign.

Harborside Restaurant

The entrance on the street is a little too modernized for my taste, but at least there was a restaurant on the lower level, so we could enjoy the once grand place.

Bar and Restaurant

My bar image is not too impressive, with tourists on cell phones and ball caps. Not one of those long striped bathing suits in sight anywhere! But we took a window seat and ordered some wine and 4-dollar small plates to celebrate the "Longest Happy Hour in Town" (11-7)

It would have been fun to have dined there at night with dim lighting, so we could imagine the Victorian crowds or the gambling and dancing crowds that came in later years. But, how could we complain? We had a "lunch" for a few bucks and a window where we could watch kids taking sailing lessons, or a mini parade of flag covered yachts.

A Step Back in Time?

Our dining adventure at the Pavilion didn't really give take us back in time to experience a different era. (too many tourists around us) But the world we watched from our table, was just as foreign as a different time period. Someday I'll have a dining adventure on a sailboat or yacht!

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Las Brisas in Laguna Beach

8/19/2015

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Going Down Memory Lane

I try not to clutter my dining blog with touristy places that you can read about on Yelp. But for nostalgia's sake, I need to throw out a few words about Las Brisas!

Now

This is a photo I took in May 2014. I don't have a photo from the early 1980's when Don and I lived up the road often walked to the restaurant for Happy Hours on the patio. At that time it had just been open a couple years, as Las Brisas.

Way Back

Back in 1938, when Laguna Beach was a more isolated beach town, the building with its grand ocean view, was the Victor Hugo Inn. That was long before Don and I used to come. It was also before O.J. Simpson used to frequent the place. It's a little creepy that we hung out at Las Brisas about the same time period that he did.

Happy Hour in 2014

A year ago, it was an even shorter walk from our hotel to Happy Hour than our walks from home 30+ years earlier. It was early evening, and blue umbrellas were shading us from the hot sun. I was glad to see the blue and white theme was still happening.

The patio was as packed as we remembered. Back in the '80's, you had to be sly and quick to grab a table. I also remember only eating Mexican food. The menu had expanded and we enjoyed some excellent sushi.

Another Visit

We were in town a week, so we headed over again on the evening of Cinco de Mayo. At least one of us had to have a margarita to celebrate the occasion.

Getting Chilly

I knew I was back in California, when my brow felt damp from the hot sun... until the sun began to lower and I felt a shiver of cool!

In a matter of minutes, the staff was running around, turning up the flames of the standing heaters and lighting the fire pit.

Mariachis on Cinco de Mayo!

I don't recall seeing mariachis at Las Brisas in the past! But suddenly we were surrounded! Perfecto!

We requested our favorite song "Malaguena" which requires at least one very decent singer, who can hold notes for a long time! These guys got a good tip!

One More Visit

I paid one more visit to Las Brisas, on an early morning run. I snapped a cell phone pic and sighed at the old favorite with the wonderful view of the Pacific.

Empty

It was odd to see the place empty, especially the tiled table that circled the fire pit. So many had gathered around that pit on the other evenings.

Bette Davis... a Few Days Later

After leaving Laguna Beach and heading back to Texas, we stopped at a hotel. As always, I checked to see if the hotel TV got the Turner Classic Movie station. It did, and what should be playing, but the 1942 film, "Now Voyager" starring Bette Davis. In this scene she is seated on the patio of the old Victor Hugo Inn... in just about the same spot as the fire pit! Small world! I love it!

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Lunch at the Mission!

8/17/2015

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The Mission Inn Hotel - Riverside, California

My last entry was about a surprising lunch, when Don and I found ourselves dining at a lovely hotel in Guatemala. It reminded me of another surprise lunch... in an old hotel!

Stopping While on the Road

Don and I were traveling and needed food. We weren't looking for a big dining adventure, and we had zero interest in getting off the highway to see Riverside. In the 1980's we lived not far from Riverside and our vague memories were of a worn out, smoggy community. But a quick glance at Trip Advisor while in the car, caused me to shout at Don, "Quick, exit here! We should try this place!"

A Massive Hotel with Flying Buttresses

Stopping for lunch gave us a chance to explore this rather impressive hotel that took up more than a city block. We wandered the exterior, which we learned later, had incorporated elements of all 21 California Missions. I'm not sure which old mission had "flying buttresses", but this hotel had a few propping up the structure. I still remember the first time I heard that term. "Those are flying buttresses." My older brother told me as he pointed to the oddly shaped, marble things jutting out of the side of a cathedral. I was 11 and most of his teasing was done with a straight face.

Side Entrance

We walked a bit and headed to the side entrance, way from the main street. We walked by a giant birdcage with some noisy parrots and a number of huge antique bells on display. As we headed towards the door, a stylish woman of about 70 paused and greeted with a pleasant expression. "My, but don't you two just look like million dollar travelers!" Her smile seemed genuine, there was no hint of sarcasm and her speech wasn't slurred, so Don and I smiled back with our thanks and tried not fret over how odd that was.

Las Campanas

There were quite a few options for lunch, but we couldn't resist the first outdoor patio we saw. The restaurant, Las Campanas, which means "the bells", was named for the grand collection of rare and ornamental bells that can be found throughout the hotel grounds. Mostly we were attracted by a trickling fountain and the tall shady palms.

Peaceful and Cool

We hardly needed the table umbrellas for shade. There were arbors and umbrella-shaped palms high above. The tile covered cafe tables seemed perfect for the Spanish style setting.

History

It wasn't until we popped open our wooden menu that we started reading about the history of these amazing bells and the Inn. Frank Miller opened a 2-story, 12 room, adobe boarding house in 1876. By the 1890's Riverside was the richest city per capita in the U.S. (Who would've guessed?) In 1903, big expansions on the building began and the hotel (which was owned by the Millers until 1956) now has 238 rooms!

Bells!

In our little dining patio, we had a nice view of a few of the 400 bells that decorate the property. The Miller family at one time had collected 800 bells! The oldest bell is from 1247.

Lunchtime!

Las Campanas is known for its Mexican cuisine, so Don went for the Carnitas with roasted pork and Guajillo mole, guacamole, beans and rice. I had an open face quesadilla with Monterey Jack, queso fresco, avocado, cilantro pesto, arugula and pico de gallo. It all tasted as fresh and and pleasing as the garden atmosphere where we dined. (Funny, because all we remembered about Riverside 35 years earlier... was the smog!)

Hotel

We explored the hotel after lunch and I can't begin to describe the extravagance of the place, where Bette Davis and President Nixon were both married...not to each other! This hotel has been on my list and someday, I'll hopefully have it on my Notable Night Blog List!

The Dining We Missed

Our exploring lead us to a number of indoor dining rooms that were very impressive. And then there was the enchanting courtyard with bright red umbrellas and flowers tumbling from balconies and a much grander stone fountain in the center. Oh man! I wish we had explored first and eaten out there. As for the more formal dining, those places can wait until we return for an overnight!

Till Next Time

Don and I headed for the car with images of all these crazy details in our heads. To think we had nearly pulled out the jar of peanut butter at a rest stop! I love traveling and the finds you make along the way. But I have to hand it to Trip Advisor for this one, or we would have never stopped!

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Junk Food in Southern Cal

7/14/2015

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Frozen Bananas on Balboa Island

Don and I returned last year to Laguna Beach where we lived 35 years ago. During our visit, we were pretty eager to indulge in some of the yummy treats we once enjoyed. We started with Balboa Island for a banana on a stick!

Dad's Original

There seems to be some disagreement about who created the first frozen banana. There are two places on the island that claim to be the original. Even the whacky comedy "Arrested Development" focuses on this debate in a few episodes. I didn't actually care who created the frozen banana. Dad's and Sugar and Spice both had lines, so I just chose the one that had the sign I liked best. Dad's won, with the banana shaped sign.

Dad's!

Dad's also had lots of other options. The place just smelled plain sweet, with donuts and cookies and ice cream! But I already had lots of decision making to do, since there were 4 sizes and lots of toppings! I kept it simple and had a chocolate dipped banana, coated with peanuts! Tasty!

Husky Boy's in Laguna Beach

This was another nostalgia food stop. Don and I once lived within walking distance from Husky's. It was the burrito that I always craved the most.

Top Dollar Property

How is it possible that this still exists? It is right on the Pacific Coast Highway, just up a ways from Laguna's Main Beach. The photo doesn't make it look like those are glam houses on the hills, but you can be sure there is nothing under a million.

Who Dines?

So little has changed in 35 years! You still order at the window and sit down at one of the picnic tables near the dumpster or near a couple work trucks. I love it that you have surfer dudes, lawn crew workers, manicured mamas with model perfect blond tots, all sharing tables beside the parking lot!

Feast!

Don went for a burger, but I went for the burrito. I was so hungry that I forgot to snap a photo, but it was every bit as delicious and filling as I remembered.

The Shake Shack!

Just north of Laguna, before Corona del Mar, we found a bright yellow "shack" overlooking North Beach. Don and I struggled to recall what we could, of our date shake memories. Did this replace an older shack? We certainly didn't remember anything so bright or an ocean view deck with patio heaters! But who cares, we got our incredibly thick shake made with huge chunks of date!

View!

While we indulged, we studied the land jutting out into the blue water. We noticed lots of homes scattered on top. We had remembered only one ritzy mansion, and the rumor that it belonged to Elton John. And where was the mobile home park that claimed the beautiful beach area below? I always meant to get a picture of that ideal trailer park! We later learned it had been the setting for a scene in Lucille Ball's "The Long Long Trailer" movie.

Crystal Cove Shake

As we pondered the changes, we became more grateful that the Ruby's chain had bought the old shack. I don't care much for chains, but Ruby's has kept this prime location from turning into some elite hotel that most of us can't afford. Plus the guy working there was surprisingly friendly and gracious.

Next Time

As we finished up, the small parking lot began to fill with carpooling moms, who must have promised after school treats. Funny to think about kids growing up in beach communities and how different their routines are. As we headed to the car I spotted the yellow one-sided picnic table. I do love a picnic table and especially a bright yellow one with an ocean view. Next time!

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