Showing posts with label Tres Pinos. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Tres Pinos. Show all posts

Wednesday, November 12, 2014

Rural. Rustic. And, Red.


This gorgeous scene is from the intersection of Bolado and Southside Roads, just below Tres Pinos.

I'm hooking up with Mrs. Nesbitt's ABC Wednesday. Today's letter (I bet you guessed correctly) is R. To check out other R posts, please click here.


Thursday, September 4, 2014

Limekiln Monorail

 

Limekiln Monorail
Built in 1894 by J.J. Burt to carry "diamond brand" lime from Harlan Mt. to the S.P. Railroad at Tres Pinos.
The track was a single wooden rail. The locomotive was wood fueled steam operated. On its maiden voyage, the engine exploded while taking on water from Pescadero Creek thus ending the operation forever.  
So states this E Clampus Vitus plaque that stands towards the southern end of Cienega Road, which was erected on April 21, 1979 by Monterey Viejo Chapter 1846. 

Doesn't the idea of a monorail at the turn of the 19th century running all the way from Tres Pinos to Cienega Road just astound you? It does me. 

J.J. Burt was the owner of the Cienega Lime Works, which makes sense for the name of Limekiln Road off Cienega Road.

The New York Railroad Men reprinted an article about the monorail in its October 1891 issue, Vol. 5, No. 1, page 722. It begins: 
A curious little railroad train goes crawling up and down the mountain from Tres Pinos to Burt's lime kiln in the Gavilan range, San Benito county, every day. It is probably the strangest railroad that ever was seen; yet, thus far, not a word has ever been printed regarding it. The train moves on a curious single track and is drawn by an engine set low on it.
If you'd like to continue reading the article, click here. For a relatively more current article, check out this piece by David B. Simons Jr., that's posted at The Monorail Society website.

Monday, August 25, 2014

Blue Doors and Stairways


This old unused building stands at the south end of Tres Pinos on Highway 25. I have often wondered whether the building was used by the railroad that ran to Tres Pinos once upon a time.

Tres Pinos is the fourth largest community in San Benito County. Population of the unincorporated town was about 476 in 2010, according to the U.S. Census. To learn more about Tres Pinos, check out this earlier post that I wrote about the town.

Yup, I'm participating in another linky party. Today, it is Blue Monday, hosted by Smiling Sally. Click on the link to check out other posts that feature the color blue.

Thursday, July 31, 2014

Remembering the Tres Pinos Hotel


Standing at the corner of Fifth Street and Highway 25 in Tres Pinos is an E Clampus Vitis plaque commemorating the Tres Pinos Hotel that was there from 1873 to 1958. The hotel was originally known as the Southern Pacific Hotel, which Southern Pacific built when it brought the railroad to Tres Pinos. If I understand the various references correctly, Juan Etcheverry, who owned 1,400 acres of land in and around Tres Pinos, took over the hotel and it became known as the Etcheverry Hotel.

What was the hotel like? Here's what Marjorie Pierce wrote on page 129 in East of the Gabilans:
". . .the hotel was a bustling place. It was to Tres Pinos what the Plaza Hotel was to San Juan. Hay and grain buyers and stockmen would come and stay. The train would stop overnight before going back so the railroad men also were guests. The station was across from the hotel and the turntable was a short distance away. In the kitchen there were three Chinese cooks to handle the busy dining room. There was a pool room, a public room with a fireplace and poker tables, and a bar which was probably called a saloon in those days. . . ."


Thursday, January 23, 2014

Eat Locally: The Inn at Tres Pinos


The Husband and I had no idea what we had been missing when we stepped into the Inn at Tres Pinos last month for dinner. Everything about the restaurant was quite delightful. The setting was intimate and comfortable, the servers were friendly and efficient, and the food and drink were heavenly.

Built in 1880, The Inn at Tres Pinos is a Historical Landmark. Once upon a time, it was a brothel, but that isn't the sole reason for having achieved landmark status.  Check out this web page for more history about the place and Tres Pinos. 


Friday, August 30, 2013

Tres Pinos, California


Tres Pinos is about five miles south of Hollister.  Highway 25 runs through the business section of the quaint little town of 476 residents, so you can't miss it.  

In Spanish, Tres Pinos means three pines. But, in this Tres Pinos, the three pines do not exist. Originally, the town was called Paicines, after the Indian tribe of the area. About five miles to the south of the current Tres Pinos is an even smaller town by the name of Paicines. Uh-huh. You got it. Once upon the same time, that village was called Tres Pinos for the three pines that stood alongside the nearby creek. Why the name switch? Click here for the story.
 

Things to Do

The San Benito County Historic Park
Tres Pinos may be small, but it has a lot to offer. On the southern edge of town is the beautiful Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, which is worth a stop to look inside and to  around the grounds. Head over to here to see a few photos of it.
By the way, don't be surprised if you suddenly hear a strange flutter above you and then the sight of legs sticking out from under colorful parachutes. The field across from the church is the drop zone for Skydive Hollister, the local skydiving outfit.

If you're into golf, or just want to hit a bucket of balls, stop by the Bolado Park Golf Club, about half-a-mile or less down the road. It's a public golf course with 9 holes.  

Or, if it's history that you want to escape into, stop at the nearby San Benito County Historical and Recrational Park to wander through the Historical Village. There's also a short trail that goes along the hillside above the park. Nice far-away views from there.

The San Benito County Fairgrounds, more popularly known as Bolado Park, is also located in Tres Pinos. RV camping is available year-round on the lovely grounds. Two of the largest events held there each year are the San Benito County Saddle Horse Show & Rodeo in June and, of course, the County Fair, which will be from October 4 to 6 this year.


Crepes from Flapjack's Country Cafe

Restaurants

When you're hungry, you don't have to go far to fill your tummies with yummy food and drink. Heading back north from Bolado Park on Highway 25, your choices include:

Organic Crops

Some of the best tasting chickens, eggs, and walnuts are produced in Tres Pinos. Paul and Leti Hain of Hain Ranch Organics sell their products at farmers markets and through the Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program. Folks can also purchase their goods directly at their farm on harvest days. You can't get any fresher than that!  Check out their website for details.  Be sure to watch the video in which Paul describes how he raises the chickens. 

A delivery of chickies to the Hain Ranch Organics.

Friday, March 1, 2013

The Railroad in Tres Pinos


What you're looking at is Highway 25 in Tres Pinos. You're looking west from a hitching post at the 19th Hole Booze and Food. Tres Pinos is a quiet little village, but over a 100 years ago, wowza!

Back in 1873, the Southern Pacific ran a line to Tres Pinos. Soon the town became a busy shipping center for hay, cattle, and grain. The railroad also shipped quicksilver for the New Idria Mines. The railroad ran two passenger and two freight trains daily, states the Inn at Tres Pinos Web site.

According to the go.to/tres pinos web page: "Among the businesses in downtown Tres Pinos were seven enormous grain warehouses, a scale house, six saloons (one that was illegal), bullfighting arena, and large hotel (as well as rumored bordellos)."

The story goes that initially the Southern Pacific planned to build the railroad to Paicines, which back then was the original Tres Pinos. What we know as the town of Tres Pinos today was then called Paicines. After laying railroad lines to Paicines, the Southern Pacific no longer wanted to go further. The railroad somehow got the two communities to switch names by 1874 so that it can say it completed its objective: Build a railroad line to Tres Pinos.

The Southern Pacific dismantled the railroad line in 1944.

February 25 to March 3 theme for Take 25 to Hollister: Trains and Railroads 

Saturday, December 29, 2012

What Direction?


One of these days I'm going to remember to look for this particular spot in Tres Pinos so I can read what the sign says on that building. I had no idea there was a sign until I was cropping this photo. I took it a few months ago, most likely for the fact that the steeple of the Immaculate Conception was peeking over the roof and the birds were flying by high above it.




Wednesday, December 26, 2012

Bolado Park Golf Club


On a whim, the Husband and I decided to pull into the Bolado Park Golf Club, just off of Highway 25, a bit south of Tres Pinos. Neither of us play golf, but that wasn't going to stop us from possibly hitting a bucket of balls on the driving range.

Hundreds of years ago when I was a Hollister Haybaler,  I played a round of golf once on the 9-hole course. The girl PE teachers thought it would be a good experience for us girls to top off our quarter in golf with a game on an actual golf course. I remember hitting quite a few divots into the air.

The Bolado Park Golf Club is a public golf course. It was established in the late 1920s. It was Hollister's first golf course. For more information, check out the golf course's Web site. You can also find a couple of  videos of people playing there in the 1940s.

As for the Husband and me on the day of our visit, we rented (correct word?) a small bucket of golf balls for $3. Three bucks! What a deal for a bit of fun. We didn't have any golf clubs, but the lovely lady running the show let us borrow a few of them that were lying around the shop.

The Husband did quite well hitting the balls down the drive for only the second or third time in his life. Me, I managed to hit only one divot into the air. Pretty good, I say.

Tuesday, November 27, 2012

The 2012 Holiday Cheer Shop Hop

The baskets from the 2011 shop hop.
Photo courtesy of San Benito Bene.
Psssssssst. Have you heard what's happening this Saturday, December 1?

It's the 2012 San Benito County Holiday Cheer Shop Hop. Whooo-hooo. Eighty-eight (88!) shops, restaurants, galleries, artisans, services, salons and spas, agriculturists, and nonprofit groups throughout the county are taking part in this second annual event. We're talking 88 local businesses from Hollister, San Juan Bautista, Tres Pinos, and Aromas.

These 88 local businesses have generously contributed items that shoppers have the opportunity of winning by entering their name at each business they visit on Saturday. The Holiday Cheer Shop Hop organizers are creating 15 (15!) lavish baskets that may include products such as chocolates, wine, olive oil, note cards, and lotions, as well as gift certificates to restaurants, shops, spas, financial services, and so on. Some businesses will also be raffling their own basket of goodies, so you never know what you may find.

By the way, did I say it is all free? Yep, it's free to enter for a chance for one of the 15 awesome baskets. No purchases necessary, but hey! you never know what you may want or need to buy for yourself and others. And, like wise mathematicians out there might say, your chances of winning increase with each additional business you visit.  So, here you go. The list of the many local businesses to hop to this Saturday. 


The Shops

Historical Downtown Hollister 
Going from north to south, these businesses are located between Fourth and South Streets.
Different Treasures Different Days, 443 San Benito Street
Country Groomers, 206 Fifth Street
Irma's Fashion, 230 Fifth Street
Hollister Sign Co., 535 San Benito Street
Penny Wise Drug Store, 549 San Benito Street
Pallacio Day Spa, and San Benito Bene are located at 615 San Benito Street.
Serendipity Gifts, 616 San Benito Street
She's Women's Apparel, 620 San Benito Street
Delux Hair Salon, 625 San Benito Street
McKinnon Lumber, 217 7th Street
Vitality Skin Care & Massage, 339 Seventh Street, Suite A  
Shannon Grissom, Artist, 719 San Benito Street, Suite A
San Benito County Arts Council Blak Sage Gallery, 727 San Benito Street
Drapoel,  731 San Benito Street
Bel Amour Pet Spa & Boutique, 730 B San Benito Street
Paradiso Spa Salon,  750 San Benito Street 
These businesses are also located in downtown Hollister:
Joshua Inn Bed & Breakfast Boutique,  712 West Street (by 7th Street)
Simply Skin, 581 McCray Street (by the theater)
These businesses are located south of downtown Hollister:
Salon Deja Vu Spa ,341 Tres Pinos Road, Suites 204-205
YMCA of the Central Coast, 351 Tres Pinos Road
The Farm Bertuccio's, 2410 Airline Highway (aka Highway 25, near Union Road)
DeRose Winery, 9970 Cienega Road  (The Car Museum should be open that day.)
These businesses are located north of downtown, in the Hollister Business Park across from the Hollister Airport:
Garlic Festival Foods, 1803 Shelton Drive, #104
Marich Premium Chocolates, 2101 Burt Drive
The following businesses are northeast of downtown. Both are near Fallon Road, which runs between Fairview Road and San Felipe Road (by Hollister Business Park).
B&R Farms,  5280 Fairview Road
M&M Garden Mart, 410 Spring Grove Road

San Juan Bautista
Some of the shops in San Juan Bautista share the same building. You might find info about some of the shops listed below at the Shop San Juan! Web site. The shops are listed in order from south to north. In other words, you're entering from Highway 156 at the traffic lights.  

The Alameda
Vintage Cottage Home and Garden, 103 The Alameda
Tresor Boutique  and The Last Stitch Quilting Design Studio and Gallery are at 107 The Alameda. 
Third Street  (The Alameda turns into Third Street at Franklin)
Shops on the east side (Think: Hollister is to the east.)
Mission Gallery, 106 Third Street
Rare Light Gallery  and Visions of Christmas are at 108 B Third Street.
Casa de Calores, 304 Third Street
These shops are located at 400 Third Street: Sweet Pea AntiquesThe Dreaming Tree, and Vintage Corner
San Juan Antiques and Collectibles, 406 Third Street
These shops are located at 410 Third Street: The Glass Connection, Attic Angels,  Frills (inside Attic Angels), and Nicola Cruise Fair Trade Gifts & Crafts 
3 Angels Antiques, 410 D Third Street
Shops on the west side (Think: Heading to Highway 101)
Paloma Paloma  and Season's Handcrafts are located at 203 Third Street.
Bear Flag Gallery Mall, 207 Third Street
Top Rock Shop, 209 Third Street
Mission Clocks and Watches, 217 Third Street
Treasure Chest de San Juan, 303 Third Street
It's Shabby and Chic, 311 Third Street
Bluebird Antiques and Collectibles, 401 Third Street
The Little Red Barn, 405 Third Street
Side streets
Livin' the Green Dream, 33 Washington Street
Aggie's Porch 37, Mariposa Street  (corner of 4th Street)
Fool's Gold Antiques, 34A Polk Street 
Aromas
Kathryn Aguras Real Estate, 376 Blohm Avenue
Dragonfly Gallery, 380 Blohm Avenue

Gotta Eat and Drink!

These local restaurants are participating in the Holiday Cheer Shop Hop, too. So, be sure to fill in an entry form for a chance at one of the 15 bountiful baskets of local goodies

Hollister
Pendergrass Restaurant, 500 San Benito Street (SW corner of 5th Street)
Heavenly Bakery, 601 San Benito Street (SE corner of 6th Street)
Best of Times Cafe, 615 San Benito Street (a few doors from Heavenly Bakery) 
Knife and Fork Cafe, 650 San Benito Street (by Brown Alley)
A.J. Sushi, 737 San Benito Street (near South Street)
Paine's Restaurant, 421 East Street (between 4th and 5th Streets)
Hollister Hills Taproom & Brewery, 401 McCray Street (in the Clocktower Plaza, near the pet store)
Tres Pinos
19th Hole Booze & Food, 7071 Airline Highway (Highway 25—about 5 miles south of Hollister) 
San Juan Bautista
Pizza Factory, 301 H The Alameda (in the Windmill Plaza)
Doña Esther Mexican Restaurant, 25 Franklin Street
La Casa Rosa Restaurant, 107 Third Street
Jardines de San Juan, 115 Third Street 
Orient Express, 35 Washington Street
Margot's Ice Cream Parlor, 211 Third Street
Mission Cafe, 300 Third Street
The Happy Rooster Restaurant, 313 Third Street
San Juan Bakery, 319 Third Street
Joan and Peter's German Restaurant, 322 Third Street
Basque Matxain Etxea Restaurant, 206 Fourth Street

Other Shop Hop Participants

The following artisans, businesses, and organizations have also contributed products and services to this year's Holiday Cheer Shop Hop:
Autoworks
Beauti Control
Bell Hill Goat Milk Soaps & Lotions (Products can also be found at San Benito Bene)
Calvista Insurance Agency Inc.
California Mutual Insurance Co.
H&R Block
MJM Computers
Oils of Paicines (Products can also be found at San Benito Bene)
San Benito County Cattle Women
San Benito Gold Raw Honey (Products can also be found at San Benito Bene and The Farm Bertuccio's)
Santa Barbara Bank and Trust
Vista Notes (Products can also be found at San Benito Bene, The Farm Bertuccio's, and Serendipity Gifts)
For more information, contact kathina@sanbenitobene.com or call her at 831-638-1188.


Tuesday, October 23, 2012

A Little Bit of Hawaii

There's this tree along Highway 25 in the hamlet of Tres Pinos that always makes me think of Hawaii. If I look at the tree from certain spots, I'm reminded of the ancient Hawaiian kings sporting their amazing helmets and feather capes. And, from other viewpoints, I can almost believe that beyond that tree is the ocean.

Tuesday, September 11, 2012

The 19th Hole


Martini coins? Jalapeno coins? Popper rounds? 

I just can't remember the name of the delicious deep-fried coin-shaped jalapenos that the 19th Hole Booze & Food serves in a martini glass, topped with an olive. I could just eat that with a green salad and a glass of beer. Yummm. 

The 19th Hole in Tres Pinos has been around since 1883. It's yet another fun place to stop for lunch (Thursday through Sunday) in the small village after a cruise through the back roads of San Benito County, a drop from a plane, a hike at the Pinnacles, a movie in Hollister, or whatever else you've been doing. Dinner, too, I bet. 

For photos, menus, and other stuff about the local watering hole, check out these links: 

Tuesday, December 13, 2011

100 Things I Like: The South View from Quien Sabe Road


Misty. A bit of rain. That's how it was yesterday afternoon when I took this photo from that almost last bend before the straightaway down to Highway 25 and Tres Pinos. I like this view anytime of the year. But, on a clear day when the hillsides and mountains are green—wow!

For more 100 Things I Like About Living in Hollister, click on that link.




Wednesday, November 2, 2011

100 Things I Like: Tres Pinos


Tres Pinos is an unincorporated town in San Benito County, which is about 5 miles south of Hollister.  Population of Tres Pinos is 476, according to Wikipedia.   Once upon a time, Tres Pinos was a large shipping center for hay. The Southern Pacific even ran a railroad line to the town. Click here for more history about Tres Pinos. Today, Highway 25 runs through the town.

For more 100 Things I Like About Living in Hollister, click on that link.



Thursday, October 13, 2011

100 Things I Like: That Cute Church in Tres Pinos


Immaculate Conception. That's the name of the  church at the south end of Tres Pinos, on Highway 25. I ought to remember its name. After all, my parents had me baptized there when I was just a month old, 500 years  ago.

I've featured the church on Take 25 a couple years ago. Click here if you'd like to know why I like the church or want to see photos of inside the church and the church grounds.

This Sunday, October 16, 2011, the church is having its annual BBQ, from noon to 4 p.m. Cost for adult plates is $13; children's plate is less. To get an idea of what will take place, read about last year's event by clicking here.

For more 100 Things I Like About Living in Hollister, click on that link.



Thursday, September 29, 2011

100 Things I Like: Flapjack's Country Cafe



Flapjack's Country Cafe is in Tres Pinos, on the north side of Highway 25. You can't miss it. Honestly.  The husband and I like to start an adventure with breakfast at Flapjack's. Or, when I can't stand it anymore and I need to eat me some pancakes.

The restaurant is open Wednesday through Sunday, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. If your heading to the San Benito County Fair this weekend, and looking for a place to eat beforehand. . . well, need I say more.

For more 100 Things I Like About Living in Hollister, click on that link.

Sunday, September 25, 2011

100 Things I Like: Community Bulletin Board


More specifically, I like the community bulletin board at the Tres Pinos post office.

For more 100 Things I Like About Living in Hollister, click on that link. 

Saturday, September 10, 2011

Rock Faces in Tres Pinos

Double click on the photo for a larger view.

Leaning out the car window, I very quickly clicked a photo of the hillside at the northwest entry (or exit) to Tres Pinos. This outcrop of rocks fascinates me for no good reason. Look closely and you can see a bunch of figures and faces. Remember Medusa?

Friday, September 2, 2011

Which is the Real Thing?



This is the field across from the Catholic church in Tres Pinos, just off Highway 25. It's the field in which skydivers land on the west end and hang gliders take flight on the east end. The landscape looks just as wonderful from the sky as it does from the road.

I took the above photo around 5 p.m. last Friday. This image is untouched. So either I have a dusty lens or it was rather smoggy that day. It could be a combination of both.

Now, see how the image looks when I did some adjusting of brightness, contrast, and color in Photoshop.  My question is this: Which image shows the scene as it really is—the top, middle, or bottom photo? 


After clicking on the auto levels and auto contrast in Photoshop


After clicking on the auto color in Photoshop

Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Equestrians


Said the queen, "Ms. Dee Klein, I decline to recline on the equine." Say that five times, if you dare.

And, if you want another "Take 25 to Hollister" tongue twister, try this one.

As for the photo? I spied these equestrians  in a corral just north of Tres Pinos, while the husband was driving back to Hollister. We were on Highway 25, aka Airline Highway, of course.


ShareThis

LinkWithin

Related Posts with Thumbnails