Santa Cruz Beaches

The Monterey Bay  includes the coastline of both Monterey and Santa Cruz counties. Monterey is the southern end, while Santa Cruz is the northern end. Usually, we think of the south as being warmer than the north. But, when it comes to beaches in this region, nope. The beaches of Santa Cruz county are warmer, once the fog moves out. 

There are more than 20 public beaches on the Santa Cruz county coastline, which stretches from Watsonville (south) to Davenport (north).  Public access is also available to beaches which involves passing through private property, such as the Seascape Beach Resort in Aptos.

For more info about Santa Cruz beaches, check out these links:

• Beaches (Santa Cruz County)
• Santa Cruz Parks, Open Space & Nature Preserves
• Parks & Beaches (Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks) 

 

You can view hillsides of Pampas Grass when you walk the public access trail
to the beach at the Seascape Beach Resort.

March 4 to March 10 theme for Take 25 to Hollister: The Pacific Coast

Año Nuevo State Reserve

Have you ever seen northern elephant seals up close? Want to?

There are a few places along the Pacific Coast where northern elephant seals gather on the beach throughout the year. One such place is the Año Nuevo State Reserve, which is part of the California State Parks system. It's about 65 miles northwest of Hollister, or about 20 miles north of Santa Cruz on Highway 1.

From December to March, reserve visitors can only view the northern elephant seals on guided walks. During this period, the mammals mate, give birth, and wean their pups that later head to sea in April. In the spring and summer, the elephant seals return to Año Nuevo to molt.

For more information about the park and elephant seals, check out these links:

• Año Nuevo State Reserve
• Año Nuevo State Reserve (Every Trail)
• Elephant Seals (California State Parks)
• "Elephant Seal Tracking Reveals Hidden Lives of Deep-Diving Animals" by Tim Stephens (UC Santa Cruz Newscenter)

March 4 to March 10 theme for Take 25 to Hollister:The Pacific Coast

Creative Escapes

Local artist  Shannon Grissom opens her studio in downtown Hollister every Thursday afternoon for Creative Escapes. For a flat admission fee and a fee per project, children and grownups are welcome to use her art supplies . . .

to draw. . .

to paint . . .

 to paint. . .

to paint . . .

or to make collages, masks, or greeting cards

Last Thursday, a bunch of friends and I spent a few fun hours in Shannon's studio. None of us really had an idea what we wanted to do other than to play with art. Although game about the adventure, a few of us were wary about the whole idea. I, for instance, have been chipping away at my fear of art ever since my first grade teacher told me, "Susie, draw your cows on the ground."  An afternoon with Shannon put a lot of my apprehension in the trash bag.  If you'd like to see what I ended up creating, you can view it here at Don't Be a Hippie.

For more about Shannon and her Creative Escapes, check out these sites:

• Shannon Grissom—Artist, Author, Television Host, Producer, and Songwriter
• Shannon Grissom (Facebook)
• "Creative Escapes" with Shannon

Hollister to Santa Cruz

Lighthouse Point

Santa Cruz is home to the Giant Dipper Roller Coaster, as well as the University of Santa Cruz. The beach town is also known for being one of best surfing places along the Pacific coast.

According to mapquest.com, Hollister is about 44 miles from Santa Cruz. And, when I was a kid, my family drove over every Fourth of July to hang out at the Boardwalk. The fog always lifted by 11 a.m.

Surfers at Lighthouse Point

 For more about Santa Cruz, check out these links:

• City of Santa Cruz
• Santa Cruz.com
• Santa Cruz Surfing Museum 
• Surfin' Santa Cruz 
• The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk Amusement Park
   

  

  
  

  March 4 to March 10 theme for Take 25 to Hollister:The Pacific Coast

There's the Ocean. . . Right Over There

The theme for this week, March 4 to March 10, is the Pacific Coast.

Here's a look of the Pacific Coast from Fremont Peak above San Juan Bautista.
That light blue "line" at the foot of the mountains, on the left, is the northern end of Monterey Bay. To see how Fremont Peak looks like from over there, click here.

You've heard the stories. Maybe you have a doozy of a story yourself. A middle-aged (or older) Hollister local (current or former) is standing in a line at a theater (or store or restaurant or somewhere else) in another city. He (or she) notices the young man (or woman) standing next to him (or her) wears a sweatshirt with the word Hollister on it. So, of course, the Hollister local starts up a conversation.

"Hi, I'm from Hollister, too," the Hollister middle-aged person says.
"Huh?" the sweatshirt wearing young person says.
"Go Balers!"
"What?"
"Aren't you from Hollister, California?"
"No."
"Oh, sorry, I just saw your sweatshirt and thought you were from my hometown."
"I bought this in the Hollister store. You're from Hollister, California? Wow. Are you a surfer?"
"What?"

The End of the Line

What better way to end this week's theme of Trains and Railroads with a photo of the end of the Union Pacific line in Hollister.

Curious about the history of railroads in our area?  Check out these links.

• Railroads of the Central Coast—An Overview (Monterey County Historical Society)
• The Tres Pinos Monorail by David B. Simons Jr. (The Monorail Society)
• San Juan/Pacific Railway Company (Yesteryear Depot Collection)

The Railroad in San Juan Bautista

Until the Southern Pacific built the railroad in Hollister in the 1870s, San Juan Bautista was the bustling metropolis in this area. But, that's a story for another time. In 1907, a railroad did eventually come to the mission city. Originally run by the San Juan Pacific Railway, it became part of the California Central Railroad several years later.

An E Clampus Vitus plaque (the photo above) on Mission Vineyard Road (next to San Juan Inn) marks the southeast portion of the railroad. Here's what the marker states:

The San Juan Pacific Railway was incorporated May 4, 1907, becoming the California Central Railroad in 1912. Some of the locals referred to it as the San Juan Terrific. Built to haul the expected large quantities of Portland cement from the old Mission Cement Company Plant nearby, the mainline extended 7.94 miles from Chittenden to San Juan Junction. Ceasing railroad operations in 1930, the track was ripped up after the last locomotive, Ocean Shore No. 5 was steamed up and shipped to Nevada in 1937. A narrow gauge 'road' reached the limestone quarry up the San Juan Canyon.

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

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 

Freight Train Graffiti

Some say graffiti is art. Others say not. Regardless, it's vandalism unless authorized by the property owner.

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

February 25 to March 3 theme for Take 25 to Hollister: Trains and Railroads - See more at: http://www.take25tohollister.com/#uds-search-results

February 25 to March 3 theme for Take 25 to Hollister: Trains and Railroads - See more at: http://www.take25tohollister.com/#uds-search-results

February 25 to March 3 theme for Take 25 to Hollister: Trains and Railroads - See more at: http://www.take25tohollister.com/#uds-search-results

February 25 to March 3 theme for Take 25 to Hollister: Trains and Railroads - See more at: http://www.take25tohollister.com/#uds-search-results

Box Cars

The freight box cars usually sit behind the cannery warehouse on Sally Street.

During the Great Depression, my uncle rode the freight train to get from here to there to find work. Just like in the movies, he hopped onto a box car. He rode all over with hobos. Funny, how he never considered himself one. 

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

 

Railroad Crossing

The Union Pacific freight train comes into town almost every day, especially during the cannery season. You don't have to be downtown to know it's here. Toot! Toot! can be heard at least as far as Sunnyslope School.

After watching this 2007 video by Tom Vance, I now understand why the train whistles so much. And, it's not because it's saying "Hello, people!" It's more like "Hey people! Look out! I'm bigger and heavier than you and may crush you if you insist on suddenly getting in my path."

Vance shot a freight train leaving Hollister on an April day.  I was somewhat dumbstruck as I watched the first part of the video as the train left town. Drivers swooshed over the tracks before the railroad gates came down; two teenage girls walked in front of the train; and one driver backed off the tracks. As the video shows the train lumbering out of town, you see country sights you can't see as you're zooming down Highway 25. Take a look. Here's the link again.

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

The Old Train Depot

The theme this week, February 25 to March 3,  is Trains and Railroads. . .

You can find this plaque, which was placed by two chapters of the E Clampus Vitus, in front of the old train depot at the east end of Fifth Street. It states:

Hollister Train Service

The Tres Pinos branch of the Southern Pacific Railroad began train service to Hollister on July 13, 1871. Train service was a main reason the population grew from 300 in 1870 to over 2000 by 1873. Besides passenger service, major commodities shipped have included hay, produce and beer. The final passenger excursion occurred on October 30, 1955. The depot, originally constructed in the late 1860's, was fully restored by the Rodriguez family in 1991. 

Today, the depot is home to a restaurant and a few other establishments. Click here to see a photo of how it looked in 1968. And, here's what it looks like a few years ago.

2013 Hollister Motorcycle Rally

2011 Hollister Motorcycle Rally (unofficial)

Yes. The Hollister Motorcycle Rally is officially on this year. The last one, a financial disaster managed by the City of Hollister, was in July 2008. Not that the motorcycle rally really disappeared. For four years, bikers continued to trek to Hollister over the July 4th weekend to pay homage to the Birthplace of the American Biker.

So, it's back. July 5 and 6. Promoters and supporters are happy and excited. The word is that bikers can park themselves on main street and not in some distant lot from the original site where the 1947 riot took place.  For details about the rally, head over to the official Web site.

And, if you're interested in some history about the annual Hollister Motorcycle Rally, check out these links.

• It's Back! Hollister Bringing Back Rally in 2013  
• The Real "Wild Ones" The 1947 Hollister Motorcycle Riot  
• "The Gang's All Here" by Mark Singer in The New Yorker

 Today marks the end of this week's theme: Bikers, Motorcycles, and Hollister.  

 

Johnny's Bar and Grill

In The Wild One, some of the movie is set in a bar on Main Street, and in one scene a biker rides through the bar. That bar in the movie, ladies and gentlemen, was based on the actual bar on San Benito Street—Johnny's Bar and Grill.

So, did someone really ride through the bar?

 February 18 to 24 theme for Take 25 to Hollister: Bikers, Motorcycles, and Hollister 

Bikers on Parade

Several times each year, San Benito Street gets closed for a few hours for a parade. In at least three parades, we can count on seeing bikers take part—the Saddle Horse Show and Rodeo Parade in June  and the Veterans Day Parade and the Lights on Celebration Parade in November.

February 18 to 24 theme for Take 25 to Hollister: Bikers, Motorcycles, and Hollister 

The Annual Blessing of the Bikes

I thought the  Blessing of the Bikes was an event that happened only locally. With the wonders of Google,  I learned that it's a tradition that takes place nationwide. According to Wikipedia, this event started in 1999 as a mass blessing of bicycles at a cathedral in New York City.

The local Bike Blessing is sponsored by the Hollister Top Hatters Motorcycle Club.  This year the event will take place on March 24. It starts with a check-in at Whiskey Creek Saloon on 5th and East Streets, between 11 a.m. and noon. The bikers then will proceed to Sacred Heart Church for the blessing ceremony.

Afterwards, the group will be holding a BBQ fundraiser at Bolado Park, in which proceeds go to the San Benito High School Scholarship Fund. The public is invited. Click here for the details.

February 18 to 24 theme for Take 25 to Hollister: Bikers, Motorcycles, and Hollister 

SNOW

It's the first snow of 2013 in Hollister. Whoo-hoo!

 

 

The Wild One

You can find not one, not two, but three murals around Hollister that feature a young, brooding Marlon Brando in biker mode.

Marlon Brando in Wentz Alley. . .

 Marlon Brando on East Street . . .

 

Marlon Brando on Technology Parkway . . .

Do you wonder why there are so many murals with Marlon Brando in Hollister? 

The answer: Read this post from the archives of  Take 25 to Hollister. 

February 18 to 24 theme for Take 25 to Hollister: Bikers, Motorcycles, and Hollister 

Bike Seats in Hollister

Corbin Seats is well-known for producing custom motorcycle seats and accessories. Its manufacturing facilities is located in the Hollister Business Park across from the Hollister Municipal Airport. According to the Corbin Web site, it employs 100 craftspeople to handcraft a variety of products, including saddles, saddlebags, backrests, fairings and body components for street bikes, off-road bikes, and scooters. For more about the company, check out its Web site. 

This year, Corbin will hold its 4th Annual Rider Appreciation Day  during the 2013 Hollister Motorcycle Rally on July 5 and 6, which will be the first  biker rally sanctioned by the City of Hollister since 2009. For schedule information about Corbin's Appreciation Day, go to this link.  For information about the 2013 rally, check out this link.

Back in the late 1990s, Mike Corbin, the company owner, invented a cute little electric car called the Sparrow,  Only a few hundred were built because of the lack of technology and other problems. Today, Corbin is producing a newer version of the Sparrow. Here's a neat story about it:  Sparrow 2: The Redemption of an EV Pioneer by Jim Merithew. 

February 18 to 24 theme for Take 25 to Hollister: Bikers, Motorcycles, and Hollister

Destination: Birthplace of the American Biker

The theme this week, February 18 to 24,  is Bikers, Motorcycles, and Hollister. . .

A common sight: Visiting bikers taking photos of the cool mural on Wentz Alley.

Bikers rumbling through downtown Hollister on any given day is a regular thing. Many of them are visitors who have come to experience the Birthplace of the American Biker. They come singly, in duos, as trios, and in packs of four or more. Some just drive through as they head to near and far in San Benito County, while others pull up and rest a spell.

How did Hollister become known as the Birthplace of the American Biker? Because of what took place on the July 4th weekend in 1947, in which the City of Hollister decided to commemorate in 1997 with a 50th anniversary biker rally. And, that began the annual motorcycle rally that became known to bikers far and wide. To read more about the 1947 event, go to this page at Take 25 to Hollister.

By the way, the official Hollister Independence Biker Rally is back this year: July 5 and 6, 2013. Head over to The Hollister Rally Web site for information.

The Downtown Fire Station

What a perfect way to end this week's theme: Red in Downtown Hollister, don't you think?

American Red Cross

Do you know where the local American Red Cross office is located?

The  Hollister American Red Cross office is part of the Monterey Bay Chapter.  The local office is at 357 Fifth Street, next to the City Hall. It's open Monday through Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

February 11 to 17 theme for Take 25 to Hollister: Red in Downtown Hollister

Local Plays at the Granada

The Granada Theater on Fifth Street was one of two movie theaters in Hollister for several decades. State Theater, the larger—and probably the older—one stood on the corner of San Benito and Seventh Streets. The 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake damaged the State Theater, and sometime later it was burned down in a fire.

As a kid, I remember the Granada showed Spanish-language movies.  Today, local theater groups present live performances there. Starting tonight, the San Benito Stage Company will be performing the musical Monty Python's Spamalot.

The Granada Theater is available for rent. Contact the San Benito Stage Company for information.

February 11 to 17 theme for Take 25 to Hollister: Red in Downtown Hollister

A Place to Sit

Did you know that a furniture store moved into part of the Dick Bruhn building on San Benito Street? The sign says Ashley Furniture.

The spiffy red chair was sitting in front of the store on Sunday afternoon. Cute, isn't it? Happy Valentine's Day, dear Take 25 to Hollister Readers.

February 11 to 17 theme for Take 25 to Hollister: Red in Downtown Hollister

What's This Building?

So, what do you think: Were these windows at one time? Why did the owner use bricks to seal them?

This building stands at the corner of Wentz Alley and Sally Street. Anyone know what this building was—or is—used for? My foggy brain thinks it was once connected with PG&E.

February 11 to 17 theme for Take 25 to Hollister: Red in Downtown Hollister

I Heart You

Several of the shops in downtown Hollister are displaying the hearts in their windows. I wonder why.

February 11 to 17 theme for Take 25 to Hollister: Red in Downtown Hollister

Shop and Play Locally

The theme this week, February 11 to 17,  is Red in Downtown Hollister. Today, we'll see the red in  eating, shopping, and playing locally. Yep, indeed.

A sign in the window of DLG Printing at 435 San Benito Street.

Breakfast at the Pendergrass Restaurant, 500 San Benito Street.

The signature shopping bags of San Benito Bene at 615B San Benito Street.

The musical Spamalot will start this week at the Granada Theater.

A Great Place for a Picnic

The San Benito County Historical and Recreation Park is a wonderful place to have a picnic. It's also a nice setting for a reunion, a wedding reception, or any other kind of large party. You can reserve one or two sites, or even all of the sites for your special parties. For information, check out this page at the San Benito County Parks and Recreation Web site.

Today is the last day of San Benito County Historical Park week at Take 25 to Hollister. I barely touched the surface. You'll just have to go visit the park yourself. It's just a few miles south of Tres Pinos. The entrance is right off Highway 25, on the west side. If you reach Bolado Park, you know you've gone too far.

The Sullivan House

One of the historic buildings at the San Benito County Historical Park is called the Sullivan House. It was named for the original owner, Mary Sullivan. Her brother, Michael Shea, a carpenter for Colonel Hollister, built the cute cottage for her around 1868. The house was located on San Felipe Street, near the Miyako Japanese Restaurant. It was the first building to be moved to the historical village.

To read more about the Sullivan House, check out this page at the San Benito County Historical Society Web site.

To learn more the San Benito County Historical and Recreation Park, check out this page.

February 4 to 10 theme for Take 25 to Hollister: San Benito County Historical Park

Hose Cart #2

In 1875, the young town of Hollister established a fire department that consisted of 69 volunteer firemen. The fire department created two hose companies and one hook and ladder company to serve the town as well as the surrounding area.

The hose barns, or fire stations, were built near the north and south borders of Hollister where fires were likely to range the most. Hose Cart #1 was put up on North Street, while Hose Cart #2 was erected in Swope Alley.

Until a few years ago, you might've stumbled upon the small wooden fire station #2 as you wandered through Swope Alley. Today, you can view Hose Cart #2 at the historical village in the San Benito County Historical and Recreation Park, just south of Tres Pinos on Highway 25.

For more information about the  historical village, check out this page at the San Benito Historical Society Web site. 

Want to read some more history of the establishment of the Hollister Fire Department? Here's a link for you to do so, which is at the Hollister Fire Department web page.

And, for a glance of the today's fire station, head over to this link on Take 25 to Hollister.

February 4 to 10 theme for Take 25 to Hollister: San Benito County Historical Park

A Vintage Sign

The Mobilgas Pegasus in the Cloud sign is a classic. Mobilgas (before it renamed itself as Mobil in 1963) introduced the red winged Pegasus in the 1930s. You can see the sign in its vintage glory at the historic village in the San Benito County Historical and Recreation Park. It's hanging on the outdoor wall of the first floor of the Ferrando House.

February 4 to 10 theme for Take 25 to Hollister: San Benito County Historical Park

Willow Creek School

The Willow Creek School is one of the several one-room schools that once existed throughout  San Benito County.  Built in the early 1870s, the Willow Creek School can be seen at the historic village in the San Benito County Historical and Recreation Park.

The school was built on the Melendy Ranch, which is a few miles north of the Pinnacles National Park. According to the local historians, the redwood lumber used for the school was brought over from Santa Cruz.

The Melendy Ranch donated the school to the San Benito County Historical Society, which moved the school to the historic village in the early 1990s. For more history and photos of the Willow Creek School, visit this page at the San Benito County Historical Park web site.

February 4 to 10 theme for Take 25 to Hollister: San Benito County Historical Park

The Cottage Bar

The Cottage Bar is one of the historic buildings at the San Benito County Historical Park. According to the E Clampus Vitus placard on the building, this was the first saloon to serve steamed beer in the area. The building is over 130 years old.

It was originally located at Cottage Corners, which was the area about where San Felipe Road and Wright Road intersect. If memory serves me, it stood on the northwest corner, which is now occupied by many of the blue tanks of Dassel's Petroleum, Inc.  Prior to being moved to the historic village, Cottage Bar was last owned by the Dassel family.

February 4 to 10 theme for Take 25 to Hollister: San Benito County Historical Park

A View from Above the Historic Park

You can do a short walk above the San Benito County Historical and Recreational Park, from which you can see some pretty good sights. It's worth the slight climb.

The San Benito County Historical and Recreational Park is one mile south of Tres Pinos, just off Highway 25. It's open from dawn to dusk. In addition to the walking path, the park offers picnic sites and a historic village of various buildings, machines, and tools that once belonged to local residents.

The village is run by the San Benito County Historical Society, while the recreational areas are maintained by the San Benito County Parks and Recreation.

Check out these links, for more information about the park.
~ San Benito County Historical Park
~ Historical Park picnic site reservations

-------
Dear Take 25 Readers,
I'm trying something new for awhile—a weekly theme with daily posts. The first week's theme, obviously, is the San Benito County Historical and Recreational Park. 

Until later, dear readers.
Su-sieee! Mac

Twelve Days into 2013

Dear Take 25 to Hollister readers, hello!

Here's my first photo of  2013. I wanted a photo of the big brown bird on top of the clock tower  in the  Clocktower Plaza's parking lot on McCray Street. It seemed out of place. It didn't look like a hawk so I wondered if it could've been a falcon or a young golden eagle. Anyone else saw it last Wednesday evening?

So, here we are twelve days into the New Year and look! Five new, exciting things have happened.

• The Pinnacles National Monument has been upgraded to drum roll, please. . . Pinnacles National Park. It joins the same status as the Grand Canyon, Yosemite, and Yellowstone National Parks. Numero 59, the Pinnacles National Park is. For a complete story, check out this Mercury News link.
• The Hollister Motorcycle Rally is baaaack. Yep. The City Council approved the event earlier this week. So, mark your calendars for July 5 and July 6, 2013. To learn more, check out this Cycle World link.
• The Hollister Downtown Association received notice from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office that it has the exclusive right to use the logo Hollister {the original}. So, there you go Abercrombie & Fitch with your imaginary beach town called Hollister.
• Local artist Shannon Grissom is offering Creative Escapes every Thursday in her art studio. What fun! Customers will have the opportunity to draw, paint, decorate masks, and make collages. For information about her Creative Escapes, click this link to go to Shannon's Web site.
• BenitoLink.com is up and running. It's an online web portal for San Benito County residents to learn about local news and events, as well as a venue for residents to offer their opinions and discuss issues that concern them. Go ahead, go check BenitoLink.com out.

Pinnacles National Park...Soon!

Last night, the bill to change Pinnacles National Monument to the status of a national park was passed in the Senate. That means that all it needs now is to be signed into law by President Obama. What a wonderful start to 2013. Whoo-hooo!

By the way, the park is working on a new general management plan. The public is invited to read the proposed plan and make comments on it until January 11. If you're interested, click here to access it at the park's Web site.

Happy New Year, Dear Readers! Happy New Year!