Hollywood, CA: Museum of Death

If you are already in Los Angeles on a cruise of MulhollandDrive, take a detour to Hollywood Blvd if you really want to feel alive. There, near the corner of Hollywood and Gower St, is the Museum of Death. It was established in June 1995 by J. D. Healy and Catherine Shultz with the museum's stated goal being "to make people happy to be alive". The Museum of Death is a self-guided tour, lasting approximately 45 minutes to an hour, but those who can stomach it stay as long as they like.

The Museum of Death houses the world's largest collection of serial murderer artwork, photos of the Charles Manson crime scenes, the guillotined severed head of the Blue Beard of Paris (Henri Landru), original crime scene and morgue photos from the grisly Black Dahlia murder, a body bag and coffin collection, replicas of full size execution devices, mortician and autopsy instruments, pet death taxidermy, and so much more!

For more information, visit their website. 

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Los Angeles, CA: Mulholland Drive and The Rock Store

If you are looking for a cruise this weekend, take a trip into Los Angeles and ride Mulholland Drive.  This 21 mile, mostly two lane road runs through the east side of the Santa Monica Mountains. Just off the 405 Freeway, filled with beautiful California landscapes, it has stunning views with some turn offs to enjoy the  Los Angeles Basin, the San Fernando Valley, and the Hollywood Sign. And while you are on your way stop off halfway between Malibu and Calabasas, enjoy a brew at The Rock Store.

The Rock Store is one of the most famous motorcyclist and biker hangouts in the world.  It's the perfect place to come by bike or by car for breakfast or lunch and a drink on Fridays, Saturdays or Sundays. Among the attractions are the rustic settings, celebrity sightings, hundreds of bikes to look at and the food and drinks. The Rock Store is most popular for their hefty breakfasts, BBQ tri-tip sandwiches, teriyaki chicken sandwiches, homemade chili and more and don't forget those ice cold beverages.

For more information, visit The Rock Store online. Pictures courtesy of their website. 

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Vacaville, Ca: The Vacaville Museum

In the rolling hills just west of Sacramento Valley is Vacaville. This town, nestled in the hills is off the 99 freeway, just an hour from San Francisco, and within minutes of the Napa and Sonoma wine countries.

If you want to soak in some of the local art, there are a few places you can go. The Vacaville Museum, a Center for Solano County History, has the current exhibit, Serigrafia, designs from California’s silkscreen master printmakers.  Only $3 for adults to tour the museum Tuesday through Friday. Vacaville is also becoming known for its Public Art, located throughout the community. Some of the best places to find public art in Vacaville are in the downtown, at City Hall, and at the Vacaville Cultural Center. And while you are downtown, pick up a brew at TJs Tavern.

If you are in the mood for something a little richer, visit the BackDoor Bistro. At BackDoor Bistro, they emphasize local and sustainable cuisine and offer a variety of wine selections. Balanced plates and local music create a great atmosphere for gathering after a nice ride. Join them for their Happy Hour from 5 to 7.

For more information about these places, visit their websites. 

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Boonville, CA: The Anderson Valley Brewing Company

Founded in 1987, the Anderson Valley Brewing Company brews some of the smoothest ales around in the small town of Boonville, CA, less than 150 miles north of San Francisco or west of Sacramento. It is a great ride either right up the 128 Anderson Valley Highway or the 101 freeway to the winding 253 Highway to get into town.

In 1996, the Anderson Valley Brewing company built their current 30-barrel facility at the corner of Highways 128 and 253, a mile from the center of Boonville. They give daily tours of the brewery and the three-story Bavarian-style brew house every afternoon. And don’t miss the Tap House open daily from 11am to 6pm (7pm on Fridays). In addition to the brewery grounds, which include picnic groves, horse pastures, and a famous disc golf course, the Tap Room is where Anderson Valley residents and friends of the brewery come to meet. The Tap Room has beers you won’t find outside of the brewery too.

If you want to stay the night, look up the Boonville Hotel. With fifteen unique rooms, from family suite to just-for-two, top floor of the hotel or set apart, there is something for everyone’s needs. Visit their family style restaurant, Table 128. They serve family style, prix fixe meals that delight and satisfy with menus inspired by whim and season. The wine bar has a number of unique and reasonable wines from abroad. The bar opens daily at 11am so stop by for a hot or cold drink, by the fire or in the garden.

For more information about Anderson Valley Brewing Company, their events and where to find their brew, visit their website. Also, to find more information a room at the Boonville Hotel, visit them online. Pictures courtesy of Anderson Valley Brewing Company. 

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Huntington Beach, CA: The Cruise of Lights

For those of you in the holiday spirit, take a trip down the Pacific Coast Highway to the Huntington Harbour.  On December 13 and 14 they will have the 52 annual Huntington Harbour Boat Parade, themed “Music in Paradise” this year, kicking off the annual event, The Cruise of Lights.

From December 17 to the 23, take a ride on a boat through the harbor and see the entire glory.  Hundreds of boats, decks, docks and homes decorated in thousands of lights all through the holiday season.  A 45-minute narrated boat tour through the sparkling waterways of Huntington Harbourwill take you what is called one of the most remarkable holiday light shows on water and voted Top 10 by Coastal Magazine.

And while you are there, stop into the Red Table Gastrobar, with their edgy interpretation of comfort food. The menu is comfortably priced with interesting yet approachable items intended to share and savor. Craft beers and outstanding wines have been selected to compliment the distinctive menu items and enhance the dining experience.

The tours leave from the parking lot of the Huntington Harbour Mall. For more information visit the HuntingtonHarbour Boat Parade, The Cruise of Lights and Red Table on their websites. Pictures courtesy of The Cruise of Lights. 

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Indio, CA - Indio International Tamale Festival

Next weekend take a trip to the 23rd annual Indio International Tamale Festival on December 6-7, 2014. Right off of Highway 111, in Old Town Indio, this festival is a favorite for many. Food Network-TV has ranked it in the top 10 "All-American Food Festivals" in the nation. No matter your taste in entertainment, this festival is sure to please. And best of all it is free to the public!

Wind through the streets of Miles, Towne, Smurr and Requa to see the entire splendor. The festival begins with the Parade at 10 am on Saturday, featuring boxing champ Randy Caballero as Grand Marshall, riding with Indio Mayor Lupe Ramos and also see Santa on an antique fire truck at the end. Also view some of the show cars that will be featured during the 2nd annual Car Show that accompanies the festival. Take a trip down Requa st to view and judge for yourself in seven different categories. Sunday afternoon, trophies will be awarded to the winners.

If you have a bottomless stomach, sign up for the annual tamale eating contest. The reigning champ since 2009, Charles G. Bill, Jr, is looking for challengers. You can sign up for that at any one of the stages that will have entertainment. Live music, dancing, singing, juggling, and other diverse performances will be held on one of the five stages available. Stay and watch the Best Tamale Contest where last year’s champion, Texifornia Tamale Co., will again be vying for the title. A carnival will be open until 10pm each night too, providing rides and games to play. Original art work, including painting, photography, sculpture, and textiles from at least 25 artists will be on display and for sale.  Guests can enjoy wine tasting in the wine lounge, and beer from Coachella Valley Brewery will also be available in an adjoining beer garden.

For more information, visit the Indio International Tamale Festival website. Pictures courtesy of  www.tamalefestival.net

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Santa Monica, CA- Santa Monica Pier

With the winter months coming in, the beach cities see a decrease in foot traffic. But places like Santa Monica have so much more to offer than just its warm sandy beaches during the summer. Home of the real “Popeye”, Olaf C. Olsen, the Santa Monica Pier is rich in history. Constructed is 1909, it was an instant success as the first ever concrete pier; it has since collapsed and been rebuilt. In 1975, when council members threatened to demolish, Santa Monica voters declared the pier safe and voted in a proposition that saved the pier forever. A reconstruction commenced in the late 1980s and completed in the early 1990s.

Now here stands this great monument in the ocean, topped with a variety of retail, dining, and entertainment attractions, as well as a police substation and the world-class amusement park, Pacific Park. Enjoy a dozen rides, midway games, ocean front specialty food outlets and seaside shopping. Underneath the pier is the Santa Monica Aquarium. They have more than 100 species of marine animals and plants that can all be found in the Santa Monica Bay. With tons of hands on exhibits and so much to see, the aquarium is a great place to go for an afternoon.

If you want to pick up ale, a small walk around the corner is The Common Ale House. Every table has a Connect Four and Jenga to encourage socializing and free popcorn for customers. It is the perfect place to enjoy the nightlife of the pier after dark.

For more information, visit all of their websites. Picture courtesy of Pacific Park. 

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Scotia, CA

Stop in Scotia and fall in love with the 19th century charm, the authentic architecture, the unsoiled beauty and sense of history, like a step back in time. Take a trip through the Scotia Logging Museum, open from Memorial Day through Labor Day. The museum has artifacts, videos and interactive technology, offering a personal tour of forestry management and the Town of Scotia over the years.

The Avenue of the Giants, located on State Route 254, is considered to be a scenic alternate to Highway 101 and winds its way through Humboldt Redwoods State Park. This road was originally built as a stagecoach and wagon road in the 1880s. During this time the first Inn was put up in the town of Scotia. This stagecoach hub was constructed when the highway was the main road and burned down in the early 1900s. It was rebuilt in 1923. Now called the Scotia Inn, the building has 22 lovely rooms decorated with antique and modern furniture. On the main floor, enjoy a drink at the Irish Pub.

If you are looking to go out for the night, the nearby town of Fortuna has its own brewery, Eel River Brewing Company. Living by their motto, “Be Natural. Drink Naked.” they became the first certified organic brewery in the United States, and has won over 300 awards and medals. Their legendary beer is worth a taste.

For more information on Scotia, visit their website. Photos courtesy of Scotia Inn. 

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Morro Bay, CA

Take a ride up the Pacific Coast Highway and visit one of the nicest beach towns in central California. The seaside village of Morro Bay is a getaway for travelers seeking a gorgeous natural setting. Located along scenic Highway 1 midway between San Francisco and Los Angeles, Morro Bay is a beautiful ride and not far off the beaten

path. Once you experience the beauty and charm , not to mention the fun you’ll have just plain relaxing, you will have a hard time going home. Visit the beautiful Morro Bay Rock on the beach to take in the real splendor of this town.

Before you move on, be sure to stop into Fish Bonez, a new seafood restaurant in the middle of downtown Morro Bay. Fish Bonez specializes in fusion cuisine that pairs Italian, Asian and Mexican influences and merges them together with California's freshest seafood, steak, lamb, chicken as well as some of California’s best wines.

But if you are really looking for a good wine, check out the hottest new wine bar on the Central Coast, STAX Wine Bar and Bistro. Choose from over 100 local and international wines. Enjoy daily tastings, and wine by the glass, as well as panini sandwiches, gourmet meats and cheese plates. Be sure to stop in for the live entertainment that they have weekly.

For more information about Morro Bay, Fish Bonez or STAXWine Bar and Bistro, visit their websites.Picture courtesy of The City of Morro Bay.

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Ramona CA-Oktoberfest

Looking for a reason to get out for the weekend? Music, food, wine and of course, beer will be on tap for Ramona's third annual Oktoberfest on October 4th. Oktoberfest means "celebration of the harvest" and this year there will be plenty to celebrate. The event will feature traditional Bavarian accordion musicians, a beer garden, stocked by Stone Brewery of Escondido and a wine garden showcasing local Ramona wines. Traditional Bavarian food, such as brats and pretzels, will also be available.

Enjoy a long ride through the mountain pass on your way. There is plenty of fun for adults with horseshoes and more contests. And don’t miss the car show and more than 70 commercial and craft vendors that will be on there.

Military and children under 10 get in fir free and $10 admission for everyone else. For more information, visit their website at the Ramona Chamber.

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