Let me introduce you to a fantastic place to visit if you find yourself near this wonderfully…read morerestored SCHOOL HOUSE in Lower Lake, California. This was the third school house in ALL of California, and is now a museum housing artifacts from the gold production lands nearby (further down Morgan Valley Road - closed in 1993) as well as period pieces that you probably won't see anywhere else. From the website: The Schoolhouse Museum, built in 1877 and restored and opened as a museum in 1993, hosts an interesting collection of local pioneer artifacts. The museum also a collection of Native American artifacts and a rock and mineral display. A restored schoolroom and Victorian Parlor add to the charm and authenticity. Cultural events and art shows take place in the Weaver Auditorium on the second floor. This truly is a CHARMING & EXPERIENTIAL place to enjoy. Every time I go in I ask to ring the school bell in the tower - and I feel like 7 years old again :)

What an amazing find. This historic placard commemorates events that are important in the history…read moreof Colusa.

Good walk to get out there from the parking lot all the way out to the light station…read more instructions- you're supposed to leave your car in the first parking lot, don't drive it all the way to the lighthouse because that road has a pedestrians only sign. lighthouse itself is very clean and well maintained, compared to others ive seen along the california coast. very much cared for. interesting free museum inside that building. you cant go up but you can look around the first floor

During weekends, the Cabrillo Light Station does full-on tours of the lighthouse all funded by…read morevolunteers. It entails walking about a flatish half mile (one way) on a paved road to the lighthouse, ending in panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean, a couple of picnic tables, and even some cabins to rent, if staying a couple of days to unwind is part of the plan! On a Sunday morning after a canoe paddle down the Big River, we did the half-mile trek to the lighthouse. It was fairly busy, with 3 or 4 groups ahead of us. On the tour, volunteer guides on each of the four levels explain the need for the lighthouse, its inner workings, and how innovation and technology changed it over the years. There are four levels to climb: after the first flight with two handrails, there is only one handrail up the steps, making it a great core workout in addition to a historic and informational experience! After (or before) the tour, wander around the museum/gift shop, where there is a souvenir for every lighthouse aficionado to buy sprinkled with more historic information and pictures not only of the lighthouse, but also of the surrounding environment and wildlife. If lighthouses are your jam, the weekend is a great time to go with the tour, museum/gift shop, and even a place to stay if you want! Convenient to downtown Mendocino, after the tour, the charming downtown is a great place to grab a bite and do some shopping! Young and old alike, this is a great experience!

We had a great time visiting the Bale Grist Mill in St. Helena. Our tour guide explained it was…read morebuilt in 1846 from the design in the 1795 book "The Young Mill-Wright & Miller's Guide." I was able to read some of the book from the Library of Congress archives and found Oliver Evans wrote the guide and patented his design in 1790, the year the patent office was formed, before patents were numbered. In 1804 they retroactively assigned him patent number (X3) three. He licensed his design to hundreds of people including George Washington and Thomas Jefferson. He became the first American to live off of intellectual property income.

Historic Grist Mill where grain is milled powered by a gigantic water wheel. From the friendly…read morereceptionist to the remarkable tour guide this is a fabulous experience. I have not been here since before the pandemic but it is always an amazing experience. Bring a picnic and sit outside at the tables or take a hike after the guided tour in Bothe-Napa Valley State Park. You will learn a lot about the history of the region. And the milling process. Modest entry fee.

Filled with innovative, fun and independantly owned businesses. Has an interesting past. Used to…read morebe a brothel and speak easy back in the day. The building is made of brick and redwood. Additionally, it holds many businesses such as Maldondo's Renew, Pilates with Anne, Lions and Tigers and Hair, Hee bee Gee bee's, Soft Shell, Bricks, Old Chicago Pizza, Studio 33, Dick Warner Wines, Fantasia and the Christmas Shop. Not only are there great stores and services but once inside you swear you are in an Escher Sketch. With so many add ons it sometimes seems as if stairs are leading to nowhere. If you want to see a great old Petaluma Building filled with history be sure not miss this one.

To be honest, this review is completely biased considering this is the building where my parent's…read morerestaurant used to be and where my dad's wine shop is currently located. But, if you happen to be in Petaluma at any point, you can come to this one building and get your hair cut, buy Christmas ornaments, do pilates, and drink wine with my dad. All that in one building that used to be a brothel!! Craziness!

Great roadside shop, nice people. They have a lot and I mean a lot of big foot souvenirs…read more I've always wanted to stop by on my drives up and down the 101. Finally made the stop and it was worth it. Definitely gonna be a regular stop from now on. They got better prices than the other Bigfoot items in the other shops along the 101 too.

Great little yeti-themed road. I stopped for the bathrooms (decent and clean porta potties with…read moresinks) and sculptures and ended up buying a few keepsakes for myself and friends.

I didn't know what to expect here. Was here during the middle of the week and went into the park…read morelocated in the center of town. It used to be the county courthouse they reconverted into a museum. Authentic display of geologic, indigenous cultures, early settlers, and post war era artifacts that you see up close. $2..donate.. then ask them a lot of hard questions like.. where were some of the settlements? Why are there women's saddles but no men kinds? Get a hotdog in the park.

I have volunteered at the Lake County Courthouse Museum for several years and witnessed its…read moreevolution. The museum has grown to be a wonderful repository for local artifacts as well as a perfect venue for community events. The space is accommodating for meetings, social gatherings. I even staged a murder mystery dinner there recently. A great place for any special occasion.

Have driven by many times and have stopped once and what a absolute icon of Northern Californias…read moreculture! It does seem like someone will replace the toilet if it breaks so that is a plus.

Did someone break it? My heart is sad... this is one of my favorite stops on the long drive from…read morethe Bay Area to the redwoods.

Next Stop: Duncans Mills... one stop shopping…read more Different shopping experience! While taking the scenic route along the Sonoma County we came upon this Russian River town. The cute little town is nestled in the Pacific Coast among redwoods and vineyards. Shopping, restaurants, antique stores, art galleries, camping and recreation activities abound this town. We stopped to check it out. The stores are so cute in this quaint village and they strictly enforce covid regulations here. When entering the stores you must sanitize your hands, wear your masks, and social distance. If you love tea you must stop at the Tea Shop, they also sell spices. The bookstore is adjacent to the tea shop and is such a cute tiny store. There is also a plant store, the Antiquarian. Located on Hwy # 116, 4 miles inland from the coast. The town has a population of only 85. There is shopping and food on both sides. They even have a tiny post office and a train depot & museum. Review #2184

Selfishly, I want to keep this place a secret…read more For those in Northern California, this is a perfect overnight getaway. Though Christina Ferreira sold her beautiful inn, there are many AirBnBs along the river, or you can splurge with a place in Jenner. Start your day at the DM bakery, or visit Cape Fear for the best eggs benedict - instead of the heavy version most of us know, theirs is light and lemony. Stroll the shops and the exceptional Christopher Queen art gallery, where the owner, Nancy (sister to Christina) shows exceptionally dedication to her 10 artists, and curates shows that would make any city gallery owner jealous. End a perfect day with dinner at the Blue Heron - sit in the bar or better yet, out back...locals will make you feel at home and you'll leave with both a full belly and full heart.