This is a cool hands on history lesson of the area of Julian, circa 1870…read more Many times we have gone to Julian, many times we have played in the snow, eaten apple pie, had pizza and beer. But somehow we never knew there was a mining history there and that it was very prolific in the 1870s. The tour is worth the cost, and starts with a history of the equipment and the area as well as the information about how the mining equipment and the mine were preserved. There is a demonstration of how to pan for gold, and there is a lot of old equipment as well as a shop with relics, books and western style homestead-ish goods. A nice variety of options. The walk through the mine would have been better with a smaller group where we wouldn't feel rushed. It was cool that down in the mine there is still equipment, and you can view down into the hole where the miners would be lowered to work for the day. The mine is very dark - but also well lit and as your eyes adjust there is no problem watching where you walk and seeing the historic equipment down in the mine. The tour is actually 2 shafts that connect, as you finish one mine area then the tour guide takes you into the other mine shaft and at the end of the tour you exit on the other side of the mountain- pretty cool. You must be mobile, not claustrophobic, this is a child friendly tour but please impress to your kids that listening is key, some portions of the tour it may be more difficult to hear the guide. At one point they lights are turned off so that the guide can demonstrate the use of a candle to iluminate the way, it's a short period but might be scary to young visitors if not reassured. I recommend this tour for tourists, locals, adults and kids - great to learn the history of Julian and the mines that were there during the gold rush. I believe they said - more than 200!

This was a great tour! Our guide Kim was so knowledgeable…read moreand provided so much info about the history of gold mining in Julian and Julian in general. The mine itself was amazing to see! Definitely worth a visit'

Really enjoyed the Victorian home tour with a docent! We came here on Saturday at 12 and we had…read moreMichelle as the tour guide, she was very informative and articulate. Felt like we went through time travel because we were able to witness old fashioned interiors and antiques. Some of the furniture were still there since the 1800's. Amazing. Intrigued. Intricate details on the doors walls and furniture. Learned that Riverside was a very affluent city from oranges. Sugar was very valuable back then and Chinese servants worked at the Victorian mansion. Makes me appreciate how much technological advancement there has been to make the modern life more efficient and convenient.

Riverside historical heritage house hosts community events throughout the year. You can hang out on…read morethe courtyard and enjoy some live music with local musicians, ice cream and crafts for kids. The house tour takes a few groups at a time while you can learn about the history of the home. Will require stairs. There's also the back shed area with historical items and tools, vehicles. Welcoming and friendly staff. Parking lot across the street is usually open for community events.

I cannot say enough wonderful things about our experience here at Rubel Castle. Our host, guide,…read moreand local "Rubelligent" volunteer, Ms. Kathleen had all the intel about this historical property. She was so knowledgeable and helped set the stage for us to slip into a forgotten era and get a glimpse of how imagination met inventiveness with a DIY charm. ~ A LITTLE BACKSTORY FOR YOU ~ It's not pronounced Rubel as Barney from Flintstones. Rather, it's like Target is to Targét when we are trying to be fancy. So that's Rubel as in "Roo-bell." Unlike modern-day construction, Rubel Castle wasn't built overnight. It was made of collected recyclables and construction rubble that spanned many decades and took several friends and volunteers to build it. For Michael, however, the lifetime inspiration was first sparked at the age of 9. His love for canons was where it started and the rest is history you can hear about on the tour. But don't just show up like we did randomly one day. To book, visit RubelTours.org and make a reservation. ~ OUR TOUR EXPERIENCE ~ It's as if Michael Rubel, the creator and mastermind of this enchanted dominion had intended it to be--magical. Built in the castle period of wood and tin, every corner captured our interests, from antique cars to the 1890's Seth Thomas Tower Clock with a unique backstory (and only six in existence today). There were old vending machines, tools, trinkets, and machinery that time had long forgotten. Did I mention there was a drawbridge? Yes, and a dungeon too. I was just waiting for a dragon to come swoop down on us next. Walk in the footsteps of famous visitors like Alfred Hitchcock, Dwight Eisenhower, Jack Benny, and Bob Hope. It's a feast for the eyes no matter where you glance. I particularly enjoyed the bottle house that Michael built in 1968 as his "home" as a kid. That independent spirit was quite charming to see. ~ WATERCOLOR NATURESCAPE ~ We were fortunate to have our gracious host lead us on a tour and organize a special art crafting experience outdoors. It was absolutely lovely beneath the trees and between rusted vintage cars from the turn of the century. We each got a small canvas to paint our flowers in watercolor. (This particular experience takes place in the Spring and Fall, weather permitting.) We heard the squirrels rattling in the leaves and birds chirped and sang in the trees above. We discovered that peacocks apparently originated from this property, compliments of Michael Rubel. And did I mention that on the far side of the property, a custom garden was in full bloom? BOOK A TOUR Help support the Glendora Historical Society and keep this magnificently unique city-castle maintained. It's worth it.

A castle in Glendora? Yes, your eyes aren't deceiving you--Rubel Castle is real, it's magnificent,…read moreand it's gloriously eccentric. Thanks to the sheer persistence (and probably delightful stubbornness) of Michael Rubel, we now have this quirky, towering State Treasure sitting right in the middle of Glendora like a fairy tale that accidentally took a detour through a hardware store. This place is beautifully done, and part of its charm is that it's a full-on hodgepodge of relics, antiques, crystal trinkets, and "wait... what is that doing here?" moments tucked into every nook and cranny. You'll marvel, you'll laugh, you'll squint in confusion--honestly, it's everything you'd want in a castle built with love, imagination, and a dash of madness. And let's talk about the makeshift cemetery. Quirky? YES. Fun? Absolutely. Slightly spooky? Only if your imagination is over-caffeinated. But it fits the vibe perfectly--like the castle whispered, "You know what I'm missing? A tiny cemetery." The tours are fantastic, the guides are passionate, and the whole experience feels like you're stepping into a living scrapbook of California history and charming chaos. Overall: Amazing, amazing place. Book your tour. They only do tours every first Sunday of the month, so set your alarms, mark your calendars, tie a string around your finger--just don't miss it. Rubel Castle is truly a California State Treasure, and an absolute must-see for anyone who appreciates creativity, history, and a little eccentric sparkle.

Had to stop by Motte Automotive Museum, and I'm so glad we did!…read more They have a great collection of great looking vehicles from different eras and great staff!

We had a wonderful day yesterday at the Motte Museum Big Barn Classic Car Show here in Menifee…read more This was their 12th annual event of which I've attended a few. The Sold Out car show was full of beautiful Classics, Customs, Muscle Cars, Hot Rods, Trucks and Low-Riders. The parking facility was loaded with eye-candy for every palate. The show was run flawlessly under the leadership of Tommie Brown and the whole team at the Motte Museum. The Big Barn was displayed with a tribute to the Corvette from the families collection. Every generation, but my favorite was the 1963 Split Window "Fuelie" on the turntable which I would have to sell one of my houses to own. From the free coffee and donuts to participants, to the cars, to the polite hard-working staff, the food trucks and awards, this was a Fantastic event. Major kuddos to Tommie and the whole Motte family.

Really cool place to take a stroll at. They offer free tours so you can go inside four of the…read morebuildings. We did the 11 am tour on a Saturday and our guide Victor was terrific. The tour lasted a little over an hour. Even my teen said it was a lot more fun than she had anticipated. Definitely worth a stop.

My family moved to Orange County in the late 70s, I used to…read moresee this Historical Landmark Church down by the railroad tracks off El Toro Rd. Does anybody else remember this ? So happy I get to see it transferred here. Happy to see that they put a diorama here too, great educational tool. (See pic) This is the place to go to enjoy ac Candlelight, walk-through during the Christmas Holidays. In October, they have the non-scary family harvest activities. In Springtime they do the Easter Bunny egg hunt etc. Used to know a couple that were married here as well. Wondering if they still do that? My favorite thing to do here, is visit one of the nearby restaurants, take the food to go, and enjoy a picnic Table with benches. A beautiful thing to do here at Heritage Hill Park.

The tour was so much more than we expected. We are locals and didn't think there was anything new…read morewe could learn about our town but we were totally wrong. We experienced a new restaurant as well as learned so much history about the places we went to. We also made new friends with some of the other people taking the same tour which is always a benefit! Definitely recommend!

Palm Springs Old and new!…read more The MAGIC CART RIDE is such a fun activity for tourists and locals alike. I'm a long-time local, but I still have so much to see and learn. I work with many tourists who ask me about great activities and this is the top on my list. Donnie and Kathy (the tour guides) are so much fun- taking us through the history of Palm Springs, while pointing out the newer details about the area. History, culture, art, food, what more can we ask for? They kept us hydrated and filled with beverages, water, food and even a nifty gift bag. This tour is small and intimate, with only 6 guests, so everyone has a chance to ask questions and absorb! The tour includes several stops featuring cocktails, mocktails and food while you enjoy the experience. Some of our stops included several popular and my personal choices, Eight Four Nine and Crudo. We were treated to Crudo's pistachio lime cocktail - perfect beverage to feel relaxation at its finest! These may be on your tour, or there will be other wonderful places. Best to even take the tour again, in case you missed something! I don't want to give much more away so just trust me and make your reservation now. It's truly memorable and magical!

Had a fantastic time! The history really came alive and our tour guide Annalise (hope I am spelling…read moreher name correctly) was wonderful at tying together the whole town. Learned a lot and had great time! There is plenty of time at each spot to get a drink. Each stop had a restroom. Our group had about 10-15 people. Listen when they say dress comfortable and wear appropiate footwear. The walking is not bad but it is a enough to not wear high heels. This was a very disabled friendly tour. The last stop (Coin-Op Game Room), is the only place that you may have trouble with if your in a wheelchair or use a mobility aid, just due to how crowded it gets.

A Very Merry Merced is a must visit!! Santa was onsite!…read more There was live music during the event. A little treat at the end of the self-guided tour. A person was in every room describing the interiors and such.

A brief history . In 1858 John Rains and his wife purchased…read more13,000 acres in Rancho Cucamonga for $16,500. They built their home their two years later. The bricks that are on the house today are the original bricks hand made by the masons with red clay found on the property. The home's flat roof was waterproofed with tar that was brought from the brea pits in Orange County. This is considered to be the first house built in Rancho Cucamonga. I've lived in Rancho Cucamonga on and off for the last 10 years and had no idea about the history of this beautiful place. Over the years the Rains House passes through several hands and was vacant for a while. The County of San Bernardino purchased the property in 1971. This house is considered a branch off the County of San Bernardino Museum. The house had been vandalized and needed restoring and furnishings . The women of Casa de Rancho Cucamonga Historical Society raised money through fundraisers and making crafts to sell, to assist in restoring the John Rains Home. They were able to furnish the home with authentic furniture and decoration from the time period. I posted pictures of some of the rooms and furnishings. The Docent Judy gave me a really nice tour. There are restrooms outside and a picnic area if you want to enjoy a nice sack lunch. The property is very pretty with the scenic mountains in the background. There is plenty of free parking and not many visitors. Please support the county and visit. I will definitely be coming back. They also rent out space for gatherings. Someone could plan a nice picturesque wedding here for sure. Hours : 10:00am - 3:00pm Open : Tuesday - Saturday. Closed major holidays Contact # (909) 989-4070

Thanks to the research of Super Elite Yelper Gary I., we were able to tour the Phillips Mansion in…read morePomona prior to dinner nearby. The mansion, built in 1875 and maintained by the Pomona Historical Society, was the home of the one-time "richest man in LA County", Louis Phillips. Tours are conducted by reservation only and as of this writing, can be reserved here: https://www.pomonahistorical.org/phillips-mansion for $15. Our docent, pictured below, gave us many interesting details and pertinent history of the building. The grounds are lovingly maintained; the building itself could be called a "fixer-upper". It's good to see the work in progress and the building does seem to be in good hands. This tour is very highly recommended.

We enjoyed immensely the Phillips Mansion and Currier House tours yesterday afternoon. We…read moreappreciated our docents' enthusiasm and knowledge regarding the history and preservation of these buildings. The main goal for the Currier House currently is weatherproofing it from further damage. I hope that the Pomona Historical Society finds success in obtaining funding and the proper skilled craftsmen to restore it again someday.

Callaway Vineyard & Winery hosted a 4th of July celebration and fireworks viewing for a minimum…read morefee, that included free parking and a celebratory glass of sparkling wine. The venue provided numerous opportunities for viewing fireworks provided by the city of Temecula and another hosted by the Pechanga Casino. Seating was provided at different viewpoints both indoor and outside among the vines. The afternoon was consumed by a DJ playing 70s/80s hits as people sang, danced, enjoyed food from local vendors or the Meritage restaurant. Very warm, casual, and friendly environment that provided a wonderful California sunset. Great time for all.

Okay... this place turned us into winery people…read more We actually came to Callaway Vineyard & Winery for a surprise birthday trip and had zero expectations of becoming members, but that's exactly what happened. We started at Meritage and WOW. We ordered the burgers, grilled octopus, spicy shrimp, and shrimp salad, and everything was incredible. The octopus was cooked perfectly with so much flavor, and the spicy shrimp had the best kick. Honestly, every single thing we had was amazing. After that, we took some pictures in front of the Callaway sign (the views are insane), then headed over to the winery, and that's when everything changed. Dave helped us at first and was super welcoming, but then we met Daniel, and he completely made the experience. He was so knowledgeable, so kind, and just genuinely connected with us. Because of him, we joined the wine club, and now we literally come back at least once a week. Laura (his manager) remembered us from our previous visits, which was honestly so cool. The banter between her and Daniel with us makes the whole experience even more fun. We also met Krystal, their higher-up manager, who happened to be next to us in the tasting room, she was just as amazing. And Shannon even reached out to personally welcome me after we joined, which was such a nice touch. And the craziest part? I drive from Simi Valley, through terrible traffic, just to come here. That's how much we love it. The views, the staff, the whole vibe, it honestly feels like I'm back at my ranch in Mexico just relaxing with family. That's the best way I can describe it. If you're thinking about coming here, just do it. You might walk in for a visit and leave as a member like we did.