Author: Rick Rockwell
Yankee Jim Robinson: The Outlaw Behind a Gold Rush Town and an Enduring Legend
Long before Yankee Jims became the name of a Gold Rush town in Placer County, it was tied to a “lawless character” known as James “Yankee Jim” Robinson. While Robinson’s small chapter in Gold Rush history begins with the discovery of gold in the Yankee Jims area by 1850, his final pages paint a darker …...
Point Cabrillo Lighthouse: History, Tips, and Things To Do
Point Cabrillo Lighthouse is one of the most enjoyable historic sites on the Northern California coast because it offers more than just a scenic tower. Visitors get a full light station, original keeper buildings, coastal trails, museum spaces, and one of the most complete, picturesque lighthouse settings in the state. Located between...
Glass Beach Fort Bragg: History, Sea Glass, & Complete Visitor Guide
Along the rugged coastline of Northern California lies one of the state’s most fascinating coastal destinations—Glass Beach in Fort Bragg. At first glance, it appears like a hidden gem sparkling under the sun. But beneath its beauty is a layered story of human impact, environmental recovery, and nature’s remarkable ability to...
St. Peter’s Chapel in Vallejo: The Oldest Naval Chapel in the United States
Tucked away on Mare Island in Vallejo, California, St. Peter’s Chapel is one of the North Bay’s most unusual historic landmarks: a small wooden chapel set inside the former Navy shipyard, with one of the most impressive Tiffany window collections in California hidden inside. Built in 1901 during the height of activity at the...
Point Reyes Shipwreck: A Guide to the Fading Inverness Shipwreck
The Point Reyes shipwreck in Inverness, California, was one of the most photographed hidden gems along the Northern California coast. Resting quietly in the shallow waters of Tomales Bay, this abandoned fishing boat has been the source of local pride, creativity, and tall tales for decades. Sadly, the ship’s current state is a remnant...
Bassi Falls: Hiking, Parking, Directions and the Best Time to Visit
Bassi Falls is one of those Sierra waterfalls where timing makes all the difference. Located in the Crystal Basin region of Eldorado National Forest, it can pour down the granite in a wide, powerful cascade during spring snowmelt, then shrink to barely a trickle later in the summer. That does not make Bassi Falls a …...
Wrights Lake, CA: Guide to Hiking, Camping, and Kayaking
Wrights Lake in El Dorado National Forest is one of the best alpine destinations in Northern California for hiking, camping, and kayaking. Located near Placerville at over 7,000 feet elevation, this scenic mountain lake offers easy access to Desolation Wilderness and a peaceful escape from the valley heat. Whether you’re planning a...
Timbuctoo, California: Yuba County’s Forgotten Gold Rush Ghost Townwhat abt
Timbuctoo, California was once a booming Gold Rush town in Yuba County—home to miners, merchants, hotelkeepers, saloon owners, stage travelers, and families chasing opportunity in the foothills above the Yuba River. It is not a preserved ghost town with open buildings or a walkable main street. What survives today is scattered across...
Magnolia Ranch: A Peaceful Stroll Through the Coloma-Lotus Region
Tucked quietly along Highway 49 between Coloma and Lotus, Magnolia Ranch feels like one of those places you almost miss when driving down the highway — and that’s part of its charm. There’s no fanfare here. No crowded parking lots. No souvenir stands. Just rolling oak woodlands, golden foothill grass, and the steady presence...
The Spirit of Sacramento: an abandoned riverboat with a fascinating tale
Along a quiet stretch of the Sacramento River, there is a roadside attraction that feels almost too strange to be real: a weathered, old sternwheeler sitting high and dry, as if it drifted out of the past and anchored along the Garden Highway. What makes this attraction even more interesting, is the fact that it’s …...
