Photo by Ralphman

–M’Gee Johnston

With its beautiful scenery, Sausalito, California has attracted artists for many decades and the community of Sausalito has long welcomed and celebrated the talent and dedication of its local artists.  Since 1952 Sausalito has hosted what many consider to be the best Art Festival around.  This year the Sausalito Art Festival will begin on Friday August 29th and continue to Monday September 1st.   The spectacular views of the Bay, Tiburon and Angel Island and the colorful houseboat community, make for a splendid backdrop for displaying this year’s finest art.

Photo by vincezammit

– M’Gee Johnston

One of our friends at the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) sent us an email recently letting us know about the new self-guided tour available on their website for Carrizo Plain National Monument. Carrizo Plain is located in the southeastern part of San Luis Obispo County in California and offers an opportunity to see and study the San Andreas Fault. The Plain is home to many animals, including Tule elk and sandhill cranes. The Chumash, Yokuts, and other Native Americans lived and hunted in the Carrizo Plain, and Painted Rock, which displays their ancient pictographs, is a sacred site.

– Carl Bidleman

My good friends Mary & Tony Campbell have been traveling all over the country the past few years.  I’m envious.  Check out Mary’s post from Utah’s national parks.

The incredible cost of filling the tank on their motor home isn’t keepiing Tony off the road this summer.  He’s riding his bicycle across country in support of the Fuller Center for Housing.  Millard Fuller is the founder and former president of Habitat for Humanity.  Check out Tony’s ride here.

–  Jim Wirth

Danville Mike uploaded a wonderful write-up on Tilden Regional Park in Berkeley, California today at OpenRoad.TV.  Mike has a real knack for writing reviews of great locations, and has shared a number of them with us here.  He also takes some terrific photos!

Thanks Mike!

WATCH OUR FULL VIDEO STORY ABOUT THE HISTORY OF FILMING MOVIES AND TELEVISION SHOWS IN THE ALABAMA HILLS

WATCH OUR FULL EDITED VIDEO STORY ON VIRGINIA LAKES

WATCH OUR FULL VIDEO STORY ABOUT MT. SHASTA AND CASTLE CRAGS

Photo by RBradburn

– M’Gee Johnston

For a different kind of music experience, you can trek to Mammoth Lakes for the Festival of Beers and Bluesapalooza on August 1st & 2nd.  This sounds like a lot of fun (indeed, their website states that “Fun has always been, and continues to be, our first priority.”)  And a it’s such a beautiful background for listening to the likes of Coco Montoya.  There will be upwards of 75 microbreweries represented at this event.

Photo by Stacy Geiken

– M’Gee Johnston

The Mendocino Music Festival takes place from July 11 through July 26 and offers a wide variety of music including orchestra, chamber and jazz.  In addition to the huge tent built for this annual event, concerts are offered at various Mendocino halls and other local music venues.   To learn a little about the personality of the village of Mendocino,  you can watch our videos: Mendocino’s Beloved Protector, Mendocino’s Many Charms, and Mendocino’s Movie History.

Photo by Jason Riedy

–M’Gee Johnston

72 tons of garlic! That is the estimated amount of garlic served and sold at the annual Gilroy Garlic Festival. The Festival explores and celebrates all the traditional and non-traditional ways to use garlic (garlic ice cream?) and serves thousands of guests who come to enjoy the food and activities. The money raised at the Garlic Festival goes to the community to help fund such groups as the Gilroy Gators Swim Team, the 4-H Club, and Hope Rehabilitation, which works with disabled people. This year’s event ~ the 30th anniversary ~ will take place on July 25, 26 & 27.