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Northern California Travel

Alcatraz Clergyman Father Bush Recalls Time on “The Rock”
3 Feb 2016

Alcatraz Clergyman Father Bush Recalls Time on “The Rock”

by Thomas Wilmer | posted in: Special Guests | 0

Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary opened in 1934 and when it closed its cell doors for the last time in 1963 more than fifteen hundred prisoners had served time on the Rock. Throughout the prison’s 29-year history there was an average of one … Continued

Alcatraz, California Travel, Northern California Travel, San Francisco
Alcatraz Guard recalls his time on “The Rock”
31 Jan 2016

Alcatraz Guard recalls his time on “The Rock”

by Thomas Wilmer | posted in: Special Guests | 0

Retired Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary guard, George DeVincenzi served on “The Rock” from 1950 to 1958, departing just five years before the infamous island prison closed forever in 1963. Correspondent, Tom Wilmer met DeVincenzi at the fall 2015 Alcatraz Alumni Association reunion … Continued

Alcatraz, Alcatraz Cruises, Northern California Travel, NPS, San Francisco
Ridge Vineyards’ Paul Draper—Possibly America’s Premier Wine Producer
21 Jan 2016

Ridge Vineyards’ Paul Draper—Possibly America’s Premier Wine Producer

by Thomas Wilmer | posted in: Wine | 0

79 year-old Paul Draper, CEO and winemaker at Ridge Vineyards in the hills above Santa Clara Valley, California, is one of America’s most legendary wine producers. Known as the savior of Zinfandel, Draper was seminal in reviving and positioning old-vine … Continued

California wine, Northern California Travel, Northern California wine
FDR’s “Floating White House” USS Potomac Home Ported in Oakland CA
1 Sep 2015

FDR’s “Floating White House” USS Potomac Home Ported in Oakland CA

by Thomas Wilmer | posted in: Travel Stories | 0

The USS Potomac served as the President Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s “Floating White House” from 1936 until his death in 1945. How the USS Potomac came to reside in Oakland, California is a fascinating journey. Following a ten year stint as … Continued

Northern California Travel, Oakland CA, President Franklin Roosevelt, VisitOakland
Benicia California’s thriving Arsenal Artist Community
29 May 2015

Benicia California’s thriving Arsenal Artist Community

by Thomas Wilmer | posted in: Travel Stories | 0

The little town of Benicia, California is a big time center for the arts and artists. In addition to an abundance of downtown galleries, there’s an entire neighborhood expressly for artists and artisans. How the town came to be a … Continued

Arts Benicia, ArtsBenicia, Benicia CA, Jeff Tover, Larnie Fox, Mark Eanes, Northern California Travel, tom wilmer
Benicia—California’s 1853-54 State Capital
28 May 2015

Benicia—California’s 1853-54 State Capital

by Thomas Wilmer | posted in: Travel Stories | 0

Within two years of the discovery of Gold at Sutter’s Mill in the Sierra’s, California became America’s 31st state on September 9, 1850. The provisional Capital had been in Monterey, but upon Statehood the first state capital was located in … Continued

Benicia, California State Parks, Northern California Travel
Discover Gold Country–Amador County CA
10 Mar 2015

Discover Gold Country–Amador County CA

by Thomas Wilmer | posted in: Travel Stories | 0

Discover cool things to do and see in Amador County in the heart of California’s Gold Country. We’ll visit with Annette Reiser at the historic circa-1852 National Hotel in Jackson CA. And then we’ll visit with Maureen Funk, Executive Director of the … Continued

Gold Country, Highway 49, Jackson CA, Northern California Travel
Santa Rosa’s Historic Railroad District & Healdsburg CA
22 Feb 2015

Santa Rosa’s Historic Railroad District & Healdsburg CA

by Thomas Wilmer | posted in: Travel Stories | 0

The historic Hotel La Rose, located in the heart of Santa Rosa’s historic Railroad District, has been welcoming guests since 1907. Jeff Whitehead, general manager, shares insider tips about nearby activities, the hotel’s architectural charms, and best times to visit … Continued

Healdsburg CA, Northern California Travel, Santa Rosa California, Sonoma County
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