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California's Golden Parks Season 1 Episodes
Season 1 Episode Guide
67 Episodes 2002 - 2010
Episode 1
Big Basin
Fri, Apr 26, 2002
Huell tours Big Basin Redwoods State Park in the Santa Cruz Mountains. Established in 1902, it's California's oldest State Park and is celebrating its centennial.
Episode 2
Citrus State Historic Park
Wed, May 29, 200228 mins
Huell goes to California Citrus State Historic Park in Riverside, an open air museum which recaptures the days when "citrus was king" in California. The park preserves citrus history and its groves continue to produce high-quality fruit.
Episode 3
Joss House
Fri, Jun 28, 2002
Huell Howser travels to Weaverville Joss House State Historic Park, home to a Taoist Temple of Worship and the oldest still-in-use Chinese Temple in California. The temple became part of the California State Park System in 1956.
Episode 4
Shasta
Fri, Jul 26, 200227 mins
Because it was the site of the northern-most gold strike, Shasta, six miles west of Redding, was a prosperous city and county seat from 1850 to 1890. Huell tours Shasta State Historic Park, including ruins of Gold Rush-era brick buildings.
Episode 5
Lassen
Fri, Aug 30, 2002
Huell goes to Lassen Volcanic National Park to see the lava flows, jagged craters and steaming sulfur vents that make up some of Lassen's breathtaking landscape.
Episode 6
Montaña de Oro
Fri, Sep 27, 2002
This state park near Morro Bay is named for the mountain of golden wildflowers that bloom there in the spring. Huell discovers the park's boundless natural beauty which also includes rugged cliffs, secluded beaches, streams and canyons.
Episode 7
Sutter's Fort
Wed, Oct 23, 2002
Huell travels to Sutter's Fort State Historic Park in midtown Sacramento. The park marks the 1839 settlement that would become the state's capital and play a major role in California history when gold was discovered nearby in 1848.
Episode 8
Old Town San Diego
Fri, Nov 29, 200228 mins
San Diego became California's first Spanish outpost when a mission and fort were built in 1769. Old Town San Diego State Historic Park, the most visited State Park, recreates life in the Mexican and early American periods of 1821 to 1872.
Episode 9
Cabrillo
Wed, Dec 25, 2002
Huell goes to see the statue and museum overlooking San Diego Bay at Cabrillo National Monument, which commemorates Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo's 1542 expedition, the first Europeans to set foot on what would become the west coast of the USA.
Episode 10
Bale Grist
Wed, Jan 29, 2003
Huell travels three miles north of St. Helena to Bale Grist Mill State Historic Park, site of a water-powered grist mill built in 1846 that was the social center where Napa Valley settlers gathered to have grain ground into meal or flour.
Episode 11
Año Nuevo
Wed, Feb 26, 200325 mins
Año Nuevo State Reserve has one of the world's largest breeding colonies for northern elephant seals. After a stop at Pigeon Point Lighthouse, Huell visits this sandy point 55 miles from San Francisco to see the seals during mating season.
Episode 12
Donner Memorial
Wed, Mar 26, 200325 mins
In the Sierra Nevada, Huell goes to Donner Memorial State Park which commemorates pioneers who immigrated to California in the mid-1800s. It's named for the Donner Party that suffered the 1846-47 winter here and almost half the group died.
Episode 13
Mining Museum
Mon, May 12, 2003
Huell drops by the California State Mining and Mineral Museum in Mariposa to see the state's official collection of more than 13,000 minerals, rocks, gems, historic artifacts, and fossils.
Episode 14
Madrona Marsh
Wed, May 28, 200328 mins
Huell tours Madrona Marsh Preserve with its newly opened Nature Center. This 43-acre vernal wetlands, a city park in the heart of Torrance, has been saved from future development and a history of oil drilling by dedicated local citizens.
Episode 15
Chautauqua
Wed, Jul 30, 200328 mins
Located in Pacific Palisades, 141-acre Temescal Gateway Park was a major center of the Chautauqua Movement in the 1920s and '30s. It offered programs of lectures, music, literature, science, and discussion of public issues. Huell learns about the history of the park from rangers, local residents, and the daughter of Rev. Charles H. Scott, the founder of the Chautauqua camp. Early history includes when the canyon was a meeting place for neighboring Native American tribes. In addition to being the location of Scott's independent Chautauqua, the town of Pacific Palisades was founded there in 1922. The area became a public park in 1994 thanks to the state's Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy.
Episode 16
Black Diamond Mine
Wed, Aug 27, 2003
Huell travels to the Black Diamond Mines Regional Preserve in the East Bay, stops by the Underground Mining Museum, and also hikes to the remains of the mines.
Episode 17
Augustus Hawkins
Fri, Sep 19, 2003
Huell finds some eager Junior Rangers and open-space serenity in the heart of L.A. at Augustus F. Hawkins Nature Park, named to honor the man who represented South Central L.A. in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1963 to 1991.
Episode 18
Fern Canyon
Wed, Dec 31, 2003
Huell hikes Fern Canyon at Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park, a 14,000-acre sanctuary of old-growth coast redwoods, which offers hiking, nature study, wildlife viewing, beach combing, picnicking, a visitor center and a nature store.
Episode 19
Asilomar
Wed, Jan 28, 200428 mins
Huell goes to Asilomar Conference Grounds in Pacific Grove on Monterey Peninsula. Now a state park with nearby dunes and beach, this "refuge by the sea" began in 1913 as a camp for the YWCA with historic buildings designed by Julia Morgan.
Episode 20
Fort Humboldt
Wed, Feb 25, 200426 mins
Huell goes to the Civil War military post Fort Humboldt in Eureka. At this State Historic Park he learns about Captain Ulysses S. Grant's brief 1854 tenure at the fort, the local Native Americans, and rides a historic logging locomotive.
Episode 21
Joaquin Miller
Fri, Apr 16, 2004
Huell goes to a park in the Oakland Hills named for Joaquin Miller, the Poet of the Sierra, who settled there in the late 1800s. With sweeping views of the Bay Area, it has one of the only urban second-growth redwood groves in existence.
Episode 22
Cuyamaca Rancho
Wed, Apr 28, 2004
Cuyamaca Rancho, a 25,000-acre State Park located east of San Diego, was devastated by wildfires in October 2003. Huell makes a somber visit to learn about plans to help these fragile wildlands recover quickly and to prevent future damage.
Episode 23
Irvine Ranch Land Reserve
Wed, Jun 30, 2004
Huell explores Irvine Ranch Land Reserve, more than 50,000 acres of permanently-protected open space in the heart of Orange County offering a menu of recreational opportunities on land stretching 22 miles from the mountains to the sea.
Episode 24
Alum Rock
Wed, Aug 25, 2004
Huell explores Alum Rock Park, a beautiful natural area in the Diablo Range foothills just seven miles east of downtown San Jose. Founded in 1872, it is the oldest city park in California.
Episode 25
China Camp
Thu, Sep 30, 2004
China Camp State Park on San Francisco Bay is the last remaining example of the Chinese fishing villages that once dotted the shoreline. Huell walks through the village, learns about its history, and sails in a replica of a Chinese junk.
Episode 26
Bufano Peace Statue
Wed, Oct 27, 2004
Huell uncovers a hidden treasure in the form of a small, little-known state park located on the rocky, windswept coast of Sonoma County. The entire park at Bufano Peace Statue is only 60 feet around and goes over 100 feet in the air.
Episode 27
Pio Pico
Wed, Dec 29, 2004
Huell visits Pio Pico State Historic Park, the site of "El Ranchito," the final home of the last Mexican Governor of California.
Episode 28
Tarantulas
Wed, Jan 5, 200528 mins
Huell goes to Henry W. Coe State Park to attend the annual Tarantula Fest. Put on specifically to break down the negative myths and stereotypes so many people have about these hairy spiders, this festival has become very popular.
Episode 29
John Muir Home
Wed, Jan 12, 2005
Huell tours the Victorian home in Martinez where naturalist John Muir lived from 1890 to his death in 1914. He meets the special folks who are responsible for preserving this important site.
Episode 30
Yuba Gold Field
Fri, Apr 1, 2005
Huell travels to the Yuba Goldfields near Marysville and learns about the mining operation along the Yuba River that was at one time the most profitable operation in the world.
Episode 31
Joshua Tree
Tue, May 3, 2005
Huell and ecologist Jim Cornett explore Joshua Tree National Park for a look at the amazing namesake trees found in only four states and no where else in the world. This springtime visit shows why the park is such a national treasure.
Episode 32
Carrizo Plain
Thu, May 12, 200527 mins
Huell learns about the rare plants and animals plus geologic and human history of Carrizo Plain National Monument in eastern San Luis Obispo County. Its 250,000-acre native grassland is what much of central California was like in the past.
Episode 33
Bidwell
Thu, Jun 23, 2005
Huell explores 3,670-acre Bidwell Park in Chico, one of the nation's largest municipal parks. 2005 is the centennial of the original gift of pristine countryside by the Bidwell family, Chico's founders, to the city for all people to enjoy.
Episode 34
Columbia Diggins
Thu, Jun 30, 200528 mins
Columbia is a wonderfully preserved Gold Rush-era town and its central district has been a State Historic Park since 1945. Huell attends the annual Columbia Diggins 1852 celebration, a reenactment of the early days when it was a tent town.
Episode 35
Yosemite Falls Trail
Thu, Jul 7, 2005
Huell's off to Yosemite National Park where he walks the newly rehabilitated trails to the base of Yosemite Falls, the highest waterfall in North America.
Episode 36
American River Parkway
Thu, Jul 14, 2005
Huell sets off from where the Sacramento and American Rivers meet on a bike ride along the beautiful 23-mile American River Parkway.
Episode 37
Stanford Mansion
Thu, Jul 21, 2005
Huell tours Leland Stanford Mansion State Historic Park, once the home of one of the state's most important and powerful families. Today this historic mansion has been beautifully restored and is open to everyone to discover its treasures.
Episode 38
Hetch Hetchy
Thu, Oct 27, 200558 mins
Before the Tuolumne River in Yosemite National Park was dammed in the 1920s, John Muir said Hetch Hetchy Valley was as beautiful as Yosemite Valley. Huell travels to this spectacular place to learn about its past and reconsider its future.
Episode 39
Wrigley Botanical Gardens
Wed, Jan 11, 200624 mins
Huell goes to Santa Catalina Island to tour the William Wrigley Jr. Memorial and Botanical Garden which features a stunning tower monument and gardens with hundreds of species endemic to all California islands and from around the world.
Episode 40
San Simeon
Sat, Feb 11, 200628 mins
Huell visits Hearst San Simeon State Park, one of California's oldest state parks, to learn about a historic conservation plan that will transfer about 13 miles of coastline and over 800 acres from the private Hearst Ranch to the park.
Episode 41
Carpinteria State Beach
Wed, Feb 15, 200626 mins
Huell goes to the little beach town of Carpinteria, about 12 miles southeast of Santa Barbara to explore two wonderful parks. The first stop is Carpinteria Salt Marsh Nature Park where many people and organizations in the community came together to save 230 acres of salt marsh wetlands that were in danger of being developed for condos. These wetlands play a vital role filtering contaminants from the environment and providing habitat for many species, including 23 rare plants and animals, some of which are endangered. Included within the Nature Park are 120 acres set aside as the Carpinteria Salt Marsh Reserve where UC Santa Barbara students and faculty perform research. Next, Huell heads over to Carpinteria State Beach where a ranger reminds him that it's a great family destination that offers one mile of beach for swimming, surfing, fishing, tide pool exploring, marine mammal sighting, and camping. While all of that may be well known, he is interested in a lesser-known aspect of the beach and town history. He meets the director of the Carpinteria Valley Museum of History at a spot on the beach where liquid asphaltum, commonly called tar, seeps out of the bluff onto the sand. This has been going on for thousands of years. The Chumash used the tar for many purposes, including as waterproof caulking for their canoes. When the Portola Expedition saw these native "carpenters" at work they dubbed the area La Carpinteria, giving a name to the future town. In 1875, Californians began mining hard rock asphaltum from a 75-acre area inland from the beach. This high-quality asphalt was the preferred pavement used on roads around the country for several decades into the 1930s.
Episode 42
Audubon
Tue, Apr 11, 200627 mins
Huell tours the Audubon Center at Ernest E. Debs Regional Park, an oasis of native habitats 5 minutes from downtown LA. Environmental education programs engage children in the natural world to give them a personal stake in its protection.
Episode 43
Ahjumawi
Mon, May 8, 200626 mins
Huell tours Ahjumawi Lava Springs State Park. "Where the waters come together" is a translation of the word Ahjumawi, which is also the self-describing word used by the band of Pit River Native Americans who inhabit the area.
Episode 44
Kelso Depot
Wed, May 10, 200627 mins
Huell attends the grand reopening of the Kelso Depot and learns about its rich history. Abandoned by Union Pacific Railroad in 1985, this beautifully restored 1924 building is now the main Visitor Center for Mojave National Preserve.
Episode 45
Underground Old Sacramento
Mon, Jul 3, 200627 mins
Huell goes below Sacramento to explore the hidden historic sidewalks, doorways and building relics that were part of the original downtown area before the entire city was raised one level due to frequent floods from the Sacramento River.
Episode 46
Cayuga Playground
Thu, Aug 3, 2006
Huell visits the Cayuga Playground in downtown San Francisco. The playground was once a beaten down, overgrown, weed-choked space and has been transformed by Demi Braceros into a beautiful park with flowers and paths decorated with twisted twig fences, wood carvings and inspirational messages.
Episode 47
The California State Railroad Museum
Fri, Aug 18, 200628 mins
Huell visits California State Railroad Museum, in Old Sacramento State Historic Park, one of the finest and most visited railroad museums. He explores restored rail cars, locomotives, and exhibits that illustrate California's rail history.
Episode 48
Camarillo Ranch
Sat, Sep 9, 200625 mins
Huell tours Camarillo Ranch, named for "the last Spanish Don", Adolfo Camarillo, who inherited the 10,000-acre ranch in 1880 when he was 16. Now it's a small city park with the restored Victorian Queen Anne style house, barn, and stables.
Episode 49
South Yuba River State Park
Fri, Sep 22, 2006
Huell visits the south fork of the Yuba River. The area includes the longest single-span covered bridge in the world, four miles of the steep rugged canyon of the South Yuba River, and the Independence Trail - a wheelchair accessible trail. See water pouring over massive granite ledges, and historic toll crossings and bridges that tell a story of day-to-day life during the Gold Rush era.
Episode 50
Whiskeytown
Sat, Nov 11, 2006
Huell goes to Whiskeytown National Recreation Area to hear all about this new and improved park and to explore the freshly cut trail to a recently-discovered enormous 400-foot waterfall that was hidden on private property until 2006.
Episode 51
Salmon Festival
Thu, Apr 5, 200727 mins
Huell attends the 16th annual Return of the Salmon Festival at Shasta County's Coleman National Fish Hatchery on Battle Creek. Each fall thousands of Chinook salmon return from the Pacific Ocean to this Sacramento River tributary to spawn.
Episode 52
Doheny State Beach
Thu, May 10, 200727 mins
Huell visits Doheny State Beach to help celebrate the 75th anniversary of the park. Doheny is famous for its surfing and laid back California atmosphere. He'll visit with families who have multiple generations that have grown up on the great waves of Doheny. He'll also learn about camping throughout years at this idyllic spot.
Episode 53
William S. Hart Park and Museum
Sun, Jun 10, 200730 mins
Huell tours the beautiful and historic William S. Hart Park and Museum in Newhall, which is the former ranch of the silent film star. Upon his death in 1946, the property was willed to LA County for the use and enjoyment of the public.
Episode 54
Hidden Treasures of Sutter's Fort
Fri, Aug 31, 2007
Huell travels to Sacramento to Sutter's Fort State Historic Park to get a behind the scenes look at some of the gems that are stashed away in the park's large archive.
Episode 55
California Coastal National Monument
Thu, Sep 27, 2007
Huell explores the California Coastal National Monument which runs the entire length of the state's coast, extends 12 nautical miles offshore, and encompasses thousands of BLM administered islands, rocks, exposed reefs, and pinnacles.
Episode 56
Leo Carrillo Ranch
Thu, Oct 11, 200728 mins
Huell tours Leo Carrillo Ranch Historic Park in Carlsbad which preserves several historic structures on 27 acres once part of the actor's retreat and working rancho. It provides glimpses of both Golden Era Hollywood and Old California.
Episode 57
San Onofre State Beach
Tue, Nov 6, 200728 mins
San Onofre State Beach in northern San Diego County covers about 2,100 acres and has five miles of beach, including the famed Trestles, one of the most iconic surf spots in the world. Park Superintendent Rich Rozzelle shows Huell a spectacular section of the park that most people don't know exists. In addition to the beach, the park goes four miles inland, contains several archaeological sites, is the home of several threatened or endangered species, and protects significant portions of San Mateo Creek, one of the last relatively unspoiled watersheds in Southern California. Huell also learns that San Onofre State Beach is now the focus of a huge controversy regarding a proposed toll road that would cut right through the park and other nearby sensitive environmental areas and Native American cultural sites.
Episode 58
Alcatraz Gardens
Wed, Jan 9, 200827 mins
Huell tours a mostly forgotten part of Alcatraz history. Gardens had been on the island since the 1860s but fell into neglect after the prison closed in 1963. Now, a multi million-dollar restoration is under way by The Garden Conservancy.
Episode 59
Nike Missile Site
Tue, Feb 19, 200828 mins
Volunteers work with the Golden Gate National Recreation Area to restore a Nike missile site, which has been turned into a museum.
Episode 60
Zzyzx
Sun, Mar 30, 2008
Huell takes the Zzyzx off-ramp from the I-15 freeway in the Mojave Desert southwest of Baker and learns the history of this iconic exit, from an early Mineral Springs and Health Spa to its current incarnation as the Desert Studies Center.
Episode 61
Parks in Progress
Sat, Apr 26, 2008
Wanting to know how a state park comes to be, Huell teams up with Park Superintendent Don Monahan to look at two parks in progress. First is the John Marsh house which is being restored. Then on to Candlestick Point State Recreation Area.
Episode 62
Trona Pinnacles
Sat, Aug 30, 2008
Huell explores the unusual landscape of Trona Pinnacles National Natural Landmark which features more than 500 tufa spires, some as high as 140 feet.
Episode 63
Red Rock Canyon State Park
Sat, Oct 18, 2008
Huell learns the history of Red Rock Canyon State Park, including its native Kawaiisu Indians and 1890s-era mining operations.
Episode 64
Eugene O'Neill House
Thu, Feb 5, 200926 mins
Huell tours Eugene O'Neill National Historic Site in the hills above Danville. America's only Nobel Prize-winning playwright lived isolated in his home called Tao House at the height of his career and wrote his final, most memorable plays.
Episode 65
Movie Beach
Thu, Sep 10, 200928 mins
Filmmaker Roger Corman and Harry Medved, author of HOLLYWOOD ESCAPES a book about Southern California movie locations, meet Huell at Leo Carrillo State Beach and tell him about its history and why it's likely the world's most filmed beach.
Episode 66
Paramount Ranch
Sat, May 1, 2010
Huell looks back at sixty plus years of film history when he visits the Paramount Ranch.
Episode 67
Whitewater Preserve
Mon, May 24, 2010
Huell goes to the Whitewater Preserve near Palm Springs. This oasis contains 2,851 acres surrounded by the San Gorgonio Wilderness and is part of the Wildlands Conservancy's 33,000-acre Sand to Snow Preserve System.