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Road Trip with Huell Howser Season 1 Episodes

Season 1 Episode Guide

Season 1

56 Episodes 2001 - 2011

Episode 1

Barstow

Fri, Jan 12, 200158 mins

In Huell's first "Road Trip," he travels to Barstow and the desert that borders I-15 east of town. Most people think of the Interstate as a desolate stretch of highway, the quickest way to get from L.A. to Las Vegas. But on this road trip, Huell discovers that if you just slow down and explore a little, its full of colorful and interesting people, places, and things. Starting at the California Welcome Center in Barstow, Huell enlists the help of a guide who takes him to some historic sites in town including El Rancho Motel on Route 66, the Barstow Harvey House and Rail Depot, and one of the oldest Del Taco locations. He's then introduced to author and tour guide Bill "Short Fuse" Mann who takes him to some ancient geoglyph rock art markings on the desert floor, past the Marine Corps Logistics Base, and through Yermo on the way to the Calico Ghost Town. After getting immersed in mining and Old West history, Huell stops at Peggy Sue's 50's Diner. He then ends his road trip at Calico Mountains Early Man Archaeological Site, well short of his goal of reaching the Nevada state line, but satisfied by the surprises he found along the way.

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Episode 2

Fillmore

Thu, Feb 1, 2001

Join Huell's second Road Trip to Route 126, as he explores the quiet and quaint towns of Piru and Fillmore.

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Episode 3

Figueroa Corridor

Thu, Mar 1, 2001

Instead of hitting the open road, Huell takes a more urban Road Trip exploring Figueroa Street in Los Angeles.

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Episode 4

Tehachapi

Sun, Apr 1, 2001

Huell road trips to Tehachapi and along the way visits the Antelope Valley Indian Museum, the Word War II-era Mojave Airport, the Mourning Cloak Ranch and Botanical Gardens, and the Tehachapi Loop railroad spiral.

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Episode 5

Avenue of the Giants

Tue, May 1, 200156 mins

Huell road trips north to the Avenue of the Giants in Humboldt Redwoods State Park to see some of the biggest trees in the world. In addition to the natural beauty, he also meets a great bunch of people from all over our state.

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Episode 6

Coast Highway

Fri, Jun 1, 200157 mins

Huell travels from Oceanside south to La Jolla on a Road Trip that includes stops at the California Surf Museum, Del Mar Racetrack, Torrey Pines State Reserve and the Birch Aquarium at the Scripps Institute.

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Episode 7

Newberry Springs

Sun, Jul 1, 200156 mins

Huell finds a website devoted to sights along old Route 66 near Newberry Springs, prints the map and eagerly starts his next road trip. Except for the famous Bagdad Cafe, the driving tour doesn't pan out, but he meets many friendly locals.

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Episode 8

San Marcos Pass

Sun, Jul 22, 2001

Huell road trips on San Marcos Pass Road, a 32-mile section of State Highway 154 from Santa Barbara to Los Olivos. It winds along an old stagecoach route through the Los Padres National Forest, the Santa Ynez Valley, and past Lake Cachuma.

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Episode 9

Orange County

Mon, Sep 10, 200159 mins

From the coast to the county seat, Huell drives across Orange County on his latest Road Trip. He learns about conservation efforts at the Bolsa Chica Wetlands and why Huntington Beach is called "Surf City, U.S.A." Heading inland, he discovers a vibrant, Latino community in Santa Ana as he strolls along Fourth Street visiting markets, clothing stores and restaurants.

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Episode 10

Julian

Sun, Nov 4, 2001

Huell road trips to rustic Julian in northern San Diego County. Settled as a gold mining town in 1869, it survived after the mines were depleted because residents planted apple orchards that are still the backbone of the local economy.

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Episode 11

Riverside

Thu, Feb 21, 200258 mins

Join Huell as he takes a walk on his newest Road Trip in Riverside. From the world famous Mission Inn to a few little known spots, this Road Trip has got it all.

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Episode 12

Bakersfield

Sun, May 12, 200258 mins

Bakersfield is Huell's next Road Trip where he samples Basque food, visits a Tule Elk reserve and tours country music legend Buck Owen's Crystal Palace.

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Episode 13

Solvang

Sun, May 19, 200254 mins

For a little bit of Denmark in California, Huell takes a road trip to Solvang, 35 miles northwest of Santa Barbara in the Santa Ynez Valley. He gets a taste of authentic Danish food and drink with homemade aebleskivers at Solvang Restaurant, kringles at Olsen's Danish Village Bakery, cashew clusters at Ingeborg's Danish Chocolates, and a shot of aquavit at Royal Copenhagen Shop. Exploring the town's history, Huell also makes stops at Jensen's Copenhagen Square, Bit O'Denmark Restaurant, Solvang Park, Bethania Lutheran Church, and the world-famous big red clog outside Solvang Shoe Store. He ends by learning about Danish heritage at the Elverhøj Museum of History and Art.

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Episode 14

Liquid Art

Sun, Sep 15, 200256 mins

Huell gets more than his feet wet as he visits artists honored by the Metropolitian Water District for their creative depictions of water in public spaces. Stops include: Blue Line Oasis in Compton, Water Conservation Garden in El Cajon, Wall Gazing Gallery in Fullerton, and Music Center Fountain in Los Angeles.

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Episode 15

Central Coast

Sun, Oct 27, 200258 mins

Huell travels to California's beautiful Central Coast as he visits picturesque Port San Luis lighthouse, travels to the beach community of Cayucos and ends up in the artist community of Harmony (population 18).

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Episode 16

Cotati

Sun, Nov 10, 200253 mins

Huell Howser travels to the city of Cotati in Sonoma County and takes in the festivities at the 12th annual Cotati Accordion Festival, Johnny Otis' radio show and Luther Burbank's garden.

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Episode 17

Bodega

Wed, Dec 18, 200256 mins

Join Huell as he travels to the village of Bodega Bay, located just 68 miles north of San Francisco. The sights are breathtaking with low coastal bluffs and slender sandy beaches. Huell then heads inland to the tiny town with the same name, Bodega. He learns about the history of both locations, which includes the filming of Alfred Hitchcock's unforgettable film "The Birds."

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Episode 18

Placerville

Wed, Dec 25, 2002

Huell road trips to Placerville, founded after the gold discovery in 1848 ten miles away at Sutter's Mill in Coloma. The resulting influx of thousands of fortune seekers established Placerville as a supply center for the mining camps.

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Episode 19

Auburn

Wed, Jan 1, 200354 mins

Join Huell Howser as he travels to Auburn, one of California's earliest mining towns founded in 1848 and situated in the heart of the Gold Country.

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Episode 20

Mariposa

Thu, Mar 6, 200357 mins

Huell travels to Mariposa County, home to a rich mining history. Stops include California's oldest Courthouse (1854), and the colorful mining town of Coulterville.

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Episode 21

Half Moon Bay

Sun, Apr 6, 2003

Huell road trips to the charming community of Half Moon Bay located about 25 miles south of San Francisco on the central coast, nestled between forested hills and some of the most beautiful coastline in California.

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Episode 22

Ridge Route

Sun, Jun 15, 200356 mins

Completed in 1915, the Ridge Route was carved from the Sierra Pelona Mountains by workers using mule-drawn dirt scrapers. From ridge top to ridge top, they cleared a 20 foot-wide roadway which was the first direct route between Los Angeles and Bakersfield, uniting northern and southern California. The road fell into disuse when the straighter and safer U.S. Highway 99 opened in 1933, which itself was supplanted when Interstate 5 was completed in 1970. Today, a 30-mile portion of the abandoned Ridge Route can be found hidden in the mountains between Castaic and Gorman just east of I-5. Huell is joined by Harrison Scott, a retired Pacific Bell engineer, who, with the help of U.S. Forest Service archaeologists, was largely responsible for landing at 17.6-mile stretch of this engineering marvel on the National Register of Historic Places in 1997. With help from members of the Model T Ford Club of Kern County and their classic cars, they re-create a road trip from a bygone era along the Ridge Route, complete with stops at the remnants of the inns, cafes, and service stations that once dotted its many twists and curves.

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Episode 23

Big Bear

Sun, Jul 20, 200357 mins

Huell discovers things to do in the Southern California mountain town of Big Bear Lake including the Discovery Center, Butler Peak Fire Lookout, Snow Summit Ski Resort and Bike Park, Moonridge Animal Park and Historical Society Museum.

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Episode 24

Gilroy

Mon, Sep 8, 2003

Huell travels to Gilroy for their 25th Annual Garlic Festival where he samples garlic ice cream, garlic kettle corn, roasted garlic and other mouth-watering garlic delicacies.

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Episode 25

Seabiscuit

Sun, Nov 2, 200352 mins

Huell travels to Willits in Mendocino County to learn about the California legacy of the famous racehorse Seabiscuit. The trip includes a tour of Ridgewood Ranch, a special exhibit at the county museum, and BBQ at the Redwood Empire Fair.

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Episode 26

Ukiah

Tue, Feb 17, 2004

Huell road trips to Mendocino County where he visits Vichy Springs, the Grace Hudson Museum and the City of 10,000 Buddhas.

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Episode 27

Volcano

Tue, Apr 27, 2004

Huell road trips to Volcano, one of the Mother Lode's most picturesque towns. Located in Amador County, some say it's named for its setting in a bowl-shaped valley, which early miners thought was caused by a volcano.

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Episode 28

Eureka

Fri, Aug 13, 200457 mins

Huell travels to Humboldt County, on the rugged North Coast, known for its natural beauty, lavish Victorian architecture, and history in timber, fishing, and dairy. He tours Eureka's historic Old Town and makes stops in Loleta and Fortuna.

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Episode 29

California Corners: Northwest

Wed, Sep 29, 200456 mins

Huell begins his journey to the far reaches of California as he locates the exact northwest corner of the state and visits nearby attractions including Samoa Cookhouse, Battery Point Lighthouse, Ship Ashore Resort, and an Easter lily farm.

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Episode 30

California Corners: Northeast

Wed, Oct 27, 200458 mins

Huell continues his trip to the far reaches of California as he finds the state's exact northeast corner and visits sights in Modoc County including Lava Beds National Monument, historic spots in Alturas, Fandango Pass and Surprise Valley.

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Episode 31

California Corners: Southeast

Fri, Jan 7, 200555 mins

Huell continues his journey to the far reaches of California as he locates the exact Southeast corner of the state and visits nearby attractions.

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Episode 32

California Corners: Tahoe

Fri, Jan 14, 2005

Huell boats out onto Lake Tahoe and finds another corner of California. He also visits Camp Richardson, Tallac Historic Site, Taylor Creek stream profile chamber, Red Hut Cafe and learns about the mission of The League to Save Lake Tahoe.

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Episode 33

California Corners: Southwest

Fri, Jan 21, 2005

Huell finishes his journey to the far reaches of California as he locates the exact Southwest corner of the state and visits nearby attractions.

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Episode 34

Encinitas

Sun, Oct 2, 200558 mins

Huell travels to the beautiful coast city Encinitas in San Diego County and visits botanic gardens, parks, beaches, museums and boat-shaped houses. He feeds body and soul at Raul's Mexican Food and the Self-Realization Fellowship Gardens.

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Episode 35

Oak Glen

Wed, Nov 2, 2005

It's apple season and Huell road trips to Oak Glen, 60 miles east of Los Angeles, to take part in a popular fall tradition.

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Episode 36

Paso Robles

Mon, Jan 2, 2006

Huell's off to the Central Coast with a road trip to popular Paso Robles complete with wine tasting.

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Episode 37

Oildorado

Thu, Feb 2, 2006

Huell road trips to Taft as it celebrates its 95th anniversary with food, parades, and dances.

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Episode 38

Tucson

Thu, May 18, 2006

Go way down deep inside an old Titan Missile site, see a huge airplane graveyard, the Pima Air and Space Museum and the historic San Xavier del Bac Mission on this road trip to Tucson.

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Episode 39

Chico

Fri, Sep 15, 2006

Huell visits Bidwell Mansion, The Orient Flume Glass Studio, the Sierra Nevada Brewery and the National Yo-Yo Museum on this road trip to Chico.

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Episode 40

City of Orange

Sun, May 27, 200756 mins

Huell tours Orange with city historian Phil Brigandi. The city maintains a small-town charm with its central Plaza Square, multi-generational family businesses, historic homes with diverse architecture and links to its citrus growing past.

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Episode 41

UC Davis

Thu, Jul 12, 2007

Huell road trips to UC Davis and visits several campus spots open to the public including the Bike Barn, Museum of Entomology, the arboretum, Segundo Dining Commons, the Coffeehouse, the Horse Barn, Gorman Museum and Raptor Center.

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Episode 42

Stockton

Thu, Jul 19, 200759 mins

Huell road trips to the San Joaquin Delta port city of Stockton.

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Episode 43

State of Jefferson

Thu, Feb 7, 200857 mins

Huell learns about past attempts at forming a new state comprised of northern California and southern Oregon.

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Episode 44

Lodi

Sun, Feb 10, 200857 mins

Lodi is known as the "Zinfandel Capital of the World" and not only has a wonderful "wine" community, but is filled with all sorts of things for visitors to enjoy. Huell visits the Lodi Wine and Visitor Center, to get the lay of the land and then it's off to Michael-David Vineyards to see how this 5th generation family-run business works. Huell then travels to Micke Grove Park, which has everything from a zoo to a Japanese tea garden. There is a tour of the historic downtown district and a visit to the very first A&W Root Beer in the nation. We end our visit with a trip to see the annual return of the Cranes to Lodi. These majestic birds come back every year and are a real treat to behold.

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Episode 45

San Juan Capistrano

Sun, May 18, 200857 mins

Huell road trips to Orange County for a day in historic San Juan Capistrano. He begins at the town's Mission for an up-close look at The Great Stone Church, the largest stone structure west of the Mississippi, as well as the building's magnificent gardens and gold-leaf altar. Next, it's off to Los Rios Street, the oldest residential street in California. Los Rios is a place where its people both live and work. The entire street, and every home on it, is on the National Register of Historic Places. Huell enjoys lunch with the Rios family, who have occupied a 1794 adobe house for 10 generations and counting. He takes a tour of ZOOMARS Petting Zoo, a family-friendly stop that acknowledges the town's ranch history, and finally ends up at the town's historical society, the O'Neill Museum.

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Episode 46

Hanford

Sun, Jun 8, 2008

Huell road trips to Hanford where he spends two days learning about its wonderful history and visiting with friendly locals.

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Episode 47

Fort Hunter Liggett

Thu, Jul 9, 200956 mins

Huell road trips to Fort Hunter Liggett, a 167,000-acre army base on the central coast. Sites on base open to the public include the 1771 Mission San Antonio and William Randolph Hearst's 1930 Julia Morgan-designed Hacienda ranch house.

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Episode 48

Anza-Borrego

Sun, Sep 13, 200955 mins

Huell road trips to Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, the largest California state park. Then he gets to know the locals and businesses in the town of Borrego Springs finishing with the amazing outdoor metal sculptures of Ricardo Breceda.

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Episode 49

Ferndale

Sun, Apr 11, 201057 mins

Huell steps back in time in Humboldt County's Victorian Village of Ferndale. It has the distinction of the entire town being California Historic Landmark #883. A side trip stops at Clendenen's Cider Works in Fortuna for fresh apple cider.

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Episode 50

Confusion Hill

Sun, Jul 18, 201055 mins

Huell visits an old-fashioned roadside attraction featuring a 'gravity house' where water flows uphill, a mini train ride through an ancient forest, the world's largest freestanding redwood chainsaw carving, and the redwood shoe house.

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Episode 51

Sanger

Sun, Jul 25, 201058 mins

Huell stops at a few of the family-owned fruit stands on the 80-mile Fresno County Fruit Trail; spends a night at the Blossom Trail BnB; and at the Sanger Depot Museum learns about the 62-mile Kings River Flume used to transport lumber.

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Episode 52

Orchid Trail

Sun, Sep 12, 201052 mins

Huell road trips to Santa Barbara and Carpinteria to attend the Santa Barbara International Orchid Show and visit a few nurseries to learn why this area is a mecca for orchid hobbyists.

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Episode 53

Jamestown

Thu, Nov 4, 201057 mins

Huell travels to historic Jamestown in Tuolumne County gold country. This beautiful town is known for amazing buildings that preserve the 1800s character and for Railtown 1897 State Historic Park which keeps Sierra Railway history alive.

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Episode 54

Weaverville

Sun, Nov 7, 2010

Huell road trips to the small historic town of Weaverville in Trinity County with stops at Joss House State Historic Park, Highland Art Center, Jake Jackson Memorial Museum, Weaverville Community Forest, La Grange Cafe, and Trinity River.

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Episode 55

Mother Lode

Thu, Feb 17, 2011

Huell road trips to Gold Country to see Moaning Caverns; a historic pipe organ; a wonderful museum in Angels Camp; a giant gold nugget housed in a winery; a very historic hotel in Murphy's; and the Calaveras Jumping Frog Jubilee.

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Episode 56

Las Vegas

Fri, Sep 30, 2011

Huell heads for the hustle and bustle of Las Vegas to find some of the "hidden" gold in this historic town. From the Old Las Vegas Mormon Fort State Historic Park to the Atomic Testing Museum, there's a lot to see and do.

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