Rancho Seco Nuclear Power Plant and Park in South Sacramento County

Towering 300’ into the sky in south Sacramento County are the Rancho Seco Nuclear Power Plant’s twin cooling towers and Rancho Seco Park, complete with swimming, fishing and camping in a pristine setting. Just 25 miles from both Stockton and Sacramento, the old nuclear plant is worth a visit and the park’s amenities will bring you back for recreation throughout the year!

The300' tall twin nuclear cooling towers are visible from miles away 

The containment building that housed the nuclear reactor on left, with the cooling towers at right

An aerial view of the nuclear plant, from SMUD web site

Rancho Seco Lake, and Park, with the cooling towers in the distance

Nuclear plant: Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) bought the property in the 1960s, and built the nuclear plant, which went on-line in April, 1975. In March, 1978, a power failure in the plant’s instrumentation led to a steam generator ‘dry-out’, a precursor, had other failures followed, to a nuclear near melt-down like the Three Mile Island nuclear plant on the east coast.

After operating at a reduced capacity until 1989, a public vote lead to the closing of the plant. It was decommissioned and the nuclear equipment was removed. Today, a gas-powered plant produces electricity on the same lines that the nuclear plant used; nearby SMUD has also developed solar-generation facilities. At about the same time, a Stanislaus County nuclear plant was proposed by PG&E, but was cancelled in 1979. Over 60 US nuclear plants were cancelled in the late 1970s, as public confidence in their safety reached a low point.

Rancho Seco Park: The 160 acre Rancho Seco Lake was developed as an emergency source of water for the plant; today it is a stunning public park, offering swimming, fishing, hiking, bird-watching and camping. A nice public beach offers warm-weather swimming, while fishing goes on year-round (sunfish, catfish, trout are found in the lake, and non-motorized boats are welcome).

The nearby Howard Ranch Trail and the Amanda Blake Memorial Wildlife Refuge are the latest additions to the park. The trail offers a seven mile hike in rolling valley foothills while the refuge offers superb viewing opportunities to see geese, hawks, ducks, blue heron, occasional bald eagles and migratory birds in the winter months.

Camping on the lake shore offers 25 tent sites and 18 RV sites with electric and water hookups. Plenty of picnic options, including group picnic sites, are available throughout the park. Near the park recreation room, WiFi access if also offered!

Getting there: Rancho Seco Park is located at 14440 Twin Cities Road, in Herald, CA 95638; from either Interstate 5 or Hwy 99, go east on Twin Cities Road.  

For more information: Call 800-416-6992 for park info; or see the web site, www.smud.org/en/about-smud/community/recreational-areas/rancho-seco-lake.htm. For additional weekend getaway destinations, see http://LittlePlacesIKnow.blogspot.com!

Mission San Antonio/Jolon/Fort Hunter Liggett, CA

Should you be the visiting the incredibly scenic Pinnacles National Park (just south of Hollister, CA), and decide you want to get over to the rugged Big Sur California coastline, an interesting and wildly scenic 90 mile drive will get you there.

Pictured, from top down: remains of the old Dutton House on edge of Jolon; Jolon's old general store; St. Luke's Church, founded in 1863; Mission San Antonio main chapel; interior of Mission San Antonio; and, remains of the mission's water system, that supplied water to the grist mill (remains seen in distance).

This drive takes you past the historic remnants of Jolon on the old El Camino Real, through Fort Hunter Liggett and the nearby historic Mission San Antonio. From there, it’s 25 more miles up over the rugged coastal mountains, dropping you in the middle of Big Sur on the California coast.

It's not a drive for big motorhomes, though cars and trucks do fine. We journeyed from Pinnacle's east entrance, south on Highway 25, to the intersection of Bitterwater, followed G 13 to King City, then G 14, passing Jolon, then west on G 18, stopping at Mission San Antonio, one of the original 21 California missions established almost 250 years ago. Then, 24 scenic miles to the Big Sur coast, dropping us near John Little State Beach and just south of Julia Pfeiffer State Park.

Along the way, the remnants of the old town of Jolon can be found, established in the 1860s to meet the needs of miners traveling to the Los Burros Mining District.  Of particular interest are the remains of the old Dutton House, which thrived from 1849 through 1886 as a tavern and hotel for miners and travelers on the El Camino Real. Jolon would become the social and agribusiness center in South Monterrey County. When the railroad came to King City, that town prospered and Jolon slowly faded away.  Today, you can find the ruins of the Dutton House, Jolon's old general store, St. Luke's Church and faded dreams! 

Jolon was acquired by William Randolph Hearst in the 1920s, and sold to its current owner, the US Army, in 1940. Ft. Hunger Liggett (http://www.liggett.army.mil) would then become an active Army training base for World War II, and continues today as headquarters for the U.S. Army Combat Support Training Center, serving multi-service active and reserve components. The military outpost encompasses approximately 165,000 acres, home to deer, mountain lions, wild hogs and occasional bears!

Mission San Antonio (http://missionsanantonio.net) is the historic prize of this trip; founded by Padre Junipero Serra in 1771, when he hung a bell in an ancient oak tree. Due to need for a better water supply, the mission was later moved ¼ mile away to its current site. The Native Americans of the mission were the Salinan Tribe, part of the Hokan family.

Before the founding of the mission, the native population thrived on a diet of acorns, seeds, berries and wild game. They would move into the mission’s buildings and build a very productive mission town, home to hundreds of Salinan members who set to work to further expand the mission and its infrastructure. Today, remnants of the first mission buildings, its water-powered mill, ovens and more have been uncovered, the old water system remains evident, and the current mission sanctuary is home to a thriving Catholic flock.

West of the Mission and Ft. Hunter Liggett, its a scenic, switch-backed road up and over the Santa Lucia Mountains to Big Sur. Plan a weekend or longer and bring your binoculars to see this historic and stunningly scenic part of “wild California”! For additional inspiring California destinations, see http://LittlePlacesIKnow.blogspot.com.

Kings Canyon National Park; deep canyons, majestic Sierra peaks!

Entering Sequoia National Park, you will see distant views of Kings Canyon and Sierra peaks nearing 14,000 feet (nearby Mt. Whitney, at 14,500 feet, is tallest in the lower 48 states, but a bit out of view).

Photos, from top, down: View at Road's End, with some of Sierra monoliths that are targets for technical climbers; quintet of Sequoias in the General Grant Grove stand guard near parking area; the General Grant Sequoia looms out of a forest of giants; rocky peaks of the Sierra rise from Kings Canyon; the Kings River, which (along with glaciers) scuplted the canyon; scenic view of the Canyon, cloaked in haze from nearby Sierra forest fires; our Scotty teardrop at a Kings Canyon overlook; the Roaring River Falls, just a few blocks hike off the main highway.

Kings Canyon National Park is a sister park to Sequoia; they share common borders and one entry fee gets you into both majestic parks. The entry into the park is through the western piece of the park, and soon you experience the General Grant Grove of Sequoias, amazing in the number of huge trees in a confined, walkable setting. Nearby Kings Canyon Visitor Center and Grant Grove Village offers sequoia and historic perspective; lodging and several campgrounds are available here.

Continuing towards the canyon, stunning Sierra views are offered at every turn. You traverse through Sequoia National Forest, past the scenic Hume Lake turnoff, privately owned Kings Canyon Lodge, a rustic hotel and Boyden Cave as one tours along the frothing South Fork Kings River.

Reentering Kings Canyon Park, stop at the Cedar Grove Visitor Center and Village for unique canyon insights. Take a break at Roaring River Falls viewpoint (short video of the Falls is above), where a short hike takes you to a picturesque waterfall in a granite canyon.

Continue on to Zumwalt Meadow and Roads End, where you will see a number of trailheads and climbers preparing to scale the walls of varied monoliths. Campers will find a host of scenic campgrounds in the Kings Canyon itself, and lodges offer plenty of indoor respites for the weary traveler. Neighbor Sequoia Park also offers additional campgrounds and lodging options; go to www.nps.gov/seki.

While driving, keep your eyes open for deer, skunks, coyotes and, occasionally, black bears! While visiting Kings Canyon, plan a day-trip or longer to Sequoia National Park, it’s neighbor to the southeast. The General Sherman Grove, the Tunnel Tree and other points of interest are not to be missed. For a great lunch or dining stop, try the Wuksachi Hotel, central to Sequoia, with a wonderful dining room and quaint bar.

Plan a weekend trip or longer to Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Parks; you will forever want to return! For more unique California destinations, see my blog, www.LittlePlacesIKnow.blogspot.com.

Sequoia National Park; home of the giants and much more!

Several things impress as you approach this majestic park and its neighbor, Kings Canyon National Park, from Fresno, CA (we arrived on Hwy 198 at the Ash Mountain entrance).  They include the rapid and scenic rise from near sea level in the San Joaquin Valley to 7,000 feet in the Sierra, the frequent number of immense Sequoia groves throughout the two parks, and incredible views of the Sierra, particularly in the Kings Canyon!



Photos, from top down: The General Sherman Tree amazes scores of tourists while Park Ranger offers insights; our teardrop Scotty trailer in Lodgepole Campground; our trailer and Focus with Kings Canyon as a backdrop in distance; entrace to General Sherman Tree walkway; Susan with a mid-size Sequoia stump; and our Focus passing under the Tunnel Tree!

We were camping on a recent visit (towing a small Scotty teardrop trailer), and made for a reserved spot in a delightful Sequoia campground, Lodgepole Camp, complete with village/store and visitor center. Nearby is a marvelous hotel, The Wuksachi, complete with great restaurant and cute bar. Sequoia and its neighbor Kings Canyon offer a host of other campgrounds and lodging options; go to www.nps.gov/seki.

Once settled into our campsite, we began our tour of the park by driving a few miles to the General Sherman Tree grove, and hiking downhill to the grove of over-sized trees. First impressions count, a lot – one is amazed that around every turn is a monster Sequoia, measuring 12 to 35 feet in diameter and topping out at almost 300 feet.

One does not expect to be so awed by the General Sherman itself, but it is “that much larger” than its neighbors, measuring 40 feet in diameter, 275 feet in height, and, in total volume of wood, the largest tree in the world! It makes for big crowds, as the most known feature in the park.

Nearby, a side road takes you to Moro Rock, worth the short hike for great views, past the “Auto Tree” (where cars once drove up upon the huge downed trunk) and to Tunnel Log, where one can drive your car or truck through the hollowed-out trunk. It makes for great photos!  Another option, in summer, is the road to Crystal Cave, for you spelunkers! While driving, keep your eyes open for deer, skunks, coyotes and, occasionally, black bears!

The adjoining Kings Canyon National Park offers its own share of stunning revelations, though the parks size and scope of its features require a day or more to fully explore! Plan a long weekend trip to Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks; you will forever want to return for deeper exploration!  For more interesting California destinations, see my blog, www.LittlePlacesIKnow.blogspot.com.

Lake Tahoe and Tallac Historic Site offers glimpse into fabulous summer retreats of very rich!

 

Period kitchen at Tallac homesite

Lake Tahoe, CA visitors will often cherish memories of Camp Richardson, just 3 miles north on Hwy 89 of South Lake Tahoe – but far fewer will have visited the adjoining Tallac Historic Site.

Until recently, I assumed it was an archeological site, and had never toured off of the highway to find out! Take the time to tour three perfectly preserved grand estates right off Hwy 89, the former lake-front grand homes of the Baldwin Estate, the Pope Estate and Valhalla.

Once regarded as the “Grand Resort of Tahoe”, these beautiful old homes were the entertainment capital of the Tahoe area, with well-heeled guests staying over for grand parties, with fine food, bands, dancing and the like. The Tahoe Heritage Foundation along with the US Forest Service (www.tahoeheritage.org/events-and-programs-2/tallac-historic-site) operate programs and events at both the Baldwin and Pope Estates. The Valhalla property, used regularly as the site for many Tahoe organizations’ events, is run by the Tahoe Tallac Association (www.valhallatahoe.com).

The Baldwin Museum is the place to start your tour. Here you’ll find docents, explanatory videos, the Baldwin Room, the Washoe Room and a recreated 1930’s kitchen. A gift shop sells books and merchandise specific to the history of the home, as well as tickets to events and programs. Tallac Historic Site is next to the shady Kiva picnic area and Taylor Creek Visitor Center.

The many paved walkways are handicapped-accessible, and also offer marvelous opportunities for easy, flat and scenic bicycling. The attractions all offer year-round access, though Tahoe snows may require cross-country skis or snowshoes in winter. Just a mile away is the Fallen Leaf Lake Campground, nearby the scenic lake of the same name.

And, the Tallac site borders Camp Richardson, with store, historic lodging in the old hotel, cabins for rent and a fine restaurant, the Beacon, on the shores of Lake Tahoe. Take the time to explore this hidden gem on the shores of Lake Tahoe; for more options in California, see LittlePlacesIKnow@blogspot.com.


Baldwin Museum is place to begin your Tallac tour



Lake Tahoe offers a number of lakeside dining options, like The Beacon
at Camp Richardson, or Beaches, in S. Lake Tahoe!

Kayakers enjoy Lake Tahoe, with rentals available at Camp Richardson

Weekend get-a-way by bike, or by foot, in Stockton, CA!

Ready for an “in-city weekend adventure”? Dust off those bicycles, and let’s hit the trails right here in Stockton!

Photos, from top down: DeRosa University Center is heart of a UOP biking or walking adventure; depending upon the season, adventurers may see a UOP athletic team in practice or readying for a Big West match (UOP Women's Tennis Team); for explorers to downtown Stockton, tour the Promenade around the Deepwater Channel, home to the new Waterfront Marina and much more!

Center of our focus, the Calaveras Bike Trail and University of Pacific, right in middle of the trail. From home, you can bike (or walk) to the Calaveras Trail, or drive to UOP and park on campus to start your adventure. The Calaveras Trail runs (on the west) from Buckley Cove Park, at end of March Lane, all the way east to Cherokee (overall, about 9.3 miles, end-to-end).

The beautiful UOP campus is right in the center; a pedestrian/bike bridge carries you across the old river to the DeRosa University Center, open most weekends for drinks or lunch. From UOP to Buckley Cove, it is about 4.5 miles each way; to Cherokee going east, about 3.8 miles each way – scenic, quiet, and no traffic, good for newby riders or walkers!

From UOP, riders can also take a route south on Kensington and Baker to reach the downtown Stockton waterfront, the Stockton Ballpark, Stockton Arena and other downtown attractions. These are wide, shady boulevards, with light traffic, and this route shows off some of the city’s finest old residential architecture!

For a good map of these trails and other Stockton “safe routes for cyclists” go to: http://www.stocktongov.com/files/BikewaysExistingMap.pdf. The UOP campus also offers a number or easy biking/walking routes, away from traffic. Lot’s of attractions, and depending on time of year, you might see one of UOP’s athletic teams practicing, or, about to face Big West competition!

And, mark your calendars: the next ‘Second Saturday Family Bike Ride’, Saturday, Sept. 14, 11 AM, starting and finishing at DeRosa University Center at UOP. This event will cover about six miles, heading south on Kensington and Baker from UOP, then west on Rose to Victory Park and the Haggin Museum. Riders should bring a picnic lunch and bike lock; after a lunch discussion of family bike safety, riders will get a tour of the Haggin Museum, with free admission for youth. Before hopping on those bikes, check them for “working order”; helmets for both kids and adults are highly recommended.

Enjoy a scenic, energetic weekend right in Stockton! For more insight, contact Tim Viall of the SJ Bike Coalition, tviall@msn.com, or call 209.969.3875.  And, for more weekend get-a-ways, go to: www.LittlePlacesIKnow@blogspot.com.