Things to do / Travel Guide
San Jose's Winchester Mystery House
The Winchester Mystery House in San Jose is one of the best examples of “Americana” in the central California region. The Winchester Mystery House was built by Sarah Winchester and is a prime example of architectural planning gone awry. In 1888, widow Sarah Winchester moved into this former farm house and was told by a psychic medium that she was being haunted by those killed by her family's firearms. The medium told her that if the house were in perpetual construction the spirits would leave her alone. To this end, Sarah Winchester kept construction going every single day of the year, including Christmas, for 38 years, until her death. There are stairways that lead to nowhere and doors opening to walls and other bizarre things, such as a séance room as well as a safe within a safe within another safe within yet another safe. You're guaranteed to never ever see a house quite like this anywhere else in the world! Different tours are available every day and start around $20 a person.
The Mystery Spot in Santa Cruz, California
Located a short hop, skip, and jump from the hustle and bustle of Santa Cruz is a place that has been delighting locals and tourists for generations, but that is still considered “off the beaten path.” This place is called “The Mystery Spot” and it's located just three miles north of Santa Cruz up in the hills. The Mystery Spot allegedly contains mysterious forces that throw off the gravitational perceptions of geothermic relativism. Hundreds of thousands of visitors have come to witness the “puzzling variations in gravity, perspective, and height,” since it was discovered in 1939. The Mystery Spot is generally considered by the locals to be a must-see site in the area and is open every day; admission is around $5 per person.
Half Moon Bay, California
In Half Moon Bay there are the paved beach trails which run three miles from Half Moon Bay proper all the way over to Pillar Point Harbor, a scenic spot that overlooks the waters of the bay. Half Moon Bay is also known for its organically grown produce. One of the best places to fill-up on these wonderful local foodstuffs is the Andreotti Family Farm, which has been in existence since 1926. The Andreotti Family Farm is open every Friday-Sunday, and local goods that can be purchased there (depending on the season) include strawberries, artichokes, and cucumbers, as well as lettuce and broccoli.
Monterey, California
Doc's Marine Lab, located at 800 Cannery Row, plays a central role in John Steinbeck's “Cannery Row.” Doc's Marine Lab was set up by Edward Flanders Ricketts (the character “Doc” in “Cannery Row” is largely based on), but the lab itself is an unassuming brown shack made mostly of wood. A fire consumed the building in 1936 but was later rebuilt where it became a favorite hangout for many writers, such as John Steinbeck and Henry Miller. Today Doc's Marine Lab is open to the public as a historic site managed by the city of Monterey. Tours of this historic facility are available infrequently.
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