Visit Historic Locke

Visit Historic Locke

Statue of Confucius in front of the Chinese school in Locke Locke is the only town in the United States built by the Chinese for Chinese people. The first buildings were established in 1913. Due to California’s Alien Land Law of 1913, which prevented all foreign-born aliens from owning land, Locke’s residents rented the land from George Locke, Jr. Because the people hoped to return to China, these houses weren’t built to last, with cheap materials and metal roofs. 

Bathtub in an alley in Locke. Above it says baths 5ct soap and towel extra.To experience how the people of Locke lived, you can visit the living museum town north of the Sacramento–San Joaquin River Delta. There are multiple museums, like the Locke Boarding House, the Chinese School, or the Dai Loy Museum, the former gambling hall. In 1990 Locke was made into a National Historic Landmark.   

Two doors above it says lottery room and money roomThe boarding house offers a peek into the daily lives of the visiting farm workers. During its heyday, there were multiple restaurants, hotels, rooming houses, a grocery store, a fish market, a dentist’s office, and a Chinese school. But behind the storefronts, there were also gambling halls and opium dens. It became known as the “Monte Carlo of California”. When prohibition ended and the asparagus industry declined,  Locke lost its visitors. 

A Chinese kitchen in Locke, CAThere are many fascinating facts about Locke. On Saturday, February 22, 2025, 12pm – 4 pm, the Locke Foundation invites you to celebrate Chinese New Year in Locke. 

The Boarding House Museum is open Saturdays and Sundays 11am  – 3pm, 13916 Main Street, Locke. 

The Dai Loy Museum is open Friday, Saturday, and Sunday 12pm – 4pm, 13951 Main Street, Locke.  

Entrance to Preservation Park in Oakland

A Peaceful Park in Oakland, Preservation Park

Benches around the fountain at Preservation Park in OaklandWe found this interesting park by chance the other day, after visiting the African American Museum and Library. Preservation Park is a two block neighborhood in Oakland with 16 historic buildings, five of them in their original location. The houses were arranged to represent a condensed version of a 19th-century neighborhood.  We entered on Thirteenth Street and sat a short while on a bench facing the fountain of the rotunda. 

View of Latham Ducell fountain and Thorton House at Preservation ParkFollowing the Preservation Park Way, we were able to see most of the historic homes. The architecture ranges from Victorian (Italianate, Stick, and Queen Ann) to Classical.

While most of these buildings house non-profit organizations, some are actually event rentals. Event Rentals are private properties that allow daytime use, but kindly ask to keep your dog at home. 

Resources

https://www.preservationpark.com/about-us/story 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Preservation_Park 

Educate yourself on African American History, AAMLO, Oakland

Educate yourself on African American History, AAMLO, Oakland

The ceiling of the AAMLOOakland stands for a rich culture and history of African Americans. The African American Museum and Library (AAMLO) preserves this history with its ongoing exhibit and events.

Poster announcing the ongoing exhibit at the AAMLO: Visions Toward TomorrowI’ve become a fan of the Carnegie Libraries and the AAMLO is a stunning well renovated example of these philanthropic buildings. Oakland’s first Carnegie library, built in 1902, the building greets you with the slogan “Free to all” above the entrance. It was renovated after the 1989 earthquake and reopened in 2002 as the new African American Library and Museum.

Upon entering we were greeted by a friendly staff member who gave us a quick overview. The self-guided tours are for the permanent exhibit upstairs: Visions Toward Tomorrow: The African American Community in Oakland 1890 -1990.  

An information poster. The quote reads: In the field of sports you are more of less accepted for what you do rather than for what you are.The pompous barrel-shaped ceilings in the Beaux Arts style give the room an airy appearance. All around are information posters conveying the extensive history of people of African descent in the East Bay. Women, war heroes, and sports celebrities are next to the revolutionaries of the Black Panther Party. 

The interior is set up for events. For example, you can join Zakiyyah G.E. Capehart for an afternoon of poetry on February 8, 2025, from 2 pm to 4 pm. Registration is required.

Visit the AAMLO at 659 14th Street in Oakland California. Opening hours are Monday to Thursday 10 am – 5:30 pm, Friday 12 pm – 5:30 pm, and Saturday 10 am – 5:30 pm.

 

Infinity Temple by Florentine Farms

Admire the Lights, Napa Lighted Art Festival

The court house lit up by a light installation called The Dream Factory by Svitlana Reinish | Kyiv, UkraineFrom now until February 16th, 2025 Napa illuminates their downtown in their annual Lighted Art Festival

ELEMENTA by Leslie Epsztein & Camille GrossMost of the holiday lights are taken down these days, but it is still getting dark around 5:30. Napa is taking advantage of the early sundown and lights up the night with eleven light art installations.  Until January 26th you can also marvel at three projection artworks. The projection art is displayed at the Presbyterian Church, the Napa County Historic Courthouse, and the Native Sons. The church was especially impressive with a technical beautification by artists Leslie Epstein & Camille Gross. Elementa is a projection mapping artwork that presents a symphony of earth, wind, fire, and air fresco-like images.

Barrel Boy and Family by Joel Edward Sisson[Due to rain this event has been canceled!]

On February 1 from 5 pm till 6 pm, Bookmine, Napa’s independent book store, will hold a storytime in front of the Oxbow Public Market. The Glow Party on February 8th, 2025, is a family-friendly art after dark experience. Find the party at the Pearl Street bus depot from 6 pm to 8 pm.

All of these ambient displays are fun to scavenger hunt all around downtown. You might even see an art installation that is there year round. 

Camp-fire by WilhelmusvlugDownload the map for the Lighted Art Festival and enjoy a fun free activity!

 

A collection of rocks

Acquire Crystals, Rock Shop in Vacaville

Stones in boxes from the Rock ShopIt was on a hunch that we stopped at the Rock Shop in Vacaville. Mainly we liked the name and it looked intriguing from Hwy 80. Entering the place you immediately know that it is quite an attraction. 

The Rock Shop is possibly the largest rock and mineral store in the world! There are beads and spheres, geodes, chrystals, and clusters. 

A room full of amethyst cathedralsRooms reserved for amethyst cathedrals, each priced so high I’d advise you not to come with little kids.  But if you have a little explorer they might like the fossil stones. 

A fossil fishOne room is dedicated to the fish of Fossil Lake. This lake is known for its abundance of fossils and is located within the Fossil Butte National Monument, in Wyoming. 

I also like the jewelry and little trees made from polished stones. One of these trees near the entrance is possibly over 15 feet!

A tree made from polished stonesThe Rock Shop is open Monday – Saturday from 10 am to 6 pm, Sundays from 10 am to 5 pm. Located on 5115 Quinn Rd, Vacaville, CA. 

Do you enjoy the look and feel of rocks?

Sign in front of the Arts Guild announcing that the gallery is open

Be Enriched by Art, Arts Guild of Sonoma

Inside the Arts Guild of SonomaThe Arts Guild of Sonoma is one of the oldest continuously operating artists cooperatives in California.  You can find the Arts Guild at 140 East Napa Street southeast of the main plaza in downtown Sonoma. 

With changing exhibits throughout the year, visitors are introduced to Sonoma’s residing artists. The current exhibit “Past, Present, Future” runs until January 27th, 2025 with an artists’ reception on January 18th, from 5 pm to 7pm. 

Inside the Arts Guild of SonomaI loved the spacious gallery space with a myriad of artworks of paintings, jewelry, and pottery. 

The Arts Guild participates in the First Thursday Art Walk, a monthly celebration of local art. Each month a different location hosts the Art Walk, but you can stop by the Arts Guild and pick up a paper map.

Visit the Arts Guild of Sonoma at 140 East Napa Street from Thursday through Monday 11 am to 5 pm.

Climb up to See the Wave Garden, Point Richmond

Climb up to See the Wave Garden, Point Richmond

A wall of the wave garden acting as a no parking signThe Wave Garden in Point Richmond, built in 2007, is a privately owned succulent garden with a unique design that is open to the public. I was a bit rushed looking at the amazing view of the San Pablo Bay since the address for the garden, 607 Grandview Ct, Richmond, CA, does not allow you to park. I recommend that you park legally and walk up to the garden.

A wavy concrete structure at the wave gardenNevertheless, the garden itself is worth it! The aesthetically pleasing concrete curves were designed by artist, Victor Armador. The fencing and ironwork, equally artistic, are by the late blacksmith, Robert Sharpe. The gardener Kellee Adams filled the structure with waterwise plants. 

While the plants are in need of some TLC, the overall experience is well worth the hike up to Grandview Ct. The view is stunning and the generosity of the owners to allow people to enjoy this is heartwarming.

View of the San Pablo Bay from the Wave GardenSome websites give the address as 615 Western Drive in Point Richmond. Like I said before, please park somewhere legal and walk up to the garden.

Have you seen the wave garden?

Welcome to Little Point Richmond Sign

Visit the Fairies in Little Point Richmond

Fairy house on Washington St, Point RichmondThe fairies in Little Point Richmond have been on my bucket list for a while. It was magical to see the entire block of 300 Washington Street accommodate these little habitants. 

Fairy School of MagicRight at eye height for the youngest humans, the fairies invite you to open the doors and look inside their homes.  How do the shy magical fairies live here? Your imagination is ignited by a hardware store, the school of magic, the little point fairy library, and of course their residences. 

Fairy house with heart shaped doorStart exploring on the north side of Nicholl and Washington. You’ll notice the ‘Welcome to Little Point Richmond’ sign. From here it is a relatively steep climb up Washington Street. It is doable because you move slowly and stop at each little houseAnd, fear not, you can return down on the other side of the street for more of the tiniest of houses. 

The village was created by Jimmie Robinson, a comic artist. Apparently, the houses match his neighbors. 

Have you seen any fairies lately?

 

Paper bags filled with produce from the Community Supported Agriculture (CSA), Urban Tilth

Seed Power and Grow Justice at Urban Tilth, Richmond

Brussel sprouts and papper bags filled with produceWhen we arrived at the Urban Tilth, an urban farm in North Richmond, we struggled to find the entrance. But after we walked around it was clear we found much more than just a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) produce distribution center and urban farm. Urban Tilth’s vision is to be North Richmond’s farm and a neighborhood anchor for the whole community. 

Info signage about the expansion plans for Urban TilthMultiple information signs show the future farm. Here are architectural drawings of a cafe, a native plant nursery, a workshop area, and many more ideas. You can see some of the buildings already in place. It was exciting to see how this idea takes shape. We also met some people working for the CSA. Everyone was passionate about being here. The produce looks great and walking around the old greenhouses we could see the potential.

A new greenhouse at Urban TilthThey are not just organizing a fair food system. They want to transform it into a life-affirming system that creates a healthy, sustainable, and just community. I know they have the power to drive for change.

There are so many ways to become part of this movement. You can support Urban Tilth and get involved as a volunteer, learn about their educational programs, order their Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) produce, or donate

A sign at the entrance of the Community Mercantile reads we're open

Shop Sustainable, Community Mercantile in Davis

The Community Mercantile in Davis is a shop that retrieves, recycles, and reuses cool stuff. The mission of this non-profit is to save items that would otherwise go into the landfill. You can find everything from clothes, and kitchenware, to furniture. A great place to look for inexpensive gifts, or items to use in projects. 

A shelf with tools for rentI was impressed by their library of things, a tool library. If you have home-improvement projects this is a great place to rent some tools. For $10/ year you can typically rent the equipment for one week. There is no limit on how many tools you can rent.

You can also volunteer here. For example, you could help clean the merchandise, or give a workshop. They just held their 3rd annual workshop on Holiday wreath making.  

At the entrance to the Community Mecantile are furniture pieces and lampsThe hours to shop at the Community Mercantile are Thursdays and Fridays 2 pm  – 6 pm, and Saturdays and Sundays 12 pm – 5 pm. The shop is located at 622 Cantrill Drive, Davis, CA.

Would you bring clothing or objects you no longer need to the Community Mercantile? 

Would you buy from the Community Mercantile?