@Sky Six Hello, Ever since our dad grew up San Pedro, going North on the coast was always a very cool drive for a family sedan or later on, our hot rod sedans. He explored as much as he could on a bicycle and when he got his first car, he had already learned about which streets were the best to get to the coast and the long drive was well worth the wait. It was impressive as little kids and as teenagers, a wonderful road trip that went all round this San Pedro-Palos Verdes Peninsula ended up on the Los Angeles county public beaches. For most Long Beach kids, not many ever went on the full coastal drive as it was a barren green land under and around the road. Catalina island was right there out in the ocean and looked as if we could throw baseballs and hit anywhere on the sides facing us. (“26 miles across the sea…” in reality, it is only 22-23 miles from this point.) 1950s postcard photo Marineland operated from 1954 until 1987, when it was purchased by the owners of SeaWorld San Diego. The owners of sea world in San Diego also owned marineland at the time. They said Marineland needed valuable upgrades and remodeling and said the cost was prohibitive and close Marineland. All of the animals were sent to the San Diego Sea World park. Around the big bend heading North along coastline of the Palos Verdes Peninsula along Palos Verdes Drive South was the itinerary. For us, it was a road trip worth spending the whole day seeing all there is to see in the wide open greenery in the “Preserves” of the Portuguese Bend area. Jnaki As barren as the surrounding areas were, there were some great view sites and down the cliff tops were some excellent coves and surf breaks. Some required a long sloping trails leading to an almost private cove(s) for a rocky beach and great crystal clear water surfing. The waves we rode were pretty good and lots of fun. The almost private beach was great with only our group surfing those waves. As we explored more coves and surf breaks, the whole area gave us a different direction to travel when we wanted to explore Los Angeles County beaches for our surf adventures. After all of those early car trips with our dad, he always stopped for “salt water taffy” sold only by a guy in an old 4 door sedan with his trunk up and a hand painted sign telling drivers to stop for an unusual treat. Salt water and sugar candy? What an odd ball combination… but, after one bite, my brother and I were hooked. Every time we came back to this region, we stopped by the roadside for salt water candy. One day the sales guy disappeared and now stores were selling “salt water taffy.” Note: Our dad told us some history of the peninsula near his old home. Starting with the old Fort MacArthur military complex and the shoreline attractions at the base of the cliffs. Such as a swimming pool built right on the rocky jetty, which was later destroyed by the horrendous, exposed to the ocean, currents and storms that hit the coastline with a fury. Note 2: More than 20 years after tourist destination Marineland of the Pacific shipped off its whales and closed its gates, a noticeably more refined attraction opened atop the same ocean bluffs in Rancho Palos Verdes. The first official overnight guests at Terranea Resort, a 582-room luxury hotel and spa meant to compete with California’s most upscale coastal inns, checked in 2009. The opening of the $480-million resort that includes a vast ballroom, restaurants and golf course is the culmination of 10 years of planning and construction. Again, that place looks awesome, but for us, a little out of the picture. But, on our sailing adventures, out in the Pacific Ocean, we happened to be in this area. We were taking an up the coast journey, to the destination of Marina Del Rey, my wife took a nice photo of the resort from our sailboat vantage point out on the ocean. Terranea Resort from the ocean…photo by Vnak As soon as we rounded the big peninsula, the winds changed and we had to take a different path to move North up the coast to Marina del Rey. Sailing offers challenges and with every challenge, we adapt to the conditions and move in a new direction. YRMV
Jackie Vernon performing “Vacation Slides: The Everglades” (youtube.com) Slideshow starts at 6:15 time stamp Jackie Vernon Stand-up and Slide Show (12/28/67) (youtube.com)
The Jalopy Journal
