Laguna Beach - Candy Baron

At downtown Laguna Beach, a seaside town about 50 miles south of downtown Los Angeles, there is an interesting little candy shop called Candy Baron.  The 100 year old shop is not your typical candy shop.  So how interesting is it?  Let's go in and check it out.

First of all, all the candy are all placed on top of wooden barrels - a traditional way of placing the candy.  And yes the store is a little small as you seem from the picture.  But in it you would feel you are in Candy Fantasy Land.

And if you take a look at some of the candy you would see surprises such as these wii controls.  Huh?  Wii control in candy shop?  Do they sell games?  No they are actually candy boxes so do use it to play Wii.  It won't work. 

Fontana - Lewis Library

Downtown Fontana, California has not been a place for tourists or even local residents to hang out during the weekend. However as of 2008 things have changes with the grand opening of the new Lewis Library and Technology Center, the largest public library in the county.

The two story library has large collection of books and DVD. The roomy interior space makes a perfect place for residents to enjoy reading, relaxing and staying cool from 100 degree sunshine outside
Beside books there are also interesting display such as this Chinese terra cotta warriors statue.

And little paintings.

The library is also a very kids friendly place.

Your kids like sing along? How about watch along the books on video.

Town: Fontana, California,
Place: Lewis Library and Technology Center
Open: Opens everyday
Price: Free

Carlsbad - Flower Field

Every Spring from March till early May Carlsbad, a seaside town located north of San Diego attracts visitors to its famous Flower Fields - a 50 acres ranch of flowers which are mainly Giant Tecolote Ranunculus.

The breathtaking sea of flowers and blue sky makes perfect picture for couple to enjoy a romantic afternoon.

If you can't walk the whole ranch, take the tractor ride and feel what it's like living in the country side.

If you think your 3 year old would get bored looking at just flowers, there is a playground for little kids as well with slides.

Town: Carlsbad, California

Place: Flower Fields

Open: March 1 to May 11

Price: $9/adult, $8/senior, $5/children(3-10)

Ontario - Graber House

Graber Olive House is a very special shop in Ontario, California that makes and sells olive related products. The Graber's family bought the land back in 1892 and began making cured olives. It was the oldest existing business in Ontario. Graber Olive House is near downtown Ontario and has a gift shop and factory where raw olives are processed and eventually being made into cans of cured olives.


The Tour
The free guided tour shows the history of Graber Olive House, the Graber's Family and all the different machines used to process the olives. There are many unique machines such as this one which is used to make sure the olives to be processed are of simiar size and quality. Most machines there are older than me. During peak season the public is invited to see how they actually operates the machines.

At the gift shop you can find the products made by Graber such as olive oil, olives and dates. There are also gift baskets available.

Town: Ontario, California
Place: Graber Olive House
Open: Monday - Sunday(9:00 am - 5:30 pm)
Price: Free

My Town. Your Town.

I Live in a Typical Suburb in Southern California. And this is my typical town life: a Latte at Starbucks to start my day; a quick breakfast at McDonald's or a luxury brunch on Sunday at Denny's; shopping at Walmart or Target; grocery shopping at Ralphs; get my flu or pain killer at Rite Aid or CVS; plants for my backyard at Home Depot or Lowes; lunch at Pizza Hut; dinner at Fridays or Olive Garden or some Chinese at Panda Express.

Does this sounds like your town? Maybe you don't go to some of these shops but you probably seem if not all but most of these so called mega chain store in your town or towns nearby.

I'm not saying having these chain stores in the town is bad. Actually it is very convenient because you can almost get everything for your daily life in the town. However what I am worry about is that most towns have lost the identity. A town here in Southern California can very well be just like the town in New Jersey at the Atlantic shores or in midwest.

Well maybe I am being exaggerating. Maybe it only happens in California. Nevertheless I still like to find something that identify the towns - maybe it's a restaurant, maybe it's a store or maybe it's something else. Let's find these special things and make our towns something different.