Santa Clarita: Walk of Western Stars – Legends of Old West

 

Walk of Western Stars honors John Wayne and others

 

Walk down Main Street in Old Town Newhall in Santa Clarita and you’ll be reminded of legends of the Old West. Embedded in the pavement of the sidewalks are plaques honoring members of the entertainment industry – specifically those in Western film, TV and radio. Known as the Walk of Western Stars, this stretch of sidewalk is a fitting testament to Santa Clarita’s deep-rooted Western heritage.

 

Walk of Western Stars on Main Street, Old Town Newhall

 

Santa Clarita has always had a love affair with the Hollywood Western movie. The wide open space, the diverse landscape, and close proximity to Los Angeles have attracted movie directors to the area for more than a hundred years. Singing cowboy Gene Autry and legendary actors Gary Cooper, John Wayne and Roy Rogers are among those that have filmed Old West movies here and have all been inducted into the Walk of Western Stars. Other notable inductees include Tex Ritter, Chuck Connors, and Dale Evans. The most recent honorees are Charles Bronson and Steve McQueen, whose plaques were revealed earlier this year at the annual Santa Clarita Cowboy Festival.

 

Besides being a hub for movies, a variety of western-themed television shows have filmed in Santa Clarita, including Gunsmoke, Annie Oakley and The Wild, Wild West. Today, several movie ranches call Santa Clarita home and filming has extended past the Western genre to include movies such as action-packed Spider-Man and Fast & Furious as well as television shows such as NCIS.

 

A saddle is the centerpiece of each plaque

 

As you browse the sidewalk tributes, consider a stop at the William S. Hart Museum and Park on Newhall Avenue. Once the former home of William Surrey Hart, a silent screen actor who became one the first big stars of Western movies, it houses a collection of significant Western artwork, early Hollywood mementos, and furnishings and artifacts representing multiple Native American cultures.

 

Santa Clarita’s Walk of Western Stars is less than 60 minutes from most areas of Los Angeles. It can be accessed via Interstate 5 at Lyons Avenue or off Highway 14 at Newhall Avenue.

San Francisco: 2013 Decorator Showcase - Herbst Manor

 

Herbst Manor in Pacific Heights

 

Tour a Georgian mansion decorated by prominent West Coast designers at this year’s San Francisco Decorator Showcase at Herbst Manor. Situated one block above Billionaire’s Row in Pacific Heights, the 8,000 square-foot residence is an architectural gem with impressive views of the city, bay and beyond. From now until May 27, 2013, you can tour this historic home and indulge in the creativity of 27 skilled designers who were selected to transform the 24 indoor and outdoor spaces. The result is a cohesive collection of colors, styles and furnishings indicative of each designer’s point of view.

 

Herbst Manor: Living Room - Catherine Kwong design

 

Inspired by the 70’s lifestyle of Mick and Bianca Jagger, designer Catherine Kwong created a stylishly elegant living room with a rock ‘n roll edge. Of particular interest is the eye-catching blue floor with hand-painted, sweeping white brushstrokes.  Also of note are the vintage Italian fringe light fixtures against the wall and the oversize studded door leading to the entryway.

 

Herbst Manor: Penthouse Retreat & Terrace - Villanueva Design

 

A favorite is the penthouse retreat and terrace designed by Villanueva Design. Located on the top floor of the residence, designer Karen Villanueva kept the floor-to-ceiling windows free of coverings – bringing the outdoors in and maximizing the wow factor (the views are incredible). The soothing color pallet and calming, overall ambience will have you feeling relaxed even before you hit the massage table.

 

Herbst Manor: Master Bathroom - Siol Studios

 

Designers Kevin Hackett and Jessica Weigley of Siol Studios completely gutted the master bathroom and transformed it into a tranquil oasis. Behind the tub is a living wall of fragrant herbs, mosses and geraniums. It’s like bathing in an enchanted forest.

 

Herbst Manor was built in 1899 by renowned architect Ernest Coxhead and has had only four owners in its 114-year history. The original owner was Sarah Spooner, a wealthy art collector who purchased the corner lot for $10. The most recent owners, Adrian and Lee Herbst Gruhn bought the home in 1967 and were highly regarded for their fundraising efforts and contribution to the arts. Both Adrian and Lee are now deceased and today Herbst Manor is owned by Lee’s nephew and his wife, Mark and Karen Montoya. The property, which was listed for nearly $9.75M, was taken off the market for the Decorator Showcase.

 

The San Francisco Decorator Showcase is an annual fundraiser benefitting San Francisco University High School. For the past 35 years it’s raised over $12 million for the school’s financial aid program.

 

More Information: San Francisco Decorator Showcase - Herbst Manor

2800 Pacific Avenue, San Francisco, CA

Phone: 415-447-5830.

Dates: April 27 to May 27

Times: Tues, Wed, Thurs, Sat: 10am-3pm; Fri: 10am-7pm, Sun & Memorial Day: 11am-4pm

Tickets: $30 ($25 for seniors) - available at the door or online.

Calistoga: Castello di Amorosa – Castle in Napa Valley

 

Castello di Amorosa

 

Gracing a hillside in northern Napa Valley, commanding the attention of even the most world-weary traveler, sits Castello di Amorosa. It’s an authentically-styled, 13th century Tuscan castle, the likes of which you’d expect to find in Italy rather than in the middle of California’s Wine Country. Oh, it’s a winery, too, but the castle is the real attention grabber, complete with moat and drawbridge, secret passage ways, torture chamber and dungeon.

 

Arched entry of Castello di Amorosa

 

Dario Sattui, winemaker and owner of Castello di Amorosa, always had a fascination with medieval architecture and a particular affection for castles – he had owned ancient properties in Italy, including a castle outside of Florence. When Sattui settled in Calistoga, it was his dream to build a winery that would replicate the old world architecture he was so enamored with. After much research and scouring to find the perfect craftsmen, building of the castle began. Painstaking detail went into every aspect of construction to ensure the authenticity of the medieval structure. Millions of bricks and chiseled stones were set in place by hand, Italian ironwork was hand forged and frescoes on the walls of the Great Hall were hand painted by Italian artists.

 

The Great Hall (photo: David Ball)

 

When completed, Sattui had a 121,000 square foot castle/winery with 107 rooms (95 devoted to winemaking) spread over eight levels above and below ground. It took 15 years to build, but when the doors opened to the public in 2007, Sattui had realized his vision of creating the only authentic Tuscan medieval castle and winery in America.

 

Wine barrels at Castello di Amorosa (photo: David Ball)

 

Guided tours of the castle, paired with wine tastings start at $33 per person. If you wish to explore on your own, $18 will get you restricted access to the castle and 5 to 6 wine tastings.  Castello di Amorosa produces primarily Italian style wines and a popular non-alcoholic grape juice.

 

More Information: Castello di Amorosa

4045 North St Helena Hwy, Calistoga, CA 94515

Phone: 707-967-6272

Hours: 9:30am-6:00pm Mar-Oct; 9:30am-5:00pm Nov- Feb

Open Daily except Dec. 25th

San Simeon: Hearst Castle – Enchanted Evening

Roman Pool at Hearst Castle - San Simeon

On September 25, 2010, guests can enjoy an Enchanted Evening at Hearst Castle, the magnificent hilltop estate of newspaper publisher, William Randolph Hearst. The elegant evening begins with a sunset wine reception on the Terrace followed by a gourmet dinner of local cuisine. A live and silent auction will offer unique items for bid such as private Castle tours or swims in the Neptune or Roman pools. The evening, reminiscent of Hearst’s glory days, promises to be a night to remember.

Hearst Castle Estate - San Simeon

Perched high atop La Cuesta Encantada (the Enchanted Hill) overlooking the Pacific, Hearst Castle was built between 1919 and 1948 under the direction of William Randolph Hearst. He had inherited the land from his mother and used the wilderness as a  place where family members could gather on camping trips. Desiring more comfortable accommodations, he instructed his architect to “build a little something”. That “little something” turned out to be a grand masterpiece estate of 165 rooms and 127 acres of gardens, terraces, pools and walkways.

 Gothic Study at Hearst Castle - San Simeon

The estate’s main house, “Casa Grande” (35 fireplaces and 41 bathrooms) and three guest houses are of Mediterranean Revival style while the signature towers gracing the main house drew inspiration from a Spanish cathedral. Interior furnishings include European antiques and art pieces and the landscaped gardens include elaborately decorated pools. An avid animal lover, Hearst even had a private zoo on the property. Frequent galas and parties were held at the estate and included celebrities such as Greta Garbo, Joan Crawford and Harpo Marx and dignitaries Calvin Coolidge and Winston Churchill.

William Randolph Hearst died in 1951. Donated to the state in 1957 by the Hearst Corporation, the Hearst estate was opened to the public on June 2, 1958. Today, millions of people from around the world enjoy its exquisite beauty and historical significance.

More Information: Hearst Castle

750 Hearst Castle Road, San Simeon, CA 93452

Phone: 800 444-4445 (Tour Reservations)

Hours: Open for tours at 8:20 a.m. daily except Thanksgiving, Christmas & New Years

Tour Prices: Adults $20-$30, Youths 6-17 years $10-$15, Children under 6 years free

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Oakland: Dunsmuir Hellman Historic Estate – Delightful

Dunsmuir Hellman Historic Estate (Courtesy Oakland Con/Vis Bureau)

Many people are surprised to learn that a distinguished historic home is tucked away in the Oakland hills, east of San Francisco. The Dunsmuir Hellman Historic Estate was built in 1899 as a wedding gift from Alexander Dunsmuir to his bride, Josephine Wallace Dunsmuir. The lush grounds that surround the mansion are perfectly groomed and the house’s interior is filled with architectural details, but it’s the story of the home’s former residents that is most fascinating.

Alexander Dunsmuir

Alexander was the son of Robert Dunsmuir, a wealthy Canadian coal baron. The younger of two sons, Alexander was sent to run the family business office in San Francisco in 1878. It was there that he met Waller Wallace, a bartender in a theater. They’d often share drinks together and quickly became fast friends. Alexander eventually met Waller’s wife, Josephine, and the two instantly fell in love with each other, resulting in a passionate affair and Wallace’s subsequent divorce.

Alexander and Josephine wanted to marry, but Alexander’s parents threatened to disinherit him from the Dunsmuir fortune if he were to marry a divorcee. So the two lived together out of wedlock, which was very scandalous at the time. They kept to themselves and out of the public eye, shunned by other San Francisco’s socialites. Stress weighed heavy on Alexander and he took to drinking, which would prove to be fatal in later years.

Robert Dunsmuir, died in 1889 and ten years later, Alexander’s mother, Joan Dunsmuir, finally gave up control of the family fortune. No longer in fear of being disinherited, Alexander proposed to Josephine and construction began in 1899 on the Dunsmuir Estate. The two wed in December of that year, just days after the beautiful mansion was completed. Sadly, less than two months later, Alexander died of alcohol-related illness while the couple was honeymooning in New York. Josephine, distraught, returned to the Bay Area and lived at Dunsmuir until she died of cancer two years later in 1901.

Gatsby Summer Afternoon at Dunsmuir Estate (Courtesy Art Deco Society of CA)

The Dunsmuir House was designed by J. Eugene Freeman and is one of the best examples of Neoclassical-Revival architecture in the Bay Area. The 16,224 square foot mansion has 37 rooms, 10 fireplaces, inlaid parquet floors and servant quarters designed to accommodate 12 live-in staff. Its panoramic gardens are the setting for concerts and celebrations throughout the year, including the upcoming 26th Annual Gatsby Summer Afternoon on Sunday, September 12, 2010 when guests relive the 1920s and 30s era of elegance, fox trot and Charleston.

The 50-acre grounds of Dunsmuir House are open to the public most of the year free of charge. Guided tours of the estate are given April through September (except July) for a fee. For a complete listing of schedules and prices, visit the Dunsmuir House website.

More Information: Dunsmuir Hellman Historic Estate

2960 Peralta Oaks Court, Oakland, CA, 94605

Phone: 925-275-9490

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