history

Bay seniors who have not cancelled their subscriptions to the Chronicle are being frequently treated to fascinating servings of SF history by Gary Kamiya, like a recent dispatch on the vast, dry valley that once stretched from the Bay to the Farallones. On Sunday Feb 7 the author, who specializes in offbeat research, will be […]

Bay seniors may question the city of Martinez’ claim to be the birthplace of the martini. But Martinez is sticking by its story that a 49er celebrating a gold strike strode into a saloon here and called for champagne.  When none was available the bartender offered him a gin and vermouth special. And changed the […]

Bay seniors seeking maximum coastal drama might want to brave Highway 1 for 2.5 hours north to the former Imperial Russian outpost at foggy Fort Ross. Last year this State Park celebrated its 200th anniversary (oops, I missed it). It’s only open Saturdays and Sundays now but with our current Wuthering Heights weather you’re likely to […]

Bay seniors who appreciate the benign neglect that allowed downtown Oakland to avoid the architectural disasters of the mid 20th century, will want to sign up for a tour of the gorgeous Howden Tile Building. Built in 1925 it’s an art deco gem now housing the Spice Monkey Restaurant. Sponsored by the estimable Oakland Heritage Alliance, […]

Bay seniors may not realize they are missing the month-long celebration of Julia Morgan, California’s first licensed female architect and creator of over 700 buildings in the state including the majestic Hearst Castle. Exhibits saluting this eclectic genius who worked in styles beyond Arts & Crafts are running all over California including the Berkeley Environmental […]

Bay seniors put your wallets away. This Saturday 17 museums have free admissions courtesy of Smithsonian magazine. They are museums you always knew you wanted to visit like the California Historic Society, and museums you never heard of like the Cartoon Art Museum.  You can download your two free tickets on line. Can’t you?

Bay seniors who long ago got over their annoyance with fussy Victorian architecture should pay a visit to the baroque pile that is the Boyd Museum in San Rafael. This former summer home now houses the Marin History Museum. On Thursday September 13 at 6:30 they are offering a lecture by author Jack Gibson that […]

Bay seniors still disappointed that they only lived the frontier life thanks to Hopalong Cassidy, might want to consider checking out Borges Ranch in Walnut Creek. Built in 1901 it’s a weathered replica of the old west with cattle herds, corrals, roundups, even a blacksmith foundry. Today it’s a ranger station and on the National […]