Bay Area Backroads - Hidden Gems & Forgotten Paths Just Outside the Concrete Jungles

BAB Lookback: Original Mel’s Drive-in Restaurant Walnut Creek,CA

by burtkauf | Dec 19, 2020 | Uncategorized

Original Mel’s Walnut Creek Ca drivein restaurant circa 1960 From Tom Browning: Mel’s was where the young people that had nice and newer cars cruised and hung out. Hokey’s Burgers came before it and was the original cruise turn-around and hang out....

Remembering End of An Era in Oakland-Passing of A True Legendary Figure, Piano Bar ‘King’ of 50 Years ROD DIBBLE-3 Years Later

by burtkauf | Dec 19, 2020 | Uncategorized

We lost The great Rod Dibble exactly 3 years ago and now, with the ongoing pandemic, we are in danger of losing the legendary palace where Rod played- the Alley. While all the other great piano bars of Oakland and environs are long gone, the Alley has somehow survived...

FOREST OF NISENE MARKS STATE PARK, Aptos, CA

by burtkauf | Aug 21, 2020 | Uncategorized

Any fans of Muir Woods , outside of San Francisco, would love this less traveled spot, Forest of Nisene Marks State Park in Aptos, CA, just south of Santa Cruz. It’s uncrowded and one can drive miles into this expansive park without paying a fee. The Park is...

Hidden Napa – Wine Fame Hasn’t Ruined It’s Still Unspoiled Old Town Charm

by burtkauf | Jul 28, 2020 | Uncategorized

Slideshow overview of Hidden Napa You’d think that Napa would be another Carmel by now, what with its world reknown wineries and reputation. Yet, only a few hundred feet off the famed Silverado Trail or Hwy 29 much of Napa is just the opposite of the oppulence...

Oakland My OLD Hometown

by burtkauf | Jul 7, 2020 | Uncategorized

Sometimes it’s important to see the dark sides of places, too, or, perhaps positive sides for some. We go back to my former hometown where things seem to have changed a bit more than I remember it Oakland CA Today, warts and all Welcome to Oakland 2020 kentucky...

Mysterious Morgan Territory – King of the East Bay Parks – True Adventure Story

by burtkauf | Jun 15, 2020 | Uncategorized

If Sunol Regional Park is the Queen of the East Bay Park system the Morgan Territory is the ‘KING’ of the parks, as we enter the Volvon Trail. Two ways to get to Morgan ( not to be confused with Morgan Hill)…Take hwy 580 to No. LIVERMORE EXIT and go...

by burtkauf | Jun 14, 2020 | Uncategorized

Spectacular Napa River Trails Beckon for Getting ‘Unlocked’

by burtkauf | Jun 7, 2020 | Uncategorized

HERITAGE EATS – Upscale Fast Food in Napa, perfect for taking out for a nice picnic / walk During these Covid-19 lockdown days things are beginning to ease up, especially in places like Napa. Here’s a great way to spend a few hours or more… Napa is...

BRIONES PARK- Hampton Staging Area- just one of many ‘under-the-radar,’ pristine, oasis’ where social distancing is the norm

by burtkauf | May 7, 2020 | Contra Costa, Uncategorized

click for funnies not only on mothers dayhttps://buff.ly/3bpTdIt #mothersdayfunnies So obscure it’s not even on the Briones Park Map but well worth visiting. Eastbay Mud trail permit required but there are so few people and not even a sign-in sheet nobody would...

Briones Park-Ferndale Road off Alhambra, Llamas, Nearby Scenes, Bay Area Backroads

by burtkauf | May 7, 2020 | Alameda Country Fair, Uncategorized

Scenes you might find along side roads in beautiful Briones Park, largest of biggest park system in U.S.(East Bay Parks), Bay Area Backroads only the trail sign remains, no trail washed out trail scene Beef and pears close couple goats r us Reduce your electricity...

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Huell Howser Tribute

Huell Howser Favorites

HUELL HOWSER Inspired

I’ve long been a follower and active participant of BAY AREA BACKROADS. Following would entail watching, first, JERRY GRAHAM’s original presentation of Bay Area Backroads, going back to the ’70s or ’80s and the more recent Doug McConnell. Just like it’s name, the local broadcast on KPIX, channel 5 , explored the unusual and out of the way places in the nine county San Francisco Bay Area. When McConnell took over the show he branched out sometimes beyond the Bay Area. The program went off the air, surprisingly, some years ago. I’ve always enjoyed road trips and we live in one of the best places in the world for them, with Bay Area’s diverse topography and history. I’ve been told, for example, that our East Bay area has more parklands than anywhere it’s size in the U.S.

After ‘Backroads’ went off the air , there were limited programs like ‘Eye on the Bay,’ but nothing to compare. I would soon discover HUELL HOWSER and his CALIFORNIA’S GOLD, shown on KQED, locally and PBS stations throughout California. I liked Howser as much for his most unique, friendly and ‘down home’ personality as the places he would explore and talk about on the show. Sadly, Howser passed away in the prime of his life, late last year and I greatly miss him; Graham, 79, also passed away, recently.

I have already followed some of Howser’s trips-which I call the ‘Huell Hoswer Memorial Backroads Trips- most recently to California’s Delta, just one of many places I had no idea existed in such depth.

So, I have found much joy in the Bay Area (and California) Backroads, thanks especially to Howser. I miss all Backroads shows but especially Howsers’ originals; fortunately , old episodes continue to air (probably due to Howser’s popularity), though I find it a bit disconcerting to watch knowing Howser is no longer with us, though, I must remember he’s here in spirit and the show preserves his legacy with thousands of people still viewing it.

So, we will plan on sharing some of our favorite Backroads Trips in these pages – both as a chronicle or diary, of sorts, for memories (and reminders to take the trips again). Once we get going, we, too, will try to include some interviews with people we meet along the paths less travelled here the Bay Area

We hope you enjoy them, too, and please send along your

favorite ‘backroads’ to ‘succeed@roadtosuccess.us