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California's Gold with Huell Howser

Abalone

They were once a mainstay on menus throughout California. You could go to the beach at low tide and pluck them from the rocks. Kids would have parties on the beach and roast them by the dozen. They have gone from a California tradition to near extinction. In this episode, we'll take a close look at the history of Abalone in California. The Native Americans who once lived up and down the coast of California were the original abalone eaters. Not only did they use the flesh for food; they used the mother of pearl shells for their crafts.

Huell visits a very early midden pile in Pt Lobos State Reserve and learns about its history. The Japanese were the firsts to harvest abalone commercially in California and were diving for them as early as the turn of the century. Huell visits the site of one of the early Japanese abalone canneries. As a special treat, we go into Monterey Bay to watch as one of the original divers go for a dive in an authentic 1930's suit. We couldn't do a show about abalone without a taste, so Huell joins a group of school kids as they pound, cook and eat a little piece of California's Gold.

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Masumoto Family Farm
28:20
Huell travels to Central California to visit the 80 acre Masumoto Family Farm.
Land Sailing
24:29
Huell travels to the Mojave Desert's El Mirage Dry Lake to witness land sailing.
Land Sailing
24:29
Huell travels to the Mojave Desert's El Mirage Dry Lake, one of the world's best spots for land sailors.
Tall Ship Californian
27:03
Huell sails aboard the state’s official tall ship, Californian.
Point Fermin Lighthouse Lens
28:22
Huell tracks down Point Fermin's beautiful glass Fresnel lens.
Glacier
27:07
Join Huell as he hikes high up in the Eastern Sierra to visit the Conness Glacier.
Sea Caves
25:53
Huell travels out to Santa Cruz Island to explore its famous sea caves by kayak.
Petroglyphs
26:32
Huell travels to the Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake to see some rock art.
Persimmons
26:12
Huell spends the day in Granite Bay California learning the ancient art of Hoshigaki.
Costa Mesa
27:19
Huell visits Costa Mesa and sees how far its come from its start as a bean field.
Oil Islands
27:44
In Long Beach, Calif., there’s a 42-acre collection of oilfield islands.
Warnors Theatre
27:22
The Warnors Theatre, a Fresno landmark that opened in 1928, houses a unique pipe organ.
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