San Luis Obispo Train

Will Rogers has got to be one of the all-time great American characters. Often called the "Cowboy Philosopher," he kept America laughing through some of its toughest years. Will was a radio commentator, newspaper columnist and motion picture star. In 1922, Will bought property above Sunset Boulevard in Pacific Palisades and built a summer cottage. The family loved the place so much that Will had a proper ranch built and the family moved there in 1928. In 1944, after the death of Mrs. Rogers, the property became Will Rogers State Historic Park and is now a well loved tourist destination.

The first stop on our adventure is the Dutch Windmill in San Francisco's Golden Gate Park, which was built in 1902, at a cost of $ 16,000. It is 75 feet high, and 33 feet in diameter at the base, its sails have a span of 102 feet and it was capable of pumping 30,000 gallons of fresh water per hour from underground to a reservoir on Strawberry Hill. Despite being a great success for a few years (so much so that a second windmill was built), by 1913 electric pumps were introduced, so the windmills began to become obsolete.

Embark on a journey to the most dangerous spot on the California coast and find out why it is called "Devil's Jaw"; and visit the jewel of the California missions: La Purisima Mission in Lompoc, now a state historic park.

Meet the famous western duo, Roy Rogers and Dale Evans, (and Trigger) and hear them sing their trademark song; meet Herb Jeffries who starred in black westerns in the late 1930s; and watch the festive 17th Annual Black Cowboy Parade in Oakland.

The program opens on the Blossom Trail in Fresno County, our state's agricultural heartland. Walk through the quaint and historic farming community of Reedley to the Mennonite Quilt Center and watch volunteers make beautiful quilts. Huell also savor the Armenian delicacy, keyma, one of the specialties of Uncle Harry's Restaurant, a local landmark. And deal yourself in on the world's longest running pinochle game going on daily at the Camden Cafe.

Ever been to a real-life ghost town? Well, this episode explores one of the last remnants of the Wild West. Now a state historic park, Bodie is regarded as one of the largest and best preserved examples of an authentic ghost town.

Take an hour-long tour of Frank Sinatra's house in Palms Springs, which is rarely open to the public.

Join Huell as he takes a look at the history of this Japanese American community in downtown Los Angeles, including the annual Nisei Parade and all its festivities: traditional tea ceremony; Ikebana or flower arranging and bonsai exhibits, plus more.

Huell Howser travels to the Central Coast in search of Nitt Witt Ridge, an unusual state historical landmark in Cambria Pines. Built from cement and found objects like bottle caps, toilet seats and abalone shells, this folk art home was lovingly built by self-taught artist Art Beal over a period of fifty years.

Manzanar War Relocation Center was one of ten camps at which Japanese American citizens were interned during World War II. It is located at the foot of the imposing Sierra Nevadas in the Owens Valley. Huell Howser is joined by experts and internees to learn about the camp's complex history. And although little remains of the camp itself, Huell discovers a permanent reminder of the internees' detention -- their names etched in concrete.

Sit tight and watch the electrifying Annual Catalina Ski Race, a competition that has been ongoing for over 40 years, where "hot doggers" race in excess of 60 mph from Long Beach to Catalina Island and back; coast along to the serene and little-known San Nicolas Island-one of the Channel Islands off the California coast, a haven for wildlife and a sight for sore eyes.

Learn two fascinating, yet obscure, California footnotes to World War II: a German-made crane which is the largest self-propelled floating crane berthed at Long Beach Naval Shipyard, and an incident involving a Japanese submarine that shelled the oil fields of Ellwood in Santa Barbara County in 1942.

A unique adventure to two of California's rarely seen natural wonders: the Bristlecone Pine, the oldest, continuously living thing on this planet found in the White Mountains of the Eastern Sierra, and magnificent Le Conte Falls deep in the rocky and steep terrain of Yosemite National Park.

Yamashiro -- a replica of a magnificent palace located near Kyoto, Japan -- was created in 1911 as a private residence. It was a club for the ultra-exclusive during the golden age of Hollywood, but is now a restaurant.

In this episode, Huell visits San Miguel Island, with a group of history buffs who recreate the 1542 landing of Juan Rodriquez Cabrillo -- the first European explorer of the California Coast. Complete with authentic costumes, boats, and the fact that its done on the deserted white sandy beaches, this re-enactment really does take you back in time. Huell is also joined by Nation Park Rangers, and a woman who actually lived on the island with her parents during the 1930's and 40's.

Huell revisits the beautiful Bullocks Wilshire building, which is now home to Southwestern University's law library.

READ MORE: The Grandeur of Bullock's Wilshire Tea Room

Put on your leather jacket and strap on your helmet for a two-wheeled adventure that's sure to get your heart racing. Huell goes on a weekend ride with the Harley Girls on their Harley Davidson motorcycles. They later stop for lunch, where Huell meets some other interesting weekend rebels.

Huell visits the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County and the lush backyard of a Woodland Hills resident to learn about hummingbirds in Southern California.

An insider’s tour of the first 18-hole golf course in the desert whose early members included Lucille Ball & Desi Arnaz.

Huell visits the automated McCullough House in Palm Springs.

Huell revisits Tahquitz Canyon, one of the most beautiful and culturally sensitive areas of the Agua Caliente Reservation in Palm Springs.

Huell climbs to the top of the tallest building west of the Rockies, the U.S. Bank Building -- located in downtown Los Angeles.

Join Huell as he gets a tour of the Los Angeles County+USC Medical Center, which has been a familiar landmark for over 100 years. The big white building has been used in numerous TV shows and films, and has serviced countless patients over the years. The old hospital finally closed its doors in 2008 and all the remaining patients were moved to the new facility across the street.

When Huell discovers that the students he spoke with at Gauldin Elementary School had never actually seen a dolphin -- their school mascot -- he decided to do something about it. Join Huell as he reunites with Gauldin Elementary School students and treats them to a day filled with real live dolphins.

Fairplex Pomona’s historical train exhibit is the only place in the world to see both the largest steam engine and the largest diesel locomotive ever to ride the rails. The Union Pacific’s 594-ton “Big Boy” shares the spotlight with the Union Pacific Centennial DD40X diesel powered locomotive, which measures nearly 100 feet in length. The exhibit is open free of charge to the general public the second weekend of each month.

Huell gets a behind-the-scenes look at the Governor's Mansion in Sacramento from Kathleen Brown, who lived in the house as a teenager when her father Pat Brown was the governor of California. Her brother Jerry Brown currently holds that office.

Huell visits with Willie Rivera and Raul Ojeda at Willie’s Shop in Hollywood to learn about how shoes are repaired in the old fashioned way. This is a hands lesson in craftsmanship.

Huell rides out to Santa Anita Park and meets up with trainers, jockeys, and fans at Clockers' Corner. It's a great spot for breakfast that provides an up-close view of racehorses going through their morning workout.

Huell visits the Smith-Emery Company in Los Angeles, which has been in business since 1904 and whose staff of inspectors and engineers put all sorts of construction materials through rigorous tests.

For almost 40 years, Stan's Corner Donut Shop of Westwood, California, has baked the world's most gourmet donuts. From a Cinnamon Chocolate Cheese Danish to an Apple Fritter to a Reese's Peanut Butter Pocket with fresh banana. Stan's offers donuts you will find nowhere else in the world.

J. Paul Getty acquired a Malibu retreat in 1945. Today, this spot includes a Romanesque gallery full of priceless art. Huell tours the property and its historically accurate ancient Roman crop garden.

A special one hour show all about the 270,000 acre Tejon Ranch. Huell sees the diverse beauty of this enormous ranch and learns about its rich history.

Have you ever wondered how news crews get such good shots from a helicopter? How they can zoom in on a backyard while flying in a machine that rattles your teeth? Well, Huell goes in the air with Helinet to see the latest in cutting edge helicopter mounted cameras. You’ll be amazed at how close they really can get and you may never walk around in your underwear in your backyard again!

Huell's off to Yosemite National Park where he walks the newly rehabilitated trails to the base of Yosemite Falls, the highest waterfall in North America.

Step back in time with Huell as he visits a weekend gathering of these classic trailers. They sleep two, and have a built-in kitchen on the back all in a teardrop shaped trailer a little over 8ft long. Some were built by various manufacturers, but many were lovingly built/restored by hand from plans in a Popular Science magazine.

Huell visits five historically significant locations in Chatsworth, including the olive trees, a pioneer church, Stoney Point, and a barn that was home to TV's Mr. Ed. He ends the day at Homestead Acre — home to the Chatsworth Historical Society.