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Discovering Oddities and Delights

Part of the fun of RV travel is experiencing a change of scene, meeting new people, and the excitement of exploring. With our little trailer out of commission for the foreseeable future we had to get creative so decided to begin…

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taking local trips to entertain ourselves.

Saturday, we drove over to Sausalito. We had a fabulous meal at The Seafood Peddler with a view of the water. I have no photo’s because I accidentally left my cell phone in the car. Being a blogger, I feel naked without my iPhone but it was a great reminder of how much richer experiences can be when I’m not trying to capture it.

Jennifer Connolly of A Well Styled Life discovering Flynn Creek Circus

On our way out of Sausalito, we came upon an old fashioned Circus. It looked like something out of the history books. No huge Barnum & Bailey experience here. Just small time and charming.

Jennifer Connolly of A Well Styled Life at the circus in Sausalito

WEARING- hatjeanssandalshandbagtop

There was a rather bored looking young man selling tickets from inside this booth. We weren’t going to be there long enough to stay for the show but I didn’t let that stop me from enjoying the discovery.

Jennifer Connolly of A Well Street Life at the Flynn Street Circus

My husband was over his fascination in five minutes flat but I spent almost an hour poking around, peeking in the tent and looking at as much of the inner working as I could find.

Jennifer Connolly of A well Styled Life at the circus

It reminded me that flashes of delight are everywhere to discover if we just keep our eyes open.

On the way home, we discovered a weird little town at the end of a long winding, treacherous road. It looked like a town that time had forgotten.

A Well Styled Life discovering Port Costa

In its heyday, Port Costa was like the Barbary Coast of the Carquinez Straits. It was a rowdy port townĀ filled with fishermen, railroad workers, farmhands, and prostitutes. Founded in 1878, it was a major grain port for merchant sailing ships. The 2 largest train ferries in the world steamed between Port Costa and Benicia allowing trains to complete their cross country trips.Ā The town began to dieĀ when they built Benicia Bridge and the population has dwindled to under 200.

All the buildings appear in their original state, unmaintained and unimproved. This is funky central. The newest building in town seems to pre-date World War II, even World War I.

Jennifer Connolly of A well Styled Life discovering the Port Costa Hat shop

The local hat shop was a must see for me. The striped pole indicated it may have also been the barber shop, but that’s anyone’s guess because this town is so quirky.

Jennifer Connolly of A Well Styled Life at the Bull Valley Roadhouse
Outside the Bull Valley Road House

There are several old bars that still get pretty rowdy and onĀ Sundays turn into a biker paradise with motorcycles lining the streets.A Well Styled life exploring the Burlington Hotel in Port Costa

At the end of the main street sits the Burlington Hotel. It’s the oldest operating hotel in California and a sight to see. It’s battered yellow exterior wasn’t overly inviting. You can still rent a room here and your stay will include bats in the rafters, antique mattresses and its fair share of ghosts. SĆ©ances are very popular at this hotel as well.

Warehouse bar in Port Costa

Across the street is the Warehouse CafĆ© and Bar. It’s dimly lit interior is filled with the strangest oddities.

A Well Styled life exploring the Warehouse pub

This enormous polar bear stands watch over the bar area which is well stocked and was very busy in the middle of the day.Jennifer of A Well Styled Life exploring the Warehouse Pub

By the end of our day, it felt like we’d been a long distance from home. It was a terrific escape from our normal routine and reminded me to getĀ out more and explore.

I’m wearing the same Covered Perfectly peek-a-boo top you saw me wearĀ here in black.Ā A Well Styled Life readers can receive a 20% discount on up to two items! Use the discount code AWSL when you check out atĀ Covered Perfectly.Ā The discount will apply on up to two items. Or you can take advantage of the buy 2 get 1 free, any combination!

Do you explore like a tourist in your own area?

Thanks for reading and have a great day!

Affiliate links in this post may generate income for AWSL

18 Comments

  1. I love discovering older towns like the one you found. For some reason, the circus has always been unsettling to me…but the old towns and shops…such fun. You always look amazing in your hats.

    1. The Circus does that to some people. And clowns! This town was fun!

  2. marlene alves says:

    Jennifer, I just got an email advertising the Flynn Circus schedule for Northern CA…would you like to see it, and maybe post on this site? (I think it would work, not sure, however.)

    1. I’d never heard of them so will do some googling around. It would be fun to see them.

  3. Lianne MacGregor says:

    The sites you saw are fascinating! I love the circus.

    My husband and I are both transplanted Canadians, living most of the year in North Carolina. We also have a house in Ottawa and return for the summer and Christmas (I need my fix of Canadian winter). My stepson and his fiancĆ©e were visiting us from Virginia this past week and we had an amazing time playing tourist in a city I first moved to more than forty years ago. We saw the Changing of the Guard on Parliament Hill, took a water taxi across the Ottawa River to visit the Museum of History, hiked in the Gatineau Hills, had afternoon tea at the beautiful McKenzie-King estate, ate breakfast at the Carp Farmers’ Market, and watched boats travel through the Rideau Canal locks – a UNESCO World Heritage Site. All within 20 miles of our house. It was glorious. I’m definitely a fan of exploring the nooks and crannies close to home.

    On another matter entirely – what kind of bra do you wear? It’s doing a great job!

    1. That does sound fun. I’ve never been to Ottawa but now am intrigued to visit. It is great having company because it gets us out showing the sights to our visitors! Thanks, Lianne. I swear by Soma for comfort and fit:)

  4. What a fascinating trip back in time that old town was. We do like playing tourist in our own town – there are many places we’ve not yet explored!

    1. It was fun to discover interesting new spots! Get out and do it Lorrie, you’ll be surprised what you find.

  5. I would love a French kande bracelet! I have had a very difficult year I lost my husband, the family pet, and face some taxing challenges ahead. But I would love to treat myself….I love pearls and wear mostly gold jewelry. What would you suggest?

    1. I am so sorry to hear about your husband and pet, Julie! That is so sad and a lot to grieve in one year. This one is my favorite pearl bracelet from them. I am saving up for it myself!. http://bit.ly/2uwjm7b It has 2 kinds of pearls and the medallion would coordinate beautifully with your gold. I think this one is very pretty too in all white pearls. http://bit.ly/2tCUmqn Take good care of yourself! xo

      1. Thanks i will look into them. I appreciate your kind words.

  6. marlene alves says:

    Jennifer, this is a delightful stop; thank you for sharing it. It might just bring another dozen (or more) visitors to town to explore as you & yours did…!

    1. I’m glad you enjoyed it, Marlene! It was really a ton of fun!

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