Marc Ricketts
Sequoia National Park
By Marc Ricketts
Sometimes, a person just needs a long walk in the woods. Fortunately for those in the Golden State, there is some serious wood growing out there. And yes, it is red. There are, however, two...
Six Flags Discovery Kingdom Debuts New Ride and Show
By Marc Ricketts
While many of us were spending all or some of a 24 hour day in Disneyland or the Magic Kingdom, Six Flags Discovery Kingdom opened their latest addition, the...
Planet Snoopy Expansion at California's Great America
By Marc Ricketts
California’s Great America enters its 40th Season in 2015 with an expansion of Camp Snoopy and a couple of new shows added to the park’s entertainment lineup. Yes, after a protracted...
Sailing Into San Francisco’s Past
By Marc Ricketts
For years the best free thing to do in San Francisco was the Hyde Street Pier with its collection of historic ships. Times change, of course, and “free” is practically an endangered species....
Visiting John Muir's Home
By Marc Ricketts
Alert readers may have noticed by now that since the Bay Area theme parks don’t have as much news as the ones to the south, I like to fill in some of the gaps...
The Pinnacles of Our National Parks
By Marc Ricketts
It was early and dark, of that there can be no doubt. I had just left the 101 freeway for two lane Highway 25 and a solid line of headlights bearing down...
Chowder is the Soup Santa Cruz Loves the Best
2015 Clam Chowder Cook-off
By Marc Ricketts
A blue sky waited in Santa Cruz that day,
The clouds later arrived, but that was OK,
We were happy, of course, that the rain stayed away,
Because we...
Beyond the Coast on California’s Channel Islands
By Marc Ricketts
As the cold of winter starts seeping into one’s very bones, the mind can’t help but picture far away isles filled with the scent of blossoms in the rainforests which are...
Here's Marc Ricketts' last photo report of the year. I want to personally thank him for treating us this year to some great articles about the amusement parks and other attractions in the San Francisco Bay area and beyond!...
I was surprised to learn that the charming little park know as Gilroy Gardens is open during the winter season. Marc Ricketts reports on their holiday light show. ~~Rick
Holiday Lights Bring a Sparkle to Gilroy Gardens
by Marc Ricketts
Theme...
Today Marc Ricketts presents a stunning photographic essay on California's Death Valley, the lowest, hottest and driest area in North America. Marc posits that Death Valley likely inspired Disney Imagineers on many of their projects throughout the years. Death...
A Day By Near The Bay Lake
Cuyahoga Valley National Park and Kennywood Park
by Marc Ricketts
Recently I took the family to a part of the country that is new to us, Ohio and Pennsylvania. Last time we took a...
A Day by the Bay Lake
Coasting above Lake Erie at Cedar Point
by Marc Ricketts
When I’m writing about destinations near the San Francisco Bay, they are usually places with which I’m familiar, and with our various parks, have...
Just in time for the Halloween season, a new attraction has opened at San Francisco's Fisherman's Wharf. Marc Ricketts takes us on a tour of The San Francisco Dungeon: Take a Walk on the Dark Side. ~~Rick
The San Francisco...
Here's Part Two of Marc Ricketts photo essay on the enigmatic Six Flags Discovery Kingdom Park in Vallejo, California. You can get caught up on Part One of this report HERE. ~~Rick
Before we carry on I’ll pass along that...
Continuing his series on San Francisco Bay area parks, Marc Ricketts brings us a two-part photo essay on Six Flags Discovery Kingdom. This park has weathered economic ups and downs as well as a 55 mile move north forced...
Here's part two of Marc Rickett's visit to Gilroy Gardens including some photos of the world famous Circus Trees. If you didn't catch part one yesterday, you can get caught up HERE. ~~Rick
Gilroy Gardens: One Man Dreamed of Trees...
Marc Ricketts has been traveling around the Bay Area and again shares one of his awesome photo essays. Join us as we visit Gilroy Gardens (formerly Bonfante Gardens). We have part one for you today and check back with...
Marc Ricketts continues his visit to California's Great America. You can read part one . ~~Rick
California's Great America
by Marc Ricketts
Water and boats are a necessary component of every park.
Behind that splash above is a glimpse of Boomerang Bay,...
Weekend Update contributor Marc Ricketts takes us to California's Great America amusement park located in Santa Clara, California. A product of the Marriott Company's ill-fated foray into the theme park business and now operated by Cedar Fair Entertainment Company,...