For a quarter of a century the California Special Olympics have brought together thousands of children and adults with mental retardation for sports training and competition. Huell joins Olympic gold Medalist Rafer Johnson, the long time director of these games, at this very moving Silver Anniversary Special Olympics at UCLA.

Its's a tradition as old as our State, yet it has taken on many forms over the last 145 years-the inauguration of our State's Governor. Huell spends time with California's 36th governor, Pete Wilson, as he works on his inaugural speech and discusses the importance of the events surrounding his swearing in. Huell also gets a chance to visit with several past Governors and their families, to get a sense of the rich tradition of inaugural celebrations from years past.

Join Huell and experience a recreation of everyday life in a 19th century Russian community at Fort Ross State Historic Park; sail aboard the state's official tall ship, the Californian, and see for yourself the site where Sir Francis Drake left a plate of brass when he landed on our California shore.

Huell visits the world’s first motel, the Motel Inn in San Luis Obispo; a stop at Pozo’s Saloon, a stagecoach stop, and chat with the last remaining citizen of Moy Mell, where a colony of people called Dunites lived in the sand dunes from the 1920s through the 1940s.

Huell visits the Watts Towers, built by an Italian hand, the Watts Towers have been designated a national landmark, and its adjacent Arts Center where children carry on the artistic tradition and create their own masterpieces. Then travel to the “City by the Bay,” to discover what lies behind their obsession with sourdough bread and watch how the bread is made.

Join Huelll as he takes a trip to the southernmost and northernmost towns of the state: Enjoy a taste of the Horseradish Festival in Tulelake, near the Oregon border, the Horseradish capital of the world; and experience the sights and sounds of Calexico, a town that reflects its rich Mexican heritage.

Huell discovers the colorful history of the Beach Boardwalk, the last remaining oceanside amusement park in the West Coast; he meets the pioneers of surfing and the inventor of the wet suit, and enjoys salt water taffy and other sweet treats at Marini's, a family-run business for over four generations.

Huell’s adventure begins at the La-Brea Tar Pits and continues through a futuristic-looking theme room restaurant at LAX; then find every conceivable food item, from fruit to cactus leaves, at the bustling Grand Central Market in downtown. Next, we locate a buried bridge on the campus of UCLA, and watch a harvesting of grapefruit from a 100-year-old tree in Little Tokyo.

Huell takes a tour of the little, quaint town of Locke, founded and settled by the Chinese on the Sacramento River Delta; then he hears ancient Cahuilla Indian bird songs sung by members of the Cahuilla tribe, and participates in a threshing bee and antique engine show featuring old farm vehicles and machinery.

Join Huell and watch the exciting sport of the charreada or Mexican rodeo at a local Ontario arena; hear the crack of the bat at a baseball game played by the Stockton Ports, the minor-league team believed to have inspired the poem, "Casey at the Bat"; and listen to the sounds of San Francisco's Golden Gate Band, the oldest and only year-round municipal park band performing in the country.

Huell is ready to celebrate train travel at Railfair '91 at the California Railroad Museum in Sacramento, and ride the rails at Railtown State Historic Park in Jamestown in the scenic Mother Lode foothill country.

Huell meets a local artisan in Trinidad Bay who transforms redwood logs into beautiful canoes; then discovers a little-known landmark, the S.S. Palo Alto, a ship made entirely of concrete, docked at the Seacliff Beach pier in Aptos, and sails on the last remaining lightship in a line of floating lighthouses that once marked the entrance to the ship channel leading to San Francisco Bay.

Join Huell and hike to the world's tallest tree in Redwood National Park with a group of fifth graders from a nearby school; admire fields ablaze with golden color of California's official state flower, the Golden Poppy, at the Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve in Lancaster; and climb to the top of magnificent Morro Rock for a beautiful view of Morro Bay.

Join Huell and travel to Downieville, nestled high in the Sierra Nevada mountains, where gold miners organized the first ski races in the country; meet the staff on the Mountain Messenger, the state's oldest weekly newspaper; and watch a demonstration of the long, heavy wooden skis worn by the gold miners in the mid-1800s.

There are literally countless success stories in our state's public education system and in this one hour special Huell visits four schools where all the elements for success-parents, teachers, students, administrators and the community-have come together to really make a difference. From one room school houses to inner-city high schools, we get a chance to see California's future gold in the making.

It's like stepping back in time. A glimpse of what life was like in California during the 1920s, 30s and 40s. And this look back is made even more fascinating because it is from the Japanese-American perspective through the medium of home movies! In this special one-hour edition of "California's Gold," host Huell Howser visits with Karen Ishizuka, the senior curator of the Japanese American National Museum in Los Angeles for a first-hand look at these remarkable movies. Karen is responsible for gathering these movies together from all over California -- seldom seen movies that document in a simple, yet profound way the everyday lives of Japanese Americans. Also included in this program is a poignant 40-minute film entitled: "Something Strong Within," made entirely of home movies shot inside the internment camps that Japanese Americans were forced into during World War II. What these movies from the camps reveal in their elegant, un-narrated silence, is a proud people struggling to maintain a sense of normalcy in a very difficult situation. The entire one-hour special is entitled simply: "Japanese American Home Movies." Not only do these movies serve as documents of a people's history, but are also rich examples of "California's Gold."

Rarely open to the public, Huell gets a one-hour tour of Frank’s Palm Springs private house, is a show you won’t forget. Huell's guide is Frankie Randall. He played this song: "Can't Believe That It's All Over."

A one-hour special about Quartzsite, AZ, "America’s Largest Parking Lot" and home to gem shows, swap meets and snowbirds.

In 1937 an amazing 3 day event took place to celebrate the opening of a new road from Lone Pine to Death Valley. Starting with a gourd full of water taken from the highest lake in the U.S. on the side of Mt. Whitney, the gourd is taken to the lowest lake in the US - Bad Water Death Valley. Using all modes of important California transportation (Indian runner, Pony Express, miner & burro, 20 mule team, stagecoach, train, car, and plane) with many famous participants, the water is finally poured in, thus consummating the wedding. Join Huell and Luis 60 years later as they recreate this amazing event, with many descendants, a few people who were there the 1st time, tons of vintage photos and films on this incredible piece of California's Gold.

Huell pays tribute to the 152nd anniversary of the discovery of gold in California.

Huell visits two Los Angeles-area families that faithfully create elaborate Nacimientos, or Nativity scenes, which are a focal point of many Mexican American homes during the Christmas season.

Huell visits a reconstructed village of the Ahwaneechee Indians who have live in Yosemite and enjoyed the beautiful landscape for thousands of years

Huell discovers what it was like to visit Yosemite, including the historic Wawona Hotel, in the 19th & early 20th centuries.

Huell recently had the adventure of a lifetime when he climbed Yosemite's formidable Half Dome. Join him in this one-hour special documenting his 17 mile round trip trek, along with other avid hikers, to conquer this 4,800-foot high landmark.

Huell travels to the Boeing plant in Long Beach to check out the production line of C-17 transports.

Huell travels to the new Eastside Reservoir, four miles southwest of Hemet. Forced by increasing population and the need to reduce our toll on the Colorado River, the Metropolitan Water District undertook this project to protect us in the event of drought or earthquakes. One of the largest construction projects in American history, the new reservoir will be 4.5 miles long and 2 miles wide, instantly becoming Southern California's largest lake.

Shades of California was a statewide project developed by staff at the Los Angeles Public Library. Under their guidance, libraries throughout the state gathered cherished family photos from the public and amassed them in a special California State Library collection. Beyond the importance to family members, these photos have become a resource of great historical and cultural significance, not to mention a popular book. In order to capture the excitement and anticipation shared by families and library staff during the project, Huell joins up with the Shades of California team for a special Photo Day. California families share their photos--and memories--with Huell while he chronicles the important story of Shades of California from its beginning.

In this holiday special, Huell celebrates the holidays with the descendants of the original Cornish Carol Choir of Grass Valley as they reenact their 1940 concert of traditional Cornish Christmas Carols, which took place 2,000 feet below ground in a gold mine and was broadcast nationally on network radio.

Upland was hard hit by the 2003 wildfires and there is much rebuilding still to come. For the holiday season, this tight-knit community joined together to recreate a brilliantly lit star on a hilltop which shined for many years, but was destroyed by the fires. It is again a sign of hope and renewal for everyone who sees it.

Huell attends an annual holiday concert performed by hundreds of tubas.

Albert Ecke immigrated from Germany to Southern California in 1902 and opened a roadside stall selling fruits and vegetables. By the 1920s his son Paul started selling some of the wild poinsettia plants that grew in the hills above their stall. From these small beginnings, it is now estimated that over 90% of all flowering poinsettias get their start at the Paul Ecke Ranch. Join Huell and Luis as they meet Paul, Paul Jr. & Paul III, who give them a tour of this amazing and brightly colored piece of California's Christmas Gold.

The Kings Highway - or El Camino Real has long been a part of California's rich history. From its humble beginnings as a dusty trail, it quickly became California’s first “super highway” connecting all 21 Missions. Join popular PBS host Huell Howser as he learns first hand about the road and its famous bells from author and historian Max Kurillo. Huell also joins up with Cal Trans as they install a new roadside bell, and even recreates a walk with a Padre and burro along an originaldirt section of el Camino Real at La Purisima Mission in Lompoc. All in this hour long special of California’s Gold!

Leave it to our own Huell Howser to think he could go kayaking in Death Valley! But it turns out that's exactly what he does as he travels to normally parched Death Valley National Park to kayak on the huge salt lake created by this year's heavy rains. Ancient Lake Manly at Badwater only reappears about every 100 years, so he figured he better go for it. In addition to the lake, Huell also captures the bounty of endless fields of wildflowers, which covered Death Valley this spring.

He’s a USC icon and is definitely one of the most famous and beloved horses in the world! A beautiful white horse whose story has become the stuff of legends. We’re referring, of course, to Traveler. And in this program we not only see him in action, but spend some time with him during his “off-season” at home. We’ll also learn the rich history behind this horse and meet the people who have loved and cared for him over the years. It’s a heartwarming look at the USC mascot, which has won the hearts of us all.

Huell gets a tour of the Santa Barbara ranch home of President Ronald Reagan and his wife, Nancy, who named it Rancho del Cielo. Huell hears stories about the historic events that took place there, as well as more personal stories from a former secret service agent assigned to President Reagan.

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

In this special one-hour episode of California's Gold, Huell takes a look at the California Aqeuduct. Constructed in the 1930s, the Colorado River Aqueduct is considered one of the greatest engineering projects in the world - bringing water to thirsty Southern Californians across over 200 miles of barren, remote desert. Starting at Lake Havasu, we trace the route the water follows through huge pipes, tunnels, canals and pumping plants. Along the way we meet the men and women who are carrying on the proud MWD tradition of bringing water to Southern California.

The small town of Wasco in Kern County is famous for it’s roses. There’s nothing like acres and acres of rose bushes to stimulate the eyes and your nose. Huell gets a behind the scenes tour of how rose bushes are harvested, packaged and shipped to nurseries and home centers all over the country. He’ll also hook up with a couple of town historians who show him the rest of Wasco and teach him about the town’s rich history.

Join popular PBS Host Huell Howser for this very special 1 hour look at the world famous Hollywood Sign. Huell gets special permission from The Hollywood Sign Trust to actually climb up to and even on the sign. While perched on this landmark Huell learns the full history from 1923 till now form the people who work so hard to preserve this icon.Then he is joined by Raiden Peterson who was part of the construction crew that literally rebuilt the sign in 1978. Raiden not only brings great memories and stories but an incredible bunch of artifacts that he found when working on the sign... including a lightbulb that still works!Finally Huell talks to a few pranksters, one of whom was part of a group that changed the sign to read CAL TECH, and another is the infamous RAFFEYSOD. As always you're invited to come on along as we learn how they did it!

California has a rich maritime history and has been at the forefront of naval warfare since the beginning. In this special one-hour adventure, Huell visits two aircraft carriers that are now museums in the waters of California. First it’s off to San Diego to visit the USS Midway, which has steamed through a 47-year career of service. Imagine a carrier that was commissioned in 1945 and served as a flagship in Desert Storm in 1991. No other carrier served as long as the USS Midway. She opened in 2004 as a naval aviation museum and is now the pride of San Diego’s waterfront. Next it’s off to Alameda to visit the carrier USS Hornet that is a national treasure, having participated in two of the greatest events of the 20th century -- World War II and the Apollo 11 manned space mission. This floating museum even has the Airstream trailer that the Apollo astronauts lived in for three days after returning to earth!

Huell’s been driving through the Delta area for 20 years and finally decided to take a cruise aboard the Tule Queen to explore the enchanting and diverse environment of the Sacramento - San Joaquin Delta by boat. We’ll learn about the rich natural and human history of this important region and see some amazing sights. The Delta is truly a hidden gem and a boat tour is a great way to see it all.

When you mention Anaheim to most folks, Disneyland and Knott’s Berry Farm come to mind, but this city has a rich history and some genuine surprises. Huell spends the day with the President of the Anaheim Historical Society and visits everything from a family owned bowling alley celebrating it’s 50th anniversary to a statue built in 1935, that is the oldest piece of public artwork in Orange County. We’ll also visit the home of the man who started Carl’s Jr. and a very historic cactus garden in Pearson Park.

Join popular PBS host Huell Howser as he revisits Mono Lake, and sees how it has changed in the 15 years since he was first there.We'll learn all about the tufa towers, the many migratory birds, as well as the efforts of the dedicated people who have worked so hard to restore and keep Mono Lake the amazing place that it is!

In the first half of this program, Huell traveled to the Eastern Sierras with the DWP to visit Owens Lake to see their efforts to minimize the dust problem that has plagued the surrounding communities for many years. Five years later, we go back to the same areas and see just how far along the project has come and we’ll also look at how the Owens River has been restored and brought back as a viable river.

The seaside community of Laguna is one our states most beautiful destinations. On this adventure, Huell gets to see the Laguna that the locals know and love. Huell starts the day with a famous date shake at the Orange Inn and then it’s off to the Laguna Art Museum to learn about why so many artists have flocked to Laguna since the very beginning. We’ll visit the Pacific Marine Mammal Center to see how they rescue and return sea mammals to the wild. Huell enjoyed a drink at Las Brisas Mexican Restaurant and explored the tide pools as well. We’ll also learn about Laguna’s amazing natural beauty at the Nix Nature Center. Huell ends up in the most beautiful lifeguard station in California and gets the history of Laguna’s lifeguards.

Huell travels to the mountains above Fresno to tour “Big Creek”’ which was America's first large-scale integrated hydroelectric project, begun in 1911. This massive engineering marvel consists of 23 generating units in nine powerhouses with a generating capacity of approximately 1,000 megawatts, and six major reservoirs with a storage capacity of more than 560,000 acre-feet. Not only do we get a behind the scenes tour, we’ll also meet and hear some great stories from a one of the first families that worked at this remote Edison outpost.

Huell goes back and visits with Leonard Knight of Salvation Mountain to see how his mountain is growing and he also travels to take an up close and personal look at "mudpots,” which only occur three places in the US.

This one hour Californias Gold Special is all about the world renowned Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in Indio. Each spring, this annual three day event attracts over 160,000 music lovers from literally all over the world and we were invited to attend last years (2008) festivities for a behind the scenes look at how it all fits together. Boy did we have fun! Not only did we hear some amazing music and see some amazing artists creations we also experienced first hand the positive energy of this festival. This is a first class event in every way its well organized, well run and the people are all first rate. Its definitely a fine example of California's Gold.

Huell spends the day with the biologists who live on the Farallon Islands and learns about this wild and beautiful place which is just a group of islands and rocks found 27 miles off the coast of San Francisco, known as California's Galapagos, they make up the The Farallon National Wildlife Refuge. These wild and remote islands are rich with not only flora and fauna, but human history as well.

Join Huell as he gets a tour of the 80,000 acre Hearst Ranch. He learns about its history and that it is actually still a working ranch... you can even try some Hearst beef!

Huell takes us on an hour-long California's Gold Special which looks at the history of In-N-Out Burger. This is the first time television cameras have ever been allowed to shoot inside a store. And this special also includes an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of the In-N-Out Heaquarters in Baldwin Park where it all started back in 1948.

Founded in December 1904 by George Ellery Hale, Mount Wilson Observatory would quickly rise to dominate astronomy worldwide. The Observatory hosts several of the most technologically advanced facilities in the world and is home to the 100-inch Hooker telescope. In this one-hour special, Huell spends the day at this magnificent location that is not only historic, but plays an important role in California’s scientific research.

This is a 1 Hour combination of: California's Gold #5005 - JOHN MUIR Huell goes back in time and visits with John Muir at Yosemite National Park. Muir was America's most famous and influential naturalist and conservationist who is often called the father of our National Parks System. In 1892, he founded the Sierra Club to protect the newly created Yosemite National Park. Through his writing and actions, he taught the people of his time, and ours, the importance of experiencing and protecting our natural heritage. AND California's Golden Parks #129 - JOHN MUIR HOME Huell tours the the Victorian residence in Martinez where the naturalist John Muir lived from 1890 to his death in 1914, and meets the special folks who are responsible for preserving this important site. While living there, Muir laid the foundations for the creation of the National Park Service in 1916.

Huell revisits a 1990 program about some of Los Angeles's unique eateries, some of which no longer exist.

Huell's favorite segments about animals.

Clifton's Cafeteria; beauty salon; Sunset Plaza.

Huell meets the retired employees of Kaiser Steelworks in Fontana. Built in 1942, the mill supplied steel to the Kaiser Shipyard in Richmond during World War II. Although the company closed in 1983, the memories remain in the Kaiser Steel Museum, where workers donate their artifacts to an ongoing exhibit. Huell also tours the site today, a working plant now called California Steel.

This one hour special takes us from Northrop Grumman where the B2 Stealth Bomber is built, to Edwards Air Force Base to take a look at the B2 close up. Huell and Luis were the first media representatives to be allowed in the cockpit of this top secret plane.

Huell revisits some of his favorite locales.

In this "lost" episode from 1998, Huell explores the history of the home of Charles Lummis and examines its artifacts including Spanish folk songs that have been preserved in wax cylinders followed by a recreation of the wax cylinder recording process with modern musicians.