Tag: 1950s

This image, a cut down portion of a postcard, shows the establishment called Santa’s Kitchen. It was part of the larger Santa Claus, California development along U. S. Highway 101 in Carpenteria, California.

The description states:
SANTA CLAUS, CALIFORNIA
by the sea on 101 where all cars stop.
High above the picturesque wishing well and water wheel, a smiling Santa waves to all who visit his California center.
–The Santa mentioned appears to have been cut off from the left side of the card. The cars visible here indicate this card is from the 1950s.

This roadside attraction is not a town or other administrative location, but simply a name for a business along U. S. Highway 101 catering to tourists interested in purchasing Christmas themed souvenirs during their travels in southern California.

The description states:
SANTA CLAUS IN SUNNY CALIFORNIA
On Highway 101 where the mountains meet the sea.
– TOYLAND –
Santa’s Wonderland by the sea.
–The business location on Highway 101 proved initially very profitable, but when the Interstate Highway system replaced such older highways for inter-city travel, business declined significantly. This business was located on Santa Claus Lane in Carpenteria, California, but has closed, though the Santa atop the far building was preserved and made a landmark.
The car shown indicates this image is from the 1950s.

This image calls out the season to highlight the abundance of flowering plants along the California coastline. Almost all the yellow and white coloring mixed among the green is from blooming flowers.

The description states:
SPRING ALONG THE PACIFIC COAST. The general Pacific Coast shoreline, from Mexico to the Canadian border, measures 1366 miles in length. The first white man to view the Pacific from our shoreline was Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo and the crews from his ships the San Salvador and the Victoria that sailed into the bay of San Diego Sept. 28, 1542. The blue water and yellows, reds and purples of flower bloom that grow along the seashore are breath-taking beyond description.
–While this is a typical view of the coastline at many points, the type of shoreline varies extensively, from rocky settings such as this to pristine white sand beaches.
This postcard likely dates from the 1950s.

This image is an otherwise unidentified view of the Pacific Ocean from some location along the central California coast.

The only description on the back of the card is: Shores of the Pacific
–Such rocks as are visible in the left foreground are common habitat for seabirds. Where the rocks have an easy sea-level access, it can also provide resting or breeding grounds for sea lions, seals or sea elephants.
This card likely dates from the 1950s.

This image shows a natural bridge formation created from erosion by wave action against the rocky promontory. It is part of the Pfeiffer State Beach, in Big Sur, California. The beach has since been renamed Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park.

The description states:
PFEIFFER STATE BEACH
Near Big Sur, California this popular beach is noted not only for its expansive sandy beaches, but also for its interesting rock formations.
–Not shown here but also very notable is McWay Falls, an 80 foot drop to the beach below, visible from the roadside above. This postcard likely dates from the 1950s.

This image shows a sample of the scenic rocky coastline which can be viewed along much of the Pacific Coast Highway, known officially as California Highway 1.

The description states:
CALIFORNIA’S SCENIC STATE HIGHWAY NO. 1
One of the most beautiful and picturesque highways in the world. Although packed with views and thrills for the nature lover, modern engineering has made the highway very safe to drive.
–Such rocks as these are often habitat for sea birds and marine mammals, during certain seasons of the year. This postcard likely dates from the 1950s.