This is a view of the traveler’s rest stop called Baxter’s Station, which once existed here in Placer County, California. It evolved into the unincorporated community of Baxter, and the rest stop closed.

The description states:
C342 – Baxter’s Station among the pines, Baxter, California, on transcontinental Highway 40.
–Highway 40 was upgraded to Interstate status and renamed Interstate 80. Some of the establishments, like this one, were bypassed by the new road course. An exit was built to allow access to the rest stop, but it has closed.
The cars visible in the picture indicate this card is likely from the 1940s.

This dramatic image shows the firefall event captured at its height during the dusk hours in Yosemite National Park.

The description states:
YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK, CALIFORNIA
THE FIRE FALL, GLACIER POINT
Each night during the summer season, for the pleasure of their guests and all visitors to Yosemite, the management of Camp Curry has established a gorgeous spectacular custom. A huge bonfire is built on Glacier Point 3,200 feet directly above the Camp. At the conclusion of the nightly camp fire entertainment, the burning embers are pushed from the Point above, and this cataract of fire falls nearly 900 feet in a tinkling golden cascade to a barren rocky ledge below.
–The fire fall was conducted for almost a century before being discontinued at the insistence of the National Park Service in 1968. The Glacier Point Hotel, built near the site of the bonfire, was burnt to the ground a year later.
This postcard was used and is dated 26 July 1965.

This image shows a typical motel of the era, single story with doors opening onto the parking lot. Parking spaces were immediately in front of the room the traveler rented.

The description states:
DRIFTWOOD MOTEL
2362 Fremont, St., Monterey, Calif.
Located 5 minutes drive from the Monterey Peninsula, 14 new luxuriously furnished units with foam mattresses, wall to wall carpets, all tile bathroom with temperature controlled head, T. V. and Radio. Coffee shop access across the street. John and Evelyn Leonard — Owners. Phone 2-5039.
–This establishment has changed hands somewhat recently, and is now known by another name, as indicated by this street view. The structure has been updated, but is clearly the same building.
This image likely dates from the 1950s.

This image shows much of the southern loop of Monterey Bay, with Monterey in the lower center, curving around to Seaside and Fort Ord in the center distance.

The description states:
MONTEREY BAY
Panoramic view of picturesque Monterey Bay shoreline as seen by visitors traveling the Pacific Grove-Carmel Highway.
–This is a reference to what is now called Skyline Drive, some points of which give similar views to people driving along that section of highway. The increased population and development in the intervening years have reduced the size of the visible beach significantly.
This card likely dates from the 1950s.

The larger ships shown in this image of craft at anchor in Monterey Bay are purse seiners, identified by the tall masts and boom that extends out over the water when deployed.

The description states:
PURSE SEINERS
Riding lazily at anchor in the Bay at Monterey, California.
–The smaller boat is more typical of a lobster boat, or perhaps was used for abalone, which was commonly harvested in this time. This card likely dates from the 1950s.

This image shows the view from the commercial pier just south of Fisherman’s Wharf. Most notable is the large number and variety of commercial fishing boats at anchor in the protected harbor.

The description states:
FISHING DOCK
A free fishing pier maintained by the city of
MONTEREY, CALIFORNIA
–The two soldiers leaning over the railing may be watching some of the wildlife common to the area around the pier, including seals, sea lions and sea otters.  While this is called a fishing pier, the presence of power lines and phone service indicates it has a more developed commercial purpose as well.
This card likely dates from the 1950s.

This image is similar to the previous one, taken from the opposite side of the large palm tree and from a vantage point closer to the water. Fisherman’s Wharf and the nearby  pier are again visible, as well as the small beach with a flock of seagulls. In the distance is the commercial fleet, which was large and active during that time.

The description states:
1565 — FISHERMAN’S WHARF, MONTEREY, CALIFORNIA
Seafood restaurants and fresh fish shops line this picturesque pier. From here fishing boats go out and return laden down with the many varieties of fish that Monterey Bay is noted for.
–This image likely dates from the 1950s.

This image shows the south side of Fisherman’s Wharf in Monterey, California, and a short distance away is a commercial pier. This was likely used as a transfer point for ships bringing fish that did not go directly to Fisherman’s Wharf itself.

The description states:
Old Fisherman’s Wharf, Monterey, California with its colorful fleet of sardine boats, handicraft shops, famous seafood restaurants, fish markets and excellent fishing.
–Visible in the foreground is a railroad track, laid along the coastline to allow rail transport of the products from Cannery Row and other fish landings further south. This track has long since been removed with the decline of the fishing industry and replaced with a multi-use trail. The pier was removed long before the rail line, and no traces of it are visible today.

This image completes the postcard tour out along Fisherman’s Wharf in Monterey, California. This view is from in front of Angelo’s as seen in the previous posting.

The description states:
FISHERMAN’S WHARF, MONTEREY CALIFORNIA
Here where the Wharf ends and the Bay begins myriads of visitors explorer the colorful shops and enjoy the antics of the ever-hungry sea lions begging for hand-outs.
–The sea lions are less common than before, as the commercial fishing business has declined, but can be see during annual migrations. In other locations along the coast, there are permanent colonies on the docks and floating platforms, most notably in San Francisco.
This card likely dates from the 1950s.

This image shows Angelo’s restaurant, and also illustrates the complex nature of the wharf at the time. It was not a simple, straight structure into the water, but had, as shown, side roads and docks, primarily for charter boats. These locations tended to attract sea lions and curious visitors alike.

The description states:
COLORFUL FISHERMAN’S WHARF, Monterey, Calif.
Looking down the south ramp past Angelo’s famous sea food restaurant trim fishing boats meet the eye riding gracefully at anchor on the blue harbor waters.
–Angelo’s was a landmark of the Wharf for many decades, and has changed hands like many other businesses, but the building still houses a restaurant called the Nino’s Wharfside.
This postcard likely dates from the 1950s.