This image shows the narrow gauge train used at Santa’s Village to transport visitors around the grounds. Santa is currently acting as engineer.

The description states:
SANTA’S VILLAGE CALIFORNIA
All aboard for Santa’s train, which makes an exciting trip through the Enchanted forest and Lollypop Land.
–The two sites mentioned were decorated features for the tourists to view as they rode along. Such narrow gauge engines, typically powered by diesel and not steam, were common in these small amusement parks.
This image likely dates from the 1950s.

This image shows the main entry gate to the amusement park called Santa’s Village. It was touted as being in Santa Cruz, but while it was in Santa Cruz County, it was several miles from the city of Santa Cruz, in the area known as Scott’s Valley.

The description states:
SANTA’S VILLAGE CALIFORNIA
Welcome House is the entrance to a child’s paradise in a fairyland forest setting.
–Unlike most other amusement parks of the mid-20th Century, Santa’s Village was deliberately built in a mature forest, preserving the trees (some seen here) as an integral part of the park experience.
Santa’s Village opened in 1957, two years after the much more famous and popular Disneyland, and closed in 1979, the victim of the rapid expansion of amusement parks with expensive and high quality thrill rides.
This image likely dates from the 1950s.

This image shows the Fremont Street side of the Gateway Lodge Motel, located at the northern end of Seaside, California.

The description states:
GATEWAY LODGE MOTEL
1909 Fremont Blvd.
Seaside, California 93955
Phone (408) 394-6606
Color Cable T.V. — Queen Size Beds – Direct Dial Phones – Free Coffee
“The Gateway to the Monterey Peninsula”
— This motel still stands in its original configuration and location, as seen on the Gateway Lodge website. Unlike other older establishments, this one appears to have prospered and the rooms are modernized.
This image likely dates from the 1970s.

This image shows an expansive field of lettuce located in the fertile Salinas River valley, where much of the U. S. domestic lettuce crop is grown.

The description states:
VALUABLE ACRES
Of crisp head lettuce being readied to uphold Salinas legendary reputation as “The Salad Bowl of the Nation.”
—Salinas is a city as well as a river and associated valley, and is the seat of government for Monterey County.
This postcard likely dates from the 1950s.

This image shows the Soldiers Club which was part of the army base at Fort Ord, California north of the Monterey Peninsula. It was later renamed Stilwell Hall.

The description states:
SOLDIERS CLUB
A spacious, hospitable home away from home for the enlisted man and his guests. Soldiers Club serves as a fitting memorial to General Stilwell and the men of his command responsible for its erection.
—The building was built directly on the cliffs overlooking Monterey Bay, and with years the cliffs eroded so far as to cause the south wing of the building to collapse in the 1990s. Erosion continued to threaten the structure and safety of the building, and it was demolished in 2001.
This image likely dates from the 1950s.

This image is an elevated view of the former military base known as Fort Ord, located north of the Monterey Peninsula.

The description states:
FORT ORD, CALIFORNIA
Overlooking the blue waters of Monterey Bay, just a short distance from historic Old Monterey, California’s first capital, Fort Ord is an excellent all-year training site.
–These single-story structures are typically administrative buildings, while the two-story versions are more commonly housing for low-ranking soldiers. The building with the spire at the left middle-ground is a military chapel. The fort has long since been closed, and the land reused for private business, housing and the California State University Monterey Bay campus.
The shadowy outlines in the distance across the water are not mountains, but a fog bank, typical of the weather conditions in this area.
This card likely dates from the 1950s.

This image shows the popular white sand cove beach at the foot of the Lover’s Point peninsula and the boat launch which included rental boats as well as a glass-bottom tour boat to view the bay from.

The description states:
PACIFIC GROVE BEACH
At this popular sandy beach, one may ride in the Glass Bottom boats to view all types of marine life.
–The beach is much smaller now due to sand loss from erosion, and the boat launch jetty has been removed after the tour boat business closed.
This card likely dates from the 1950s.

This image shows the coastline of Pacific Grove, California, brightened by the effusion of flowers on the ice plant used a ground cover extensively in this area.

The description states:
1563–SHORELINE DRIVE, PACIFIC GROVE, CALIFORNIA
A popular scenic drive along the shore leading to the rocky headland where is located Point Pinos Lighthouse.
–The Point Pinos Lighthouse is still in operation, but it is also a museum, and is surrounded by a municipal golf course.
This image likely dates from the 1950s.

This image shows the bright flowers of the ‘ice plant’ in bloom along the coastal walkway that extends much of the distance from Monterey to Lover’s Point in Pacific Grove, California.

The description states:
LOVER’S POINT
Pacific Grove, Monterey Peninsula, California
Lover’s Point where the blue waters of the Pacific splash against the rocky and sandy shoreline covered with a red and pink carpet of wildflowers and ice plant.
–The ice plant is a very aggressive and hardy ground cover which adapts well to sand and dunes. Lover’s Point is not in fact visible in this photo, as will become apparent in the coming days postings.
This card likely dates from the 1960s.