O'side Cafe - Oceanside, CA, USA

This Spanish Revival style building, originally a residence, has most recently been the location of the O'side Cafe.  In recent years it has housed a variety of businesses including a Psychic, a handmade paper shop, and several different restaurants.  As the O'side Cafe the exterior was colorfully painted to resemble a sunrise or sunset.
As of this date the mural is gone.  The exterior of the building has been painted a shade of brown and a banner advertises the Grand Opening of a coffee shop.

Located at 624 South Coast Highway.

Holroyd Confectionary - Oceanside, CA, USA

Built circa 1922 this house was the residence of John H. and Grace S. (Maberry) Holroyd.  They lived here during the mid-to-late 1920s and Mrs. Holroyd operated a confectionary and later a lunch room at the home.  John H. Holroyd had a background working in refrigeration and was a Chief Engineer with the Union Ice Company.  Prior to their marriage, Grace had been a public school teacher in her home state of Illinois.  They married in the early 1920s and in early 1924 Grace was operating a confectionary at their home in Pacific Beach, California.  They moved to this location in Oceanside where, according to County Directories, Grace was operating a confectionary in 1927 and a lunch room in 1929.

Located at 123 South Horne Street, on the northwest corner of Topeka Street and Horne Street, across the street from Oceanside High School.

The Champion Building - Temecula, CA, USA

This Mission Revival style building was built in 1928 by Allen Champion.  It is constructed of clay bricks from the area of Alberhill, near Elsinore.  The building has housed a variety of businesses and was the home of The Rite Spot Cafe for many years.  From 1974 until 1980 it was the location of the Temecula Post Office.  The building underwent remodeling in 1980.

"The Champion Building
Built in 1928 By Allen Champion

Businesses located here, at various times, included a barber shop, Daley's Variety Store, restaurants including 'The Rite Spot Cafe,' a bank, and for many years, The Temecula Post Office.  Building since remodeled.

Temecula Valley Historical Society
Plaque 11
Installed 2004"

Located in Old Town Temecula at 28636 Front Street.

Brother Benno's Kitchen (Original Location) - Oceanside, CA, USA

In 1983 Harold and Kay Kutler started a non-profit foundation to help the poor.  It was called the Brother Benno Foundation after Brother Benno (born Thomas) Garrity, O.S.B., a Benedictine monk at the St. Charles Priory in Oceanside.  Brother Benno had a reputation for helping the poor with food, furniture and in whatever ways he could.  He baked bread in the kitchen at the Priory and gave much of it to area merchants in exchange for goods he could distribute to those in need.  The Kutlers started a soup kitchen near downtown in this house built in 1923.  It was in operation from 1983 to 1991 at which time services were moved to a larger facility in the San Luis Rey Valley, the Brother Benno Center.  It is estimated that 470,887 meals were served at the original Kitchen, with an average of 84 meals a night the first year growing to 210 meals a night in 1991.  The original structure was rehabilitated and on October 21, 2001, the 18th anniversary of its opening, it was dedicated as an honorary historical site. 

Located at 307 Minnesota Avenue.

Santa Fe Depot - Hemet, CA, USA

This depot, built by the Santa Fe Railroad, once served a Santa Fe spur line that ran from San Bernardino through Perris, then on through Hemet, ending in San Jacinto.  It handled both passengers and freight.  The two-story section was the passenger depot and its construction was completed in 1914, replacing two earlier depots.  The long adjoining section was the freight depot. It was part of the second depot, built in 1898, and was moved to this location.  It is one of the oldest structures in Hemet's downtown area.   Restored by a local group, Save Our Station, the freight depot is now the home of the Hemet Museum.  A coffee and bagel shop occupies the end of the building nearest Florida Avenue.

Located at the intersection of Florida Avenue and State Street.  Entrance and parking lot along State Street.

Huell Howser Visits Old Town Temecula - Temecula, CA, USA

El Real Hotel - Fallbrook, CA, USA

Built in 1930, this brick building in downtown Fallbrook was originally the El Real Hotel.  It has housed several businesses since the old hotel closed including a restaurant, The Packing House.  It is presently occupied by JJ Landers Irish Pub.

The wood trim above the window is not original to the building.

Located at 125 South Main Avenue.

Welty Building - Temecula, CA, USA

Built in the 1890s by R.J. Welty and his wife, Mary, the building originally housed a store on the ground floor and rooms for rent on the second floor. 
It was purchased by Joe Winkels in 1902 and operated as a hotel, The Ramona Inn.  A barber shop and saloon replaced the store area and alcohol was illegally sold there during the prohibition era.  Gaming was offered in the form of pool tables, card games and slot machines.  Boxers Jack Dempsey, Jim Jeffries and Jack Sharkey were among those who trained at an upstairs boxing arena.  Buster Keaton, Fatty Arbuckle and other celebrities from Hollywood were known to visit The Ramona Inn.

On Christmas Eve 1907 Temecula's constable, Preston Van Swanguen, and a local businessman, Louis Escallier, were shot to death by Horace Magee while attempting to quell a barroom fight.

In later years the saloon was named The Stallion, and then The Stables.  A sandwich shop, The Corner, was located in the building in the 1970s.
The Welty Building was among the buildings in the historic district that were damaged in 1993 by a 3-foot-high wall of mud that resulted from the flooding of nearby Murrieta Creek.  It remained empty for years afterward.
The Temecula Olive Oil Company, a food and gift shop featuring a tasting bar, has occupied the ground floor since 2002.

Located in the historict district of Old Town Temecula on the southwest corner of Front Street and Main Street.

Besta-Wan Pizza House - Cardiff-by-the-Sea, CA, USA

Besta-Wan Pizza House has remained a popular Italian eatery since opening in Cardiff in 1965. 

In the late 1960s my step-brother pitched several seasons for their slow-pitch softball team.
Located at 148 Aberdeen Drive near the southern end of San Elijo State Beach Campground.

San Luis Rey Bakery and Restaurant - Oceanside, CA, USA

In business for over 35 years at this location near Mission San Luis Rey.

Located at 490 N. El Camino Real.

Juanita's Taco Shop - Vista, CA, USA

Casual and inexpensive, offering dine-in or take-out service.  Family friendly, no alcohol.

Located at 248 Main Street.


Addendum, October 12, 2011:
In the pre-dawn hours of October 12, 2011, Juanita's Taco Shop suffered significant fire damage and is considered a total loss.
Fire Damages Vista Taco Shop - Arson, Burglary Suspected at Juanita's Taco Shop  (10news.com article)
Taco Shop Burns Down; Cash Register Found in Oceanside  (nctimes.com article)

River Bottom - Oceanside, CA, USA

Located in the San Luis Rey community, the River Bottom has long been a popular tavern with the Marines stationed at Camp Pendleton and other local patrons.  It dates back to at least the Vietnam era.

Located at 473 N. El Camino Real.

Pepper Tree Frosty - Vista, CA, USA

Originally a Tastee Freez franchise opened in 1953.  The Villaseñor family changed the name to Pepper Tree Frosty shortly after they purchased the business in 1960.  The name Pepper Tree comes from the Pepper Trees that once lined the creek next to the business.  When Vista deepened and lined the creek as a flood control channel it cut off water to the trees and damaged the roots, killing the trees.

 
One large Pepper Tree stump remains next to a patio seating area.

Located at 270 South Santa Fe Ave. the business is still operated by the Villaseñor family and is the site of the annual Burger Run car show held every January.