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Backwoods Inn: A Canyon Country Tradition
February 13, 2013 by
Bob & Rose Ohler purchased Canyon County’s Backwoods Inn in 1968 and quickly began turning it into a second home that just happened to serve fantastic food. This legendary local steakhouse is rife with the smell of mesquite smoke and perfectly charred meat right when you walk in the door. It’s very much a restaurant from another age, decorated with yard sale knick-knacks and sawdust all over the floor. But don’t be fooled by the décor – these guys know exactly how to cook a steak. Throw in a full bar with fun, friendly bartenders and you’ve got a great place to knock back a prime rib. If you don’t have a taste for steak, locals rave about the broasted chicken—a fine cut of fowl cooked under a broiler so the inside is moist and juicy and the skin is crackling, crisp and delicious.
Backwoods Inn
17846 Sierra Highway
Canyon Country, CA 91351
(661) 252-5522
www.backwoodsinn.com
Local Theater and Entertainment: Santa Clarita Performing Arts Center
February 6, 2013 by
It took some time for the College of the Canyons to construct a performing arts venue that would do it justice, but once the Santa Clarita Performing Arts Center was opened in 2004 it quickly became a venue for all kinds of live entertainment, from theatrical performances to music. The spectacular 886-seat theater offers great proscenium seating with amazing sightlines and excellent acoustics, and frequent visitors comment that there is literally not a bad seat in the house. A smaller “black box” theatre hosts more intimate and experimental works as well. The Center’s booking staff works hard to fill the calendar with a rich variety of presentations from the Chancellor’s Choice series, which sees national bands in a variety of genres rock the stage, to the Great Performances series, which presents musicians, acrobats, dancers, and more from around the world. The Santa Clarita Performing Arts Center also hosts touring presentations of Broadway hits and much, much more. Click here to see what's on stage next!
Santa Clarita Performing Arts Center
26455 Rockwell Canyon Road
Santa Clarita, CA 91355
(661) 362-5304
www.canyons.edu/Offices/PIO/CanyonsPAC
Devil’s Punchbowl: Take a Long Drink Of Natural Beauty
January 29, 2013 by
One thing that the American Southwest has in spades is interesting rock formations—the geological variety of the landscape makes for stunning vistas and exciting exploration. Just inside Los Angeles County resides the Devil’s Punchbowl county park, which allows us surface-dwellers observe the notorious San Andreas Fault and its effects on the Earth. Many short trails branch off from the trailhead, leading off to a variety of fascinating formations. Most notable is the Punchbowl itself, a steep V-shaped canyon that drops 300 feet at the vista point. Composed of sedimentary rocks inclined in steep layers, it’s an unsettling yet beautiful sight. The visitor center at the canyon’s base offers guided park tours as well as an on-site 11-inch telescope for viewing some of the area’s formations that aren’t accessible on foot. Entering the park also gives you an in-depth view of California’s plant biomes, with each change in elevation revealing a different assortment of flora and fauna.
Devil’s Punchbowl
28098 County Highway N6
Pearblossom, CA 93553
(661) 944-2743
www.devils-punchbowl.com
DIY: Cleaning & Organizing Projects For Your Home
January 23, 2013 by
Are you itching to clean and organize your home, but aren't sure where to start? Well, the best way to avoid burnout is to tackle projects systematically. If your home is in need of an overhaul, check out these tips that will get your space spick-and-span, and well organized, without the headache!
How To Clean Your House in 20 Minutes a Day for 30 Days: This month-long cleaning schedule will whip your home into shape with little time, energy, or commitment.
How To Take On Closet Organization: These tips will help you let go of your perfectionist tendencies, and will give you ways to maintain an organized space without the stress!
Mimi’s Cafe: A Local Favorite
January 16, 2013 by
Known for dependable meals at great prices, Mimi’s Café is the place to go for your everyday comfort food—soups, salads, sandwiches, hearty entrees (meatloaf, pot roast, etc.) and more. Founded in 1978, this local chain is known by their custom-constructed buildings, which resemble French country cottages, as well as their excellent hospitality. Starting out in Anaheim, California, there are now Mimi’s in 28 states. Regulars all rave about the carrot raisin bread, served in the free breadbasket that starts your meal. You can ask for nothing but that in the basket and they’ll gladly give it to you. The food is competent if not extraordinary, with the usual mix of breakfast, lunch, and dinner favorites. The service is also polite and respectful, making Mimi’s one of the few restaurants in town that doesn’t seem like they’re trying to rush you through your meal.
Mimi’s Café
24201 Magic Mountain Parkway
Valencia, CA 91355
(661) 255-5520
www.mimiscafe.com
Water, Water Everywhere at Castaic Lake
January 9, 2013 by
Castiac Lake is the largest state water project reservoir in the Southern California area, with over 11,000 acres of land under its umbrella. The lake is famous for sport fishing, with a sizable number of world record fish coming from its depths, including a 47-pound channel catfish. If you’re not an angler, the lake offers many other activities—in the summer months, the lower lagoon is open for swimming and non-powered boating, with 197 acres of shallow water to dive, inner tube, or just explore. Adjacent campgrounds can accommodate up to 60 sites, with RV access available. Lifeguards are always on duty as well. The upper lake is where motorized boats are allowed, and where the majority of the fishing happens. There is an $11 vehicle entry fee, and a $20 per day fee per campsite, which is quite reasonable.
Castaic Lake
32132 Castaic Lake Dr
Castaic, CA 91384
(661) 257-4050
www.castaiclake.com
El Trocadero: This Steak’s No Mistake
December 24, 2012 by
The cuisine of the Sonora region of Mexico is notorious for great steaks, and El Trocadero displays that to great effect. Owners Raul and Dora Bojorquez opened the restaurant in 1998 to share the cuisine of their native Nogales. The original El Trocadero is south of the border in Sonora, but the new sibling in California is just as authentic. Acting as an anchor to the revitalization of Valencia’s downtown business district, the restaurant boasts a large bar, a huge dining room, an outdoor patio out front and a tree-shaded dining space in the back. Food is excellent, with meat the star—the carne asada is deliciously spiced and perfectly cooked. The fresh fish is also excellent, and regulars order food “Sonoran style,” with cotija cheese. One complaint that has been leveled against El Trocadero is that the service can be inconsistent, so be warned before you go.
El Trocadero
24274 Main St
Newhall, CA 91321
(661) 284-6615
www.eltrocaderosteakhouse.com
South Point Grill: Argentinian Specialties
December 18, 2012 by
South American food is often characterized by a serious love of meat, and the cuisine of Argentina is no exception. Valencia’s South Point Grill brings many of the specialties of that country to an audience of appreciative California diners, but be warned: vegetarians may have a hard time eating here. The house specialty is the “Argentina Mixa,” a spectacular mixed grill that incorporates tender skirt steak, short ribs, a half a chicken, chorizo, black sausage, and sweetbreads. It may put you into a meat coma, but you’ll love every minute of it. If you’re looking for something a bit lighter, the chimchurri sauce is spectacular on steak, but make sure to order extra bread to sop it up. Milanesa sandwiches are also tasty options, served on a French baguette with great French fries. Regulars also recommend the fresh empanadas.
South Point Grill
24320 Town Center Drive
Valencia, CA 91355
(661) 254-0088
www.southpointgrill.net
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