San Francisco Trip—Sam’s Chowder House in Half Moon Bay and Filoli Historic House and Gardens in Woodside

San Francisco was the number one destination with Conde Nash readers for many years, Charleston was number two. Then, there was a reversal in sentiment and Charleston took over the number one spot. It has remained the top favorite for years. I travel to San Francisco often. The views are stunning from almost any vantage point along the peninsula coastline and north to the Marin Headlands. There are a plethora of points of interests to enjoy both in and around the city traveling in all directions going across the magnificent Golden Gate Bridge, the busy Bay Bridge, and south along the beautiful Bay Area peninsula. This day, I headed to the Filoli Estate and Gardens in Woodside, but first stop was Half Moon Bay.

Half Moon Bay, the name itself is as inviting as it sounds. It is home to the pumpkin festival and the Mavericks. No, it has nothing to do with Top Gun or Tom Cruise. It is the name of the big waves that roll in from the Pacific to challenge the best of the surfing world. The town is very quaint with a Main Street lined with shops and eateries from its beginning to its end, and that is about everything. One huge wall is dedicated to the event with a huge wave and surfer painted on it. Sam’s Chowder House on the Pacific was my destination. Naked Ladies, not the fleshly kind—the pink flower kind, beautified the entrance to the quiet beach just below the restaurant.

Sam’s Chowder House was busy as usual. There is plenty of indoor seating, but outside is where you want to be for the best view. My table was just above the outdoor patio that is enclosed by glass partitions with heaters at each table. The marine mist that comes off the Pacific can have a cooling effect. For a drink, I chose a cherry mocktail ($9.00), which was pleasantly refreshing. From the main courses, I selected the Fried Shrimp platter ($25.95), which included a sizable portion of Old Bay fries. The shrimp were large and coated with a tasteful batter perfectly fried. The server was friendly, attentive, and informative. It was an excellent dinner experience.

Next stop, Filoli Historic House and Gardens—a sprawling estate nestled in a valley near the Crystal Spring Reservoir. The land was purchased in1914 for $89,000 by Agnes and William Bourn. The land is now worth 2.5 million. The 54,256 sq. ft. house was completed in 1917 at a cost of $425,000, now worth $11 million. It has 56 rooms, 17 fireplaces, 15 bathrooms, 14 staff bedrooms, and 10 main bedrooms. It was all paid for by gold mining money. The house is u-shaped with servant’s quarters in one wing and a ballroom in the other. The estate’s name is derived from the family’s personal motto—Fight for a just cause, Love your fellow man, Live a good life—Fi-Lo-Li.

The house was built 200 yards from the San Andreas fault line. It was constructed to withstand the California seismic upheavals with double-walled construction and a steel frame to support 17 ft ceilings. One bathroom has a 22 ft ceiling. So far, so good.

The houses spacious interior is filled with the original furnishings. A large kitchen serviced the family with smaller rooms for bread making and desserts. There was even a large safe in the main preparation area with a huge, black double oven stove. There was a room for anything and everything to keep the family and guests entertained. Music, gaming tables, billiards, TV watching, and a library for serious reading. Finally, the ballroom, to which visitors could not access due to renovations.

The gardens are extensive and magnificent with a massive variety of flower species and trees. It was a challenge to name the various flowers as you strolled the terraced sections, but having had flowered rock gardens of my own, I did exceptionally well. There was a glassed garden house facing a flowered lily pond where you could sit while conversing over afternoon tea and a building with a clock tower used as a gift shop and cafe today. For fun, there is a badminton court overlooking the gardens and a large pool surrounded by places to sun and relax. Its large open fields furnished with outdoor wooden Adirondack chairs are used for soaking in the landscape and stargazing after darkness shrouds the valley.

San Francisco, like Charleston, has beautiful beaches, lots of fascinating history, except on a larger scale, much larger. The coastline consists of sheer cliffs, massive rocks, tall mountain peaks, many long bridges, and much cooler water. The city has tall buildings and vertical streets, unlike sea level and below Charleston. It is surrounded by beautiful vistas and a plethora of points of interest to be enjoyed. Half Moon Bay and Filoli House and Gardens are two places I visited on this trip to San Francisco.

Sam’s Chowder House

4210 CA-1

Half Moon Bay

Filoli Historic House and Gardens

86 Canada Road

Woodside, CA

A Short Walk will take You from Brews made from Beans to Brews made with Grains--Summerville's New Beer Hall

Just a few short strides will take you from brews made from beans to brews made with grains. Coastal Coffee Roasters is one of Summerville's favorite daytime hangouts, while recently opened Godwin's Beer Hall hopes to become one of the town's favorite late afternoon/evening gathering spots.

"Drink your way around the world with good company and great beer" is Godwin's Beer Hall's visionary slogan printed in bold letters on its menu located at the end of its wrap-around bar. The diverse selection of brews from over 20 countries in both bottles and cans are listed for you to peruse. Once you made your choice, you can either sit at one of its many community tables or relax in an English style den dominated by an extensive library overshadowing a couch setting with side chairs.

It was an early Saturday afternoon, and I was seeking a quick refresher. I decided to put Godwin's slogan to the test with my first visit since its opening. My intention was very specific. With my surname being Dunbar, nothing but Scottish was going to be my preference, particularly an ale. Scanning the list, a Belhaven Ale from Scotland caught my attention--choice made.

The bartender cracked the tall can and carefully poured its contents into the glass. I waited for the deep copper colored brew to settle, and after a long minute, took a generous sip. It was exactly the way the print on the can described it to be, rich-nutty-smoooooooth.

After doing a search, I learned Belhaven Brewery is located in the picturesque area of East Lothian. To my surprise, its location is in the area of Scotland named after my family, nestled amongst the rolling barley fields of Dunbar, just 20 miles from Edinburgh. Established in 1719, it is also near a monastery site dating back to 1150 AD.

Belhaven's Scottish Ale has been announced as the Gold Winner at the Monde Selection 2022 Awards and given the bronze award at the World Beer Awards 2022. It is brewed using malted barley and fresh spring water from a local source together with Belhaven's own unique yeast.

Godwin's Beer Hall's decor blends very nicely with its English influenced story and its beers from around the world theme with maps, globes, and shelves stacked with European literature. On your next visit, put Scotland's Belhaven Ale to the taste test. In my confident estimation, you will be beerfully gratified. Its warm copper color and very smooth nutty taste will refresh you.

108 E 3rd N Street

Summerville, SC

Tuesday to Thursday 4pm-10pm

Friday and Saturday 11am-10pm

35th Annual Piccolo Spoleto Sand Sculpting Competition--It was Beacherific

Beach sand spurs an irresistible creative urge in us to dig into it and shape it into whatever our imaginations can conjure up. Local sand lovers gathered once again on the Isle of Palms for the 35th Annual Piccolo Spoleto Sand Sculpting Competition to satisfy that compelling urge all in the name of fun, while a large crowd of observers enjoyed the spectacle as they roamed through the rows of sand art with cameras and cell phones in hand taking pictures. The competition began at 9:00 am and prizes were awarded at 1:00 pm.

The judges, which included Rob Fowler and Grace Lowe of News 2, Brendan Clark and Carolyn Murray, had the honor of picking the winners, and with all the great entries, it was a difficult task. As to having a great time, everyone was a winner.

Categories Included:

Adult (21 and up)

Family (1 adult and 1 child/young adult)

Young Adult (Ages 15-20)

Children's (14 and under)

Teams were limited to four people.

Prizes were awarded to 1st, 2nd and 3rd in each age division along with Best Architectural, Most Creative and Overall Best in Show.

Last year's winners were Island Tails for Best of Children's, Speedo 07 for Best of Young Adults, Pout Pout for Charlie Peberdy Memorial Award - Best of Family, Charleston Drip Company for Best Architectural, Seal of Approval for Most Creative, Vintage Since 1978 for Best of Adults, and Once Upon A Time for Best of Show - Overall.

This year's winners are Wish Upon a Star for Best of Children's, King Fu Wave for Best of Young Adults, Sea Bisquit for Charlie Peberdy Memorial Award - Best of Family, Giant Castle by the Sea for Best Architectural, Big Al for Most Creative, Saving Money for Best of Adults, and Riverdogs Days of Summer for Best of Show - Overall.

My favorite

Enjoy the pictures of this year's sand sculptures, both artistic and humorous. Which was your favorite?

Sir Oliver Godwin--What Does the Name have to do with Summerville

Beer hall verses pub? Other than the fact that they are both places where one goes to drink draft beer, they have differences. People generally sit in a beer hall. They are huge and boisterous. They are generally provisioned with the beer of a single brewer. They evoke sausage and simple German meals. On the other hand, pubs are small and more intimate. You order and retrieve your drink, and there is a lot of standing, greeting, and circulating. They require you to choose between at least half a dozen different beers or ales. The tavern is the American equivalent.

The Hofbräuhaus Brewery of Munich is one of the most famous beer halls in the world. Its history dates back to 1589. According to legend, Wilhelm V, Duke of Bavaria and a member of the Wittelsbach family, found the beer in Munich so bad that he commissioned his own state brewery. The Staatliches Hofbräuhaus was thus born. After centuries of producing beer for the royals, in 1828, the Hofbräuhaus was opened to the public by King Ludwig I of Bavaria. Almost completely destroyed by World War II bombings in 1945, it underwent over a decade of restoration work, finally reopening in 1958. Every day, more than 35,000 people visit the brewery's immense beer halls. Hofbräuhaus has eight franchised beer halls in the United States.

An interesting point of history in regard to the Hofbräuhaus illustrates how far some people will go for a good beer. The German beer hall was so famous that King Gustavius from Sweden accepted to not invade Munich in exchange of 600,000 barrels of the fine brew during the Thirty Years War.

American beer halls became popular in the mid-19th century, following a wave of immigration from Germany to the United States. They became an alternative to the American-style tavern. St. Louis, Missouri and Milwaukee, Wisconsin are notable cities for a number of beer halls, some of which seat several hundred persons. A famous beer hall is the Loerzel Beer Hall. Also known as "The Brewery," it was built in 1873 at 213 Partition Street in Saugerties, Ulster County, New York. The building was a large three-story, brick building that measured 45 feet wide and 65 feet deep. It was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places in 2000.

A new drinking and gathering establishment in the likes of a beer hall is coming to Summerville and will be located at 108 E 3rd N Street next to Brad Mallett's Coastal Coffee Roasters. The establishments name kind of roles off the tongue like a smooth Scottish ale--Godwin's Beer Hall. This is a Rizzo family venture. It is advertised to be a traditional European-style beer hall with selections from over 20 countries. In addition to some of the world's best beer, it will offer wine, mead, cider, and European street food. It is named for Sir Oliver Godwin. It is presently under way and will open soon.

I searched but could find nothing about Sir Oliver. Godwin or Goodwin is an English surname. It has Anglo-Saxon roots and has been used in Britain in some form since before the Norman Conquest of 1066. It comes from the personal name 'Godwine' (friend to God) and would be given to the lineage of those of that forename. That is that. Exactly as to who he was or is, you have have to wait for the full story when the beer hall opens, or possible before.

Such is the history of beer halls, pubs, and taverns. Today, they are all pretty much interchangeable. They are places to meet, commune, and drink. To be sure, there is nothing that can hold a stein to the original German Hofbräuhaus. Godwin's Beer Hall will be a welcome addition to Summerville's social scene. A place to raise a glass of liquid gold, exchange some niceties, talk about good things concerning your neighbors, scheme a new idea, or make a deal. Here's to a successful outcome. Here's to Summerville. Let it grow.

For more updated pics, click on Godwin's Beer Hall.

Be the Talk of Charleston and Consider Doing Something Extraordinary

Charleston is an awesome city for sightseeing. There is history at every turn of the corner and a tour dedicated to assisting you in reliving that history for a brief moment.

As you walk its streets, you are surrounded by the gentle chaos of tourism at its best. Horse drawn carriages prowl the cobbled streets, groups led by knowledgeable guides crowd the corners, families and couples scurry about looking in the windows of its small shops or patiently stand in long lines for an opportunity to eat at one of Charleston's signature restaurants.

Now, imagine having a birds eye view of this menagerie of human activity. It is feasible with one of the many highly technical drones available today. From that vantage point, you can soak in a view of the popular rooftop bar on the Pavilion Hotel gracefully overshadowing the famous landmark called the Old City Market. In the near distance, the South Carolina Aquarium glistens in the sun and the salty bay waters lick the docks where the cruise ship Fantasy resides when in port. Across the rolling water stands old Fort Sumter like a proud sentinel at the edge of Charleston Bay between Sullivan's Island and Morris Island. As you scan back to the waterfront, the many diverse rooftops of the majestic old homes along East Battery come into view culminating at Battery Park. St. Matthew's Church, Old Exchange and Provost Dungeon, Rainbow Row, Dockstreet Theater, and Meeting Street trailing like a cement river are all within view. 

Now, let's take that thought to another level. Imagine physically hovering 165 feet over the downtown district with a glass of wine in your hand. That would be a unique experience, and for the right price, it is within the realm of probable. A Belgian based novelty restaurant can make that once in a lifetime, unique, and unforgettable dining experience possible. In May 2006, Hakuna Matata, a communication agency featuring gourmet pleasures, and The Fungroup, a company specializing in amusement park installations deploying cranes, joined forces to offer a unique concept called Dinner in the Sky.

Brussels

Belgium

Dinner in the Sky is now operating in over 60 countries above some of the most famous landmarks with many of the worlds top chefs and has gained official authorization from the toughest countries, including France, Canada, Australia and Israel. Michelin three-star chef Alain Passard of L'Arpege, a famous restaurant in Paris, prepared a special dinner party in the sky above the stunning Cathedrale d'Amiens, also called Notre-Dame d'Amiens, which is located in the city of Amiens a little over 100 kilometers north of Paris. Other cities include Brussels, Rio de Janeiro, Toronto, Madrid, London, Dublin, Dubai, and Las Vegas. This is a schedule of upcoming events.

Dinner in the Sky is hosted on a platform of 22 people suspended at a height of 160 to 180 feet by a crane. You are seated at tables with three staff in the middle (chef, waiter, entertainer) for a session of up to 8 hours. It can be divided or personalized according to the client’s wishes. An event can be held anywhere (golf course, public place, race track, castle, vineyard, historical site...) as long as there is a surface of approximately 500 square meters that can be secured. Of course, authorization by the owner is required. As far as cost goes, the same type of event as the one hosted by Passard with a star chef cooking above a famous U.S. landmark, like the Grand Canyon or Niagara Falls, would cost anywhere between $50,000 and $100,000, but in Las Vegas it is advertised at $289.00 per person.

This platform can also be used for Swing in the Sky, which gives golfers the incredible experience of playing their swing from 50 meters up. Just think of the driving distance from that tee. Rory Mcllroy would be envious. Other events include Meeting in the Sky, Marriage in the Sky, Movie in the Sky, and Concert in the Sky.

Dinner in the Sky Movie

You can share a dinner or a glass of Champagne with friends while listening to the sounds of Ghanaian drummers; arrange a match of bridge or poker; sip Brandy while enjoying a fine Havana cigar; play a round of baccarat while being entertained by French Cancan dancers; participate in a quiz or a talk show broadcast live from the stars; attend a DJ jam session … all from an altitude of 50 meters.

Dinner in the Sky has been around since 2006. I first reported about the concept in 2010 to the Charleston area and it is one of my most read articles. I thought it was worth another look. Forbes magazine called it "one of the world's ten most unusual restaurants." You definitely would need deep pockets to personally afford this but a business organization or restaurant could consider it if they were into stepping out of the box when it comes to personnel or client parties. Could you see High Cotton hosting a Dinner in the Sky or Fleet Landing.

To be realistic, maneuvering a large crane or finding an open surface of 500 square meters in Charleston would be a challenge. Hey, where there is a will, there is a way. However, looking for something more down to earth? Charleston has a long and diverse list of restaurants to choose from with beautiful roof tops. But what the heck, go for it. Do something extraordinary and consider booking with Dinner in the Sky. You could be the talk of the town.

Contact information for Dinner in the Sky.

Roll the Dice, Make a bet, It is One of Summerville's Distinctive Properties

It is a bit on the difficult side to believe quiet, peaceful, charming Summerville had a "red-light district" in its past. Back in the day, the eatery now known as the Montreux Bar and Grill was a boardinghouse and restaurant operated by a person by the name of Miss Lucia. It was said to have been part of "the red-light district." This would seem to be an apparent contradiction of order, especially when you consider during the time Confederate troops were stationed in the town, they were jailed for bad conduct towards resident females, and rightly so. Different times. Different decades.

On top of houses of ill repute, it also had a gambling casino that was associated with the illustrious Pine Forest Inn--something that would be considered illegal in South Carolina today. Unlike many other states, the state of South Carolina is by far the strictest state when it comes to gambling with no casinos in its major cities. The only legal gambling is on a casino cruise. There is one in Little River called The Big "M" Casino.

Summerville's once upon a time Pine Forest Inn casino was located at 100 Marion Avenue. It is difficult to find any substantial information about the casino itself, but there is great deal of detail available about the house it was located in, and its history is fascinating.

It is believed by residents to have been built somewhere between 1890 and 1900 by Thomas Hopkins and referred to as "Hopkins Villa." The Summerville Scene in April of 1975 called it "the cut-down house." The reason being the original house was built on columns five and a half feet off the ground. When Ralph Sullivan purchased it from Urban M. Kennedy in 1951, he lowered it to the height the present house is at, but he also did something else that would be considered a stunning feat. He moved the complete house from its original location, which was closer to the road, without disturbing the structure, interior, chimneys, and porches. On top of that, he turned it so the main entrance faced Marion Avenue, where it is today. That was some about face. However that was not the only about face it made.

Somewhere between its construction and the 1930's was its gambling days with the Pine Forest Inn. Hopkins left the property to a religious group called the Order of Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy in 1904, who lived there for a number of years but left the property and returned again in the 1930s. Whether it was a casino during that period of time or while Hopkins owned it before he left it to the religious group is a question to be answered with further research. Regardless, that was some about face from vices to virtue.

Today, 100 Marion Avenue is surrounded by white fences and tall bushes. You can get a tempting peek at its main, front entrance through a small gated-opening at the middle of the property. It is a distinctive estate with an arching driveway and expansive porches. It is a fascinating part of Summerville's grand history. Roll the dice, make a bet, it is a history that included what would be considered illegal today.

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Summerville Dream

Summerville's Flowertown Festival 2024 and A Lot More

Summerville is at present shimmering in a sea of magnificent multitudinous masses of magenta. It is the annual azalea bloom putting on its best dress for the upcoming Flowertown Festival hosted in Summerville's Azalea Park.

The flowers are the official doorkeepers of spring greeting all to the celebration of warmer days. Drive anywhere on the streets in the town's historic district between Central Ave. and S. Main and you will be convinced Summerville is rightfully crowned the "Flower Town in the Pines."

Rightfully called the "Flower Town in the Pines" because Summerville is also famous for its pine trees, but unfortunately, the pollen bloom that rains down from its branches when the weather warms is not enthusiastically embraced with happy celebration like the azaleas. With that being said, pine trees and azaleas are a perfect collaboration because azaleas grow well in their shadows.

The varieties of azaleas are as bounteous as its blooms thanks to hybridizing, or crossbreeding. They are native to North America, so it is likely they greeted our arriving ancestors in some form. All North American species are deciduous, meaning they drop their leaves. The evergreen varieties come from Japan where they can be hundreds of years old. 

The azaleas that helped make Summerville famous are most likely the non-native variety. The first hybrids were planted in Charleston, South Carolina. John Grimke Drayton imported the Azalea Indica from Philadelphia where they were grown only in greenhouses by a nurseryman who also had a branch nursery in Charleston, and introduced them into the estate gardens of his rice plantation on the Ashley River. Marie Clinton Hastie wrote about the beginnings of her grandfather's garden, "it was somewhere in the mid 1840s that the Azalea Indica was introduced to Magnolia." His garden was the first in America to plant azaleas outdoors.

In 1932, Grange Cuthbert became the mayor of Summerville. He came up with the plan to take some of the land deeded to Summerville by the "Civic League" between Central Avenue and Magnolia Street and turn it into a mid-town paradise. George Segelken, a pioneer in azalea propagation, entered the picture. Thanks to his generosity Summerville became the place to see these prolific plants in all their abundant glory in 1935. People came from all over to view the lush beauty of the town's Azalea Park. Segelken named the salmon pink colored azalea "Pride of Summerville." The park is the predominant venue of the Flowertown Festival.

The Flowertown Festival ranks as one of the largest festivals in the Southeast with an origin that goes back to 1973. The three-day festival also carries the well-deserved distinction as one of the Top 20 events in the Southeast by the Southeast Tourism Society. One of the main features of this family-oriented festival centers on the promotion of arts and crafts. More than 200 craft artisans and vendors are given the opportunity to showcase their creative wares throughout Azalea Park.

The current festival was predated by a previous one in 1941, when Summerville celebrated the first Azalea Festival--a four-day event that included dances, concerts, a parade, and a formal ball. The festival promoted local business and celebrated the town's community pride, a pride as old as the trees. Summerville's rich history dates all the way back to the late 1600s.

Along with the Flowertown Festival, there will be The Southern Songwriter Festival--in collaboration with Summerville Dream, the Community Music Collective, and the Edisto Blackwater Boogie. 12 talented songwriters will perform in downtown Summerville on Short Central for a night of musical entertainment. It's free to the public, so bring a chair, the kids, and the pets. Time will be 6 pm to 10 pm.

Artists include: Sean Keefer, Lori Rinken, Scotty Oliver, Macy Crawford, Chris Rinken, Anna Crosby, Katie Lyon, Fleming Moore, Chris Roberts, Graham Whorley, Mark Yampolsky, and Dan Riley

If that is not enough, the 2024 Farmer's Market will begin on Saturday April 6, and will have extended hours of 8am-6pm. 

Well, that is Summerville—azaleas and the biggest festival in the Southeast. While visiting for the Flowertown Festival, when you see me walking around town be sure to say, "Hey." I am always interested in making new acquaintances.

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Summerville Dream