We visit the Cal-Neva Resort, Spa & Casino, as they celebrate over 75 years of continuous gambling and hotel service in Lake Tahoe. Once owned by the late Frank Sinatra, Cal-Neva is the oldest running casino in the West and is fittingly named for being half in California and half in Nevada. This historic landmark features 220 rooms overlooking spectacular Lake Tahoe. We take you behind-the-scenes to get an idea of what the "Lady of the Lake" was like in its heyday, when celebrities and politicians such as Marilyn Monroe and John F. Kennedy visited the famed lodge.

www.calnevaresort.com

Lighthouse Hostels
Built in the 1870's, Point Montara and Pigeon Point reside on California's highway. After decades of saving ships from ruin along the rugged coast, they retired and became state historic sites. They now serve as hostels, offering inexpensive shelter to travelers from around the globe at a prime location on the Pacific coast.

Hostelling International-USA
www.hiusa.org
Hostelling International -- Golden Gate Council
www.norcalhostels.org

Delta Towns
We visit three historic Delta towns and interview locals about living on the Delta. Join us as we see the sights in Walnut Grove, including a stop at Alma's Café, visit with local farmers, and drop in to a barbershop that has been open since 1915. The next stop is Isleton, where locals proudly refer to their home as Crawdad Town USA. Plus, we visit the quaint river town of Rio Vista and
make stops at the Rio Vista
Museum and Foster's Bighorn.

www.californiadelta.org

Tiburon
Named from the Spanish Punta de Tiburon (Shark Point), Tiburon is a quaint fishing town filled with amazing stories and historic buildings. We go on a tour of the restored China Cabin, a one time Victorian drawing room of a passenger and cargo steamer. We also stop at Sam's Anchor Cafe known for its scandalous history, and the Water's Edge Hotel, one of the best spots to
stay in Marin County.

Tiburon Peninsula Chamber of Commerce
www.tiburon.citysearch.com
Water's Edge Hotel
www.marinhotels.com

Balloon Pioneer
There is no better way to see the Napa Valley region than in a romantic hot air balloon. We visit Donna Dunrud, a 25-year balloon pilot and the first woman to ever cross the Grand Canyon in a hot air balloon. As a registered minister, Donna has performed numerous wedding ceremonies and vow renewals while flying above the vineyards and trees of Napa.

www.napavalleyaloft.com

Bass Lake
Nestled at the back door of Yosemite is Bass Lake, a favorite travel location considered one of the best boating spots in California. Tune in as we take a walk along the Mono trail and learn about the native Mono Indians, eat hamburgers at The Forks restaurant and cruise on the Bass Lake Queen.

www.basslake.com

Truckee Rails
Join us as we ride the rails through the Sierra Nevada and experience the nostalgia of Amtrak's California Zephyr Line. We catch the train in Sacramento headed to Truckee, Calif., and meet docents John Bishop and Leonard Kennedy from the California State Railroad Museum who give passengers a daily narration about the route's history. We also visit the historic
Truckee Hotel, a famous old
mountain get-away.

California State Railroad Museum
www.californiastaterailroadmuseum.org
Truckee Hotel
www.truckeehotel.com

Asilomar
Situated on the Monterey Peninsula is the Asilomar Conference Grounds, offering a turn-of-the-century charm at an inexpensive rate. This haven was originally designed as a summer camp for girls more than 80 years ago. Plus, we visit the nearby National Steinbeck Center in Salinas for insight into Nobel Peace prizewinner author John Steinbeck who wrote "The Grapes
of Wrath" and "Of Mice and Men."

Bodega
We visit Chanslor Horse Ranch in Bodega Bay for a scenic horseback ride on the beach.

Other Stories
We also go on the road less traveled to the town of McCloud,
see the newly renovated Ryde Hotel, relax in Pacific Grove and visit Hanford off of Highway 99.

Season eight of "Central Valley Chronicles" is underwritten in part by Classic Living.