California Ghost Towns Part 1 // Locke, State Route 160

Рет қаралды 14,447

Күн бұрын

I happened to be in Sacramento with our track and field team (my full-time job), and had some free time to explore around the area. Locke, California, is one of the best ghost towns I've ever seen! It's the only remaining rural Chinese settlement in the country! I take a stroll down the historic district and then explore around the rest of town as well with some cool drone shots. On the way home, I drove up the winding State Route 160 towards Sacramento stopping off in Paintersville, Courtland, and Hood. Fun day in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Valley!
T-shirt: Boost Treadmills
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0:00 Intro
1:02 Downtown Locke
5:47 Town & Drone Tour
7:40 State Route 160
10:28 Outtakes
Music
Green Green Garden - Chris Haugen
The Engagement - Silent Partner

Пікірлер: 129

@HammerHead202 Жыл бұрын

I used to live in Locke! I lived in an apartment above the church overlooking the Chinese gardens. It was heavenly

@TravelwithaWiseguy Жыл бұрын

That’s awesome! I am hoping to go back at the end of July and hang out one evening!

@HammerHead202 Жыл бұрын

We used to hang out at Al The Wops! I worked at the Ryde Hotel and Wimpys. It was so much fun there!

@scubaman6 Ай бұрын

I live within a few miles of Locke and have enjoyed visiting over the years, also Walnut Grove and other small towns up and down the River on Rt 160.

@bglrj Жыл бұрын

That was an incredible post. As I said on your other post, I first visited Locke in 1972. I am shocked at how little it has changed. I ran into a guy who had just bought one of the buildings and he showed me around. There were dusty roulette and craps tables, places for smoking opium, and cribs for the prostitutes. He explained that in 1949, they elected an honest county sheriff who shut the place down. Before then, it was wide open. There were elderly Chinese men off in the distance wearing silk gowns with their hair braided down their backs. The guy said that they would not speak to you, even though they knew English. Lots and lots of cats. I remember Al's Place was particularly good. It was one of the most memorable days I have ever had.

@TravelwithaWiseguy Жыл бұрын

Awesome! I would’ve loved to have spoken with some locals but it was very early in the morning on a Wednesday and no one was around. Thanks for the post!

@aliceevans3357 Жыл бұрын

Glad to see you're in California, I'm happy to see your videos from that state as well. Though no one in Locke was around the dogs and cat welcomed you. 😉 Have a great summer exploring. stay safe and GOD bless

@TravelwithaWiseguy Жыл бұрын

@@aliceevans3357 Thanks! Yes the cats were plentiful in Locke! I appreciate the support - looking forward to the summer :)

@gdroege44 Жыл бұрын

The historical places you find continue to amaze me. 👍

@TravelwithaWiseguy Жыл бұрын

That amaze me as well! 😂

@jamescoe4765 10 күн бұрын

Locke was a destination for many Sacramento politicians in the 1960's. On a Friday night I remember seeing many expensive cars parked there because AL THE WOP'S was famous for steak dinners and a bar that had dollar bills stuck to the ceiling. The bar would be packed with fancy suits and dresses drinking while waiting for their tables. They would fold a dollar bill, stick a thumb tack in it and use a silver dollar to throw it up to the ceiling where it would stick allowing the coin to drop back down. What fun! Those glory days are gone.

@bentontatum4175 Ай бұрын

Al the Wop is still open, great food and a cool place to have a cool refreshing beverage, unfortunately Locke Garden closed a few months ago, they had some of the best food in the area. Not sure why they closed, maybe tired of working for so many years. Great place too visit and hang out.

@tillitrueheart971 16 күн бұрын

Loved your post. Never heard of Locke but fascinating to hear about the history. Thx!

@TravelwithaWiseguy 16 күн бұрын

Really interesting place to visit!

@user-uj5kn6co5q 11 ай бұрын

My dad grew up in Sacramento and knew about Locke which he took us to in 1971 and the place has changed very little since then. The place across the street from the soda fountain is where the locals hang out, they are mostly artists who live there now as you can tell by the open hours of the soda fountain which posts the hours maybe open, most likely open, probably open, should be open. The land was owned by Locke and the homes where owned by the Chinese who leased the land the homes stood on. The big business in town is Al the Wops (politically corrected to Al's place) it was a seedy dive bar restaurant but with the times like most places along 160 has new owners and an upscale take on the old menu items.

@theblackbear211 Жыл бұрын

Loved the video... the Sacramento delta is an interesting place. I haven't been through Locke in years. Chinese temples are still found in California, in places that if you didn't know the history, you would never suspect.

@TravelwithaWiseguy Жыл бұрын

Very interesting! I’d love to learn more about the area. A lot of gold mining history close as well!

@theblackbear211 Жыл бұрын

@@TravelwithaWiseguy Indeed, there is. There is a Chinese Temple in Oroville - which isn't too far from Sacramento. Also there is a lot of railroad history nearby. I know of another historic Chinese temple in Hanford, Ca - but that is south of Fresno.

@GG-vx7gi 4 ай бұрын

The recent book Razzmatazz by Christopher Moore uses Locke as one of the main settings for the primary storyline. Much of it very accurate to what you showed and mentioned.

@TravelwithaWiseguy 4 ай бұрын

Sounds interesting!

@ThEShApeOfACiRcLE Ай бұрын

I live right across i5 and drive this across 160 all the time whenever im feeling down, its good to see courtland and the spot that i pull off and stare at the river in a video

@TravelwithaWiseguy Ай бұрын

It's a beautiful little drive!

@sueelliott3206 Жыл бұрын

Neat little town. TFS Love the added video as well.

@TravelwithaWiseguy Жыл бұрын

Thanks! It was a fun little drive!

@stevehilliard1495 Жыл бұрын

Yay for the return of the dogs🤓

@TravelwithaWiseguy Жыл бұрын

Woohoo!! 🐕

@NBZW 2 ай бұрын

Who remembers, Al the Wop’s ? Steaks served with peanut butter 😂. Just remembered an incident, went to the Wop’s for dinner, north wind blowing a gale when leaving after the steak smelled smoke. Some idiot had ignited a burn barrel on the northern end of the street

@empressvogt Жыл бұрын

Years ago my favorite show Ghost Adventures did an episode on Locke. You managed to show TWO of the buildings! The structure across from Al's Place and the Dai Loy Musuem! I loved the cat at the end. They're so awesome.

@TravelwithaWiseguy Жыл бұрын

I’ll have to try and find that show! Thanks! And there were lots of cats 😂😂

@deborahross9974 4 ай бұрын

Locke California was a very interesting place. Beautiful plants and buildings. Didn't mention the population of either town. Beautiful scenery too. Thank you for the trip. Happy trails to you and God bless.

@TravelwithaWiseguy 4 ай бұрын

For sure! It was in my top-10 video list this year because I liked it so much too! It’s unincorporated so it doesn’t have an actual “population” figure but I’ve heard maybe a dozen people live there.

@ThePensive8 Жыл бұрын

There is Locke Winery that I love going to out there

@carlhunt6891 Жыл бұрын

Only one way to say it.........fascinating!!!

@TravelwithaWiseguy Жыл бұрын

Very!!

@julieschossow9315 Жыл бұрын

Neat town!

@Ladybassguitarplayer Жыл бұрын

Just found your channel today! This was so much fun. I am fascinated by the gold towns. I can't wait to see part 2! Thanks for doing this.

@TravelwithaWiseguy Жыл бұрын

Thank you! Next one will be where gold was discovered!

@Ladybassguitarplayer Жыл бұрын

@@TravelwithaWiseguy I can't wait!

@travis303 Жыл бұрын

Thank you for taking us with you to California. Since you were there in business I hope nobody got mad at you wandering off to film for KZfaq

@TravelwithaWiseguy Жыл бұрын

Not at all! This meet had a lot of down time so I was pretty bored actually haha. Most of our competition was in the evening. I have two other videos I filmed as well.

@travis303 Жыл бұрын

@@TravelwithaWiseguy I wasn't sure how much you had to stay with your team.

@TravelwithaWiseguy Жыл бұрын

College kids like to sleep in haha, I was back before they ate breakfast/lunch :)

@travis303 Жыл бұрын

@@TravelwithaWiseguy I thought it was more structured than that. Have to be up for breakfast, take the kids site seeing or something, go to stadium, etc.

@TravelwithaWiseguy Жыл бұрын

Sometimes it’s like that but this was our national prelims so less athletes and more down time. Competing late into the night so the athletes need their rest.

@eburro62331 Жыл бұрын

Fascinating!! Thanks so much for taking us along for the trip! Glad you got a 4x4!

@TravelwithaWiseguy Жыл бұрын

Haha I think I'm still hurting from my 4x4 :)

@Robert-yn9xg Жыл бұрын

I worked in walnut Grove for a couple years

@martharunstheworld 11 ай бұрын

I love Locke! Also when ordering fries at In & Out, always ask for them extra crispy!

@brandiewhisenhunt289 Жыл бұрын

Very cool !

@TravelwithaWiseguy Жыл бұрын

@JustLou71 Жыл бұрын

What a fascinating place Locke is, added to my list of must sees next time I'm in California. Last time I was in CA. I went to Manzanar and knew nothing about the history of the Japanese during the WW2 time. I know that and this is completely different. But I just find it fascinating the history behind all immigrants to the US. The US was built upon the backs of immigrants.

@TravelwithaWiseguy Жыл бұрын

I was fascinated the whole time I was there! Very interesting place to visit if you're ever in that area. Beautiful area too!

@calinativexobts191 Жыл бұрын

Just discovered your channel through this video and you’ve gained a new subscriber. Love the historical background and your editing. I went to Locke when the town was open and you definitely have to check out the interior of the buildings. The history is very much alive once you enter the buildings, especially the Dai Loy Casino. I also remember enjoying my meal at the Locke Garden Restaurant. Looking forward to another visit after seeing this video.

@TravelwithaWiseguy Жыл бұрын

Thank you very much! I really enjoyed my visit to Locke and am hoping to go back again at the end of July!!

@vickigraves8597 Жыл бұрын

Thank you for another great tour! I hope your team did well.

@TravelwithaWiseguy Жыл бұрын

Thank you! And we did pretty well on the track too 😊

@ms.annthrope415 3 ай бұрын

Lived in the foothills for 20 years. Been to Locke a few times. Very interesting history. Al the Wop is still there. There is a chinese elementary school with a portrait if Chinese leader Chaing Kai Shek hanging in the wall. The statue of Dr. Sun Yet Sin represents who was considered thr George Washington of modern China, but a deeper history showed that Dr. Sun wasn't much of a founding father. He floundered over and over and didn't accomplish much. The Dai Loy Museum is fascinating. Back then it was the social center, job clearing house, gambling, socializing, and the local tong headquarters, allegedly.

@brendacejda7069 Жыл бұрын

Gotta love a video with a happy ending! Looked delicious! I've flown into SAC Airport numerous times and have never heard of this settlement. Very interesting!

@TravelwithaWiseguy Жыл бұрын

Definitely worth a visit next time you’re in town!

@richardquinn7824 Жыл бұрын

We just moved to Sacramento last week. Excited to add this to the list of day trips

@TravelwithaWiseguy Жыл бұрын

Very cool spot to check out! Enjoy!

@lifewithjosef Жыл бұрын

I've ridden CA-160 and the connecting roads for decades. As always

@TravelwithaWiseguy Жыл бұрын

I’m a rookie haha! Might be back there at the end of July.

@kaymerry369 Жыл бұрын

This was a great experience to visit Locke. The river area was interesting. Field of agriculture plantings. Not sure type but beautiful in drone coverage. Thanks for explaining Hood. Please understand I have been checking out things on the prairies and neglecting cities . Ha ! Great looking burger. Enjoy. Appreciate you John.😊

@TravelwithaWiseguy Жыл бұрын

Yes I usually ignore the cities as well 😂😂

@aliceevans3357 Жыл бұрын

Good luck on your schools meets! 🏆🏅

@TravelwithaWiseguy Жыл бұрын

Thank you!!

@lorlast5204 Жыл бұрын

I frequent Sacramento and never heard of this place.. how interesting ❤ it!

@TravelwithaWiseguy Жыл бұрын

It’s a fun stop next time you’re in the area!

@marioalonso1977 Жыл бұрын

When you said you were visiting up north, I just knew you would end up in Locke….great video brother!

@TravelwithaWiseguy Жыл бұрын

Thank you! Really enjoyed visiting!

@tinman7130 Жыл бұрын

Lots of Locke to still see. I knew a girl from Painter, very colorful past. I'm sure she had been in court land more then once. Great video and such a surprise, California. Ya keep us guessing. Hope your track team did good and above all had fun.

@TravelwithaWiseguy Жыл бұрын

😂😂 Thanks for watching and for the laughs!

@mw2269 Жыл бұрын

Your in my neck of the woods. Thats on my way to Courtland for the Pear Fair

@TravelwithaWiseguy Жыл бұрын

Nice! Very beautiful area to explore!

@jerryrichardson8029 Жыл бұрын

Awesome video !!! Unique place this Locke, CA. I never knew such a place existed. I agree with you that it would be quite interesting to visit there when things were open and operating. Looking forward to part two of this adventure. Nice 4x4 burger btw.

@TravelwithaWiseguy Жыл бұрын

Thanks! I really enjoyed my time there! I'll be back in Sacramento later this summer so maybe I'll stop by again!

@hungarysammy Жыл бұрын

Very cool city!! I'd love to see it when it's open too! Love the road you travel! Always enjoy the dog greetings!😅 And now, I'm dying to try the In and Out Burger! Heard alot about it from friends! Great video!!

@TravelwithaWiseguy Жыл бұрын

I was only gonna do Locke but that drive was so pretty I thought about filming some of it! Thanks! I always enjoy a good burger 😊

@pamelacrowe4971 Жыл бұрын

Thanks for the history. Dogs and cats there in this video. Lol

@TravelwithaWiseguy Жыл бұрын

There were a lot of cats I didn't show haha! Thanks!

@stevemccoy8138 Жыл бұрын

Amazing scenery, we love In and Out Burger 🍔

@TravelwithaWiseguy Жыл бұрын

Tasty burger! :)

@juliogonzales5441 Жыл бұрын

Great 👍

@terriquotskuyva4594 Жыл бұрын

Very interesting community.. I think ghost adventures went there to do their investigation. Love this episode!!

@TravelwithaWiseguy Жыл бұрын

I saw that one! Interesting!

@francisbarlow9904 Жыл бұрын

Great video John, what a lovely place Locke seems to be, I'm envious of you! Like you said it would have been better if you had gone there mid day time but needs must. Thank you.

@TravelwithaWiseguy Жыл бұрын

Thanks! I’m hoping to stop by again later this summer when I’m back In Sacramento!

@jljordan1 Жыл бұрын

I knew I saw a kitty in street earlier in the video!

@TravelwithaWiseguy Жыл бұрын

Haha yes! There were actually lots of them in Locke!

@bertholini2810 Жыл бұрын

Lordy mercy what a huge burger. Good luck with your track/field team !! Be good, be safe ! Was the stores in Locke open ? (could you buy stuff if you had money ?)

@TravelwithaWiseguy Жыл бұрын

Yes it was, but I managed to battle through the burger haha! Thanks we had a good competition :) It looked like there were several stores that were in business. It was like 8am when I filmed this so I'm assuming they're open later or on the weekends.

@onrycodger Жыл бұрын

This o'l hillbilly always enjoys your videos. Thumbs up 👍

@TravelwithaWiseguy Жыл бұрын

Thanks so much ol' hillbilly!

@kristaseyler654 Жыл бұрын

Great video if you're ever back there go out by death valley to the china date ranch and have a date shake !! Its a fun and interesting place of great history 😊

@TravelwithaWiseguy Жыл бұрын

Would love to visit someday!

@franks551 3 ай бұрын

Haha I drive thru here everyday to work it is nice out here except the small mined folks

@idaleung8003 2 ай бұрын

The Locke Foundation gives group tours by appt.

@michelle_m4446 8 ай бұрын

You did a great job of showcasing these crap towns.

@TravelwithaWiseguy 8 ай бұрын

Haha thanks I think 😂

@michelle_m4446 8 ай бұрын

@TravelwithaWiseguy no, that was a compliment . Sorry for the ambiguity. I used to reside in Walnut Grove during the pandemic. So that colors my view of the place. But your video was awesome and it captured how truly beautiful the landscape of the delta is. A lot of people even in the surrounding counties dont realize what they have in their own backyard

@TravelwithaWiseguy 7 ай бұрын

Gotcha - thank you very much! From an outsider’s perspective it’s a very interesting place!

@asimplehorseman4648 Жыл бұрын

I think I need a 4x4!!

@TravelwithaWiseguy Жыл бұрын

It’ll set you free! 😂😂

@MrOneanddone91 Жыл бұрын

Looks like Old Sacramento

@TravelwithaWiseguy Жыл бұрын

It would fit in there!

@cowgirl2 Жыл бұрын

It's strange, though. For a ghost town there are a lot of vehicles parked on the street. I guess a lot of people like to stop there and look around. The town looks pretty well preserved.

@TravelwithaWiseguy Жыл бұрын

There are still some people living there, but a small percentage compared to what it used to be. I read maybe 10-20 Chinese remaining and then a variety of others.

@CoViN88 Жыл бұрын

you gotta say double double animal style

@TravelwithaWiseguy Жыл бұрын

Always a popular choice!

@rossbryan6102 Жыл бұрын

IF YOU ARE GOING TO HANG AROUND THIS AREA A FEW DAYS , GO TO RENO AND ATTEND THE AMERICAN TRUCK HISTORICAL SOCIETY TRUCK SHOW AND CONVENTION JUNE 8,9 10, AT THE GRAND SIERRA! THIS IS THE COUNTRYS BIGGEST TRUCK SHOW!!

@TravelwithaWiseguy Жыл бұрын

Thanks! Unfortunately I’m already back in Kansas.

@rossbryan6102 Жыл бұрын

@@TravelwithaWiseguy LEAVING FRIDAY EVE AND HEADED THERE! THANKS FOR THE VIEWING OF THE CENTRAL VALLEY, THE AGRICULTURE OF THE AREA IS QUITE INTERESTING AS WELL AS THE HISTORY!

@ronfullerton3162 Жыл бұрын

@@TravelwithaWiseguy You just travel too fast! Slowdown and enjoy! Ha ha ha as if you would make these videos if you were a roadrunner.

@TravelwithaWiseguy Жыл бұрын

@@ronfullerton3162 Haha I definitely enjoy everywhere I go!!

@ronfullerton3162 Жыл бұрын

@@TravelwithaWiseguy And we enjoy right along with you!

@akgobears 2 ай бұрын

People from all over have been eating at Al the WOPs for yrs ....And i mean forever

@travis303 Жыл бұрын

I'm confused. Are any of these businesses still open or are they up just for show and preservation? There are lots of cars, I don't know if that means there are lots of tourists or people living in town still or what. I didn't see many, or any, other people in your filming.

@TravelwithaWiseguy Жыл бұрын

I think it's a combination of both. There definitely looked like some businesses were running but it was like 8am on a Wednesday when I was there. They might only be open in the evenings or weekends.

@travis303 Жыл бұрын

"Early in the morning on a weekday" I don't know what you mean by early in the morning, like 7 a.m.? Isn't the weekday when normal business is conducted? I'm always confused by these small towns that everything is closed on a weekday. From my experience that is when virtually all business is conducted, weekdays.

@TravelwithaWiseguy Жыл бұрын

8am on a Wednesday is when I was there. From being in several "tourist" small towns like this might be, I've noticed that hours are often only on weekends or later in the day. I imagine Al's Place is a bar so later in the day, but the shops are more likely weekend. There were also lots of buildings that were empty. Almost as if they are in the middle of rebuilding them.

@deenavisser4067 Ай бұрын

Where is part two of this

@TravelwithaWiseguy Ай бұрын

kzfaq.info/sun/PL4jqwLUrhjNTd4BfmmV4KlEX_G3XgvYIZ&si=pcMZU0HgWTSSVQFr

@kristaseyler654 Жыл бұрын

Oh no not in n out yuck 😫 whataburger is top notch !! I had them once waited in the drive through for almost an hour and the burgers were sloppy and no flavor fries were chalky and no ice in my pop ill never go back to in n out ever again .

@TravelwithaWiseguy Жыл бұрын

😂😂 I like both of them! Gotta get the fries animal style 😊

@alexandermatthews145 Жыл бұрын

Ghost town then how come there is 200 perfectly good cars there 🤔

@TravelwithaWiseguy Жыл бұрын

Great question - there are many definitions of a ghost town. Locke is just a fraction of what it used to be and there are maybe a dozen Chinese people left as compared to when there used to be thousands. So the Chinese portion of the town is almost gone if that makes sense.