We have compiled a list of places that are not there anymore in and around California. Take a trip down memory lane, and feel free to suggest places that no longer exist in the comments section.
Troutdale Trout Pools Agoura Hills
Troutdale Trout Ponds has closed for good. This family-friendly roadside attraction was one of those places you drive by and wonder what it is. Troutdale was not designed for avid trout fishermen but for kids to learn about fishing or adults who want fresh trout for dinner.
The fun factor is way up there, especially if it is a first-time fishing experience. A fishing license was not required at Troutdale; bait and poles were available, and you could always catch a fish. You could even have your fish cleaned by the staff, so all you had to was cook it when you got home.
Troutdale was initially built in the 1930s with two concrete-lined pools. Back then, this area was out in the middle of nowhere. Today Troutdale is not there anymore. Mansions and ranches surround the remains of the pools. The property will likely become a large residence with an intriguing past.
Bonnie Springs Ranch Near Las Vegas
Bonnie Springs Ranch was located near the Red Rock Canyon, 20 miles west of Las Vegas. Bonnie Springs Ranch started as a stopover for wagon trains traveling the Old Spanish Trail to California. Since the 1950s, the ranch has been a roadside tourist attraction.
Bonnie Springs Ranch featured an old west town, a miniature train ride, a motel, and a chapel for folks that wanted an old west wedding. They were also a large stable area that offered guided horseback trail rides and pony rides for kids.
In 2019 Bonnie Springs Ranch was sold to a group of developers. After plans for a new high-end home development were finalized in 2022, the ranch’s western town was demolished and is not there anymore. Construction started on the guard-gated housing project in early 2023. Homes will be in the 5-million dollar range.
Myrtle Creek Botanical Gardens
Myrtle Creek Botanical Gardens in Fallbrook is no longer open to the public. A fire in April 2022 destroyed the property’s Landmark Farm House. The Nursery is still available for wholesale trees and shrubs. Myrtle Creek was a family-run business, started in 1979 as a roadside stand. The company grew and expanded for 40 years, drawing visitors from all over Southern California.
Reasons for closing the facility include the garden’s popularity with increased neighborhood traffic and the loss of the historic farmhouse. Also destroyed in the fire was Myrtle Creek’s iconic barn. Myrtle Creek Botanical Gardens closed permanently to the public.
Mount Baldy Trout Pools
Located along Mt Baldy road in the San Gabriel Mountains, the trout pools delighted families for over 50 years. Anglers were all but guaranteed a catch making this the right place for kids to learn how to fish. The trout pools are still there, but there is no more fishing.
The Mt. Baldy Trout Pools closed for good in April 2020. A spokesperson for the family-owned business stated, “We regret to inform you that we will be closing the Trout Pools down permanently due to several factors in our personal lives,” the Bescoby family wrote on Facebook.
The pools may be closed. However, you can still drive up Mt Baldy Road to Baldy Resort. From the parking area, you will have the chairlift to the resort. This lift is different from the Plam Springs tram. The chairs are open with your feet dangling in the air and carry only two passengers. The ride lasts 15 minutes and about one mile with a 1300-foot climb.
Paramount Ranch Old West Movie Town
A fast-moving fire destroyed Paramount Ranch Western Town on 11/10/18. The National Park Service plans to rebuild the western buildings that meet current fire codes. The only two remaining buildings are the chapel and train depot. There are lots more to see and do at the park, but the park service seems to be in no hurry to recreate its famous western town.
Watson’s Soda Fountain Orange CA
Watson’s soda fountain opened in 1915, and for generations, it was the place for ice cream soda and gathering with friends and family. In July 2022, Watson’s soda fountain closed its door for good. Watson’s was the oldest continuously operating soda fountain in California.
Watson’s soda fountain was at 116 E Chapman Ave, Orange, California.
International Banana Museum
The Banana Museum is way off the beaten path for many reasons. Located along Highway 111 adjacent to the Salton Sea, this little museum is defiantly one of a kind. But if you are planning a trip to Salvation Mountain, it was an exciting stop. This little out-of-the-way museum closed in early 2022. Perhaps a victim of the covid pandemic, or the owners have moved on. For whatever reason, the Bannan Museum is Not There anymore.
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