128. Uncover the Spooky and the Strange With Joe from Weird California
About the Guest(s):
Joe Parzones is the founder and curator of Weird California, a comprehensive website dedicated to chronicling the strange, unusual, and fascinating aspects of California. Originally from New Jersey, Joe moved to California in the 90s and has since been captivated by the state’s unique blend of historic, mysterious, and bizarre attractions.
Residing in San Luis Obispo, Joe has become an expert in California’s quirkiest landmarks, continuing to update and expand his website with unique stories and captivating legends.
Episode Summary:
In this engaging episode of the LA Hackers podcast, host Stefan invites Joe Parzones, the mastermind behind the popular website Weird California, to dive deep into the golden state’s weirdest attractions.
Originally from New Jersey, Joe discusses how his unexpected move to California sparked his fascination with peculiar and forgotten places.
Now based in San Luis Obispo, Joe recounts his extensive adventures through California’s cryptic locales—from haunted hotels to bizarre roadside sculptures.
Joe details the evolution of Weird California into a comprehensive guide to the state’s oddities, including haunted locales, mythical monsters, roadside attractions, and programmatic architecture.
As Halloween approaches, Joe shares eerie tales about California’s most famous haunts, like the Queen Mary and the spirited stories of Griffith Park. He also highlights intriguing roadside attractions such as the muffler men, the mystical Pumpkin Rock, and Los Angeles’ vintage programmatic architecture.
This episode serves as a fascinating journey through California’s unnoticed and intriguing histories, offering listeners tips on must-visit weird spots across the state.
Key Takeaways:
- Weird California Origins: Joe Parzones created Weird California to document the state’s wide array of bizarre, haunted, and forgotten locations, driven by his fascination since moving from New Jersey in the 90s.
- Ghostly Histories: Places like the Queen Mary and Griffith Park are discussed for their chilling tales and rich history, making them perfect spooky spots for October.
- Roadside Wonders: Joe highlights unique roadside attractions including the famous muffler men statues and themed locations like the Pumpkin Rock that mark California’s streets.
- Programmatic Architecture: The episode explores iconic structures that reflect their purpose, such as the Donut Hole and Idle Hour, emphasizing California’s creative architectural history.
- Exploration Tips: Joe offers insights on planning trips to discover California’s strangest spots, like Lake Elsinore’s mysterious legends or the sculpture parks in the desert.
Notable Quotes:
- “Weird California is a website that tracks all of the weird and unusual things in California, or as much of it as I can find and get on the website.”
- “The Muffler Men are these statues… they were built back in the 60s and 70s. They attract people because, you know, back in the 60s and 70s we didn’t have freeways the same way.”
- “Halloween is super popular in California and especially in Los Angeles…what are some good stories about haunted places in Los Angeles?”
- “If you want to drive down to Lake Elsinore, Lake Elsinore actually has quite a bit of weirdness there, like the sea serpent or lake monster named Elsie.”
- “We sometimes drive from San Luis Obispo up towards Monterey on long Route 1 past Big Sur. And that has always been mine and my daughter’s probably our best trip.”
Resources:
- Weird California Website: weirdca.com or weirdcalifornia.com
- Weird Nevada Website: weirdnv.com
For those intrigued by tales of oddities and adventures off the beaten path, this episode of LA Hackers with Joe Parzones is a must-listen.
Embark on a journey into the heart of California’s strangest locales and stay tuned for more episodes exploring hidden gems and mysterious locations throughout the state.