From our Archives: Fiesta time
CIRCLE UP Students at Freedom School take part in their annual fiesta on May 26, 1955. The Pajaronian, photo by Sam Vestal
The other half of Half Moon Bay
I left off in the first half of this story about our overnighter last month in Half Moon Bay as we wrapped up breakfast at the Half Moon Bay Lodge and headed off for a glimpse of the town.
First up was a visit to...
Taking in a slice of Half Moon Bay
While our travels have taken us to far away spots like Finland, Mexico City, China and Quebec, the road trips my wife Sarah and I have taken over the last several years have also proven to be tremendously fulfilling and loaded with surprises.
In April...
From Our Archives: On track
The Watsonville Union High track team hits the field for a competition on March 13, 1955. (Sam Vestal/Pajaronian archives)
Digging up roots in Sacramento
I’ve been visiting Sacramento my entire life. As a kid, my family ventured into the state’s capital numerous times, mainly to learn more about where my mother was born in 1927 before her family uprooted and moved to China for the next 15 years....
Photo Gallery April 11, 2025
These are a collection of images from our photojournalist Tarmo Hannula that did not make it into stories, but we think should be enjoyed. Do you have a photo you’d like to be considered for our gallery? Send it to [email protected].
From Our Archives: Loma Linda fire
TEAM WORK A chef and other staff at the long-standing Loma Linda Restaurant in Watsonville help Watsonville firefighters tackle a major fire that tore through the restaurant on Nov. 17, 1956. (Sam Vestal/Pajaronian file).
From Our Archives: Scouts Honor
Editor’s note: From Our Archives is a feature created by photojournalist Tarmo Hannula, who discovered boxes upon boxes of old photo negatives in storage. If you have any old Watsonville-centered photos you’d like to see run, email [email protected].
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Local Girl Scouts Fredora Holm (left) and...
Oakland’s rich history at the waterfront
Arriving in Jack London Square in Oakland after a short trip from San Jose, the doors swung open, and we started to explore the harbor in Oakland, the vast array of shops and restaurants along the waterfront and railroad tracks and savored of one...
A different view: our short train trip to Oakland
For a different take on the road trips my wife Sarah and I have taken over the last few years, we recently took a train to Oakland for the day in December.
We parked at the San Jose Diridon Station, an historic landmark built in...
Man shot on Freedom Boulevard Friday night
A man was taken to a trauma center Friday night after he was shot in the head while driving along Freedom Boulevard.
According to radio...






















