Posted by pgathriller Wonder what sparked the sudden splurge in security?

I'm not sure but I have a good guess.

Before the recession the city was planning a new town center development on the site that would have torn down most of the ruins--even the two silos that are on the city's seal were slated for demolition. Those plans fell apart in 2008 or 2009, but there's a new development plan now that would retain much more of the ruins. I'm guessing they feel more of a need to protect what's there than they did before. I have been going for years, usually at night, and never ran into anything other than skunks and owls.

From the city's website:

The Napa Valley Ruins & Gardens area envisioned as a new gathering place for residents and visitors and may include a variety of commercial uses such as:
o Farmer's Market
o 200 room Hotel
o Winery
o Restaurants
o Venue for outdoor entertainment and other tourism and community uses

More details and pics here (large file--5.6mb):
http://cityofameri...px?documentid=4816

They still haven't figured out how to provide water for the new development, so this site could be in limbo for a while longer.

Such a simple spot, but it looks super cool. I don't know why.

Has anyone managed to get atop those silo things?

Is this in or closer to Petaluma? I drive the 101 often but have never seen this...

Other side of the Bay.

Here's some Pics & Pans from my trip

1. Me at the "focus" of the shadows


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4.


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6. Nails sticking out of the roof....

I just checked this place out this weekend and ran into a very serious security dude. I did some research when I got home and turns out there are plans to turn the ruins into an ugly beige housing development. The ruins are policed by an armed security company called Black Talon, local to Napa. Also pretty sure he was called when we parked on a side street so the neighbors are paying attention.

He wasn't able to approach us trespassing on the grounds but he did follow us back to the car when he saw us near the entrance and took down the plate number. Fair warning, if you go exploring out here, this dude takes his job very seriously.

Haha! Evilbunny and I also went out this weekend for a joint Mare Island/Plant visit. We were detected within five minutes of passing the fence, though the guy was nice enough to let us go. Pretty certain the locals down the street contacted them. We also encountered Black Talon while poking around the island-at least one patrol car passed us, made a sharp U-turn and then began driving around the island blatantly shadowing us and trying to radio someone until we left.

Black Talon is annoying. The City of Vallejo and American Canyon went bankrupt and yet they contracted Downtown and Northern Mare Island to Black Talon to clear the streets of undesirables. Evidently there is a history of complaints of harassment to photographers and locals.

Posted by Clostridium Haha! Evilbunny and I also went out this weekend for a joint Mare Island/Plant visit. We were detected within five minutes of passing the fence, though the guy was nice enough to let us go. Pretty certain the locals down the street contacted them. We also encountered Black Talon while poking around the island-at least one patrol car passed us, made a sharp U-turn and then began driving around the island blatantly shadowing us and trying to radio someone until we left. Black Talon is annoying. The City of Vallejo and American Canyon went bankrupt and yet they contracted Downtown and Northern Mare Island to Black Talon to clear the streets of undesirables. Evidently there is a history of complaints of harassment to photographers and locals.

Some small child called us hobos.. or homos.

Posted by Guybrush Here's some Pics & Pans from my trip 1. Me at the "focus" of the shadows http://i.imgur.com/drZvFfa.jpg 2. http://i.imgur.com/dZzkLCL.jpg 3. http://i.imgur.com/IEiBozy.jpg 4. http://i.imgur.com/yWew7az.jpg 5. http://i.imgur.com/5opmsQw.jpg 6. Nails sticking out of the roof.... http://i.imgur.com/3LynaVD.jpg

great photos guybrush. really glad you got to experience this place & i enjoyed your perspective of it. love the foreground on that first shot. thanks for keeping the thread alive!

-drinkycap

Love the bunny. American Canyon? PM me...

This is a pretty cool place

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Posted by LT ZERO This is a pretty cool place

Whhhhaaatttt damn how the hell did you manage to get up that thing??? Could have sworn they had cut all the ladders/poles/etc way above reaching height

Great opening shot

Posted by dammband Great opening shot

glad you like the thread!
to whom do you refer?


also everyone these are awesome! great job, man zero nice climb. thank you all for contributing to this thread keep it up!
-caps

I love this place. It was one of my first explores. I think I might try this place out again soon. Not too worried about black talon jerks but a.c. cops are another story.

I love this place. It was one of my first explores. I think I might try this place out again soon. Not too worried about black talon jerks but a.c. cops are another story.

Thanks again bonnie&clyde for pointing us in the right direction.