At a dead end road on the coast of southern California lies the tiny town of Dickens Beach. Originally built as a movie set during the golden age of Hollywood, the few forgotten blocks of shops and quaint homes attract a cast of characters drawn to a place where times moves a little slower.

Much like Cannery Row, the old hippies, beatniks, and bohemians who remain here share a sense of romantic non-conformity. Their lives mostly revolve around a bar at the end of the pier: Cafe Electrum. And any strangers coming to town immediately stand out. Yet, the citizens of Dickens Beach offer a warm cocktail-fueled welcome down at Cafe Electrum. Their stories compel the idea that innocence is still a possibility and a noble goal.

John K Bucher Sr.'s latest exploration of life in the bars and beaches of California takes his original and sometimes gritty characters into new experiences and adventures.