Our Impressions of Hollywood

Southern Maryland is an amazing place. It is an eclectic mixture of communities, most with a nod to or focus on water-based activities. Fishing, boating and eating great seafood abound here. Hollywood, MD is located on the Patuxent River and at the confluence of the Potomac River and Chesapeake Bay.

The area really offers a variety of communities. Hollywood and California, MD don’t offer much in the way of a small local downtown, but there are multiple businesses and stores that can provide you with pretty much everything you would be looking to buy. For a small local downtown feel there is Leonardtown and the Solomon Islands, just over the bridge.

In total, we have spent about three months here, returning twice. We have found it to be inviting, low key and a pleasure to spend time in and around.

Attractions

The Calvert Marine Museum is located on the Solomon Islands. It offers both indoor and outdoor information and artifacts about the fishing community and living in the area years ago. Exhibits change and offer new and interesting things all the time. The special activities offered through the Museum include cruises on the William B. Tennison, a completely updated and refurbished fishing boat (see below).

William B. Tennison Cruises. While we were in Hollywood, we took two different cruises on the Tennison, one on Mother’s Day and one on Memorial Day. The trips were different, with one trip heading up the Patuxent River and the other heading to Chesapeake Bay. Both trips were special and very relaxing.

Greenwell State Park is a little-known Maryland state park in Hollywood. It is a hidden gem. It is bordered on two sides by the Patuxent River. There is a kayak launch, a large picnic area, multiple hiking/horseback riding trails and much access to the Patuxent. Tours of Greenwell State Park are available by contacting the Greenwell Foundation.

The Waterfront District in Leonardtown (Leonardtown Wharf) is a phenomenal downtown area. You can take a stroll along the waterfront, or just sit and watch the water and boaters. There is a boat launch and a kayak launch area. Up the hill from the waterfront is the small downtown area filled with small local restaurants and cafes.

The Old Jail Museum & Leonardtown Visitor Center: Maryland Underground Railroad Network to Freedom is located between the waterfront and the downtown area. The museum has limited hours but includes some very interesting information about the role of the underground railroad in Maryland.

Food and Drink

California, MD

Mission BBQ is a veteran-owned chain restaurant. We RARELY eat at chain restaurants, but this one was veteran owned and recommended, so we tried it. We were very pleasantly surprised and have returned to this restaurant many times. We have consistently had good food at their other locations across the country. The portions and price are reasonable, and the food is flavorful. I always get the salmon and it is really moist and cooked to perfection!

Hollywood, MD

Stoney’s @ Clarkes Landing has EXCEPTIONAL Maryland blue crab cakes. My standard for excellence in Maryland blue crab cakes has always been the Chart House in Baltimore. But the Chart House has been knocked off the pedestal to #2. These are better! It is a small, casual waterfront restaurant that caters to the locals. We like eating outside on the patio. Every time we have been there, people will use their boats to pick, up their restaurant take-outs! Our out-of-state license plates are the only ones we have ever seen there. The fried green tomatoes topped with blue crab are indescribably great!

Leonardtown, MD

The Olde Town Pub (known as “The OTP”) is a local, casual restaurant near the downtown area. Indoor and outdoor seating are available. Good food at a good price. Staff is friendly. It is a really nice place to go and just sit back and relax.

The Solomons, MD

Island Hideaway is a casual, local restaurant on the Solomons. Indoor and outdoor seating are available. The seafood is excellent, the waitstaff is attentive, and there is a GREAT view if you sit out on the patio.

Home Base: The Campground

For us, a campground is not our destination. Our RV is self-contained. Except for water, electric and sewer rarely do we use campground services or amenities. We are explorers, not campground reviewers!

We did not stay in a campground in Hollywood; we were workcampers at the Greenwell Foundation. In return for volunteering 24 hours per week, we had a free full hook-up site down near the picnic pavilion. There are campgrounds in the area, but we’ve never stayed at them.

Fun Facts

Websites:
Both California and Hollywood are unincorporated towns and do not have websites. Please go to Visit St. Mary’s for more information.
Leonardtown: https://leonardtown.somd.com/

Summary

We have very much enjoyed our time staying in this area. There is something for everyone, especially if you are attracted to the water and boating like we are. It is actually one of our favorite places in the country. It really is a special place to experience.

Since beginning our full-time journey to discover the country, we have found something to appreciate in every city and town we have passed through. We hope you enjoy reading about them as much as we have enjoyed discovering them!

Your partners in travel,
Kathryn and Dave
RVing Nomads

It’s a lifestyle

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• We have visited each town, attraction and restaurant we are writing about. • No person, business or attraction has paid us for an endorsement. • AI has not been used to write any of the content of this blog. • All the photos in this blog were taken by Dave or Kathryn Harrington.