"Huell elevated the simple joys and undiscovered nuggets of living in our great state, " KCET said in a statement.

CNN: California public TV icon Huell Howser dead at 67

Six years later, Howser joined forces with KCET, a public television station, to produce a program known as "Videolog" showcasing the stories of all types of people.

CNN: California public TV icon Huell Howser dead at 67

The Tennessee native quietly retired in late November after 25 years in which he became a household name in his adopted state as host of "California's Gold" and other televised travelogues on KCET.

CNN: California public TV icon Huell Howser dead at 67