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California Bowling Signs (page 2)

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Orland Bowl
Orland, CA
The Orland Bowl opened in 1960 and this neon sign must be from then. The building was built in 1946 for the Palace Dance Hall. In 1948, it began housing the Orland Rollerdrome skating rink. In 1951, the building began housing Huffman's Feed. [map]

Oxnard:
Wagon Wheel Bowl [gone]

Paddock Bowl
Pacheco, CA
The Paddock Bowl sign appears to be from the 1950s or 1960s. It was originally animated. For more, see this website. [map]

Sea Bowl
Pacifica, CA
The Sea Bowl opened in 1959. The building was remodeled to its current look in 1996. These signs may be from then. The rooftop sign was restored in 2015. The Sea Bowl closed in 2023 when the owners retired. It's not known if it will reopen or be demolished. [map]

Petaluma:
Boulevard Bowl [gone]

Pismo Bowl
Pismo Beach, CA
The Pismo Bowl opened in 1939. This sign might be from the 1950s or 1960s. [map]

Porterville Lanes
Porterville, CA		 Country Bowl
Redding, CA
Porterville Lanes has been around since at least the late 1950s. The sign had neon originally. [map]

This Country Bowl sign appears to be from the 1950s or 1960s. For more, see this website. [map]

Mels Bowl
Redwood City, CA
2008: 2014:
Mels Bowl opened in 1960. The 41-foot-tall sign was installed at that time. The bowling alley was owned by Mel Weiss who was better known for the restaurant chain which he co-founded. The first Mels Drive-in was built in San Francisco in 1947. Weiss owned three other bowling alleys in Northern California. All four were designed by Goodwin Steinberg. Around 1969, the Mels Bowl in Redwood City was renamed the AMF Redwood Lanes. However, the sign remained untouched and everyone still referred to the place as Mels Bowl. Weiss never used an apostrophe in the names of his businesses.

The Redwood City bowling alley closed in 2011 and was demolished the following year. The sign was saved by the City since it was found to have "historic merit." In 2012, the sign reappeared at the Redwood City Car Wash just up the road from where Mels Bowl was located. The owner of the car wash which is located on San Mateo County property has enthusiastically agreed to "host" the sign. During the sign's restoration, one side was left intact while the other side was adapted for the car wash. Lam hopes to install a plaque next to the sign to explain its significance. [map]

Rialto:
Orange Bowl [gone]

Cardinal
Lanes [gone]
Sacramento, CA
The Cardinal Lanes opened originally as the North Bowl in 1941. This sign was probably installed in the 1940s or 1950s. In 1962, the bowling alley was renovated and renamed the Cardinal Lanes. The building has been vacant since the 1990s. The sign was removed in 2015. It is believed it was sold to a private collector. For more, see this website.

Valley Center Bowl
Salinas, CA
The Valley Center Bowl signs appear to be from the 1950s. The pylon's neon sign is animated. For more, see these websites: 1 and 2. [map]

Del Rosa Lanes [gone]
San Bernardino, CA
The Del Rosa Lanes opened in 1961. It closed in 2016. The building was demolished and the sign was adapted for the Arrowhead Regional Medical Center which is now at the site. [map]

California
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Bowling Signs
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