email: roadarch@outlook.com

California Signs (page 28)

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Mupu Grill
Santa Paula, CA		 Flamingo Hotel
Santa Rosa, CA
The Mupu Grill opened in 1921. This sign is a replica of the original. For more, see this website. [map]

The Flamingo Hotel opened in 1957 and is now the Flamingo Conference Resort and Spa. It was inspired by the Flamingo Hotel in Las Vegas, NV. The nine-foot-tall neon pink flamingo revolves on top of the 85 foot tall sign. It was restored in 1997. For more, see these websites: 1 and 2. [map]

United Service Motors
Santa Rosa, CA		 Redwood
Gospel Mission
Santa Rosa, CA
United Service Motors was established in 1916 to handle sales for the United Motors Corporation, an accessories and parts manufacturer. There are a handful of these signs still on display around the country. However, I have never seen one with a passenger like this one. It is on display at Stoke Ranch, a private collection of antique tractors, small buildings, and signs. [map]

The Redwood Gospel Mission was established in 1963. This sign has been here since then. It probably came from somewhere else and was originally a pole sign or projecting sign. For more, see this website. [map]

Stark's Steak & Seafood
Santa Rosa, CA
Stark's Steak & Seafood opened in 2008. This text on this vertical sign was changed at that time. The signs originally advertised for Guidotti's Italian Restaurant which opened in 1934. The sign and neon on the building were probably built in the 1940s or 1950s. The name and text on the vertical sign were also changed in 1967 for Michele's Italian Restaurant. For more, see these websites: 1 and 2. [map]

More Santa Rosa:
Coddingtown Mall
El Portal Motel [vintage; gone]
Hotel Oliver
Mark West Market [map]
Villa Trailer Park [map]

Fiesta Market
Sebastopol, CA		 Westinghouse Appliances
Sebastopol, CA		 Pine Cone Restaurant
Sebastopol, CA
The Fiesta Market was built in 1966. I believe this sign is from then. [map]

This Westinghouse Appliances is displayed at Renga Arts. These signs were mass-produced but only a handful are still on public display.

The Pine Cone Restaurant opened sometime in the 1950s. Although the Gypsy Cafe is in the building now, this sign remains. The first photo is from 2008; the second is from 2016. For more, see this website. [map]

Selma Motel
Selma, CA		 Oasis Fun Center
Shasta Lake, CA

The Selma Motel sign is probably from the 1950s. For more, see this website. [map]

The Oasis Fun Center had opened by the mid-1950s as Green Pines Miniature Golf. The sign was probably built in the 1960s or 1970s. In the 1980s, the course still had vintage, classic obstacles. It is now a modern, rocks and water style course. The sign's text panels were replaced sometime after 2013. This photo is from 2022. For more, see these websites: 1 and 2. [map]

More Selma:
Freeway Lanes

Baxter Northup Music
Sherman Oaks, CA		 Antonio's Pizzeria
Sherman Oaks, CA		 McGee's Closet
Sherman Oaks, CA
The Baxter Northup Music was established in 1906. It was originally located in downtown Los Angeles. The store moved to Sherman Oaks in the 1950s and then to this location in 1993. This sign was probably built in the 1950s and moved when the store did. [map]

Antonio's Pizzeria opened in 1957 as Miceli's restaurant. This sign may be from then. [map]

This McGee's Closet sign originally advertised for Bekins Van & Storage. The building was constructed in 1946 and this sign is probably from then. The sign is lit at night. For more, see these websites: 1 and 2. [map]

More Sherman Oaks:
La Frite [gone]
Service Tire

Charles Brown Co. Market
Shoshone, CA		 Boyes Springs
Food Center
Sonoma, CA		 Duggan's Mission Chapel
Sonoma, CA
The Charles Brown Co. Market sign appears to be from the 1960s. It features two spear poles, backlit plastic panels, bulbs that most likely chased, and a ball on top that is outlined with LED tubing (surely, neon originally). [map]

The Boyes Springs Food Center sign is probably from the 1950s. It was previously painted brown and gold. It was repainted sometime between 2009 and 2011. This photo is from 2016. [map]

Duggan's Mission Chapel was established in 1959. This sign appears to be from then. The bell has been missing since around 2020. For more, see this website. [map]

More Sonoma:
Sebastiani Theatre

I.O.O.F.
Sonora, CA		 Mother Lode Fair
Sonora, CA
This I.O.O.F. chapter was established in 1853. This sign is probably from the late 1940s or 1950s. The three neon rings superimposed over the letters represent the Independent Order of Odd Fellows' motto of Friendship, Love and Truth. [map]

The Mother Lode Fair has operated at its present location since 1938. These two signs are probably from the 1950s. [map]

Mike's Liquor
South El Monte, CA		 Ted's Liquor
South Gate, CA		 Toadstool
South Gate, CA		 Southland Motel [gone]
South Gate, CA
The Mike's Liquor sign appears to be from the 1950s or 1960s. [map]

The Ted's Liquor sign might be from the 1950s. Ted's might not be the original name. The letter "Q" looks like it's shaped like a bird. [map]

The Toadstool bar blade sign appears to be adapted. I don't know when this place opened or how old the neon toads are. [map]

The Southland Motel and its rooftop sign have been around since at least the early 1940s. This photo is from 2013. By 2014, the sign had been replaced with a new non-neon replacement. For more, see this website.

More South Gate:
Villa Motel

Washoe Motel [gone]
South Lake Tahoe, CA		 Stardust Lodge
South Lake Tahoe, CA
The Washoe Motel sign was probably built in the 1950s or 1960s. The sign was gone by 2018. For more, see this website.

The Stardust Lodge sign appears to be from the 1960s. The lettering and design was apparently inspired by the Stardust Hotel sign in Las Vegas. For more, see these websites: 1 and 2. [map]

More South Lake Tahoe:
Royal Valhalla Motor Lodge [gone]

Bertolucci's
South San Francisco, CA
The Bertolucci's Italian restaurant originated in 1928 as a boarding house with home-cooked meals. This rooftop sign appears to be from the 1950s. The restaurant has closed and there are plans to build a new 7-story apartment building on the site. Some new letters spelling out "Bertolucci's" might be installed near the top of the building. It's not known what will happen with this sign. For more, see these websites: 1 and 2. [map]

Metropolitan Hotel
South San Francisco, CA		 South City
Lumber & Supply
South San Francisco, CA		 El Bonita Motel
St. Helena, CA
The Metropolitan Hotel was built in 1912. This sign appears to be from the 1950s or earlier. [map]

South City Lumber & Supply has been at this location since 1908. This Ace Hardware sign was previously installed outside. It is now inside the store and is no longer lit.

The El Bonita Motel opened in the 1950s. This sign appears to be from then. [map]

More St. Helena:
Keller Brothers Meats [map]

Riviera Motel
Stanton, CA		 Jade Palace Motel
Stanton, CA		 Tahiti Motel
Stanton, CA
The Riviera Motel sign appears to be from the 1950s or 1960s. In 2023, the sign was put up for sale online. For more, see this website. [map]

The Jade Palace Motel was built in 1961. I believe the top and bottom panels were always backlit plastic. [map]

The Tahiti Motel sign is probably from the 1960s. Similar signs were used at the Pixie Motel and Sandy's Motel, both in Anaheim, CA. Around 2018, the star and neon on the Tahiti Motel sign were removed. Plastic panels were installed. Around 2020, backlit letters were added. [map]

Alameda Albany -
Apple Valley		 Arcadia -
Barstow		 Bakersfield Bay Point -
Beverly Hills		 Big Bear Lake -
Bridgeport		 Buellton Buena Park -
Carpinteria
Catheys Valley -
Corona del Mar		 Cotati -
El Centro		 El Dorado -
Escondido		 Eureka -
Garden Grove		 Fresno Gilroy -
Harbor City		 Hawthorne -
Lakeport		 Hayward &
San Leandro
Lakewood -
Live Oak		 Lodi -
Lynwood		 Long Beach Los Angeles Macdoel -
Mendota		 Merced -
Monte Rio		 Monterey Park -
Oceanside		 Oakland
Ontario -
Palo Alto		 Pasadena -
Petaluma		 Pico Rivera -
Pomona		 Porterville -
Redondo Beach		 Redwood City -
Richmond		 Rio Nido -
Roseville		 Sacramento Salida -
San Bernardino
San Bruno -
San Luis Obispo		 San Diego Area San Francisco San Jose San Mateo -
Santa Barbara		 Santa Clara -
Santa Monica		 Stockton
Suisun City -
Ukiah		 Upland -
Vernon		 Victorville -
Wilmington		 Woodland -
Yuba City		 Museum of
Neon Art		 Valley Relics Museum

Main Signs Page