Milestone Mo-Tel (aka Motel Inn) [closed] San Luis Obispo, CA

The Milestone Mo-Tel was the first lodging to use the word “motel”. Built in 1925, it was originally to have been called the Milestone Motor Hotel but the name was shortened when it would not fit on the sign. It later became known as the Motel Inn. It was one of the earliest designs using bungalows around a garden courtyard. This Mission Revival style motel has a tile roof, a belltower (modeled after the Santa Barbara Mission) and other Spanish motif elements. It had 54 rooms which could accommodate 160 guests. There was a plan to create a chain of 18 motels stretching from San Diego to Seattle but the Depression ended that dream. The motel closed in the early 1990s. In 2000, the structure was endangered by the nearby Apple Farm Inn which sought to tear it down for expansion. In 2006, most of the buildings were torn down. I believe the two remaining structures will be preserved. For more, see these websites: 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5.

Mission Bell Motel Ventura, CA

The Mission Bell Motel has been here since at least the 1950s. The motel's units are laid out around a central courtyard. A tile store now occupies the motel's restaurant. The neon signage is still lit at night. For more, see these websites: 1, 2, and 3.

Stagecoach Motor Inn Banning, CA

The Stagecoach Motor Inn was built in 1950. There are 14 units laid out around a central courtyard.

Elsewhere in this section: Madonna Inn (San Luis Obispo)

More CA Motels: Castlewood Cottages (Big Bear Lake) Ballantines Hotel (Palm Springs) Red Vic Bed and Breakfast (San Francisco) Dockside Boat and Bed (San Francisco, Oakland & Long Beach) Safari West (Santa Rosa)

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