| Super Signage |
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| MORE CALIFORNIA (page 3) |
| Surf Bowl Oceanside, CA |
Catalina Pools La Mesa, CA |
Aztec Bowl San Diego, CA |
Majorette San Diego, CA |
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Surf Bowl has been here since at least the early 1960s. The sign has been updated but is still lit at night. For more, see their website.
The Catalina Pools sign is located alongside I-8 but is fairly concealed behind trees at this point. I don't believe this business exists any longer. The Aztec Bowl operated from 1959-2001. This sign was installed on the roof. When the bowling alley was demolished for a housing development, the sign was preserved and reinstalled at the site. The houses have entrances made of wood from the bowling lanes. For more, see these websites: 1, 2, and 3. The 46' tall Majorette sign came from the former Campus Drive-in Theatre where it was affixed to the back of the screentower. The sign, featuring a baton-twirling San Diego State University drum majorette, was created in 1946. It was taken down and put into storage in 1983 when the drive-in was demolished. The sign was restored in 1985 and reinstalled here in 1988 at the College Grove Shopping Center, not far from the theatre's former site. The animated sign still operates at night. For more, see these websites: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6. |
| Chito's Shoe Repair San Diego, CA |
Jimmy Wong's Golden Dragon San Diego, CA |
Pacific Liquor San Diego, CA |
Aero Club San Diego, CA |
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The Chito's Shoe Repair sign was created in 1949 for Wink's Shoe Repair. It features an animated hammering elf. The sparks flying from the shoe fly into the elf's eye, causing him to wink. Wink's was a 30-store chain in the 1950s. This sign was moved here in 1960. For more, see this website.
Jimmy Wong's Golden Dragon opened in 1946. The restaurant is now the Asian Bistro but the sign has been restored and will remain. For more, see this website. The Pacific Liquor sign is lit at night. The bulbs once created the effect of pouring alcohol. Apparently, only two of these bulbs are lit now. For more, see this website. The Aero Club opened in 1947. The sign is lit at night and the jet's exhaust flashes on and off. For more, see these websites: 1 and 2. |
| Fisherman's Landing San Diego, CA |
Levitz Furniture Huntington Beach, CA |
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I'm not sure if this Fisherman's Landing sign is modern or a restored vintage one. I assume it is lit at night.
These Levitz Furniture signs probably won't be around much longer since the company declared bankruptcy in 2008 and their locations have all closed. Their giant sign towers featured spinning neon logos. The company was founded in 1910 and had about 80 locations throughout the West Coast, Southwest, and Northeast. Here are some of their other locations which had older signage: Mesa, AZ, Fresno, CA, Glendale, CA, Sacramento, CA, and San Leandro, CA. For more, see this website. |
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More San Diego Signs:
The Boulevard Tower Bowl: 1, 2 [gone?] various signs |
| Holiday Wine Cellar Escondido, CA |
Tahiti Motel Stanton, CA |
Sahara Motel Anaheim, CA |
Robin Hood Motel Anaheim, CA |
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The Holiday Wine Cellar opened in 1965. Their towering sign is hard to miss.
The Tahiti Motel features a fun star-topped sign. I believe the Sahara Motel sign is still lit at night. Its letters are a near match of of the old Sahara Hotel sign in Las Vegas, CA. I believe the Robin Hood Motel sign has always been this mix of plastic, metal and neon. |
| Linbrook Bowl Anaheim, CA |
La Habra 300 Bowl Anaheim, CA |
Doll Hut Anaheim, CA |
Americana Motel Anaheim, CA |
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The Linbrook Bowl opened in 1958. Their sign is still lit at night and the pin revolves. For more, see these websites: 1, 2, and 3.
The La Habra 300 Bowl sign was repainted green and yellow in 2008 about a month after this photo was taken. It is lit at night. This place still retains much of its original exterior. For more, see these websites: 1, 2, 3, and 4. The Doll Hut sign is lit at night. The plastic piece protects the neon from vandals. For more, see this website. The Americana Motel sign seems to be missing a piece out of the middle. Unless that was an abstract, cheese hole variation. |
| La Palma Chicken Pie Shop Anaheim, CA |
Benkey Pool Center Anaheim, CA |
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The La Palma Chicken Pie Shop opened in 1956. I believe the sign is lit at night. For more, see this website.
The Benkey Pool Center sign is topped with a metal Sputnik-like element. I don't know if it was purely decorate or if there were ever bulbs in the tips. |
| Anchor Motel Anaheim, CA |
Angel Stadium Anaheim, CA |
Sire Bar & Grill Riverside, CA |
Donahoo's Golden Chicken Riverside, CA |
San Gorgonio Inn Banning, CA |
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The Anchor Motel has a giant of a sign. The neon seems to be in good shape. For more, see this website.
The Angel Stadium baseball park was built from 1964-1966. This 23-story tall "Big A" sign was originally used inside the park as a scoreboard support. In the late 1970s, this sign was moved to the parking lot. The halo is lit at night when the Angels win a game. For more, see these websites: 1, 2, and 3. The Sire Bar & Grill has been here since at least the mid-1950s. Donahoo's Golden Chicken also has a giant rooster on their roof. The restaurant has another location in Pomona, CA with a giant rooster perched on top of their sign. The Riverside sign appears to be older. The San Gorgonio Inn was originally a stagecoach stop built in 1883. In recent years, it served as a coffee shop and a gentlemen's club. The building is currently vacant. The 1950s-looking sign still remains as of 2008. For more, see this website. |
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More Anaheim Signs:
Skyview Motel [vintage] Wonder Bowl [vintage] |
| Lil Brown Jug Clovis, CA |
Peacock Market Clovis, CA |
Oasis Saloon Sanger, CA |
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The Lil Brown Jug sign looks like it's in working order.
The Peacock Market sign is no longer lit. For more, see this website. The Oasis Saloon sign is nicely maintained and lit at night. |
| Branding Iron Merced, CA |
7-Up Merced, CA |
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The Branding Iron opened in 1952. Their sign is animated and colorfully lit at night. For more, see these websites: 1 and 2.
This 7-Up sign is probably from the 1940s. There are two other old 7-Up billboard signs in Fresno, CA, one in Bakersfield, CA, and two others in Portland, OR (1 and 2). |
| Rice Bowl Merced, CA |
Freeway Lanes Selma, CA |
Well's Fine Cars Selma, CA |
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I believe the Rice Bowl used to be a Mexican restaurant. Does anyone know more about it?
The Freeway Lanes sign was restored in 2006. For more, see these websites: 1 and 2. Well's Fine Cars is now known as Wells Used Cars & Auto Wrecking. For more, see this website. |
| Rice Bowl Bakersfield, CA |
Sinaloa Bakersfield, CA |
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The Rice Bowl opened around 1947. The name part of the sign was probably neon originally. This detail piece is probably no longer lit. It looks like it had more neon and might have revolved. I don't know if this place was related to the Rice Bowl in Merced described above or if it was just a common name. For more, see this website.
The Sinaloa restaurant has been here since at least the 1960s. |
| Silver Fox Bakersfield, CA |
Lazo's Pool Parlor Bakersfield, CA |
Wool Grower's Restaurant Bakersfield, CA |
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I don't believe the Silver Fox sign is lit anymore but the bar is still open. For more, see this website.
The Lazo's Pool Parlor sign is lit at night. The Wool Grower's Restaurant opened in 1954. The sign is still lit at night. For more, see these websites: 1 and 2. |
| Ideal Cleaners Bakersfield, CA |
Zingo's Cafe Bakersfield, CA |
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Ideal Cleaners features a nicely weathered sign.
Zingo's Cafe has two signs: one on a pole and the other on the roof. They are both lit at night. For more, see these websites: 1 and 2. |
| Milt's Coffee Shop Bakersfield, CA |
Globe Loan Jewelry Company Bakersfield, CA |
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Milt's Coffee Shop opened in the early 1960s. This sign was originally on their rooftop. It has been restored and installed on a pole in their parking lot where it is visible from I-5. For more, see these websites: 1, 2, and 3.
The Globe Loan Jewelry Company has been around since 1966. For more, see their website. |
| Guthrie's Alley Cat Bakersfield, CA |
Burdette & Sons Termite Control Bakersfield, CA |
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Guthrie's Alley Cat is located on a narrow street. The animated, neon sign is lit at night. The cat's eyes and tail move. For more, see these websites: 1, 2, and 3.
I don't ordinarily include painted wall signs, but this one is pretty special. The Burdette & Sons Termite Control sign features giant, realistic bugs. |
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More Bakersfield Signs:
Andre's Drive-in |
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