The large rooftop neon sign for the "Roosevelt Hotel" which spells out its name in red neon letters.

The Neon Gods We Made – Revisiting the Los Angeles Neon Cruise

September 21, 2022, 3 Comments

Unless you’re super new to the blog, then you know I adore neon. There is something about the almost alchemy like art that is neon, and I love seeing it. One of the best ways to see the neon of Los Angeles in the wild is by taking the Neon Cruise, offered by the Museum…

The entrance to the Archives exhibit, a large mirrored walk-thru sculpture spells out "100" and I stand in the first 0.

D23 Celebrates 100 Years of the Disney Studio

September 14, 2022, 1 Comment

Last weekend was the long anticipated event, D23 Expo (originally slated for last year, but pushed back due to COVID), return! The three day event celebrates all things Disney and takes place at the Anaheim Convention Center (conveniently located just across the street from Disneyland) and includes exhibits, panels, and shopping. It’s something I’ve attended…

Myself standing outside of the museum next to a pair of large golden arches, wearing a Bill Elliot racing tee, and brown and yellow shorts.

The Delightfully Bizarre Unofficial McDonald’s Museum

September 7, 2022, 2 Comments

Before McDonald’s was the global icon it is today, it was a humble barbecue joint in San Bernardino run by two brothers from New Hampshire. While their first location is no longer standing, it lives on at the First Original McDonald’s Museum, also known as the Unofficial McDonald’s Museum. Here no item is too small,…

Gorgeous Streamline Moderne Firestone turned Brew Pub

August 31, 2022, Leave a Comment on Gorgeous Streamline Moderne Firestone turned Brew Pub

Driving down La Brea in Los Angeles you may pass by a beautiful streamline moderne Firestone station, complete with its iconic bowtie neon sign standing tall over the streetlights, but don’t expect to get your tires replaced here. Instead you’ll find beer and tacos, this is All Season Brewing Company. Built in 1937, and dubbed…

Myself, seated at our dining room table, which has a plethora of Disneyland souvenirs on it. Red text above reads "AtomicRedhead.com Product Review Artifcts"

Cataloging and Sharing Treasures with Artifcts

August 24, 2022, 2 Comments

As many of you know, I collect a lot of different things. One specific thing I collect is vintage California souvenirs, but I also keep a lot of contemporary mementos, especially from Disneyland. One of my biggest pet peeves with vintage items is not knowing the exact year something was made, but when I acquire…

Overview of the sales floor from the balcony, high white walls feature arched details of gold on them, the arched proscenium frames a screen, two small arched balconies sit on either side of the screen.

The Surreal Experience of Shopping for a New iMac at an Old Movie Palace

August 12, 2022, 2 Comments

A couple weeks ago my beloved iMac started show signs of age. It could barely keep up with my photo editing, and I knew its days were numbered. So I set out to get a new one. Not too long ago Apple announced they were introducing new colored iMacs. My millennial heart skipped a beat.…

Overall view of the house, which is a small white Victorian with white gingerbread details, and elements painted in red and dark blue.

Grab Some Pie at Charlie’s Cute House from Top Gun

August 10, 2022, Leave a Comment on Grab Some Pie at Charlie’s Cute House from Top Gun

Do you feel the need? The need for…nope, not speed! Pie! Yes, I said pie! Not speed! Just a few feet from Oceanside’s pier sits a small blue and white Victorian home, almost enveloped, Up style, by a gleaming hotel, this is The Famous High Pie. Originally built in 1887, the home was once known…

Myself standing in front of the banner advertising the Jewish Deli exhibit.

Dishing Up Deli History at the Skirball Cultural Center

August 8, 2022, Leave a Comment on Dishing Up Deli History at the Skirball Cultural Center

Being from the west coast and growing up in the 90s, the idea of the Jewish deli wasn’t a big thing around me. It wasn’t until I started watching and paying attention to television shows and films set in New York that I really began to understand this cultural phenomenon. With the rise of foodie…

Myself, wearing a cream cowboy hat, fringe leather vest, floral shirt, and tan corduroy pants, seated inside one of the red leather booths.

The Resurrection of LA’s Fred Harvey Restaurant as Sports Bar

August 4, 2022, Leave a Comment on The Resurrection of LA’s Fred Harvey Restaurant as Sports Bar

A short distance from Olvera Street, the birthplace of Los Angeles, sits one of its most iconic buildings, Union Station. The iconic Spanish Revival building has been featured countless times in movies and television, and serves as a transportation hub for visitors and locals alike. It’s also home to Homebound Brew House which offers up…

Myself, wearing a dress featuring a colorful psychedelic print with small Mickey heads on it, sitting in an orange chair next to one of the beds.

Howard Johnson’s Latest Suite is a Revival of Long Lost Disneyland Attraction

August 2, 2022, 2 Comments

Beginning in 1957 you could step into the plastic possibilities of the Monsanto House of the Future in Disneyland’s Tomorrowland. Ten years later, in 1967, the House of the Future met its end, and disappeared from Tomorrowland. But just across the street from Disneyland at the Howard Johnson Anaheim Hotel & Water Playground you can…