Our trip up to Portland and back was filled with stops to charge our car and take photos, I also had a couple of days in Portland to roam my old stomping grounds and take photos of things I never did while I lived there.

Thrifty Klean Center. 1661 S. El Dorado Street, Stockton, California. Operational.

Guther’s Ice Cream. 2801 Franklin Boulevard, Sacramento, California. Operational.

In 1940 Herman “Pop” and Iva Gunther started their own ice cream company, becoming a chain across the Bay Area. They later moved to the Sacramento, opening this location in 1949. After the passing of both Pop and his son Dick, Iva sold the business to Carl Buchell in 1968. The following year Buchell hired Rick Klopp, who later purchased the business. The Klopp family continues the business based on the Gunther family recipes, and sells their ice cream across the Sacramento area, but this is their flagship store. Atop the shop is the incredible animated neon “Jugglin’ Joe.” You can check out their menu, and order catering if you live the area via their website!

Tower Theatre. 2508 Land Park Drive, Sacramento, California. Operational.

The Tower Theatre opened in 1938 as beautiful Streamline Moderne movie palace. In 1972 it was divided into three screens. See what’s playing via their Facebook page.

Sampino’s Kitchen at Joe Marty’s. 1500 Broadway, Sacramento, California. Operational.

Joe Marty was a professional baseball player, and opened his own bar in 1938. He relocated to this location in 1951. When he retired in 1952 he tended bar here until he passed in 1984. In 2005 the building was gutted by a devastating fire, and sat empty until it was remodeled and reopened in 2015. Sadly we were too early to grab a bite. For those in the area, check out their website.

Flame Club. 2130 16th Street, Sacramento, California. Operational.

Gene Valla’s Blue Gum. Located next to the Blue Gum Motel, 2637 Co Road. 99W, Willows, California. Somewhat abandoned.

I first spied Gene Valla’s as a teenager in the mid-2000s. Over various road trips I would drive back by it to see how it was doing. At some point it was taken over by religious zealots who repainted it and plastered the “No Trespassing” signs. While I have never seen anyone go in or out of the old supper club, the motel next door remains active. Valla was a baseball player turned restauranteur, but sadly I have been unable to unearth a whole lot.

Hi-Lo Motel & RV Park. 88 S. Weed Boulevard, Weed, California. Operational.

Hi-Lo opened in 1951, and remains an active stop for those traveling along I-5.

Washington Grange. 16464 NW Pumpkin Ridge Road, North Plains, Oregon. Operational.

While the Washington Grange may appear like its long forgotten, it is still in use as a gathering space for the area.

Barn. 8671 SW Spring Hill Road, Gaston, Oregon.

Cameo Theatre. 304 E. 1st Street, Newberg, Oregon. Operational.

Built in 1937, the Cameo is the oldest continually operating business in Newberg. In 1940 it was purchased by Ted Francis, who would go on to build the 99W in 1953. The same year they opened the 99W, the Cameo’s sign was hit by a truck and replaced. The Cameo was my go-to theatre for midnight screenings, opting to support a small family business rather than a big corporate megaplex. I distinctly remember seeing the second Pirates of the Caribbean, Corpse Bride, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, and Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire here. Sadly we couldn’t squeeze in a real visit while we were in the Portland area. Maybe during another trek to Oregon. For those in the area, check out their website to see what’s playing.

Bagdad Theater & Pub. 3702 SW Hawthorne Boulevard, Portland, Oregon. Operational.

The Bagdad was one of my haunts when we lived in Portland, but I never managed to photograph and write about it! Built in 1927 it played into the “mysteries” of the Middle East with its design and motifs inside. It was purchased by McMenamins in 1987, and continues to show movies, along with serving food in a small street facing restaurant. Like the Cameo, we were unable to see a movie during our visit, and I hope I can return to give it a proper post. To see what’s playing and to check out their restaurant menu, visit their website.

Guild Theatre. 829 SW 9th Avenue, Portland, Oregon.

Built in 1927 the Guild served downtown Portland until 2006. Today it is a Kinokuniya bookstore.

Benson Bubbler. Multiple throughout downtown Portland, Oregon.

Portland was once a logging town, filled with loggers who loved their liquor. Fed up with his drunken men, logging baron Simon Benson donated $10,000 to the city in 1912 and these continuously flowing drinking fountains were installed and named after their patron.

Charles F. Berg Building. Portland, Oregon.

Charles F. Berg was a high-end women’s clothing store serving the Portland area. While the building was constructed in 1902, it received its now iconic Art Deco facade in 1930. Added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1983, it now serves as an office building.

The Alibi. 4024 N. Interstate Avenue, Portland, Oregon. Operational.

The Alibi has been Portland’s go-to tiki bar since 1947. Known for its karaoke nights, it is now owned by the same folks as the Sandy Jug. We stopped in for some drinks with friends, but I failed to get enough decent photos for a full post. You can see what’s happening via their Instagram.

Portland Outdoor Store. 304 SW 3rd Avenue, Portland, Oregon. Operational.

Portland Outdoor Store has kept Portland clothed and ready to ride since 1919. It is perhaps my favorite neon sign in Portland.

Cameron’s Books & Magazines. 800 NW 6th Avenue, Portland, Oregon. Closed.

While Powell’s Books may be Portland’s most famous used bookstore, Cameron’s was Portland’s oldest, that is until it became a victim of the COVID-19 pandemic and economic downturn. It shuttered in 2021.

Kelly’s Olympian. 426 SW Washington Street, Portland, Oregon. Operational.

Opening in 1920, Kelly’s is Portland’s third oldest continuously operating bar and restaurant.

“Carpets” 1025 SW Washington Street, Portland, Oregon.

“History” Anlauf, Oregon.

Ranch Motel & Lounge. 581 John Long Road, Oakland, Oregon.

The Ranch Motel has been serving the tired traveler along I-5 since 1962. This adorable pet-friendly motel also once had its very own lounge, but according to Google, it is “temporarily closed.” There are plenty of “No Trespassing” signs, and caution cones around the perimeter, which gives me hope that the owners are looking to keep it safe until they can renovate it.

Foster’s Freeze. Near 46331 W. Panoche Road, Firebaugh, California. Abandoned.

That wraps up this road trip series. However last month we returned to Idaho for my mom’s services, and we made a few stops along the way! So stay tuned!