Exterior of Pizza Show. Squares spell out "Pizza Show" with "Pizza" edged in red, and "Show" edged in green. A tall sign to the left also reads "Pizza Show" with a small sun image below. Below the sun it reads "Dining Room Food to Go"

A Slice of Beach Boys History at Pizza Show

September 26, 2018, 1 Comment

When you think about the Beach Boys, you likely think of surfing, hot rods, and perhaps plaid. What you probably don’t think about is pizza. But in the 1960s the original members surfing crooners could be found at Pizza Show, a local Italian restaurant in their hometown of Hawthorne. Pizza plus rock-n-roll history? I’m sold!…

To the right a mural of Snow White seated in the forest, with bunnies and birds around her. To the left a brick wall and a sign reading "Cold Beer Served Here."

Snow White Cafe: Hollywood’s Fairytale Dive Bar

September 11, 2018, 1 Comment

In the heart of Hollywood, right next door to the Hollywood Wax Museum is the Snow White Cafe. Boasting a slice of pizza and a pint of beer for just $7, faux exposed brick walls, and buzzing neon advertising beer, it seems an unlikely setting to have multiple murals that feature Snow White. But not…

The sign to The Warehouse, made of wide pylons, the text is in a stencil style, and yellow reading "The World Famous Warehouse Restaurant Since 1969 Lunch Dinner Cocktails Weekend Brunch Great Entertainment"

Marina Del Rey’s World Famous Warehouse Restaurant

August 31, 2018, 1 Comment

Situated right on the shore of Marina Del Rey looking out upon the variety of boats moored on the water, is the Warehouse Restaurant. This weatherbeaten warehouse looks like it has stood on the beach since at least the 1920s, but turns out, it was built to look like that…in the 1960s. In 1969 former…

The building - two tall golden arches flank a slanted flat roof, and red and white tile wrap around the bottom. Walls of glass allow guests to walk up to the window and place their orders. The Speedee sign to the left.

The World’s Oldest McDonald’s

August 22, 2018, 7 Comments

Right here in Southern California, in the LA suburb of Downey (a place my father lived during part of his childhood), is the world’s oldest operating McDonald’s. It’s a unique claim to fame, and one some may pay no attention to, but, like it or not, fast food is an invention of America, and thus,…

The building, with its white low pitch roof, peeked in the middle, walls of glass, and flagstone at either end.

Mel’s Resurrects a Googie Masterpiece in Santa Monica

August 7, 2018, 4 Comments

Imagine traveling Route 66 in 1959, perhaps in a brand new stunning Chevy Impala. After days on the road you finally roll up to the intersection of Lincoln and Olympic (the true end of the Mother Road) in the beach city of Santa Monica, and you are greeted by a dapper looking penguin in a…

Canter's sign outside, black with yellow letters reading "Canter's" smaller letters read "restaurant, bakery, delicatessen"

Rock ‘n Roll’s Favorite Jewish Deli

July 18, 2018, 3 Comments

Canter’s Deli is borderline synonymous with Hollywood, but it is just as well loved by rock ‘n rollers as it is movie stars, and it was the late night place for the bands of the 1960s, and it’s said to be the only Jewish deli on the west coast to rival one of the east…

Me sitting at one of the gorgeous turquoise and white booths.

Grand Re-Opening of George’s 50s Diner in Long Beach

June 25, 2018, 1 Comment

On December 16, 2016, one of Long Beach’s historic landmarks was in trouble. A fire tore through George’s 50s Diner, leaving the interior of this Googie masterpiece completely gutted. Miraculously the exterior was virtually untouched. But it was still a long road to rebuild, and a year and a half later, this icon is open…

A Sneak Peek at Howard Johnson Anaheim’s Retro Redo

June 19, 2018, 7 Comments

There is nothing I like more than a mid-century business fully embracing their history and running with it, and that is exactly what the Howard Johnson here in Anaheim has done. Recently, this HoJo decided it was time for a renovation, and they looked to the past for inspiration. Located right across the street from…

The Packing House, a mission revival styling building with cream colored stucco and orange color domes. A large orange with "Sunkist" across it pops just slightly from the middle above the door.

The Food Hall Hiding Inside Anaheim’s Former Citrus Packing House

June 8, 2018, 9 Comments

Orange County. There is a reason it’s called that. It’s well known that the area that is now the Disneyland Resort was once orange groves, and well, that is what most of Anaheim was like. In the late 1800s and through the early part of the 20th century citrus was king here. And where did…

Linbrook Bowl's sign, with "Bowl" spelled out on the left, and a large bowling pin reading that they offer 40 lanes.

Linbrook Bowl: Anaheim’s Neon Gem

May 19, 2018, 2 Comments

I won’t lie, I have a soft spot for bowling. I mean, who doesn’t love throwing a ball to try to knock over things? Anyway, I have been meaning to check out Linbrook Bowl, Orange County’s oldest bowling alley (according to the OC Register) for sometime, and earlier this week we finally made it with…

Atomic Redhead

Sleep & Eat

A Slice of Beach Boys History at Pizza Show

Snow White Cafe: Hollywood’s Fairytale Dive Bar

Marina Del Rey’s World Famous Warehouse Restaurant

The World’s Oldest McDonald’s

Mel’s Resurrects a Googie Masterpiece in Santa Monica

Rock ‘n Roll’s Favorite Jewish Deli

Grand Re-Opening of George’s 50s Diner in Long Beach

A Sneak Peek at Howard Johnson Anaheim’s Retro Redo

The Food Hall Hiding Inside Anaheim’s Former Citrus Packing House

Linbrook Bowl: Anaheim’s Neon Gem