The motel has been a major part of the American roadside culture for decades. Whether the sign read "Do it in a Tee Pee" (Wigwam Motel, Rialto CA) or "Color TV", each motel attempted to catch the eye of the weary traveler.

Oasis Motel (demolished)
Anaheim, CA
Photo courtesy Georg Balandran

Star View Motel
Photo courtesy Georg Balandran

Travelers and passersby alike would encounter a never-ending stream of neon motel signs as well as numerous googie motels in their travels, each one different from the rest. Between the glow of the neon and space age look of googie, the look of these roadside motels was never better.

As time went by, other signage evolved, not quite like the old googie/boomerang look, but unique nonetheless. One of the looks that evolved during the 1970's was the Tiki look, a style that could be found on more than a few apartment complexes and motels.

Bob's Motel
Photo by RoadsidePeek.com

Safari Inn
Photo courtesy Georg Balandran

Bob's Motel and Safari Inn are a couple of motel warriors that have lasted through the new decade.

Dunes Motel
Photo by RoadsidePeek.com

These additions to the Motels and Wigwams section specializes in motels from Hollywood and Orange County. When you travel the Hollywood Motels area, see some of the eye-catching motor layovers on Sunset Boulevard. These motels specializes in relaxation of the passing by motorist, in one way or another.

Stovall's Apollo Inn (removed)
Photo courtesy Louis Di Fazio

Another new addition is Orange County Motels. Primarily centering on motel signage near Disneyland, these signs are rapidly transforming from the astro googie look of the 60's and 70's to the new "resort" look of the millenium. As Disneyland continues to build the California Adventure resort next to the main park, these memorable signs just disappear.

A Fishers Inn
Photo by RoadsidePeek.com

The most recent addition to the Motels section is Las Vegas Motels. Yes, Vegas, the land of the posh resort hotels. In some circles, Las Vegas is home to the best googie around. Of course those of us from Southern California or Florida may dispute that notion. Nonetheless, Vegas does have some of the very best motel signage. See here for yourself!

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Page Last Updated May 25, 2001