Mother Lode Motel
Placerville, CA
Photo courtesy Dave & Debra van Hulsteyn

Tired travelers with weary eyes feel like they hit the Mother Lode when they see this motel marquee coming close. Located at 1940 Broadway in Placerville, this classic Gold Country court was established during the 1950s post-war road trip boom along the original surface alignment of U.S. 50.

Built and operated by original owner-hosts "Shorty" and Erma Moore, the 21-unit motor court promoted premier mid-century comforts including refrigerated air conditioning, electric heat, and a swimming pool. The motel was best known for its towering roadside neon marquee, designed to catch travelers climbing into the Sierra Nevada foothills. When modern freeway lanes were constructed, the owners made a clever tactical move by relocating the tall neon sign to the rear hillside of the property so high-speed drivers on the elevated bypass could still spot it above the pines. Today, the Mother Lode Motel remains open for business, operating alongside the nearby Gold Trail Motor Lodge, with its vintage neon sign still standing on the hillside.

UPDATE: The Mother Lode Motel along Broadway in Placerville remains open for business, with its classic vintage roadside neon marquee still surviving on the property after being relocated to the rear hillside. 09-26

Carriage House (Demolished)
S. Lake Tahoe, CA
Photo courtesy Dave & Debra van Hulsteyn

The treasure of a sign for The Carriage House Motel is reminiscent of the neon treasures that used to dot the roadside back in the day. This neon is still in excellent working condition. Situated at 4135 Laurel Avenue near the Stateline casinos, this late-1950s court operated for decades by Ed and Elva Silvera welcomed Tahoe vacationers with soundproof rooms and private beach access.

Its standout roadside marquee featured an intricate glowing silhouette of a horse-drawn carriage buggy. Although the motel was leveled in the 2000s for a planned redevelopment project, descendants of the original operators saved the iconic sign, preserving it in a private family collection where the neon still works.

UPDATE: The Carriage House Inn was demolished a few years ago to make way for a new convention center. Several blocks were removed. 08-12

UPDATE: The former Carriage House Motel along Laurel Avenue in South Lake Tahoe was demolished in the 2000s, though its classic neon carriage marquee was saved and survives in a private family collection. 09-26

Lombard Plaza Motel
San Francisco, CA
Photo courtesy Dave & Debra van Hulsteyn

Along Lombard Street, the sign for the Lombard Plaza Motel still welcomes travelers with neon lettering and a vacancy indicator. A broad arch marks the entrance, giving the motel one more feature to catch from the road. It is a nice bit of roadside scenery on a busy San Francisco street.

Lombard was once part of the Highway 101 route through the city, and the motel was right where passing motorists could find it. Old postcards advertised its Friendship Inns of America membership and AAA approval. They also mentioned the Chuck Wagon Restaurant next door, long gone from this stretch of the street.

The motel remains open, and its sign is still standing. This is the straight section of Lombard near the Marina, well west of the famous crooked block. The old highway traffic has changed, but the sign is still doing its job.

UPDATE: As of September 2026, the Lombard Plaza Motel continues to welcome guests beneath its roadside sign and entrance arch. 09-26

Surf Motel
San Francisco, CA
Photo courtesy Dave & Debra van Hulsteyn

A surfboard stands along Lombard Street, though the beach is a few miles away. It is the neon sign for the Surf Motel, with the motel name running down the board, a “Welcome” banner, and a “No Vacancy” indicator. Much better than a backlit plastic sign.

Vintage postcards advertised the Surf Motel’s location on U.S. Highway 101, back when this stretch of Lombard was a route for motorists passing through San Francisco. Mel’s Drive-In is right next door, making this a good block for anyone who likes old roadside signs and a diner stop.

The Surf Motel is still open, and its surfboard sign remains out front. There may be no waves in sight, but the board has been catching the attention of passing drivers for years.

UPDATE: As of September 2026, the Surf Motel continues to operate on Lombard Street, with its neon surfboard still marking the spot. 09-26

Pacific Motel (Rem.)
Stockton, CA
Photo courtesy Dave & Debra van Hulsteyn

The old sign for the Pacific Motel once lit up Wilson Way in Stockton with a little neon for passing drivers. It was the sort of sign that could make a motel stand out after dark, especially along a road lined with places hoping travelers would pull in for the night.

Wilson Way carried business route traffic through Stockton in the Highway 99 days, making it a natural spot for a roadside motel. The Pacific’s sign was likely a late 1950s creation and looked right at home on that stretch of road. This photo catches it while the neon was still part of the scene.

The motel property remains in use, though listings have used both Pacific Motel and Pacific Express Inn for it. The old sign did not make it through the years. By 2013, a plastic box sign had taken its place. At least the neon got its picture taken before the swap.

UPDATE: The Pacific Motel’s original neon sign has been removed, while the motel property continues to operate under varying names. 09-26