Sterling Motel (Rem.)
San Jose, CA
Photo courtesy Dave & Debra van Hulsteyn

Welcome to the Sterling Motel in San Jose. This one is off of one of San Jose's main thoroughfares. Situated along The Alameda on the historic alignment of State Route 82 and old U.S. 101, this vintage motor court sits right on the border where San Jose meets Santa Clara, just down the way from Santa Clara University.

Featuring a cozy single-story footprint with just seven rooms, the compact court served generations of South Bay motorists traveling through the Peninsula's bustling neon strip. The property was long recognizable by its eye-catching roadside sign, which paired glowing neon tubing with a distinctive, hand-painted background panel. Over the years, the motel adapted to modern times, updating its rooms with contemporary conveniences and shifting its name to the Sterling Inn. Out front, the original sign structure still stands along the busy thoroughfare, though it has seen modifications to its vintage neon setup.

UPDATE: The former Sterling Motel along The Alameda closed and the location is now the Sterling Inn, and the sign no longer has neon and has been modernized. 09-26

The Sands Motel (Rem.)
Sacramento, CA
Photo courtesy Dave & Debra van Hulsteyn

The Sands Motel features color TV and phones! The old marquee shows off the motels convenient "refrigerated air" and color TV. Located at Auburn Boulevard and Howe Avenue, this post-war court caught motorists traveling historic U.S. 40 and 99E into Sacramento.

Under original hosts William and Rose Bissonnette, the 20-room court drew summer travelers with refrigerated air and a pool. The motel survives today, but its vintage roadside marquee was taken down in the late 1990s and swapped for a flat plastic sign.

UPDATE: The Sands Motel sign has been removed and replaced with a standard plain version. Not sure if the enter sign still kept its neon. 03-09

UPDATE: The Sands Motel along Auburn Boulevard in Sacramento remains open, though its vintage roadside marquee was removed in the late 1990s and replaced with a backlit plastic sign. 09-26

Western Motel (Rem.)
Santa Clara, CA
Photo courtesy Dave & Debra van Hulsteyn

The Western Motel in Santa Clara features some of the best neon in town. A vintage sign amidst rapidly declining roadside eye catchers, the Western is a throwback to an era where a special neon sign may have meant more business. Located at 2250 El Camino Real on the historic highway route of U.S. 101, this post-war motor court opened to Peninsula travelers in 1948.

In 1959, the motel cemented its roadside appeal by erecting a towering, custom-crafted neon cactus pylon right along the curb. Designed to grab the attention of motorists driving through the Santa Clara Valley when orchards still flanked the highway. While the physical court has transitioned over the years to provide local community housing, the famous cactus sign still stands proudly by the boulevard, though its historic neon tubing was stripped and the metal repainted.

UPDATE: For the most part, the neon on this sign is gone. The sign still remains and looks good in the day. 08-12

UPDATE: The Western Motel along El Camino Real in Santa Clara remains standing, though the vintage neon tubing on its famous roadside cactus sign was stripped away with the sign frame surviving on-site. 09-26

Capri Motel (Gone)
S. Lake Tahoe, CA
Photo courtesy Dave & Debra van Hulsteyn

The bright red neon of the Capri Motel shines brightly next to the building in S. Lake Tahoe. Tucked at the corner of Stateline and Cedar avenues just steps from the Nevada casinos and Lakeside Beach, this classic motor court welcomed countless post-war vacationers.

During its prime, the independent motel offered a heated pool, kitchenettes, and private beach passes. In 2014, the aging budget lodge closed down and was absorbed into the neighboring Basecamp Hotel expansion, transforming the old asphalt parking lot into a courtyard with fire pits and an on-site craft brewery. During the property's modern overhaul, the classic red neon marquee was taken down from the street.

UPDATE: The Capri Motel along Stateline Avenue in South Lake Tahoe permanently closed in 2014 and was absorbed into the Basecamp Hotel complex, with its bright red vintage neon marquee removed during the remodel. 09-26

Cabana Lodge (Gone)
Photo courtesy Dave & Debra van Hulsteyn

The Cabana Lodge features a nice neon sign outside that just lights up the sky in Northern California. Located at 430 16th Street in downtown Sacramento, this mid-century motor lodge sat prominently at the crossroads of historic Highways 40 and 99E when it opened its doors in 1963.

Designed by architect Melvin R. List and built by contractor Norman L. Truax, the property was promoted on vintage postcards as the city's newest downtown motor lodge, boasting soundproof rooms, refrigerated air, and a rare guest elevator. Out along 16th Street, its vibrant roadside marquee became a beloved neon landmark for passing highway drivers. Around 2005, the aging neon sign was dismantled when the owner opted not to repair the delicate tubing, swapping it out for a plain backlit plastic box.

UPDATE: The Cabana Lodge lost its sign to the big plastic backlit sign factory. 03-09

UPDATE: The former Cabana Lodge along 16th Street in Sacramento closed and the location is now the Capital City Inn, though its classic neon marquee was removed around 2005 and replaced with a backlit plastic sign. 09-26

Sage Motel
Oakland, CA
Photo courtesy Devil Doll

Here's a shot of the Sage Motel located just off of the freeway and its half lit neon sign. Sitting along MacArthur Boulevard in East Oakland's Upper Laurel district right alongside Interstate 580, this small motor court is a genuine survivor of the old automotive corridor.

Featuring a compact, low-slung layout with just four drive-up units, the court has long offered straightforward roadside lodging to passing travelers. Over the years, its gritty mid-century character and distinctive neon sign even caught the ear of the Bay Area music scene, serving as the real-world inspiration for the soul band Monophonics and their 2022 concept album named after the motel. Today, the independent motor court continues to welcome guests, with its vintage neon marquee still standing watch out by the street.

UPDATE: The Sage Motel along MacArthur Boulevard in Oakland remains open for business, with its classic roadside neon marquee still surviving on the property. 09-26

Gables Motel
Fresno, CA
Photo courtesy Dave & Debra van Hulsteyn

This neon sign for the Gables Motel still lights up the sky. Located along East Church Avenue near the historic Highway 99 corridor in Fresno, this classic Central Valley motor court has been welcoming travelers since opening its doors in 1952.

Featuring a traditional single-story layout with 28 drive-up rooms, the property remains a favorite stop for roadside enthusiasts thanks to its remarkable vintage sign package. Rather than relying on just a single roadside marker, the motel boasts a rare trio of vintage signs, including a towering main street marquee, an illuminated neon directional arrow guiding cars into the driveway, and a third identification sign mounted directly on the roofline. While the neighborhood around it has transitioned over the decades, the historic court continues to welcome guests, with its impressive collection of mid-century signs still proudly surviving on-site.

UPDATE: The Gables Motel along East Church Avenue in Fresno remains open, with its rare multi-sign vintage neon ensemble still surviving intact on the property. 09-26