Rep's Motel - Fresno, CA

I truly do miss the days when restaurants would illustrate their signs with giant pig heads or cow faces. And this isn't the first Rep's Motel sign we've published, either.

Traveler Motel - El Cajon, CA

Some serious high lonesome going on here. Don't miss the space-age car in the lower right.

Red Carpet Inn - Stateline, CA

Forget the motel - who's up for dinner at "Steakery"??

Oroville Motelodge - Oroville, CA

Only one car in the lot so far, but we're working on it.

Space Age Lodge - Anaheim, CA

Part of the glorious series of interstellar-themed motels that popped up around Disneyland in the 1960s. The back of this says, no kidding "Acclaimed by thousands as 'the finest motel'".

Jump N' Jack Motor Hotel - Torrance, CA

"Centrally located for Vacationers" - to Torrance. Outstanding angled design.

Mansion View Lodge - Sacramento, CA

Downtown, right opposite the Governor's Mansion. Check out the Midas sign in the back; they still exist and look like that across California to this day.

El Rancho Motel - Lodi, CA

Pay close attention to the phenomenal sculpture out front.

Dunes Motel - Alturas, CA

Call the anti-defamation league! I can pretty much guarantee that this sign is long gone.

Diablo Motel - Walnut Creek, CA

This post is in tribute to Marvel Walter, my grandmother, whose passing down of her postcards to me after her death is what led me to accumulate more. She would have been 90 yesterday.

Santa Cruz Motel - Santa Cruz, CA

"Mel and Vi Chastain, managing owners"

Thunderbird Lodge - Redding, CA

Even includes a Sambo's! Now how come you never see those anymore...???

Thunderbird Motel - South Lake Tahoe, CA

Wonderful pink room motif captured on the inset.

Rep's Motel - Fresno, CA

Just a wonderful motel specimen. The last time I was in Fresno, signs like Rep's were still up, even if the motels themselves were long gone.

Astro Motel - Glendale, CA

Another awesome space-age motel in Southern California, and the second time I've posted a card from this motel on the blog.

Hi-Lo Motel and Cafe - Weed, CA

One of the rare motels on this blog that I've actually stayed at. Still there to this day! See the cafe on the left there? They make a damn good cup of coffee, and their cottage cheese plate is to die for.

Sandman Motel - Madera, CA

Accepts your BankAmericard, Carte Blanche and Diner's Club card.....and has "free ice".

Akua Motor Hotel - Anaheim, CA

I've always maintained the best motels and roadside signs in the USA were in Orange County, California, and this awesome postcard bears witness to said claims.

Hillcrest Motel - Oakland, CA

I wouldn't have thought so from looking at it, but apparently this was "The Bay Area's Leading Motel". How about that?

The Rainbow Inn - El Cajon, CA

Ugh. I feel hot and greasy already. I do like that the motel features a "package liquor store", though.