This neon sign is definitely a stand out on this stretch of road. The motel was built in 1957 and is still operating. So, if you are driving down the "Hi-Way" (or East Colorado Boulevard), let this motel be your "Host" in Pasadena, CA

A classic motor court built in a square around a central courtyard. It was built in 1959 and is still in operation. The Pasada got it's moment of fame as the motel, and filming location, in the Keanu Reeves and Elle Fanning movie "The Neon Demon". See the motel and working neon sign on East Colorado Boulevard in Pasadena, CA

This bar opened in 1986 and is billed as one of the oldest cocktail lounges in Pasadena. Aside from a dark chapter in the early 1990's involving one of the regulars shooting and killing three other regulars, the bar continues to be a go-to neighborhood spot with a great neon sign. You can see it on East Colorado Boulevard in Pasadena, CA

When I saw this giant windmill looming over the horizon, I didn't expect to see a Denny's sign on the building. The building was originally built as a Van de Kamp's Holland Dutch Bakery. When the chain folded in the 1990's, Denny's acquired the building. They planned to remove the windmill but yielded to protests from the locals and kept it. They have restored and repaired it over the years and it's still spinning today. It's worth a drive by to see this quirky roadside remn

This Mayan styled design, curiously named the Aztec Hotel was opened in 1925 and was reportedly quite the hotspot with celebrity quests and all, but it didn't last long as the original hotel closed less than 10 years later. Thankfully no one changed this testament to architectural audacity of a building design so it is still a spectacular head turner today. You won't miss it on Foothill Boulevard in Monrovia, CA

This sign is on a 1924 building that began as a retail store and the sign was added in 1955, likely when the store became The Copper Lamp Liquor store. While not exactly the Aladdin's Lamp I was looking for based on the nostalgic Arabesque Style font in the sign, the little copper lamp on top of the sign lights up at night. You will find it on Foothill Boulevard in Monrovia, CA

The motel opened in 1948 and has operated continuously under the same name ever since. The neon sign was added in the 1950's. The property itself has been pretty well updated but the neon sign with that classic large arrow design is there to maintain a bit of it's heritage. You'll find it on East Huntington Drive in Monrovia, CA

This California based grocery warehouse chain got into the route 66 sprit by adding this retro style neon sign with that classic V and iconic shield to their Azusa Route 66 location. It's great to see a well established business, that doesn't need a gimmick to attract customers, add a little splash of the Mother Road experience. It's like they just know that a little neon can make the ordinary feel like an adventure! See it on Foothill Boulevard in Azusa, CA

Opened in 1961, this drive-in theatre lasted a little over 40 years with it's last show in 2001. When the property was sold, a stipulation of the sale was the retention of this classic neon sign. The sign was declared a California Landmark in 2002 and was restored and relit in 2007. You'll see it glowing proudly on East Alosta Avenue in Azusa, CA

This restaurant began in 1918 as a hamburger stand for folks on horse back. By 1932, it had evolved into a full fledged steakhouse. The name and this neon sign were a great tribute to it's origins. The restaurant closed but this classic 1950's era sign boasting a giant boot with a spur hanging off it's heel has been partially preserved at the location. You can see what remains on East Route 66 in Glendora, CA

This restaurant opened in 1995. The retro neon sign is a replicate of the original sign from the first location in Alhambra, opened in 1951. You can see this one on West Route 66 in Glendora, CA.

Being raised in the Midwest, this was my first Foster's Freeze sighting. The founder of this California fast food chain originally tried to open Dairy Queen locations in California, but due to California laws protecting the dairy industry, he had to develop his own brand labeled as Old-Fashioned Freeze because the soft-serve didn't meet the butterfat percentages required by the laws to use the word dairy. This old sign has the original logo with the cheerful ice cream cone ch

This store opened in the early 1950's, as a pioneering drive-through concept, by the Alta Dena Dairy Company. The blue paneled, star topped sign still stands as a reminder of that time. You can see it on Foothill Boulevard in Glendora, CA

There couldn't be a better way to advertise a steakhouse built on the site of an old Wells Fargo Stagecoach, then a covered wagon sign. This steakhouse was opened in 1967 and is the Wild West's answer to casual Fridays. The dress code is strictly "no tie" and if you wear one in, they will cut it off and hang it from the rafters! Mosey on over for a bite on Foothill Boulevard in San Dimas, CA

The building was built in the 1920's as Wilson's Sandwich Shop, then La Paloma opened in 1966. The neon sign is a great example of signs from that time with it's googie style shapes, stars and bright colors. If you look closely, you can see the dove on the chef's sombrero on the sign as paloma is Spanish for dove. Stop in and sample some of Abuela Maria's recipes as the place is still operated by the same family. It's on Foothill Boulevard in LaVerne, CA

This mobile home community was founded in 1947. What likely started as a travel trailer park, looks to now be part trailer park and part RV park. I didn't see any sign of the orange groves, heated pool, shuffleboard or club house that they advertised back then, but this great sign was still there. If you're in the area and looking for a spot to park your RV, you can find this place on Foothill Boulevard in Pomona, CA

This neon sign with it's sweeping big red arrow and the Route 66 shield padlock is great! I love that this business adopted a retro style...

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This 18-foot-tall, five-ton tribute to the pioneer women who traded bonnets for bravery and helped tame the American West was dedicated...

The Magic Lamp Inn rose from the ashes of Lucy and John’s Italian Restaurant, which burned down in the early 1950s. Frank and Edith Penn...