Madonna Inn
San Luis Obispo, CA Photo courtesy Scott Strickland
The neon carriage rolls along at the Madonna Inn, a well-known stop off US 101 in San Luis Obispo. Check out the horse and carriage inside the blue oval, with the bright pink panel announcing the inn above. Quite a bit to catch while making the evening photo rounds along the coast. The sign had already been redone in the years before this shot was taken. 10-09
Alex and Phyllis Madonna opened the inn on Christmas Eve in 1958 with just 12 rooms. The place grew into a collection of individually themed rooms, giving guests something different behind each door. Book the Caveman room and even the shower gets the rock-and-waterfall treatment. A little more adventurous than the usual motel bathroom.
The theme continues through the restaurants and shops, with plenty of pink in the Gold Rush Steak House and the bakery's famous pink champagne cake. Stop for the neon, then find a few more things to look over inside. Maybe leave some room for a slice.
UPDATE: The Madonna Inn remains open, and its familiar horse-and-carriage sign continues to welcome travelers. The entrance marquee received another paint refresh in March 2022, keeping the pink and blue looking sharp along the highway. 09-26
Riverland Motel (Rem.)
Kingsburg, CA Photo by RoadsidePeek.com
Just off Highway 99 near Kingsburg, CA, the Riverland Motel once greeted travelers with this tall neon sign. A friendly and familiar sight along the road, the marquee gave motorists something to look for near the Kings River. For those making the Central Valley photo rounds, it was a good reason to pull off before continuing up or down the 99.
The property began in the late 1950s as Pawling's Lakeside Inn, with waterfront facilities designed by Palm Springs architect Hugh Kaptur. A little desert modernism found its way to the riverbank. Later known as Smokey's Riverland Resort, the place offered dining, cocktails, dancing, and a marina. Quite a few ways to stretch an overnight stop into a longer visit.
But a return trip brought a change out front. The Riverland property was still here. The old neon marquee was not. Yes... it's true. It had been backlit plasticized. The replacement could announce the place, though it gave the roadside camera a lot less to get excited about.
UPDATE: The property now operates as Riverland RV Resort, with camping and recreation along the Kings River. The original neon sign has been removed and replaced with a backlit plastic sign. The exact date of the change has not been confirmed. 09-26
Del Mar Motel
Fresno, CA Photo courtesy Dave & Debra van Hulsteyn
The Del Mar Motel in Fresno glows proudly at night, adding a little seaside scenery to the Central Valley. Check out the palm tree and beach imagery on this neon marquee. No ocean nearby, but the sign gives travelers something bright to catch while making the evening rounds along Fresno's old motel row.
Located on Golden State Boulevard, the former Highway 99 route, the Del Mar offered 20 rooms for motorists ready to stop for the night. An old postcard advertised carpeting, air conditioning, tiled showers, and Air Foam mattresses. Quite a list of comforts after a warm day behind the wheel.
Del and Clyda Heald originally owned and operated the motel. Out front, the coastal-themed sign helped set their place apart from the other motor courts along the road. For those traveling with a camera, that neon was a good reason to make another pass after sunset.
UPDATE: The Del Mar Motel was demolished for the California High-Speed Rail project. Its neon marquee was removed around 2016, and its later whereabouts have not been confirmed. 09-26
Palms Motel (Rem.)
Santa Maria, CA Photo by RoadsidePeek.com
The Palms Motel in Santa Maria still somewhat glows along the road. Well, at least a third of the letters were doing their part when this photo was taken. Check out the old neon marquee, complete with a promise of color TV. Yes, folks, no black-and-white viewing required here.
Vintage postcards advertised tiled showers, steam heat, and a television in the lobby. A few comforts for travelers pulling off the old Highway 101 route.
UPDATE: A visit in September 2026 found the old neon marquee gone and a different sign in its place. No more catching those partly glowing letters along West Main Street. 09-26
Gables Motel
Fresno, CA Photo courtesy Devil Doll
Taking a look around south Fresno, check out the signs for the Gables Motel. This place gives the roadside camera more than one thing to catch, with a tall marquee, an entrance sign, and another sign along the roofline. Apparently one announcement wasn't enough. The lettering and directional arrows help point travelers toward a place to call it a night.
The Gables opened in 1952, when motor courts were busy welcoming families exploring California by car. An early postcard advertised “28 beautiful units,” complete with carpeting and ceramic tile showers. Rooms were also “cooled by refrigeration,” which probably sounded pretty good after a summer drive through the Central Valley.
Located on East Church Avenue near South Orange Avenue, the motel sits away from Fresno's better-known northern motel row. A turn through this part of town brings another old lodging stop into view, with plenty of sign details to look over before continuing down the road.
Gables Motel
Fresno, CA Photo courtesy Devil Doll
Those three signs make it worth checking more than one angle with the camera. Catch the tall marquee first, then take a look toward the entrance and roofline. Whether glowing or sitting dark, the old lettering gives motorists a hint of the motel's highway-era beginnings.
UPDATE: The Gables remains open, and its three-part sign setup survives. The current extent of working neon has not been confirmed, so a nighttime visit may find some of the lettering dark. 09-26
White's Motel (Demolished)
Mojave, CA Photo courtesy Dave & Debra van Hulsteyn
The neon sign for White's Motel in Mojave glows brightly against the desert night. Check out the big red arrow pointing the way toward the motel office. Between that arrow, the lettering, and the “Television” panel, this marquee had plenty to catch the eye of motorists ready to stop. A good reason to get the camera out before checking in.
White's began as a “One Stop Service” complex, bringing motel cabins, a cafe, gasoline, and auto repairs together along the highway. Handy for travelers who needed to feed themselves and the car before heading farther into the desert. An old postcard even listed the telephone number simply as “14.” Not too many digits to remember there.
White's Motel (Demolished)
Mojave, CA Photo courtesy Scott Strickland
The motel also turns up in Cheryl Strayed's memoir Wild, as the place where she prepared her supplies before beginning her Pacific Crest Trail hike. Quite a different departure from the usual morning drive out of the parking lot.
UPDATE\: White's Motel in Mojave is now gone. Many thanks to Dave van Hulsteyn for update. 02-08
UPDATE: Here's a a dusk shot of the White's Motel marquee before being removed. Many thanks to Scott Strickland for updated photo. 09-09
UPDATE: White's Motel was demolished, and its large neon marquee has been removed. The smaller White's Motel Annex sign was also gone by late 2008. The property was redeveloped for chain motel use, leaving a different roadside scene along Sierra Highway. 09-26
Riverland Motel (Rem.)
Palms Motel (Rem.)
Gables Motel
Gables Motel
