El Sombrero Motel
Salinas, CA Photo courtesy Tony Craig
Salinas is home to this old roadside stop called the El Sombrero Motel. Check out the sign beside the sidewalk, topped by a big sheet-metal sombrero that makes the name easy to remember. If one sign isn't enough, there's another mounted on the roof facing Abbott Street. A couple of things to keep the camera busy before moving along. 12-10
Originally advertised as El Sombrero Motor Courts, the motel dates to the days when themed signs helped independent lodgings stand out from the crowd. That oversized hat did a pretty good job of letting motorists know they had found the right place.
The sidewalk marquee also caught the eye of roadside photographer John Margolies, who photographed it in 1991. His image is now part of the Library of Congress collection, giving this Salinas sombrero a little time in the national spotlight.
UPDATE: The El Sombrero Motel remains open on Abbott Street. Both the sidewalk marquee and the rooftop sign survive, keeping the old motel easy to spot from the road. 09-26
King's Rest Motel
Lemoore, CA Photo courtesy Tony Craig
Here’s an old motel sign at the King’s Rest Motel in Lemoore, CA. The yellow and green colors try their best to catch the eye of travelers passing along Highway 41. With the motel name stacked beneath a little crown, the marquee adds a suitably royal touch to this roadside stop. A king has to rest somewhere. 12-10
The motel sits outside town along the highway, where it has offered motorists a place to pull in for the night. The old sign may show a little age, but its bright colors and crown still give the camera something to catch before continuing down the road.
UPDATE: King’s Rest Motel remains open on Highway 41 and has undergone renovations. It continues to offer rooms and weekly rates to travelers passing through the Lemoore area. 09-26
King's Rest Motel
