Bygone Retail Central California

Revisit Central California’s old department stores and familiar retail names, from downtown landmarks to neighborhood shopping stops. Surviving signs and storefronts recall the days when an afternoon of shopping meant a trip down Main Street.

Historic Hotels Central California

Look up for blade signs and rooftop lettering announcing Central California’s historic hotels. These downtown lodgings recall generations of travelers arriving with a suitcase and looking for a room near the heart of town.

Historical Sites Central California

Take a closer look at Central California’s historic buildings, from bottling plants to familiar local landmarks. Distinctive architecture and old business names offer reminders of the working towns behind the highway exits.

Ruins and Relics Central California

Look along Central California’s roads for weathered markets, empty buildings, and remnants of old businesses. Faded signs and worn storefronts leave a little of the past in view after the customers have moved on.

Vintage Postcards Central California

Travel back through Central California in vintage postcards showing motor courts, coffee shops, and roadside stops in their earlier days. Bright illustrations and carefully framed views preserve the scenes travelers once mailed home.