Country Club Lanes
Sacramento, CA
Photo courtesy John Flores

Here's the Country Club Lanes in Sacramento, CA. This bowling alley is part of the Country Club Centre which is on Watt Ave. and has a bowling alley, hofbrau, pool hall, Tower Records, and other shops. The bowling alley has that space age look to it. The alley is open 24 hours a day and features a live DJ and glow-in-the-dark bowling 7 days a week, becoming a fun and available stop. 11-05

For more photos and info, see Roadside Peek's Spotlight on the Country Club Lanes.

Castle Lanes (Demolished)
San Francisco, CA
Photo courtesy David Kawas

Check out the head-turning marquee for L&L Castle Lanes in San Francisco. The flowing Castle script was pure mid-century, while the sharp block letters spelling out LANES looked ready to join any Googie sign along the boulevard. Put the two together and there was no mistaking where to find the bowling. 12-08

Castle Lanes opened during the 1950s near the Cow Palace and stayed open around the clock. It was promoted as a full recreation center rather than just a place to roll a few games. The Garden Room served prime rib and New York steaks, while the Olympic Lounge gathered customers around a big circular fireplace. Bowling apparently worked up a serious appetite.

The setting was unusual, too. The bowling alley stood in front of an exposed rocky hillside, which was illuminated with floodlights after dark. Between the glowing marquee and the lighted rock wall, Castle Lanes must have put on quite a nighttime show along Geneva Avenue.

For years, the sign welcomed neighborhood leagues, junior bowlers, late-night crowds, and anyone looking for a few frames at an odd hour. Even with all that scenery, the mix of script and Googie lettering remained the real roadside attraction.

The Castle Lanes was torn down in the early 1990's to make way for condos. 12-08

Castle Lanes Match cover Image
San Francisco, CA
Image courtesy Heather David

UPDATE: Here's a vintage match cover image from the Castle Lanes. Check out the picturesque scene around the bowling alley. Many thanks to Heather David for image. 05-09

UPDATE: Castle Lanes closed in 1991 and was demolished during the early 1990s. The neon marquee was removed with the rest of the complex, and residential condominiums now occupy the property. 09-26

4th Street Bowl marquee
San Jose, CA
Photo courtesy Heather David

San Jose’s 4th Street Bowl is the last remaining bowling center in the downtown area. The center opened in 1958 with 32 lanes, a restaurant, coffee shop, billiard room, nursery room, and the “Red Fox Den” cocktail lounge. With the exception of the nursery, the same offering exists today. Many thanks to Heather David for info. 02-09

Check out the multicolored neon marquee for 4th Street Bowl in San Jose. The flowing script, geometric panels, and matching lettering along the building give the place the kind of nighttime glow that once came standard with a neighborhood bowling alley. No giant bowling pin needed here. The neon gets the job done.

The canopy roof above the entranceway
San Jose, CA
Photo courtesy Heather David

Opened in 1958 with 32 lanes, 4th Street Bowl still holds onto plenty of its original atmosphere. Step inside and there are vintage wooden scoreboards, a familiar old-school layout, and rows of lanes that have seen generations of league bowlers, birthday parties, and late-night games.

The bowling alley also has a no-frills coffee shop for anyone needing something to eat between frames. Then there is the Red Fox Den cocktail lounge, with its red vinyl entrance doors and regular karaoke. Bowl a few games, grab a bite, and follow the singing into the lounge. Whether following it is a good idea may depend on who has the microphone.

4th Street Bowl lettering on side of alley
San Jose, CA
Photo courtesy Heather David

San Jose once had plenty of neighborhood bowling alleys, including Alma Bowl, Cambrian Bowl, Fiesta Lanes, and McKee Bowl. Most have disappeared beneath new development, leaving 4th Street Bowl as a rare survivor from the city’s mid-century bowling days.

UPDATE: 4th Street Bowl remains open and is the last surviving historic bowling center in the downtown San Jose area. Its vintage marquee and building neon still light up after dark, while the lanes, coffee shop, and Red Fox Den continue welcoming customers inside. 09-26

For more information, see the 4th Street Bowl website.