Twin Peaks Tavern
San Francisco, CA
Photo courtesy Devil Doll

At the corner of Market and Castro streets, check out the lighted arrows and neon glow of Twin Peaks Tavern. The mountain-shaped sign suggests fog rolling over San Francisco’s Twin Peaks, while a neon cocktail glass points toward the refreshments inside. 09-06

The tavern opened in 1935 and became a landmark of LGBTQ+ history in 1972, when its owners uncovered the windows and allowed patrons to be openly visible from the street.

UPDATE: Twin Peaks Tavern remains open, and its historic neon sign and rainbow arrows were fully restored in 2023. 09-26

Curly's Place
Hayward, CA
Photo courtesy Devil Doll

After dark on B Street in Hayward, check out the neon glow of Curly's Place. The tall vertical sign has been attracting attention since around 1958, with script lettering above a glowing COCKTAILS panel added during the 1960s. 01-07

Curly’s may look like a small neighborhood bar from the street, but the building stretches surprisingly far into the property. Inside is a long bar and a back room filled with dartboards, while an outdoor patio adds another bar and a performance stage.

UPDATE: Curly’s Place remains open as one of Hayward’s longtime neighborhood dive bars. Its vintage neon sign still stands along B Street, with clear protective panels helping shield the old glass tubing. 09-26

Fisherman's Pizza
San Francisco, CA
Photo courtesy Paul Bauke

Walking near Fisherman’s Wharf after dark, check out the glowing sign for Fisherman's Pizza. The neon fisherman sits patiently with his pole extended, though he appears to be trying to catch a slice of pizza instead of a fish. The glow can be seen from down the block, giving hungry tourists something unusual to follow. 02-07

Located inside the historic Cannery Courtyard, the casual restaurant serves pizza, spaghetti, clam chowder, and submarine sandwiches. The sign confidently advertises the “Most Famous Pizza in S.F.,” which is certainly one way to avoid being overlooked among all the seafood restaurants nearby.

UPDATE: Now officially known as Fisherman’s Pizzeria, the restaurant remains open at the Cannery. Its playful neon fisherman continues fishing for pizza above the storefront. 09-26

Blue Mermaid Chowder House
San Francisco, CA
Photo courtesy Paul Bauke

Walking through Fisherman’s Wharf, check out the bright neon sign for Blue Mermaid Chowder House. You probably cannot get a much bluer mermaid than this one. Her glowing outline stands out nicely against the old brick walls of the Argonaut Hotel, adding a little underwater color to Jefferson Street. 02-07

The restaurant and hotel opened in 2003 inside the historic Haslett Warehouse, a former fruit and produce packing building dating back to 1907. The interior preserves the old red brick walls and heavy Douglas fir beams, with plenty of nautical touches added to keep everyone thinking about the waterfront.

UPDATE: Now known simply as Blue Mermaid Restaurant, the seafood spot remains open inside the Argonaut Hotel. Its bright blue neon mermaid continues to glow above the historic brick facade at Fisherman’s Wharf. 09-26

Alex's 49er Inn
San Jose, CA
Photo courtesy Heather David

Tucked into a shopping center near West San Carlos Street, check out the glowing roadside sign for Alex's 49er Inn. The combination of neon, backlit panels, and a spinning outer section makes the old marquee much livelier than the average shopping-center sign. 07-08

Alex’s has been serving San Jose since at least the 1960s. True to the name, the neighborhood dive becomes a gathering place for 49ers fans on game days. On regular evenings, karaoke takes over the room, joined by pool tables and even a Zoltar fortune-telling machine.

There is no kitchen, so food choices are limited to bags of chips unless someone brings takeout from one of the neighboring restaurants. Fortunately, the bar handles the drinks.

UPDATE: Alex’s 49er Inn remains open, with karaoke continuing throughout the week. Its vintage sign still lights the way into this longtime San Jose neighborhood bar. 09-26

The Lariat Tavern
San Carlos, CA
Photo courtesy Michael Campbell

Cruising along El Camino Real, check out the vintage neon sign for The Lariat Tavern. Although this photo was originally identified as San Carlos, the tavern actually sits just across the city line in Belmont. The old marquee features a looping lariat design along with two brightly glowing martini glasses, so there should be little confusion about what is served inside. 02-09

Dating from the 1950s, the sign brings together a little Western imagery and classic cocktail-lounge neon. The lariat curls around the lettering while the pair of martini glasses glows on either side, making this neighborhood bar considerably easier to find after dark.

Inside, The Lariat is a spacious neighborhood dive with a long bar, three pool tables, shuffleboard, and plenty of televisions. Trivia nights, karaoke, and occasional comedy shows keep the room busy. There is no kitchen, but customers are welcome to bring in something from one of the nearby restaurants along the boulevard.

UPDATE: The Lariat Tavern remains open in Belmont, and its wonderfully overqualified pair of neon martini glasses still lights up El Camino Real. 09-26

Fred's Bar
Mountain View, CA
Photo courtesy Michael Campbell

Traveling along Old Middlefield Way in Mountain View, check out the colorful rooftop neon for Fred’s Place. Commonly called Fred’s Bar in older roadside collections, the neighborhood tavern and its glowing script sign have been here since 1959. 02-09

Inside, Fred’s remains an old-school dive with pool tables, pinball machines, sports memorabilia, and regular games of Liar’s Dice. The drinks stay simple, with truck drivers, carpenters, and Silicon Valley executives all sharing the same barstools.

UPDATE: Fred’s Place remains open, and its original rooftop neon continues to glow above Old Middlefield Way. 09-26

Joe's Corner
Fremont, CA
Photo courtesy Michael Campbell

The Joe's Corner sign in the Niles District of Fremont still lights up with a gorgeous green glow. Although it's a popular Clean-and-Sober meeting place now, the sign is still gassed! Many thanks to Michael Campbell for info. 02-09

Joe Viveiros opened the original watering hole around 1926, serving railroad workers, steelworkers, and employees of the nearby California Nursery. The traditional saloon closed in 2003, though the familiar corner sign continued lighting Niles Boulevard.

UPDATE: Joe’s Corner was renovated and reopened in 2012 as a family-friendly deli, coffeehouse, and craft-beer taphouse. It remains open with sandwiches, flatbreads, weekend music, and beer on tap. Its restored green neon sign continues to glow above the sidewalk. 09-26