 China Kitchen Restaurant
Hayward, CA
Photo courtesy Scott Strickland
Traveling along A Street in Hayward, check out the vintage roadside sign for China Kitchen Restaurant. The neon-rimmed marquee has been part of the neighborhood scenery for decades. 09-09
This no-frills Chinese-American restaurant is known for generous portions of honey walnut prawns, Mongolian beef, and Wor Won Ton soup.
UPDATE: China Kitchen remains open, operating primarily as a takeout restaurant. Its old roadside sign still stands beside A Street. 09-26
 Caspers Hot Dogs (Closed)
Hayward, CA
Photo courtesy Scott Strickland
Walking through downtown Hayward, check out the neon sign for Caspers Hot Dogs on C Street. If the condition of the sign offered any clue, the hot dogs must have been good. The little shop had been serving generations of local customers since 1949, with plenty of red neon helping hungry travelers find it after dark. 09-09
Caspers was founded by Armenian immigrants Paul Agajan and Stephen Beklian in 1934. The chain became known for steamed buns and natural-casing hot dogs with a distinctive snap, usually topped with mustard, relish, onions, and tomato.
The name is spelled with a C, which distinguishes it from the related but separate Kasper’s chain. A family disagreement created the two businesses in 1939, leaving Bay Area hot dog fans to debate the proper spelling and preferred dog for decades.
UPDATE: The historic C Street Caspers closed on July 13, 2024, after 75 years. The company continues operating another Hayward location on Foothill Boulevard, where the hot dogs and neon tradition remain alive. 09-26
 Hangman's Tree Tavern
Placerville, CA
Photo courtesy Scott Strickland
Hangman's Tree Tavern is a familiar roadside stop in downtown Placerville, especially for travelers heading to or returning from Reno and Lake Tahoe. The building stands near the site of the old oak tree that gave Gold Rush-era Placerville its original Hangtown nickname. Look closely and “George,” the hanging mannequin, can still be spotted above the storefront. Word is a few real ghosts may linger around here, too. 10-09
The original tree was used for vigilante executions during the mid-19th century, and its surviving stump remains sealed beneath the building. The site was dedicated as California Historical Landmark No. 141 in 1934.
UPDATE: The Hangman's Tree is no more. 08-12
UPDATE: The tavern closed in 2008 after the building was declared structurally unsafe. Preservation-minded owners later saved and restored the property, which has since returned to use as a commercial space and ice cream parlor. George disappeared shortly before the tavern closed but mysteriously returned three years later and once again hangs above Main Street. 09-26 |
 Val's Restaurant (Gone)
Daly City, CA
Photo courtesy Scott Strickland
Val's Restaurant was a longtime Daly City steakhouse where charcoal-broiled steaks, cocktails, and a little shelter from the fog were on the menu. Opened as Val’s Redwood Room in 1950, the restaurant featured a formal dining room, retro lounge, and a large fireplace that helped keep things cozy. Outside, the colorful neon sign advertised steaks, lunches, dinners, and cocktails to passing motorists. 10-09
Val’s remained a neighborhood favorite for more than 70 years, eventually operated by brothers Jeff and Greg Taylor. Its old-school atmosphere lasted until December 2022, when the restaurant served its final meals.
UPDATE: The building has since been repurposed as a cannabis dispensary. The familiar roadside neon sign was removed in early 2024. 09-26
 Hap's Original Steaks and Seafood
Pleasanton, CA
Photo courtesy Scott Strickland
Hap's Original Steaks and Seafood has one of Pleasanton’s more entertaining neon signs. Look for the animated horse leaping over a cocktail glass above the restaurant’s entrance. It is a fine bit of roadside advertising for a place serving steaks, seafood, and drinks in an old-school setting. 10-09
The location traces its steakhouse roots back to the 1950s, when it was known as Hap’s Steak House. Inside, the dark wood, white tablecloths, and classic bar keep the atmosphere closer to a traditional New York steakhouse than a trendy modern dining room.
UPDATE: Hap’s remains open and continues serving dry-aged steaks and fresh seafood. Best of all, the vintage neon horse and cocktail sign still survives and lights up outside. 09-26
 Shaw's Candy and Ice Cream (Gone)
Millbrae, CA
Photo courtesy Scott Strickland
Shaw's Candy and Ice Cream was a sweet roadside landmark along El Camino Real in Millbrae. The bright neon sign welcomed customers into a nostalgic parlor filled with old-fashioned candy, colorful ice cream, and the familiar smells of chocolate being made nearby. Through the interior windows, visitors could even watch candy makers preparing fudge, chocolate bunnies, and other treats. 10-09
Shaw’s began in San Francisco in 1931 and eventually grew into a Northern California chain. The Millbrae location served as both a neighborhood ice cream parlor and the company’s candy-making headquarters, creating plenty of memories for generations of Peninsula families.
UPDATE: Shaw’s closed permanently in September 2017 following a dispute over its lease. The candy factory equipment and familiar neon storefront sign were removed, and the property was converted into a retail center known as Shaw’s Plaza. 09-26
 Ollie's Tavern
Lodi, CA
Photo courtesy Scott Strickland
Ollie's Tavern is a longtime neighborhood bar located along School Street in the middle of downtown Lodi. Check out the neon above the entrance, which gives the storefront a little old-school color after dark. It looks like the kind of place where locals can pull up a stool, order a drink, and catch up on what has been happening around town. 10-09
Ollie’s has occupied its downtown location for more than 50 years, making it a familiar part of the School Street scene. Over time, the traditional neighborhood tavern evolved into an Irish pub known for cold drinks, live entertainment, and a friendly local atmosphere. Its large St. Patrick’s Day celebrations have also helped turn the small downtown pub into a popular Central Valley gathering place.
UPDATE: Now known as Ollie’s Pub, the bar remains open and its familiar illuminated signage survives above the entrance. The owners have also expanded next door with 20 North, a vintage-styled cocktail lounge offering a quieter companion to the livelier pub. 09-26
 The Fireside Lounge
Alameda, CA
Photo courtesy Scott Strickland
The Fireside Lounge is hard to miss while traveling along Webster Street in Alameda. Its bright red neon sign has welcomed customers since 1942, advertising cocktails to generations of sailors, travelers, and neighborhood regulars. Step inside and the vintage wooden bar and working brick fireplace keep the old lounge atmosphere alive. 10-09
Located near the former Alameda Naval Air Station, the Fireside became a popular watering hole for military personnel during and after World War II. The lounge was also known for Esther’s garlic noodles, which became such a favorite that servicemen reportedly carried boxes of them back to their units.
UPDATE: The Fireside Lounge remains open as a woman-owned neighborhood bar with live entertainment, community events, and local craft beer. The historic neon sign still shines above Webster Street, looking much as it has for more than 80 years. 09-26
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