Valley Inn
Escalon, CA Photo courtesy Dave & Debra van Hulsteyn
Along Main Street in Escalon, the red arrow for the Valley Inn points right toward the door. The neon lettering makes the sign worth a look even if a drink isn’t on the agenda.
The Valley Inn has been around since about 1929. An earlier sign had a cocktail glass perched on top, while the arrow and lettering came along later in the 1950s. It is a nice bit of neon history still hanging over a working neighborhood bar.
UPDATE: The Valley Inn remains open, and its old sign still marks the spot. 09-26
Corner Pub (Closed)
Auburn, CA Photo courtesy Tony Craig
Cruising along Lincoln Way in Auburn, check out the sign for the Corner Pub. Neon is worked into the marquee, giving this neighborhood bar a little extra sparkle from the roadside. It is the sort of sign that catches your eye while you are watching the storefronts go by. A quick drink might be enough reason to pull over, but the marquee deserves a look of its own. 04-06
The Corner Pub was a local place to stop for a drink, something to eat, or a little time away from the road. In later years, the business appeared in listings as Izy’s Corner Pub. It kept the Corner Pub name in the mix, so longtime patrons would still know where to find it. Inside was a casual sports bar, with beer on tap and familiar pub fare.
UPDATE: Izy’s Corner Pub has since closed. The current whereabouts of the old neon sign are unclear. Whether it is still tucked away somewhere or has disappeared for good, the marquee made this stretch of Lincoln Way a little more interesting. 09-26
West House Club
Roseville, CA Photo courtesy Tony Craig
Near the railroad tracks in Roseville, the sign for the West House Club makes a bold claim: “Since 1906.” That is quite a stretch of time for a roadside watering hole. With the tracks close by, the sign seems right at home on Atlantic Street. It is worth slowing down for a look, even if a drink is not on the schedule. 04-06
The West House was built as Roseville grew into a railroad town. Southern Pacific had moved its operations from nearby Rocklin, bringing workers who needed meals, lodging, and somewhere to spend an evening. The West House offered all three. Patrons gathered downstairs for food and drinks, while railroad workers could stay in rooms on the second floor.
Westhouse Club
Roseville, CA Photo courtesy Tony Craig
The Frediani family began running the place in 1918 and later bought the building. The exterior has changed over the decades, but inside, the woodwork and bar still give the place an older feel. It is the kind of room where a newcomer can sit down for one drink and end up hearing a story or two about Roseville.
UPDATE: Now operating as the West House Tavern & Nightclub, the business remains open on Atlantic Street. The sign still points back to 1906, and the old railroad setting is still part of the scene. Trains may come and go, but the West House is still a place to pull up a stool near the tracks. 09-26
DeBorba's (Gone)
Novato, CA Photo courtesy Devil Doll
Along Grant Avenue in Novato, the sign for DeBorba’s Saloon had a neon martini glass ready to catch the eye. It was a fitting marker for a neighborhood bar that had been serving drinks for generations. The glass gave the old roadside sign a little flair, especially after dark. 09-06
DeBorba’s opened in 1906 and grew into one of Novato’s longtime gathering places. During Prohibition, the saloon became a billiards parlor, then returned to serving drinks after repeal. By the time this photo was taken, there was more than a century of local history behind the door.
UPDATE: DeBorba’s closed in May 2018 after 112 years. The building remains on Grant Avenue and now houses Blue Barn Gourmet, but the martini glass sign was removed. Its whereabouts are unclear. 09-26
Twin Oaks Inn
Penngrove, CA Photo courtesy Devil Doll
Traveling along the Old Redwood Highway through Penngrove, the sign for Twin Oaks Inn is a good reason to ease off the gas. The roadside marquee looks like its neon is still ready to glow, pointing the way to a roadhouse that has welcomed travelers and locals for generations. 09-06
Twin Oaks opened in 1926 and has gone by several names, including Twin Oaks Tavern and, more recently, Twin Oaks Roadhouse. Inside, the place has the makings of an old honky-tonk: a fireplace, cowboy paintings, and even a jackalope watching over the bar. There is room outside for a beer, too, if the weather cooperates.
UPDATE: After closing briefly for repairs, Twin Oaks Roadhouse reopened under new owners in May 2026. It is still serving food and drinks, hosting live music, and keeping its vintage sign along the Old Redwood Highway. 09-26
Curly's Place
Hayward, CA Photo courtesy Devil Doll
After dark on B Street in Hayward, the neon at Curly's Place gives this neighborhood bar a warm glow. The lettering over the entrance is straightforward, but it does the job: it lets you know where to pull over for a drink. 01-07
Curly’s has been a local hangout for decades, with the easygoing feel of a place where the regulars know their way around. Inside are drinks, TVs, and the occasional food special. The neon is the first thing to catch your eye from the street, especially during an evening drive through town.
UPDATE: Curly’s Place remains open, and its neon sign still lights up B Street. 09-26
Blue Mermaid
San Francisco, CA Photo courtesy Paul Bauke
At Fisherman’s Wharf, the sign for the Blue Mermaid Chowder House and Bar leaves no doubt about its name. That bright blue mermaid is easy to spot outside the Argonaut Hotel, adding a splash of color to the busy stretch of Jefferson Street. 02-07
The restaurant sits inside the old brick Haslett Warehouse, with a maritime theme that fits the waterfront setting. Seafood and clam chowder are on the menu, handy if looking at the mermaid has worked up an appetite.
UPDATE: Now known as Blue Mermaid Restaurant & Bar, the place remains open at the Argonaut Hotel. The mermaid sign is still there to welcome hungry visitors off the wharf. 09-26
Valley Inn
Corner Pub (Closed)
DeBorba's (Gone)
Twin Oaks Inn
