West Sacramento, CA - Located on the edge of downtown West Sacramento, The Experience Motel is a quite a sight to see, especially at night. Travelers passing along old West Capitol Avenue in West Sacramento will remember the familiar sight of the glowing incandescent sign showing off the large "lodge" letters and the neon diver. One of the first motels around the corner after heading west over the Tower Bridge, The Experience Lodge was known as a seedy place with a great sign. 03-09
The Experience Lodge
West Sacramento, CA Photo by RoadsidePeek.com
The Experience Lodge was a legendary fixture along West Sacramento's colorful motel row. Known in its later days as a seedy stop with a truly unforgettable sign, it stood as a fascinating chapter in the evolution of roadside America.
Located along West Capitol Avenue, the property enjoyed an enviable position just across the iconic Sacramento River Tower Bridge. During the golden post-war auto boom, this lively stretch served as the transcontinental alignment of U.S. Route 40, welcoming motorists as the prime gateway into the state capital. Over the decades, as interstate freeways bypassed surface boulevards, many classic auto courts along the strip struggled to adapt, with some reinventing themselves in unconventional ways.
Close up view of the neon diver
West Sacramento, CA Photo by RoadsidePeek.com
By the 1970s and 1980s, the motel had transitioned into a niche adult-themed destination, operating under names like the Experience Motel and Adult Experience. Inside, the rooms leaned completely into the era's novelty design trends, outfitted with round waterbeds, mirrored wall treatments, and mirrored ceilings. Despite its risqué reputation along the strip, management famously ran a tight ship when it came to facility rules, strictly posting and enforcing a policy of "Positively one couple per room."
What really cemented the property into regional roadside lore was its showstopping incandescent marquee tower out by the avenue. Standing tall above the boulevard, the sign boasted bold, stylized "LODGE" lettering framed by chasing light bulbs, crowned by an iconic animated neon diving lady silhouetted against the sky.
Over time, city revitalization sweeps and tightening sign ordinances caught up with the aging corridor. Around 2004, the spectacular neon diving girl and its bulb-encrusted marquee tower were permanently taken down, replaced by a simple, low-profile backlit plastic box sign.
The Experience Motel at day
West Sacramento, CA Photo by RoadsidePeek.com
The lodge continued on for just a few more years until its commercial operations closed for good. In April 2008, the entire motel complex was completely bulldozed and cleared away, wiping this unique piece of West Sacramento roadside culture from the map.
UPDATE: In 2008, the motel was demolished by a controlled burn by the City of West Sacramento as part of its downtown revitalization project.
03-09
UPDATE: The Experience Lodge was completely demolished in April 2008, following the removal of its famous neon diving girl marquee in 2004. 09-26
Here's a look at the motel both with the sign and after it was replaced with the backlit plastic version. The motel was burned down in a controlled fire in 2008.
Unfortunately for roadside fans, the motel was closed and eventually demolished in April 2008. The sign had already been removed about 4 years prior and replaced with a backlit plastic standard. The city of West Sacramento has passed a sign ordinance restricting the height of signs which has all but eliminated the seedy yet edgy signage along the old route in an effort to revitalize the area. Another roadside favorite area is now just a memory.
The Experience Lodge was not shy about advertising its "adult" theme.
The Experience Lodge
Close up view of the neon diver
The Experience Motel at day
