Sunset Palms Motel
Hollywood, CA Photo courtesy Adriene Biondo
The Sunset Palms Motel and its sign still stands out for those passing down Sunset
Boulevard. Although the streets have been cleaned up quite a bit from
a couple of decades ago, small treasures such as this one still light
the memory of Sunset Boulevard's past.
In 2010, the former Sunset Palms at 7160 W. Sunset Boulevard was renovated and converted into permanent supportive housing called Michael’s Village. The old motel building escaped demolition and found a new purpose, providing residents with a longer-term home behind a frontage once familiar to Hollywood travelers.
The Charles Motel (Gone)
Studio City, CA Photo courtesy Rod Holcomb
Right next door to the El Royale in Studio City stood The Charles Motel. Its bold red neon lettering gave the neighboring signs a similar look, enough to suggest the same sign painter had worked on both. A pair of roadside greetings worth checking out along Ventura Boulevard. 11-10
Opened in 1949, the Charles was an 18-room, single-story motor court arranged around a courtyard. It offered travelers a modest overnight stop during the Valley’s post-war automobile boom.
The motel later shifted toward adult short stays as its family travel business faded. Its weathered appearance also found a place on television, with the property appearing in a 1975 episode of Police Woman. Another bit of old Hollywood recorded against an actual roadside backdrop.
UPDATE: The Charles Motel at 11119 Ventura Boulevard permanently closed and was demolished during the 2014–2016 period, clearing the site for redevelopment. 10-26
Lancer Motel (Gone)
Pico Rivera, CA Photo by RoadsidePeek.com
Here’s the Lancer Motel in Pico Rivera, with a roadside marquee that had carried on for many years without much change. Its medieval shield-and-lance styling gave motorists something distinctive to check out along Whittier Boulevard. 08-13
Opened in 1956, the two-story motor court served travelers moving through the area for more than six decades before a major makeover changed its appearance. By October 2017, the familiar Lancer sign was gone and the property was being remodeled.
The buildings survived, but the old roadside identity did not. Following renovation, the property became the EPIC Hotel Pico Rivera, advertising updated rooms and whirlpool suites. Quite a change from the modest motor court once announced by the shield above the driveway.
UPDATE: The Lancer sign is now gone. The motel is being remodeled. 10-17
UPDATE former Lancer at 9241 Whittier Boulevard became involved in a permitting dispute after a recuperative-care operator began using the hotel in spring 2026. Word is, those operations subsequently ceased, and the owner was preparing to reopen it as a conventional hotel. The historic Lancer marquee remains gone. 10-26
Roy's Motel and Cafe
Amboy
,CA Photo by RoadsidePeek.com
Here's an older photo of Roy's Motel and Cafe. In the past decade, the Roy's sign has become one of the most oft photographed along the road for both Route 66 fans and social media pundits.
The motel was built in 1938 as a gas station on Route 66. The location is named off its original owner Roy and Vilma who sold the place to Buster Burris, another legend of the road. T Albert Okura of Juan Pollo Chicken fame purchased the whole town of Amboy in 2003. 10-20
UPDATE: Roy’s continues welcoming visitors with fuel and a shop, while the motel rooms remain unavailable for overnight stays. The restored 1959 neon marquee lights up again along the Mother Road. 10-26
The Lanai Motel Alhambra, CA Photo by RoadsidePeek.com
A little tropical scenery greets motorists at The Lanai Motel in Alhambra. Palm graphics on the roadside marquee give this Valley Boulevard stop an island-style introduction, even with San Gabriel Valley traffic passing below.
Built in 1961, the 19-room motel joined Southern California’s enthusiasm for Hawaiian and Polynesian themes. A swimming pool added to the vacation atmosphere, while an on-site residence provided space for the owners or managers.
UPDATE: The Lanai remains open at 1749 W. Valley Boulevard, with its tropical-themed marquee still out front though it was changed during pandemic. The property was listed for sale in July 2026 at $4.25 million, bringing another possible chapter for this small roadside survivor. 10-26
Polynesian Mobile Home Park (Gone)
Newhall, CA Photo courtesy Adriene Biondo
A tiki figure gave the Polynesian Mobile Home Park in Newhall a little South Seas personality. Though a residential community rather than a motel, its otherwise plain sign had a tropical detail worth checking out.
UPDATE: The tiki sign on your site for the Polynesian Mobile Home Park in Newhall, CA is now officially gone. It was there a week or two ago but I drove by today (05-06-06) and adios amigo. The whole area appears to be under renovation, many trees are gone too and everything has that barren bulldozed look. Many thanks to Steve Banes for update. 05-06
UPDATE: The Polynesian Mobile Home Park remains an active residential community at 23450 Newhall Avenue. Its original tiki sign was removed in May 2006, taking a little of the South Seas atmosphere out of the drive. 10-26
UPDATE: The tiki sign was gone by May 6, 2006, during renovation work that also removed several trees. The community remains open at 23450 Newhall Avenue, though its old tropical welcome has disappeared. 10-26
Kai Aloha Motel (Closed)
Compton, CA Photo by RoadsidePeek.com
Look closely at the Kai Aloha Motel and its A-frame heritage comes into view. The steep roofline recalls the days when a little Polynesian styling could turn an ordinary overnight stop into an island-themed getaway.
The tropical name and angular entrance carried the atmosphere without needing a sprawling resort. Even in this older view, the roof gives a clue to the motel’s earlier roadside personality.
UPDATE: The Kai Aloha at 2615 N. Santa Fe Avenue has closed. 10-26
The Charles Motel (Gone)
Lancer Motel (Gone)
The Lanai Motel
Polynesian Mobile Home Park (Gone)
Kai Aloha Motel (Closed)
