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

Safari Inn
Los Angeles, CA
Photo courtesy Georg Balandran

Check out the fantastic marquee at the Safari Inn in Burbank. Not quite tiki, but the neon shield, spears, and flowing lettering give this Olive Avenue landmark plenty of roadside personality.

Opened in 1955, the hotel carried its safari theme into the exterior metalwork and office. The pool deck added a little vacation atmosphere beneath the tall Googie-style sign.

The Safari appeared in True Romance in 1993 and Apollo 13 in 1995, along with television shows including Monk and Six Feet Under. It also inspired the Safari Court motel in Pixar’s Incredibles 2 in 2018. Apparently this old roadside stop works for superheroes, too.

UPDATE: The Safari Inn remains open as a Coast Hotel at 1911 W. Olive Avenue. Its restored neon marquee and poolside setting keep the familiar Burbank greeting in place. 10-26

Aku Aku Motor Inn (Gone)
Woodland Hills, CA
Photo by RoadsidePeek.com

Check out the soaring A-frame at the Aku Aku Motor Inn in Woodland Hills. Its steep roof brought a little South Seas flair to Ventura Boulevard, giving arriving guests a much more dramatic welcome than an ordinary motel canopy.

The property later joined Best Western, with the old entrance surviving for a time under the newer name. The pointed roof remained a reminder of the Aku Aku’s Polynesian beginnings until another makeover changed the frontage.

UPDATE: The A-frame was demolished in October 2006, and the original tiki signage was removed. The property continues as Best Western Woodland Hills Inn at 21830 Ventura Boulevard, with a stucco entrance replacing the old island-style greeting. 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 Lanai Motel
Alhambra, CA
Photo by RoadsidePeek.com

A little island atmosphere turns up at The Lanai Motel in Alhambra. Its tropical name and palm-accented marquee recall the days when a South Seas getaway could begin just off Valley Boulevard.

Built in 1961, the 19-room motel arrived during Southern California’s Polynesian craze. No giant tiki needed here, with the sign and swimming pool supplying a quieter vacation mood.

UPDATE: The Lanai remains open, retaining its tropical marquee with some changes and motor-court layout after a 2019 renovation. Listed for sale in July 2026, this small island-style stop may have another chapter ahead. 10-26

Akua Motor Inn
Anaheim, CA
Photo by RoadsidePeek.com

A subdued A-frame gives the Akua Motor Inn in Anaheim a little Polynesian character. Not quite an elaborate tiki resort, but the roofline hints at the days when tropical styling helped make an overnight stop more inviting.

The motel was advertising by October 5, 1961, placing it in Southern California’s busy Polynesian Pop era. Nearby, the Palms Restaurant and Jack Dutton’s Jungle Gardens offered luaus, exotic drinks, and entertainment. A room at the Akua put guests close to more than a place to sleep.

UPDATE: The Akua remains open at 1018 E. Orangethorpe Avenue. Its original tiki sign and entrance canopy are gone, though portions of the older A-frame styling remain. 10-26