Pitcairn Motel
11751 Harbor Blvd, Garden Grove, CA
Demolished, Oct. 1998
The Pitcairn was once the zenith of Tiki style in Anaheim. The sign out front complimented the lobby, which looked like a Polynesian hut. Sadly, the entire structure fell into ruin by the 1990s and it seems unlikely that it could have been saved.
Ala Moana
Wilson Ave. at Harbor Blvd., Costa Mesa, CA
This apartment complex is a particularly well-preserved example of tiki architecture. Tiki features include an arch facade, a jetty-like bridge entrance, tropical landscaping, portholes, a second (less obvious) arch on the office, and a waterfall made of lava rock.
Bali Hi Mobile Home Lodge
432 S. Harbor Blvd., Garden Grove, CA
The recreation room has not changed one iota since the place was built by CCH Corp. in 1959. Note the bamboo furniture, cocktail table,
flagcrete fireplace and furry gold lampshade. The office is more googie than tiki, but lava rocks, palm trees and a kitschy sign provide a tropical flair.
Clifton's Pacific Seas
Los Angeles, CA
Photo from postcard
This was one of the "exotic theme restaurants" that were part of Clifton's Cafeteria. This Polynesian restaurant once featured glowing neon palm trees, lilies and other flora. Diners only paid what they thought their meals were worth.
Tiki Gardens
Indian Rocks Beach, FL
Demolished
The world's only tiki theme park was owned by "Trader Frank" Byers,
and closed in the 1970s. In the photo on the right, a "native girl" is watched by Lono (a tiki) at Tiki Lagoon.
Royal Hawaiian
Pacific Coast Highway, Laguna Beach, CA
Admire the tikis outside, or go inside for dinner and their famous and potent tropical drink, the Lapu Lapu. Note the lightbulb eyes on this tiki. More photos of the Royal Hawaiian are coming soon.
The Enchanted Tiki Home
Slater Ave., Huntington Beach, CA
The house is a standard one-story tract home, but the tikis surrounding it are truly extraordinary. The owner carved the tikis for Lion Country Safari, but he got them back when the zoological park closed. He was also one of the original dancers at Disneyland's Tahitian Terrace. Look for more info at a later date.
The Tiki
The Fun Zone, Balboa, Newport Beach, CA
The Tiki is a tour boat based out of Newport Harbor. It's decorated from stem to stern in a South Seas motif, although a 1990s re-paint added some rather non-Pacific-specific wildlife murals. No, this isn't really architecture, but it certainly fits our theme nicely.
