Edwards Cinema
Adams Ave. at Harbor, Costa Mesa, CA

This small theater is more interesting than a first glance suggests. Rust, poor landscaping and worn paint make it all look pretty pathetic, but underneath shines a heart of Googie. Imagine the building with fresh paint and brightly colored trim and you'll see what I mean.

The Space Needle
Seattle, WA (Photo source unknown)

The Space Needle is perhaps the world's most famous googie building. Edward E. Carlson designed it in 1959 for the 1962 Seattle World's Fair. It was originally painted "Astronaut White," "Orbital Olive," "Re-entry Red" and "Galaxy Gold." Visit the Needle's for more info.

Beach-Lin Hand Car Wash
126 S. Beach Blvd., Anaheim, CA

The repeating X-shaped frame of this building looks like a horizontal rocket-gantry. I'm showing the roof here, as it's almost impossible to get a clear shot of the building from anywhere but the middle of busy Beach Boulevard.

Linbrook Billiard Center
Lincoln Ave., Anaheim, CA

A rather clever sign fronts this vintage pool hall. The Linbrook Billiard Center is right next door to Linbrook Bowl and shares its googie styling. Visitors will also notice the funky orb-lights hanging over the entry area.

Baskin-Robbins Ice Cream
616 W. La Palma Ave., Anaheim, CA

This minimalist A-frame has a contrasting circular sign and "swiss-cheese" steel brackets surrounding it. It is in the same strip mall as the Northgate Market.

Anaheim Professional Building
1120 W. La Palma Ave., Anaheim, CA

The shape of this building is a combination of '50s Modern and the earlier streamline styles. However, the details are googie. The metal screen surrounding the entire upper two-thirds of the building is especially interesting.

Gift Shop
San Clemente, CA

This gift shop started life as a beauty parlor. The brick front was added later to enclose a patio. Although partially obscured today, the overhang is a replica of a giant artist's palette. Note the palette's "finger holes" in the roof.

Gas Station
Beach Blvd., Orange County, CA

Many gas stations built between 1954 and 1964 made heavy use of googie motifs. Note the huge steel boomerangs supporting the roof.