Retro Roundup, Volume 4
I've driven past the Western Dental building in Santa Monica many times, often wondering why there was a penguin on the sign. Turns out it was originally the Armet and…Read more
Retro Destinations
Retro places that still exist today
Walt Disney World: Ephemera from 1971
Recently, a family friend decided to downsize and cleared out her house. She found a shoebox full of Walt Disney World and Disneyland ephemera, most of it from a family trip…Read more
Retro Reads: Mai-Kai
In spite of having family in South Florida, I've yet to visit the fabled Mai-Kai in Fort Lauderdale. Established in 1959, the Mai-Kai is easily the last great tiki palace…Read more
The Miniature Dioramas of Clifton’s Cafeteria
I love tiny things. I also love Clifton's (who doesn't?). Some of these little dioramas are old, and may very well date to the 1930s. Others appear newer. Rather than analyze…Read more
Back in Time: Clifton’s Cafeteria, Los Angeles
Los Angeles has a long track record of eating its own history. But sometimes, great historic things survive against all odds. Take Clifton's Cafeteria, for example. It's old, it's in the…Read more
Hooray for Hollywood! A Day with Esotouric
I'd heard of Esotouric bus tours before, but didn't get around to joining in on the fun until this weekend.* Hollywood!, an all-new tour looking at the beautiful architecture, crazy stories, and…Read more
Hanalei Hotel: Traces of Tiki
This summer, I finally made it to my first Tiki Oasis. I was only able to go for (part of) one day, but it was worth the trip. (I'm still…Read more