Tiki Bars
The Luau - Borrego Springs
Borrego Springs, California, United States (Closed)
The Luau was located in the "County Airport," a.k.a. Borrego Valley Airport, and opened some time in the '50s or '60s. Open at least as late as 1967. The restaurant in the airport today is The Propeller Bar & Grill at 1816 Palm Canyon Drive, but it is not clear if this is the same space that once held the Luau.
Don the Beachcomber - Malibu
Malibu, California, United States (Closed)
Before becoming a Don the Beachcomber (around 1977 or so), this location was Tonga Lei.
It closed in 1987, and this location is now the non-tiki Malibu Beach Inn.
Tonga Lei
Malibu, California, United States (Closed)
Tonga Lei was a restaurant and motel right on PCH in scenic Malibu, and operated from 1961 until around 1977, when it became a Don the Beachcomber.
It had an Aloha Room, Waterfall Room, and Tonga Room.
The beachside property had been a common celebrity-sighting spot. Jayne Mansfield, the platinum blond ‘50s pinup, attended the opening of the Tonga Lei and the restaurant bar was the favorite hangout of the late television star David Janssen.
The decision to raze the property was made in 1987.
It's now the non-tiki Malibu Beach Inn.
*NOTE: Photo of entrance to the "Aloha Lounge" below is speculated to be a side entrance, not the main entrance.
The Lucky Tiki - Chatsworth Street
Los Angeles, California, United States (Closed)
The Lucky Tiki opened in December 2004.
The first incarnation of the Lucky Tiki was as a short-lived tiki bar in the San Fernando Valley, opened by Bobby Green, who is also responsible for a number of popular themed bars in the Los Angeles area (Bigfoot Lodge, Little Cave, Thirsty Crow, Harlow, Idle Hour). The Lucky Tiki location, near where the 405 and 118 freeways meet, was once The Wild Cherry, a bar dating from the 1950s. Some of the artists responsible for the decor included Crazy Al Evans, Tiki Tony and Kevin Kidney.
In early 2006, the property the Lucky Tiki leased was purchased by a new owner and they closed soon after. The entire interior, including carvings and art, were put in storage.
Bobby Green wanted to reopen the Lucky Tiki in another location, initially in North Hollywood, then in the Palms neighborhood of West Los Angeles, but nothing gelled for several years and he became pre-occupied with other bar projects.
Finally, in March of 2024, after 20 years, The Lucky Tiki re-opened nearby Tail O' the Pup in West Hollywood.
Kon Tiki - Temple City
Temple City, California, United States (Closed)
Served "Authentic Cantonese Food". Also offered "Dining, Dancing, and Cocktails".
This location is now apparently Temple Liquor.
Whanga Rei Bar & Grill
Turlock, California, United States (Closed)
New Zealand Maori-inspired restaurant and bar, next door to the Best Western Orchard Inn just off of Highway 99, appealed to the early-20s set of Turlock. Whanga Rei featured an outdoor patio with a sand volleyball court and a mechanical bull, but there were tiki touches inside, with a few large carvings, and an interesting seating area with a wave overhead. Whanga Rei opened in July 2004 but, by mid-2005, it was converted to a sports bar, and the tikis were removed.
Cacao Coffee House
Los Angeles, California, United States (Closed)
During the '90s and into the early 2000s, Cacao was a retro-themed coffee house decorated with a variety of kitschy items with a Hawaiian & tiki emphasis, combined with sci-fi. Cacao had a typical laid-back coffeehouse atmosphere, serving high-quality coffee beverages. Being a coffeehouse, there were no alcoholic beverages, and the food menu was limited. Cacao provided free wireless internet access, and periodically featured musicians and poetry nights.
Cacao was opened in 1990, but didn't get its sci-fi/tiki theme until new owners Bobby Green and Alastair Newbery took over in 1993. Bobby Green went on to own The Lucky Tiki in Mission Hills, and a thriving group of beautifully themed bars throughout the Los Angeles area. Jeremy Bell, a longtime Cacao patron, took over ownership of Cacao in 2000. Some time around the end of 2017 or in 2018 the name was changed to Good People Coffee Co.
Today, no tiki theming remains.
Kona Kai Apartments - San Gabriel
San Gabriel, California, United States
The Kona Kai apartments were built in 1962. The decor was outfitted by Oceanic Arts. There is an identical apartment building in Granada Hills, the Kona Pali. The building has a dramatic A-frame entrance, with a tile mosaic of the Hawaiian islands. There are carved tikis throughout the grounds.
Kahlua Apartments
San Gabriel, California, United States
Built in 1965.
These apartments, now apparently condos, are less than a mile north of the now-closed Bahooka.
In addition to architectural details, the grounds feature some standing tikis and a working waterfall feature.
There is also a kidney shaped pool on the grounds.
Kapu Tiki Apartments
Pico Rivera, California, United States
This building was designed by Mayer Construction in 1961 and its working title was the "Lanikai", later changed to "Kapu Tiki". The decor was provided by Oceanic Arts.
This apartment building is in a row of three Polynesian-themed apartment buildings, the others being the Paradise Island Apartments and the Aloha Arms.
Facing them, from left to right, this would be the first location in the row.
Today, the Kapu Tiki looks quite different. First, the A-frame entrance was completely removed. Then, later, the tiki masks on either end were removed. There is a ghost of the "TIKI" lettering detectable on the front and the lava rock on either end is still there, however.
Paradise Island Apartments
Pico Rivera, California, United States
Built in 1962. This apartment building, formerly called the Samoa Apartments, is in a row of three Polynesian-themed apartment buildings, the others being the Kapu Tiki Apartments and the Aloha Arms.
Facing them, this would be the middle location in the row with the Kapu Tiki on the left and the Aloha Arms on the right.
Aloha Arms
Pico Rivera, California, United States
This apartment building is in a row of three Polynesian-themed buildings, the others being the Kapu Tiki Apartments and the Paradise Island Apartments.
Facing them, this would be the last of the three on the far right.