Tiki Bars
The Hawaiian - Long Beach
Long Beach, California, United States (Closed)
The Hawaiian was located at 4645 E.Pacific Coast Highway and opened for business on Thursday, July 28, 1955.
It replaced the Golden Drumstick restaurant and operated throughout the 1960s.
The Hawaiian was owned/operated by Don May who also owned Leilani Hut on 2nd Street where Legends is now located.
The Hawaiian closed on June 27th, 1969.
In 1970, the building was repurposed as a Datsun dealership.
Today, a Pep Boys now stands at this location.
Gene's Hawaiian Village
Los Angeles, California, United States (Closed)
Gene's Hawaiian Village was a very early Hawaiian-themed establishment, which opened no later than 1945. The building had a large neon sign across its flat front, and the entrance was flanked by two large, blocky tiki guardians.
At some point, the building was demolished, and today a hotel is on the site.
Christian's Hut - Laguna Beach
Laguna Beach, California, United States (Closed)
This was a spinoff location from the original Christian's Hut in Newport Beach. Open from 1940s to 1953.
Later this location became the Doll House and Kona Hut.
Christian's Hut - at the Jamaica Inn Hotel
Newport Beach, California, United States (Closed)
This was a spinoff location from the original Christian's Hut in Newport Beach.
It was located at the Jamaica Inn, built by Joe Collins and Bob Ingraham at the corner of Avocado Avenue and Coast Highway.
Today the site of the former Jamaica Inn is a medical office complex.
Christian's Hut - Newport Beach
Newport Beach, California, United States (Closed)
Christian's Hut began its life as a bar for the crew working on 1935's Mutiny on the Bounty, which was filmed on nearby Catalina Island; the bar was located right under Clark Gable's room. After filming was completed, the bar was moved to this location. Christian's Hut quickly became a very popular spot with Hollywood's stars of the day. The mascot for Christian's Hut was "the Goof," whose genesis is not known; it was basically just a funny-looking head that topped the building. The Goof can now be seen atop Bali Hai in San Diego. There were a handful of other locations that were never as popular as the original. This Christian's Hut is often referred to as being in Balboa. Christian's Hut burned down in 1963. The site is now home to the Newport Towers condominiums.
Bamboo Cabana Room - at the Hotel Windermere
Santa Monica, California, United States (Closed)
The Bamboo Cabana Room, a.k.a. the Bamboo Room, was located in Hotel Windermere.
Hotel Windermere opened in 1909. It was owned and operated by businesswoman Rosamonde Borde. Her son, Harry J. Borde opened the Georgian Hotel, located next door at 1415 Ocean Avenue, in 1933.
The Bamboo Room was around until at least 1955, when the hotel was remodeled by John Lindsay.
The hotel was demolished in January 1962.
Akua Motor Inn
Anaheim, California, United States
Opened on or slightly before October 5th, 1961 when they started advertising in the Santa Ana Register.
Akua Motor Inn used to be known as Akua Motor Hotel. The Palms restaurant used to be right next door.
Tropics Motor Hotel - Modesto
Modesto, California, United States
Built in 1961, this is one of five Polynesian-themed Tropics motels once owned by Ken Kimes. The most elaborate of the chain was in Palm Springs, now called the Caliente Tropics Resort.
This motel was previously connected to the next door Tiki Cocktail Lounge. Further down was a Sambo's restaurant (which now houses Modesto Car Toys).
Most recently, the Tropics Motel has been renamed the Tiki Lodge. The pool area is fenced off and is opened seasonally only. The four tikis carved by Ed Crissman around the parking lot now have lighting on their chests/foreheads and solar powered batteries on their heads.
There is now a fence between the motel and the next door Tiki Cocktail Lounge which has separate owners and has branded itself as a gay bar.
Tropics Motor Hotel - Indio
Indio, California, United States
This Tropics location was built in the mid-1960s. There is still a half-tiki that is probably original under the porte cochere, and three tiki masks that are likely later additions. Inside the lobby there are a tiki mask and war clubs hung on a rock wall.
The Tropics is of five Polynesian-themed Tropics hotels built by hotelier Ken Kimes. The most elaborate of the chain was in Palm Springs, now called the Caliente Tropics Resort.
Tropics Motor Hotel - Rosemead Boulevard - Pico Rivera
Pico Rivera, California, United States (Closed)
One of five Polynesian-themed Tropics motels owned by Ken Kimes. The most elaborate of the chain was in Palm Springs, now called the Caliente Tropics Resort.
The motel is still here as of 2024, but stripped of all Tiki influences, re-named "America's Best Value Inn".
Hale Hawaii Lounge
Torrance, California, United States
Small old tiki bar, tucked back in a 60s-era strip mall on the Pacific Coast Highway. The decor inside is a mix of great old tiki decorations and horrid modern sports pennants.
Among other items, they have a concrete "Droopy Tiki" just as you enter on the right, also featured on page 229 of The Book of Tiki by Sven Kirsten. Named for the droopy eyelids, less than 10 are still known to have survived in various collections.
The bar keeps irregular hours, but if you do happen to stop by when they are open, their Scorpion Bowl comes highly recommended.