There have been a ton of bars and restaurants named "Pago Pago" over the years.

This one at 319 N. Palm Canyon Drive in Palm Springs (some ads say 317) was opened in April of 1945 by Eddie Brandhorst (who also owned a Pago Pago in Long Beach).

It was formerly "The Waikiki" and owned by Joe Felix (at least as early as 1941).

It seems to have had a fire incident early on but was quickly remodeled and re-opened in October of 1945.

This pre-tiki establishment was known for advertising dancing and rain on the roof.

According to the Desert Sun, the petition to allow dancing was approved in August of 1946, so they had to wait for a little while after their initial opening.

The interior was also decked out with a large mural of scantily-clad native women, which the owner defended in the Desert Sun, December 6th, 1946, stating: "Ladies, do not fear for your husbands in the Mural Room. I know how they gaze at the Pago nymphs on the Pago walls—but they’re only painted there. Besides, the painter, Allan Woods, also came from Long Beach, 'a stern, unbending Puritan town.'"

Ownership changed, transferring to Don Artz as early as April of 1947 when he took ownership according to Desert Sun newspaper ads.

It was put up for sale in 1948 after Don fell on ill health.

Later, the site was taken over by Lee Bering and the name changed to "Lee Bering's Restaurant" in 1949, apparently making a break from the tropical island theme.

This location had a very nice sign once-upon-a-time and was located on El Centro's motel row @1960s-70s.

Around 2012 it was converted to the "American Inn" and later to "Villa Hermosa Apartments".

Built in 1961.

This development consisted of two 2-story buildings with a courtyard and pool in-between. 16 units total (1783-1797 Loma Vista St., Riverside, CA 92507).

A one-bedroom here on opening went for $85 a month.

Today, the structures remain with their stone wall front facades, but the pool has been filled in and the cool mid century fence with alternating colored rectangles has been replaced with a generic black fence.

The tiki in front is long gone and the name has undergone a few changes as well.

Its current name and commercial status remains unclear as of 2025 but all signs of tiki decor appear to have been removed.

There were apparently 4 Hula Hut Drive-In locations: Whittier, El Monte, Anaheim, and Fullerton.

They were popular as teenage hangouts, especially for early 1950s hot-rodders.

These pre-tiki joints are described much like Mel's Drive-In in the film American Graffiti, but with a Polynesian theme twist -- and carhops dressed like hula girls.

This Hula Hut in Whittier was frequented by Dean Moon, the famous hot rod pioneer. They even had a car club called the "Hutters" named after the Hula Hut.

Originally opened by Bill Blair and known for its hula sign and sexy menus.

Later purchased and re-named Bill's Drive-In.

This pre-tiki establishment was opened on April 12, 1939 by Niel Murphy.

It was across the street from the RKO Studios backlot. The RKO Forty Acres (1927-1976) was best known as Forty Acres and "the back forty," it was also called "Desilu Culver," the "RKO backlot," and "Pathé 40 Acre Ranch," depending on which studio owned the property at the time.

The Coral Isle featured murals by Frank Bowers, decorative matting, and bamboo everything. The house specialty was chicken dinners.

Harold La Van took over Coral Isle in July 1941 and by this time it had transitioned to serving Chinese food and tropical cocktails. La Van had operated a previous cafe in Venice, the Bambu Hut as well as the Rhumba Cabana in Santa Monica. La Van expanded the Coral Isle in 1944. It was soon taken over by brothers Phil and Lou Stein and their partner Bob Sassner, then Bob Axelrod in September 1946.

In 1956 it became the sophisticated Culver House.

Located at what used to be Bandits’ Grill & Bar. Opened May 6th, 2025 by Pizza Man Dan with the concept that all food and drink will be $9.99.

To accomplish this, the cocktail menu is limited to 9 choices, and all drinks are pre-batched.

Build-out of bar was done by Bamboo Ben.

Notable features include hidden Easter Eggs with a pizza theme worked into the tiki art and design elements. There is also a huge wall-sized "Vision Screen" television that plays surf footage or other videos.

999 Tiki Bar is located 2 blocks east of House of Bamboo, a more traditional Tiki Bar. House of Bamboo had setbacks during the construction phase (now slated for a late Summer 2025 opening) and even though the project was started earlier, 999 Tiki Bar was a relatively easier build-out and seized the title of "Camarillo's First Tiki Bar". Still, there seems to be room for both concepts as 999 Tiki Bar caters to a family crowd and House of Bamboo will be aiming for an adult audience.

The Mandarin was a Chinese Restaurant and not a tiki establishment, but it was extremely influential and deserves some recognition for the part it played in the development of American Chinese restaurants and tiki restaurants going forward.

The Mandarin Restaurant was founded in 1968 by Chinese food doyenne Cecelia Sun Yun Chiang. What Julia Child did for French cooking in the United States, Cecilia Chiang did for Chinese cuisine in America. Trader Vic (Bergeron) became a sort of mentor to Cecilia Chiang, especially when she moved to Ghirardelli Square where he had Senor Pico. Trader Vic brought columnist Herb Caen to The Mandarin, Caen wrote about it, and off it went. (Note: This writer was handling public relations for Trader Vic’s at that time.)

The interior of the Mandarin Restaurant also looked very similar to many tiki establishments with its large screens of Chinese temple tiles and wall sections comprised of thatch, lauhala, rattan, and bamboo. See photos below.

And, The Mandarin also served cocktails in their own signature mugs, much as her mentor, Trader Vic, did in his own restaurants.

In the heyday of the Mandarin’s success, Cecilia presided over an elegant restaurant that achieved a national reputation. Visitors from all over the country came to seek authentic and fine Chinese dining. She held cooking classes that saw students the likes of Julia Child, James Beard, Alice Waters, Marion Cunningham, Jeremiah Tower and Danny Kaye come through.

Her cooking undoubtedly influenced Trader Vic's appreciation of Chinese food going forward with his Trader Vic's restaurants and set a high bar for tiki restaurants wanting to incorporate high quality Chinese food.

After 23 years, Chiang sold her interest in the business in 1991.

This Ghirardelli Square stalwart closed its doors in 2006.

However, the family legacy lives on...Chiang's son, Philip, is a co-founder of the restaurant chain P.F. Chang's. He also ran a sister version of the Mandarin in Beverly Hills (1975-2001).

This was perhaps one of the biggest pre-tiki locations on the West Coast.

The location has a long history, but its pre-tiki history began in 1933 with its first incarnation as Club Kamokila.

Club Kamokila was located at 960 Bush St., in San Francisco. Founded in 1933 by pineapple heiress Alice Kamokila Campbell, it was originally called Kamokila's Temple to Art. The temple was the auditorium, as the building was a former church that became a speakeasy. Legal issues arose after the club was raided for unlawful liquor sales, and Campbell closed the club in April of 1934, & moved back to Hawaii. It was then taken over by Kamehameha Corporation, and renamed the Royal Hawaiian.

The Kamokila mascot was a pineapple wearing a top hat and monocle (very similar to the Planter's Peanuts mascot from a distance) and the pineapple mascot was kept for the new location for a time as well.

At some point, this location was connected to the Hawaiian Gardens in San Jose, which was considered for a time to be a sister location.

Closed and then re-opened in 1943 as the Bush Street Music Hall.

Built in 1965 as the Halemaki Apartments with 127 units.

There used to be a lot more color and details as can be seen in the first photo below (redwood color with what look to be PNG inspired designs).

The units are now condos and have been re-named "Point Loma Villas".

The basic A-frame architecture survives, as does the unique indoor/outdoor pool, and even some of the original (or at least period) rattan furniture.

This pre-tiki establishment was open at least as early as 1952, but probably even earlier right after WWII.

Advertising proudly proclaims it is "G.I. owned and operated."

Decor and theming probably didn't extend much past the impressive sign out front.

Built in 1955.

Located in the Point Loma area of San Diego, this motel was right across the street from the famous Fisherman's Landing fishing docks.

Originally, this motel featured the name in a very cool font sign along with a large actual outrigger canoe out front.

The building is still here but appears to have been converted to condos and has been re-named several times and barely resembles its former self.

No outrigger canoe to be seen...

There was also an Outrigger Motel on Atlantic Avenue in Ormond Beach, Florida (now the Outrigger Beach Club Resort) but there appears to be no connection to the San Diego motel other than the name.