Gene’s Hawaiian Village opened as a dance pavilion about 1932. Run by Harry Eugene Long.

This pre-Tiki venue featured native performers.

The “village,” located to the north of the cafe itself, consisted of Samoan huts, canoes, beachcomber shacks, and “everything authentic enough to transport you in imagination to another world,” according to columnist Win Morrow.

The building had a large neon sign across its flat front, and the entrance was flanked by two large, blocky tiki guardians.

Gene’s operated into 1948.

At some point, the building was demolished, and today a hotel is on the site.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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".

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.

BEFORE:

When it originally opened (@2005-2006), this bar had a great cartoonish logo tiki (and matching mug) that were designed by Squid. However, the overall feel of the place had more of a dive college beer bar vibe -- accentuated by the televisions turned to sports shows, the Corona beer pennant banners strung around the white ceiling, and the neon bar signs for Pacifico beer. Vodka (much more than rum) took up a substantial portion of the back bar and while they did have a menu of tiki drinks, they skewed towards the sweet concoctions typical before the craft cocktail revolution. There was some bamboo on the pillar room supports and bar itself, but this was still more of a beach bar and grill with its yellow and light blue painted walls. In fact, their sign logo used to read "Hukilounge" but was changed to "Bar and Grill" which made more sense.

SIDE NOTE:

The original owner, Tom Davies (Tiki Tom), sold his share in 2006. That original owner then opened another Tiki Tom's in nearby Oakland in 2008 which subsequently burned down. The two restaurants were otherwise unconnected.

CURRENTLY:

The new logo is now an outrigger canoe as seen on the front entrance.

Tiki Tom's had a huge tiki makeover, courtesy of Bamboo Ben, and re-opened on August 24th, 2021. The interior decor is much improved and now several walls have been covered in nautical style planks (caulked with black pitch), the ceiling is festooned with amazing tiki lamps, nets, flotsam & jetsam, and select tiki artwork that can be seen in every nook and cranny. The interior is much darker and mysterious with multi-colored mood lighting as well.

The cocktail menu is also more in line with what discerning tikiphiles have come to appreciate from craft cocktail tiki bars.

Opened in 1987.

Coconut Joe's is a fast casual restaurant with an elaborate build-out that tilts more towards a surfing theme, but does have quite a bit of Hawaiian and tiki decor.

Known for their fish & chips and mesquite grilled chicken and beef.

They also have a rental banquet hall at 4000 Easton Drive and do catering as well.