Sam's Seafood started in its original location in 1923 at 2501 Coast Highway and, up until its Polynesian remodel in 1960 it was just a seaside seafood joint.

At 3 a.m. on Feb. 17, 1959, a fire burned the original Sam’s Seafood to the ground. Forced to rebuild, then-owners Ruth, Nick and Dick Katsaris glommed on to the midcentury fad sweeping Southern California: Tiki!

In 1960, they invested $1 million and hired architect Don Davis to design the new face of Sam’s and introduced Surfside to “Sam’s Seafood and Hawaiian Village.”

Sam's Seafood contained several dining rooms. The brightly lit main dining room had a large wall mural on one side and a dramatic tiki & waterfall display at the back. A pair of smaller side dining rooms were also bright and more aviation themed.

Of more interest to the tikiphile was the Hidden Village (Hawaiian Village) banquet room area in the back available for event rentals, which was large and moodily lit, with glass floats, waterfall displays, A-frame covered seating areas, and a small bar. On Friday nights from April to November, Sam's Seafood had a Polynesian Dinner Show in the Hidden Village. Last but certainly not least was the excellent main bar at Sam's. It was dark and full of excellent carvings, pufferfish and float lamps, and thatch.

A small bar with some tiki carvings inside, Turc's, can be found just down the street.

At the end of May 2006, Sam's Seafood was sold to developers who aimed to build retail spaces & condominiums on the site. Red tape appeared to be holding off any development on the site for years. Sam's closed for several months until June 2007, when the property owners allowed a new group to come in and keep the restaurant running in a somewhat modified form until the development could move forward.

In 2007, Sam's Seafood became Kona. In 2009, Kona closed and the restaurant reopened as Don the Beachcomber (no connection to the historic chain), which then closed in 2018.

Opened August 4th, 2023.

The bar is owned by partners Melissa and Nate Yungvanitsait, owners of Northern California restaurant chain University of Beer.

Tiki purists will declare this is more of a pirate themed bar than a true tiki bar, and they may have a point, but there are also enough of the trappings of tiki bars that we all know and love to make this a worthwhile visit if you are in the area.

As has been pointed out time and again, tiki bars thrive on layering more and more details as the years go on with the "more is more" effect. So if patrons clamor for more tiki, then perhaps each successive visit will unveil more tiki.

As it stands now, here is what you will encounter:

The entrance is a beach-themed area with some tables, huts, a few very cheap tikis (including some plastic ones). You can order at the bar from here.

Going down the hallway, there’s a lounge section that’s nautical-themed including a nice photo op stop, giant squid arms made from metal, and some granite tiled walls.

The last section is a series of booths that are nominally themed as pirate jails, plus more pirate decor including a room with artifacts.

*NOTE: In 2024, Melissa and Nate opened another Shipwrecked in Sacramento. This sister location has less of a pirate theme and more of a Balinese Island Jungle Explorer theme -- think Tomb Raider or Rainforest Cafe for adults...

Built in 1964.

Not to be confused with the Exotic Isle Apartments in Paramount, California at 8600 Rosecrans Avenue that were built in 1963.

This Alhambra location was lush and populated with tiki carvings, tropical plantings, and water features in its heyday.

The carvings became overgrown and were removed and the name was eventually changed to Jade Gardens, but the A-frame and basic architecture of the site remains intact.

Older photos of this location can be found in Sven Kirsten's Book of Tiki (page 220).

Opened in 1960.

One of the first mall-type shopping centers in -or around- California's capital, SOUTHGATE CENTER was developed by a joint venture of Sacramento's James J. Cordano Company and San Francisco's Blumenfeld Enterprises. The single level, open-air complex was designed by Los Angeles' Chaix & Johnson firm and W.B. David, of Sacramento.

It has undergone many developments over the years and is hardly recognizable today.

Most recognized by tikiphiles for having a Barney West tiki on display outside, which was viewable at least as late as 1984.

Notably, the phallus was removed from the carving, for fear of hurting the delicate sensibilities of shoppers.

Today the entire statue is gone...

Cora Irene Sund was born in 1910 and died in 1974.

*Her gravestone says born in "1909" but that appears to be an error according to her obituary and other sources.

In any case, she had a remarkable impact on tiki and cocktail history. She built-out Don the Beachcombers as a real business, expanding it across the United States. While Donn Beach's name often overshadows her impact on the business's history, Sunny Sund emerged as the visionary leader, overseeing its growth from a modest twenty-four-seat bar into a flourishing chain of million-dollar restaurants.

Sund met and married Ernest Raymond Beaumont Gantt (Donn Beach) in Hollywood in the 1930s, with Gantt opening Don’s Beachcomber, the first of what would later be known as exotic restaurants. The bar was wildly successful and Sund became Gantt’s business partner, raising money to expand the business, which they began (first to Chicago) in 1940. The marriage didn’t last, but Sund and Gantt remained business partners, with Gantt as figurehead and host, and Sund running the growing business behind the scenes. Through the 40s and 50s, Sund grew Don the Beachcomber’s to some sixteen locations, selling the business to Getty Enterprises in 1968.

Sunny died on January 8th and was laid to rest Saturday, January 12th, 1974 at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale, California. She was 64 years old.

After a temporary closure and remodeling, Danville California's Vine and Spirits reopened in April 2025 as Kaia’s Island Kitchen and Tiki Bar.

From Kaia's website:

"At Kaia’s Island Kitchen & Tiki Bar, everything starts with family, love, and the aloha spirit. Our story began with countless unforgettable trips to Hawaii—lazy beach days, laughter around the table, and the simple joy of sharing great food with the people you love most.

For Randy Negi (A local restaurant Entrepreneur), those island memories meant everything. They were filled with warmth, happiness, and a sense of belonging. He wanted to bring that feeling home — to create a place where every guest feels like part of the family, and every meal feels like a little escape to paradise.

Kaia’s is named after Randy’s granddaughter, Kaia — the heart and inspiration behind this dream. Her joyful energy, curiosity, and love for the islands are woven into every corner of our restaurant. From the food to the atmosphere, everything here reflects what Hawaii means to us: connection, happiness, and living life with aloha.

We believe food is more than just a meal — it’s a way to bring people together. Whether you’re gathering with family, meeting friends, or simply unwinding after a busy day, Kaia’s invites you to slow down, savor the moment, and embrace the island spirit. Our menu celebrates authentic Hawaiian comfort food, island-inspired cocktails, and the freshest ingredients, all served with aloha. We serve everything from savory Loco Moco to vibrant poke bowls, tropical cocktails, and sweet island indulgences.

Sip on our silky-smooth Chi Chi Cocktail, the ultimate creamy, coconut refreshment. Discover why our 44 Mai Tai is the most loved — a bold, balanced island classic, bursting with aloha. And don’t forget to save room for Hula Pie, the ultimate Hawaiian dessert — macadamia nut ice cream stacked on a chocolate cookie crust with whipped cream, toasted mac nuts, and chocolate drizzle.

At Kaia’s, every bite and every sip carries you to the heart of Hawaii — where aloha lives, the breeze whispers, and everything’s made with love."

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Kaia's offers a food-first, tiki bar second experience.

The entire location is tastefully decorated in island-inspired decor, with all of the typical design elements: bamboo, tiki statues, thatching, tropical prints, etc.

The food menu features Hawaiian and Hawaii-inspired fare. The drink menu offers beer, wine, traditional tiki bar drinks (mai tai, painkiller, zombie), as well as their own custom tiki drinks (Three Hour Tour and Ohanapod Mai Tai).

For swag, they offer a number of shirts, baseball caps, branded glassware, and multiple tiki mugs.

Opened in late 2024.

Shipwrecked Paradise Island was launched by the same team that operates the Shipwrecked Tiki Bar in Davis, California -- Nate and Melissa Yungvanitsait.

This downtown Sacramento bar is deeply immersive but tilts away from the usual Polynesian beachcomber aesthetic of most classic tiki bars and instead embraces a tropical Balinese jungle island atmosphere that looks like it could easily accommodate the next film installment of Tomb Raider. After entering past huge Balinese temple guardian statues, visitors will find themselves confronted with a tiger, a giant man-eating plant, and with a huge anaconda hanging from the ceiling. If they can make their way past these obstacles to the bar, they will find a long menu of tropical and tiki cocktails waiting.

In 1972, Bill and Mary Koplin built Magic Carpet Golf on land they purchased from Marjorie Springmeyer adjacent to what was once the South Lake Tahoe amusement park. Marjorie had overheard Bill and his real estate agent talking in a local restaurant about Bill's plans for building the course. "I have a piece of property I can sell you," Marjorie told them.

At the time there was a gas station on the corner of Lodi and Highway 50, so the minigolf course was built on the land in-between the amusement park and the station. Years later the Koplins bought the land where the gas station was and expanded their parking area and home above the course.

Bill was no stranger to the business. He had built 13 miniature golf courses with uncles and brothers in the California cities of Alameda, Lake Berryessa, Bakersfield (an indoor course), Pinole and Konocti Harbor, then in Key West, Biloxi and Galveston. Family members ran all of those except for the ones in Konoti and Bakersfield.

In 1948 he built a popular course along the Russian River where he raised his family, one that daughter Karen has very fond memories of.

"Those were great times," said Karen. "All the kids hung out there."

In 1970, Bill and Mary bought property at Carnelian Bay and build the first Lake Tahoe area Magic Carpet Golf. This course was for his son Bill, Jr. who still operates the course.

Then came 1972 and South Lake Tahoe. Daughter Peggy was given this course to run.

In 1974 they added a Reno location for daughter Jeanne, who, you guessed it, still runs the place.

Daughter Karen operated the Russian River property until 1992 when she switched locations with Peggy and moved to South Lake Tahoe. Cal Trans bought the Russian River course in 1994 due to a freeway planned for the property.

Karen and her husband Gino Franceschi live most of the year above the Magic Carpet Golf on the corner of Lodi and 50, then head off the hill from time to time to their other home in Forestville, CA.

Their children, all now adults, have grown up at Magic Carpet. Though none of them live in South Lake Tahoe year round, they all come to town for the summer along with their own children to help run the family business.

Karen and Gino have four children, Tony, Nicki, Karey and Gina. They are also grandparents to ten. At any time you'll be sure to find one of them working the front counter at Magic Carpet. They also hire local teens to help out in the summer since the course is open seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Magic Carpet is open Spring through Fall, and with weather permitting, winter too. Last year they were open some days in December and February.

All locals get a discount, so make sure to mention you're from South Lake Tahoe the next time you play either one of the two 19-hole courses, or the 28-hole course.

Opened December 6th, 2024 at their new location at the old Santana Mavericks building (40771 Big Bear Boulevard).

Owned by Michael Sterling Eaton and Sanoe Lake Eaton.

Their first site (40616 Village Dr, Big Bear Lake, California 92305) was a much smaller location, and opened in Big Bear in 2016.

This new location is a full restaurant, and as with their previous incarnation, is known for their sushi and poke bowls and tropical non-alcoholic drinks.

They do not serve alcohol.

Established in 1971, the museum is one of few U.S. institutions dedicated to the arts and culture of Asia and the Pacific Islands, serving the city of Los Angeles and the Greater Southern California region. The museum’s mission is to further intercultural understanding through the arts of Asia and the Pacific Islands.

In 2013, University of Southern California partnered with the museum to form USC Pacific Asia Museum. The affiliation broadened the community that benefits from the museum’s role as a vital resource for education and cultural heritage, and expanded the audience interested in a dialogue about art, history and culture.

Support from the museum’s constituent communities has enabled the collection to grow to more than 15,000 objects, spanning more than five thousand years and the region extending from Persia to the Pacific Islands. The museum fulfills its mission by organizing and presenting exhibitions, performances, lectures, classes, workshops, and festivals, all drawing on the arts and cultures of Asia and the Pacific Islands. These programs provide quality arts programming and education to children and families, ensuring greater access to the arts for area residents and nurturing new audiences.

In its brief history, the museum has organized and presented a number of groundbreaking exhibitions, including the first North American exhibitions of contemporary Chinese art after the Revolution and the first exhibition of Aboriginal art in the United States. Exhibitions originated by the museum have traveled across the country and to Japan. The museum is also committed to scholarship and has produced more than 50 exhibition catalogues.

The Island Shop was located in the center of the historic shopping Arcade in Ojai, California.

Circa 1960s.

They advertised: "Colorful, exotic gifts from far-away places. Bamboo and rattan furniture of rare decorator char. Ladies apparel to fit this background. Southern California's most unique shop. Also, pet and patio supplies and COMPLETE SPORTS SHOP."

Run by Claudia and Doug Jordan.

Opened in early 1957, this pre-tiki nightclub is associated with one of the most notorious Southern California mob murders from the era.

The same year as the nightclub's opening, on March 9, 1957, Leslie Simpson was robbed at the South Seas, by a small group of gun-toting outlaws. Simpson was able to identify Joseph “Little Caesar” Rosoto as one of the bandits – because of Rosoto’s distinctive limp.

Rosoto was later charged with the armed robbery of Simpson at the South Seas bar, and his trial was set for April 20, 1959.

Rosoto, a known mobster, was not about to go down on a robbery beef. The little (5-foot-1) gangster hired his bodyguard, John “The Big Fisherman” Vlahovich (6-foot-7), and Donald Glen Franklin, a burly loner, to murder Simpson to keep him off the witness stand.

Leslie Simpson was returning with his wife, Fern, to their Anaheim home early one morning (February 7, 1959) when out of darkness came a menacing figure.

A shotgun-wielding assailant ended Simpson’s life with a blast from close range. Fern saved herself by throwing up her arms to protect herself, but both of her hands were blown off.

It was a headline-making case from the beginning, but when Anaheim police detectives discovered the sinister motive for gunning down the 46-year-old Simpson, it became one of the most notorious cases in Orange County history.

With the star witness dead, Rosoto was eventually acquitted of the robbery charge.

However, Rosoto was in bigger trouble. Rosoto, Vlahovich and Franklin were arrested for Simpson’s murder. In 1960, the trio was convicted and sentenced to death.

They were once just 20 minutes from execution in 1964, but a last-hour reprieve saved their lives. Eventually their sentences were commuted to life in prison. All three were paroled in 1975 after serving only 16 years for first-degree murder.

In 1978, Rosoto was bludgeoned to death at his home in San Gabriel. No one was ever charged...

...and in the meantime, the South Seas survived, at least for a time, purchased by Viviane Laird who was already known for her other locations like the Garden of Allah, Bohemia, and The Brass Rail.

It closed not long after, though.