How Does Dr.Pepper Feel About Me?

Vintage 7up Sign in Merced, CA.

Pre-Columbian Room Service

The Aztec Hotel in Monrovia, CA.

Built in the 1920's

Marquee Value

The Merced Movie Theater in Merced, CA.

Royal* Jelly Donuts

Apparently the reign of Donut King I was so polular, the kingdom of Gardena, Ca. was granted a Donut King II. Perhaps things would have worked out differently for Marie Antionette had she declared, "Let them eat donuts!"

*Post was originally titled "Royal Jelly Donuts" just for its obvious and cringe-worthy pun benefit.

However, Kathy Ketter wrote in to inform me that by way of the wildest coincidence, one of the site's original 1955 co-founders (when it was known as The Big DoNut Drive-In ... a chain of some 10 Southern California locations, 5 of which remain today) was a fellow named ROYAL STEARNS!

So what do you know? I'm apparently wittier than I thought and clairvoyant to boot :-)
I'm glad these great-looking dount stands still exist. A big thanks to Kathy Ketter (Stearn's granddaughter) for the info, and thanks to Royal Stearns and partner Russell Wendell for such an enduringly iconic L.A. location!

Teutonic Take-Out

Located at 833 W. Torrence Blvd. in Torrence, Ca., The Alpine Village is a shopping mall, a wedding venue, a dance hall, a restaurant, and a year-'round photo-op. Home to the annual Oktoberfest (a seven week attraction!) and the only place I know where you can find lederhosen in adult sizes...just in time for that next "The Sound of Music" sing-along.

Chinatown, My Chinatown

Hop Louie's Restaurant

Basic gift rule: If it can't be good, it should at least be sincere.

Christmas in Chowchilla

Nostalgic, Small-Town Holiday Decorations Grace the Street Lamps on Robertson Blvd. in Chowchilla, California.