Exploring the Revival of Motels: Must-Visit Spots in California

In recent years, motels have undergone an impressive transformation, evolving from simple roadside stops into charming destinations that celebrate nostalgia while providing modern comfort. This shift is especially noticeable here in California, where motels honor their retro heritage and offer travelers unique experiences. In this blog post, we will showcase some of our favorite motels in California, including Pioneertown Motel, Ojai Rancho Inn, Skyview Los Alamos, and Big Sur River Inn.

The Charm of Pioneertown Motel

Located in the high desert near Joshua Tree, the Pioneertown Motel is a hidden treasure that pays tribute to the Old West. Originally erected in the 1940s as a movie set for Western films, this motel has been attentively renovated to blend history with modern amenities. If you're going to be in the heat of the desert, you might as well be comfortable.

Pioneertown Motel office.

Guests can expect cozy rooms filled with beautiful vintage decor, comfortable beds, and private patios. The outside areas provide a perfect viewing platform for stargazing ( and some late night snacks ) - California's clear desert skies often reveal up to 2,000 visible stars on a clear night. We highly recommend dinner and drinks at nearby Red Dog Saloon and catching live music at the legendary Pappy & Harriet's. Pioneertown itself showcases old storefronts on the "walking only" Mane Street, making it a living museum of the Wild West.

Pioneertown Queen Room

With its remarkable history and beautiful surroundings, the Pioneertown Motel is a must-visit for anyone wanting to experience the charm of the California desert.

Ojai Rancho Inn: A Rustic Retreat

In the scenic town of Ojai, the Ojai Rancho Inn provides a charming retreat that combines relaxation with contemporary comforts. The motel comprises various room types, each designed to embody the natural beauty of the area. Many rooms showcase local artwork and rustic furnishings, which creates a friendly and welcoming atmosphere. I recommend the king room with the jacuzzi tub.

Ojai Racho Inn

Rancho Inn Double Bed Room

Guests can unwind by the pool, play bocce ball, or have a drink at Chief's Peak, the cozy onsite bar. Ojai is rich with outdoor activities - visitors can take part in hiking the many trails or just peruse around town and take in all of the local shops, all with views of the stunning Topa Topa Mountains.

Ojai Rancho Inn bar Chief's Peak

With an arts scene that thrives, Ojai welcomes you to explore local galleries or spend a peaceful day at one of the area's renowned spas. This motel serves as an ideal base for both relaxation and adventure.

Skyview Los Alamos: A Modern Twist on Retro

Skyview Los Alamos is a current interpretation of the classic retro roadside motel, situated in the heart of Santa Barbara County. The rooms are beautifully designed, showcasing mid-century modern decor that blends comfort with aesthetic appeal.

Skyview Los Alamos pool area

Guests can enjoy outdoor fire pits, a heated pool, and bike rentals. The motel is conveniently located near Santa Barbara wine country, famous for its vineyards and tasting rooms. In fact, approximately 90 wineries are located within a 30-minute drive, making it a paradise for wine enthusiasts. There isn't a lot around for shopping or sightseeing, so go with the intention to relax and unwind with some beautiful views and great wine.

Skyview Double Bed Room

The motel also features a fantastic on-site restaurant that focuses on farm-to-table cuisine, ensuring that guests can enjoy fresh, local flavors. With modern amenities and a nod to retro charm, Skyview Los Alamos is a splendid choice for travelers looking for a unique stay in California.

Big Sur River Inn: Nature's Embrace

Set along the beautiful banks of the Big Sur River, the Big Sur River Inn offers a peaceful escape into nature. Since opening in the 1940s, this historic motel has preserved its rustic charm while enhancing its amenities for modern guests.

Big Sur River Inn surrounded by Redwood trees

Rooms at the Big Sur River Inn are cozy and comfortable, many offering stunning views of the river and surrounding redwood trees. Outdoor activities abound, including events all through summer. Personally, I enjoy Big Sur's chilly and quiet days of late winter.

Big Sur River Inn Queen Room

The welcoming atmosphere makes the Big Sur River Inn an excellent place for families and couples. You can sit in the river, take a dip in the pool, or just visit the burrito bar and lounge. With breathtaking nature all around, it’s an ideal destination for those looking to reconnect with the great outdoors.

Big Sur River

The Revival of California's Motels

The revival of motels in California highlights the lasting appeal of these unique accommodations. From the historic allure of Pioneertown Motel to the modern sophistication of Skyview Los Alamos, each of these spots offers a distinct experience that embodies the spirit of the Golden State.

Whether you are seeking adventure or relaxation, California's motels provide the perfect backdrop for your travels. So grab your bags and hit the road to explore these must-visit locations that celebrate the revival of motels in a truly unforgettable way.

With their unique character and inviting settings, these motels are not just places to sleep; they are destinations waiting to be discovered.

We are Green

It's been a long time coming, but we have finally earned our Green Certification. As a vintage furniture and home decor shop, sustainability is always at the forefront of our minds. We encourage our clients and customers to reuse what they have by offering reupholstering and restoring services. In a world of fast everything, it's very important (to us) to keep as much out of our landfills as possible.

We offer sustainably built sofas and chairs - made near by in Los Angeles. Nothing is built/made until an order is submitted, so there is no waste. All of our designs are customized to the size you need for your space, so it fits perfectly and there is no size remorse. All of our sofa frames are built with hard wood and commercial grade fabrics for longevity of the piece. For more info click here.

Our effort does not stop there, we focus on patronizing vendors that encourage eco-conscious practices, we use green products - from our recycled bags to cleaners, and keep our carbon footprint in mind when it comes to our restoration services. No one can be perfect, but every little bit helps!

Nordic Christmas

You may be able to guess that we are definitely ones for history and folklore here at Folke. Here are some of our favorite Nordic customs and traditions to share.

Among all the holidays and celebrations throughout the year, Christmas is the favorite of the Nordic region, a vast swath of land that covers Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Iceland, and Finland. After a long, gloomy fall and less than five hours of daylight at the peak of winter, Christmas marks the turning point when light begins to prevail over darkness. It’s only natural that this holiday brings a special joy to the region’s residents. But some of the Nordic Christmas traditions may come as a surprise.

A Pagan Holiday Called Yule

Nordic Christmas roots go into the pagan holiday of Yule, a days-long feast that was perhaps the most important celebration of the year, the winter solstice. Yule was important for several reasons: it gave farmers something to do at the time when field works were over; it lifted spirits during the toughest time of the year, when sickness and cold temperatures often claimed easy victims; and it defied the forces of evil that lurked in the dark, giving hope to people in surviving the long Scandinavian winter still ahead.

Held around the same dates in late December, Yule went through a process of Christianization around the 9th century AD when, with the efforts of missionaries, it started shaping into the holiday we know today. Christmas in the Nordics is still referred to by its pagan name: Jul in Sweden, Norway, and Denmark, Jól in Iceland, and Joulu in Finland.

Christmas Starts Early

In most Nordic countries, the weeks-long Christmas celebration that kicks off on December 13th is called Saint Lucia Day, in honor of a 4th-century martyr from Syracuse. The day begins with young girls wearing a wreath of long white candles on their heads (nowadays, the candles are safely made with plastic) and treating the rest of the family to special saffron-flavored lussekater buns. This tradition of starting early, particularly in Sweden, is also observed in Norway, Finland, and Denmark.

In Iceland, the festivities start even earlier—on the first Advent Sunday. That’s when the decades-old annual lighting of the Oslo Christmas tree, gifted to the city of Reykjavík by its Norwegian neighbor, occurs at Austurvöllur Square. The long-awaited event gathers thousands, but it is particularly anticipated by families with small children.

It is not uncommon in the Nordics to get two weeks—from December 24 to January 6—off from work for Christmas. Across the region, festivities last all the way to January 6, the day of the Epiphany, also called the Day of The Three Kings. The day is celebrated across the Christian world as the time when the three Magi came bearing gifts to visit baby Jesus, but in the Nordics, it marks the end of Christmas celebrations. In many homes, the Christmas tree is kept until then to keep the spirit going.

Gifts Come Early

In just about every Nordic culture, a mythical creature starts visiting homes twelve days before Christmas. At bedtime, children leave slippers on a window sill in anticipation of gifts from the nightly visitor. In the morning, the slippers of those deemed well-behaved will be laden with small toys, candy, or cookies.

Called Nisse in Norway and Denmark and Tomte in Sweden, the good-humored gnome with a long white beard and a pointed red knitted cap is mostly benevolent but can cause mischief if an opportunity presents itself. Still, it is a Christmas favorite (visit Tomtar & Troll in Gamla Stan, Stockholm to get immersed in the world of tomte, handmade in all shapes and forms by local artists Maija Tahko and Kicki Flodén).

Icelandic children get visits by the 13 Yule Lads. Each of the lads has a peculiar trait: Skyrgámur (Skyr-Gobbler) likes to feast on Icelandic skyr (yogurt) while Bjúgnakrækir (Sausage-Swiper) is known for stealing holiday sausages.

Iceland and Grýla

Children in Iceland are wary of Grýla, a two-horned mountain ogress with hooves instead of feet, an enormous nose, and a face covered in warts. She comes down from her mountain abode at Christmas, sneaking around towns and villages while looking for extra naughty children to cook in her cast-iron kettle. Grýla also happens to be the mom of the 13 Yule Lads, who report on the unlucky candidates ahead of time.

The Christmas Goat

The Nordic Christmas Goat has lived through several transformations, but its origins purportedly trace back to Thor, the Norse god of thunder, and his two chariot-pulling goats. Over time, the goats of Thor have morphed into a devilish character wreaking havoc on villages across Scandinavia and punishing people whose homes weren’t clean and orderly in time for the holidays. Later still, the Christmas Goat lightened up, became a jolly prankster, and even started bringing Christmas gifts centuries before the emergence of Santa Claus. So strong is the tradition that in Finland, Santa is still called by his pagan name Joulupukki (Yule goat).

Straw Christmas Ornaments

Christmas trees in the Nordics are decorated with small ornaments made out of straw. The roots of this peculiar tradition go back to The Remembrance of Birds, a custom particularly strong in Sweden, Norway, and Denmark. After the fall harvest, farmers used to leave the finest bundle of wheat outside their porches for birds to feast on during winter. Called julenek in Norway and julkärve in Sweden, the offering aimed to distract the birds from the invaluable reserves of grain stored for the season while reminding people that sharing is caring. In Denmark and Norway, this attitude also extended to household and wild beasts who received extra food at Christmas.

Christmas Eve

Vikings believed that a new day begins when the sun goes down on the previous day. This belief could have influenced the Nordic tradition to celebrate on Christmas Eve. After the Christmas tree has been decorated and all the evil spirits, pranksters, and goats have been warded off, it’s time to gather the family around, serve the traditional Christmas dinner (with plenty of Christmas ham, pork sausages, and liver pâtés), await the visit from Tomte and Nisse (who later turned into Saint Nick), and finally open gifts.

Christmas Day is usually reserved for visiting family and the day after, called Boxing Day in honor of an old tradition to put holiday alms into boxes for those-less-than-fortunate, is spent visiting friends.

Christmas Sauna

In Finland, the afternoon of December 24th is reserved for a visit to the special Christmas sauna, ‘joulusauna’. It’s no wonder: saunas in Finland have been around for at least 10,000 years and are deeply entrenched into the ethos. After the cleansing session, families start preparing for Christmas Eve dinner. A cup of porridge or another treat from the holiday table is brought back to the sauna as an offering for saunatonttu, the sauna elf that is believed to protect the sauna and its visitors from fire and harmful smoke.

Glögg

Mulled wine, or glühwein, is a popular holiday drink throughout Europe. The Nordic version called glögg is often made with cardamom, clove, and cinnamon, and strengthened by brandy, sweet vermouth, bourbon, vodka, or aquavit—pretty much any strong liquor on hand in the household. To stave off evil spirits running amok in winter and to help fight the incredibly cold temperatures, glögg is the drink of choice throughout the month of December. In Sweden, family and friends often gather for glöggfika, which involves—you guessed it—glögg and holiday gingerbread pastries.

Happy Holidays Everyone!