10 Places From The Past That Every Southern Californian Would Love To See Again If They Had A Secret Time Machine
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Angela
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We’re feeling a bit nostalgic, so we thought it would be fun to take a look at some of our favorite places in Southern California that are no longer around. Take a look at these ten places that would be a blast to see if you had a time machine that took you straight back to the past. Which spot in Southern California would you want to see first? Number 6 sure sounds fun!
If you were in Southern California between 1970 to 1984 you most likely have fond memories of Lion Country Safari where you could view the animals from the safety of your car as you drove through the wildlife park. Whether you were a kid or an adult during those years, there's no question just how much fun it would be to go back in time to visit this SoCal treasure.
Now an abandoned waterpark in the town of Newberry Springs, this once thriving outdoor amusement park was the home to many fun memories. Whether you spent the day with friends or you were here with the whole family, this lively destination was a place where everyone could show up and expect to have tons of fun.
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If you ever went grocery shopping in Southern California, chances are you stepped foot inside an Alpha Beta at some point. Not that we love rolling a cart through a grocery store, but it sure sounds nice to take a little trip back in time when life was a little slower and simpler and a trip to the grocery store was a fun family outing.
Long before kids hung out on social media, they used to head to the mall on the weekend to meet up with friends. Whether you shopped at Robinson's yourself or you just tagged along with your Mom, it's quite possible that the sight of this storefront will make you feel more than a little nostalgic.
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Back in the day, a trip through the town of Baker wasn't complete without stopping for a bite to eat at Bun Boy. With classic diner food in a relaxed setting, this was one spot that always delivered a great burger and a fun experience for the whole family.
From 1954 to 1987, Marineland of the Pacific was one of SoCal's most beloved destinations. Located in Rancho Palos Verdes, this SoCal destination was a frequent family outing for locals and out-of-towners until 1987, when it was eventually bought out by Sea World.
It was impossible to miss this restaurant shaped like a man's derby hat as you drove down Wilshire Boulevard up until 1980. With its distinct architecture and iconic setting, this was one restaurant that sure knew how to get everyone's attention.
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It seems like only yesterday that we were browsing through the vinyl records and VHS tapes at Tower Records. As much as we love the technology of iTunes, it's hard not to feel a bit nostalgic for the days when you had to head to the record store to buy a new album. And for those of us in Southern California, there was nothing quite like Tower Records, especially the one on Sunset Boulevard.
So many memories at Edwards Cinema. Do you recall any blockbuster hits you watched at this cinema? From weekend matinees to a Saturday night flick, nothing captures the past like a day at the movies.
It's hard to remember a time before Starbucks was on every corner, but if you grew up in SoCal you remember that well. In the 50s and 60s, there was Hody's instead of Starbucks. At the height of its popularity, there were 8 locations in SoCal. Which Hody's would you want to revisit if you had a time machine?
Which spot would you go back to first if you had a secret time machine? Wouldn’t it be fun to return to all of them?
If you have fond childhood memories of Southern California, where else would you like to travel back to in Southern California so you could experience it once again?
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