We’re going retro here at Only in Your State and taking a look at SoCal back in the good ol’ days. The 1950s to be exact. Do you remember Balboa Fun Zone? Or how about The Ambassador Hotel? If these blasts from the past don’t ring a bell then ask your parents or grandparents as I’m sure they have some great stories to tell. Here’s some pictures to jog your memory.

1. Cruising down Newport Boulevard in Costa Mesa.
Wikimedia Commons/Photo courtesy Orange County Archives
2. Sunset Boulevard in Los Angeles. A rare glimpse of the first high rise on the strip.
Flickr/1950sUnlimited
3. Tramway Mountain Station in Palm Springs looking mighty retro.
Flickr/1950sUnlimited
4. The former Hody's coffee shop in Los Angeles on Hollywood and Vine.
Flickr/Roadside Pictures
5. Palm Canyon Drive in Palm Springs captured in this postcard that was postmarked on Feb 28, 1959.
Wikimedia Commons
6. The Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles as photographed in 1959 long before Robert F. Kennedy was assassinated there. The hotel was later demolished in 2005.
WikimediaCommons

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7. El Morro Beach in Laguna Beach. Just look at those vintage campers and cars!
Flickr/Photo courtesy Orange County Archives
8. Hollywoodland Motel on Ventura Blvd in North Hollywood.
Flickr/1950sUnlimited
9. Balboa Fun Zone located in Newport Beach.
Flickr/Photo courtesy Orange County Archives
10. Frank Sennes' Moulin Rouge in Hollywood. The place to be until 1960 when Sennes closed his popular club and made his move to Vegas.
Flckr/1950sUnlimited
11. Law's Oak Glen Coffee shop in none other than Oak Glen. It's still in operation today and just as charming as it was back in the 50s.
Flickr/1950sUnlimited
12. The Palladium in Los Angeles featuring Lawrence Welk. Now that's a blast from the past!!
Flickr/1950sUnlimited

Hope you enjoyed taking a ride back in time. It’s always fun to see how much things have changed. Any great pictures you’d like to share from Southern California in the 50s? Get your scanners out and post them in the comments below for everyone to see.

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