Andy Chase

02/09/2002 - San Fernando Road (Near Sheldon) ? Sun Valley, California

The Pink Motel 'motor court'.

02/09/2002 - Pink Motel

San Fernando Road (Near Sheldon) • Sun Valley, California

As you drive north into the San Fernando Valley, the grimy suburban sprawl gives way to an industrial wasteland... instead of tract housing the streets are lined with small businesses; foundries, auto shops, special effects shops.

It's a peculiar place, and when I went back there for the first time in a couple of years I was reminded of why I used to hate the Valley so much; I used to work up there, and I grew to hate the drive from the relatively green and shady Sherman Oaks to the sun-baked, dusty Sun Valley.

Even more peculiar is the Pink Motel, which sits on the edge of the most industrial zone. There's nothing up there worth staying in a hotel for (I mean, a hotel that doesn't have hourly rates :P), yet the Pink Motel looks clean and well-maintained, and by the looks of all the cars in the parking lot, well-occupied.

12/26/2001 - A closer shot of the Safari Inn's sign, taken from underneath the sun deck.

Note the inward-curving sides of the swimming pool, matching the shape of the sign.

Unfortunately, the desk clerk told me I couldn't actually go up on the deck to take photographs. I'm not sure whether it was a liability issue, or if they thought I was going to be somehow profiting from it. Places around Los Angeles are sometimes cagey about letting you take photos without some kind of release. They didn't say anything when I was shooting from the ground, though.

Safari Inn - 1911 West Olive St, Burbank, California

A wonderfully preserved sign presides over the classic 1950's motel, which you may recognize as one of the filming locations for True Romance. Be sure to visit 8 Ball, a retro clothing and accessories store located across the street.