Monday at The Pearl

Today’s post takes us to a little midcentury gem in the Point Loma area of San Diego, The Pearl Hotel. This retro beauty made the list of St. Louis Style for being one of nine “Unforgettable Retro Hotels in the USA.” From The Pearl's website:

Originally designed by local architect Robert Platt in 1959 and operated as a Sportsman’s Lodge throughout the 1960s by resident husband and wife duo, Charles and Dinorah.



Fast forward to The Pearl Hotel as you know it today. The mid-century modern motel and gem of San Diego’s Point Loma neighborhood was thoughtfully renovated with hospitality brand Casetta Group at the helm. The interiors are outfitted in a contemporary aesthetic and unique vintage decor, while maintaining the integrity of its original architectural features. The 23 unique guest rooms surround the art moderne oyster-shaped pool, which flows into the onsite cocktail bar and restaurant Ponyboy. ‍



As a nod to the hotel’s name, the in-room artwork pays homage to the remarkable female Japanese pearl divers, called Ama, known to hold their breath underwater for extended periods of time while harvesting oysters.



I would classify it as a retro gem that is competitively priced in a decent location…if you are wanting to explore the Point Loma area. It’s far enough down Rosecrans Drive that you would find it difficult to navigate the stop-start-bottleneck traffic if you wanted to head downtown or explore the other beaches of San Diego. On the flip-side, Point Loma does have enough fare on its own to keep a tourist semi-busy and well-fed. If the lobby area looks unattended, it kind of was on the day I visited. The lone person on staff seemed very disinterested…when he could be found. It felt like a one-person show and I am sure he was stretched thin doing his duties (and his face showed it).



The lobby seating area with a gorgeous (!) view of Rosecrans:



The bar/restaurant area:



The pool, which is cute in a retro way but if this place approached anything near full-occupancy would be a very tight situation:



The room itself was clean and spacious, and very well appointed:



Large bathroom that was pretty, but definitely avoided any of the retro homage touches:



The “vintage touches” were reserved for the reading materials and other decor touches:



The view from the shared balcony won’t take your breath away, but I’ve definitely seen worse:



Would I recommend this place? Sure, but I can’t say it’s one that draws me in like the Lafayette in North Park. Both places are a bit out of the way for the typical San Diego tourist, but the Lafayette at least has a “wow” factor that is much higher than The Pearl.
 
See more photos of The Pearl in Point Loma at my main website.

Palm Springs Adaptive Reuse

I am always leery when well-meaning groups attempt to resurrect historic theaters, restaurants, etc. There was a reason they failed in the first place; why not save the building AND use some creative thinking to figure out a more feasible purpose for it that will succeed?



Designed by mid-century modern architect E. Stewart Williams, the Palm Springs Art Museum Architecture and Design Center (wow, that's a mouth full) is such a building.

This 1960 classic mid-century international style structure began its life as the Santa Fe Federal Savings & Loan until it became a Design Center Museum in 2014. Recently it was designated as a protected Class I Historic Site. The current exhibit is Hugh Kaptur: Organic Desert Architecture.



Consisting of vintage architectural plans and models, it was love at first site for me!







Elements of the original Savings & Loan have been retained, adding dimension to the story of the museum.









More Palm Springs adaptive reuse stories to come! See more Palm Springs photos at my main website.

Marmont Monday: Bungalow 3

My Chateau Marmont bucket list just got a little shorter. I was finally able to stay in one of the Bungalows perched along Monteel Road. I crashed a party there once back in 2001, but that’s another story for another time.



Bungalow 3 is a Mid-Century Modern architectural dream. Check out this private back patio:



…and how it looked back in 1956:



The living room circa 1956:



Circa 2019. Still way cool.



The master bedroom:



…and master bath:



The kitchen, which retains its midcentury vibe.



Bungalow 3 is one of the most famous "rooms" at the Chateau as a result of John Belushi’s tragic OD there back in March 1982. Here’s a shot from the hillside overlooking the Bungalow that morning:



Monteel Road is a VERY small one-way street. I can’t even begin to imagine what a mess it was that day with the press and the police/medical people just trying to do their job.



The same view, circa 2025:



Back to happier thoughts…I LOVE the candles that glow every night after turn-down service.



How about this private stairway down to the pool?



Yes, I definitely felt very much at home here. To live here, I would risk the heartbreak of downsizing.



If only…

See more Chateau Marmont room photos at my main website.

Back to the Salton Sea

An entire season of rain makes the deserted Salton Sea a bit greener, but it’s not going to convert it back into the glorious resort for the jet set that it once was.



Dead fish, the odor of death, and salty white beaches do not a resort make.



This art installation drew visitors in. However, the sludgy beach front was enough to keep me at a distance.



Religious graffiti on the abandoned structures:



Wise words in this time of anger:



If you have to have concrete blocks, why not make them interesting? Here’s to mid-century style!



The abandoned gas station I’d used in my photo shoot two years ago was draped in fabric.





You just never know what you’re going to see at the Salton Sea.



See more Salton Sea photos at my main website.

Safe Travels

For those of you traveling home after this holiday weekend, here's a vintage shot of the Theme Building at LAX, circa September 1963. In case you want a closeup of the cars and signage, here ya' go!



This example of Googie architecture opened in 1961. It's pretty much still brand new in this shot!

See more photos at my main website.

Still Blogging

Faithful readers have probably noticed that my blog has gone slightly dark over the last week. Sometimes life gets in the way and I just don't find the time to do a post. The good news is that while I haven't been blogging, I have been having a good time and taking photos. There will be posts coming soon...both vintage and current. Just be patient. Here's a gorgeous sunrise that I shot a few weeks ago in Palm Springs.

A few shots of an abandoned church (I sure would love to shoot inside!):





And some early morning mid-century architecture:



I hope this tides you over for a bit while I get caught up here!

See more of my photography at my main website.