California has always been a trendsetter, and the 1970s were a particularly vibrant era that left an indelible mark on the Golden State’s culture and landscape. The decade brought us everything from roller disco to environmental activism, leaving behind pockets of nostalgia that remain largely untouched by time.
Here is a list of 15 places across California where you can step back into the groovy decade of bell bottoms, folk rock, and cosmic consciousness.
Madonna Inn
This iconic San Luis Obispo hotel opened in the 1950s but reached peak popularity in the 1970s with its outrageously themed rooms. Each space has unique decor, ranging from rock waterfall showers to caveman-style accommodations.
The pink dining room remains virtually unchanged since the disco era, with its plush booths and gold-flecked mirrors transporting diners straight back to a time when excess was celebrated.
Musso & Frank Grill
Hollywood’s oldest restaurant looks frozen in the 1970s, especially in its famous wood-paneled bar area. The red leather booths have hosted generations of celebrities, and the martinis are mixed exactly as they were during the Nixon administration.
The veteran servers still wear the red jackets they first wore when “The Godfather” was first released, creating an authentic throwback experience.
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The Troubadour
This legendary West Hollywood music venue launched careers for countless singer-songwriters of the 1970s folk-rock scene. The intimate space has maintained its original layout and atmosphere since Elton John, James Taylor, and Carole King performed breakthrough shows there.
The dark wood interior, compact stage, and audience configuration remain unchanged, making it easy to imagine yourself at a 1970s concert.
Watts Towers
Created by Italian immigrant Simon Rodia over 33 years, these magnificent spires became a symbol of community resilience in the 1970s. The decade saw the towers gain national recognition as an artistic treasure and community gathering place.
Today, they stand as a testament to the DIY spirit and individual expression that defined the era, with guided tours highlighting their significance during this pivotal time in Los Angeles history.
Gazzarri’s on the Strip (The Key Club)
Though now operating under a different name, this Sunset Strip landmark retains much of its 1970s rock club atmosphere. The venue that helped launch Van Halen’s career still features the same basic layout and gritty vibe that defined the Southern California rock scene.
Old photos on the walls document the heyday when long-haired musicians and their admirers packed the club nightly.
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Apple Farm Solvang
This Danish-themed town became a major tourist destination in the 1970s, when its European aesthetics offered an escape from modern American homogeneity. The windmills, half-timbered buildings, and Danish bakeries remain largely unchanged from their peak popularity during the Carter era.
Walking the main street feels like stepping into a travel brochure your parents might have followed for a weekend getaway in 1977.
The Record Parlour
This Hollywood vinyl shop, with its wood-paneled walls and vintage listening stations, captures the essence of 1970s record store culture. The store specializes in vinyl from the era and features original stereo equipment from the decade.
Customers can browse through milk crates filled with albums, just as music lovers did before digital downloads changed everything.
Original Tommy’s
This burger joint’s original Rampart Boulevard location maintains its no-frills 1970s fast food aesthetic. The simple counter service, minimal seating, and focus on hearty, straightforward food represent fast food before corporate redesigns and health-conscious menus.
The unchanged chili burger recipe continues to attract customers looking for an authentic taste of pre-foodie culture.
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Venice Beach Boardwalk
While much has changed, certain stretches of this famous beachfront walkway maintain their 1970s counterculture vibe. Street performers, artists, and vendors create the same bohemian atmosphere that attracted tourists and locals during the era.
The Muscle Beach section looks remarkably similar to when Arnold Schwarzenegger trained there before becoming a household name.
Golden Gate Park Conservatory of Flowers
The Victorian greenhouse achieved renewed popularity during the plant-obsessed 1970s when houseplants became a national craze. The lush interior displays were expanded during this decade and maintain that specific aesthetic—ferns, hanging plants, and exotic specimens arranged in the style that dominated 1970s home decor magazines.
The building received a preservation-focused renovation during the decade that preserved its classic look.
Nipomo Swap Meet
This sprawling outdoor market captures the essence of 1970s California when swap meets were weekend social events as much as shopping opportunities. The informal vendor setups, eclectic merchandise mix, and community atmosphere harken back to pre-internet bargain hunting.
Many vendors have been selling at the same spots since the 1970s, offering authentic connections to the era.
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Ojai Arcade
The Spanish-style arcade shopping area in downtown Ojai remains virtually unchanged since its heyday in the 1970s. The boutiques specializing in handcrafted goods, spiritual books, and natural products reflect the era’s interest in alternative lifestyles.
The bell tower still chimes on the quarter hour, just as it did when the town became a center for New Age spirituality in the 1970s.
Bob’s Big Boy Burbank
This preserved 1970s coffee shop features original booth seating, lighting fixtures, and counter service. The Friday night classic car shows in the parking lot have been happening continuously since 1974.
The servers still wear the same uniform design, and the menu board looks virtually identical to when families stopped in after seeing Star Wars for the first time.
Soap Plant/Wacko
This Echo Park institution began as a handmade soap shop in the 1970s before expanding into its current eclectic form. The original soap-making equipment and early product designs are still on display amidst the newer merchandise.
The store’s commitment to handcrafted, small-batch production reflects the decade’s emphasis on artisanal goods as alternatives to mass production.
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Ghirardelli Square
This repurposed chocolate factory complex was one of America’s first major adaptive reuse projects, a concept that gained traction in the 1970s. The brick buildings, open courtyards, and mix of shops embody the preservation-minded development approach that defined the decade.
The square’s emphasis on pedestrian spaces rather than car accommodation exemplifies the changes in urban planning that began during this period.
Time Travelers Welcome
California’s love affair with the 1970s continues through these preserved spaces, offering visitors authentic connections to a transformative decade. These locations serve as more than just Instagram backdrops—they’re living museums where original fixtures, recipes, and atmospheres have survived decades of changing trends.
Whether you lived through the era or simply appreciate its distinctive aesthetics, these spots provide genuine time travel through careful preservation and continued celebration of their groovy origins.
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