A long time in the making and a fine time in the doing, Kemey and I spent the tail end of August and first week or so of September on a California tiki bar road trip. Driving from San Francisco to San Diego, much of our route was along the famously panoramic California State Highway 1 – aka the Pacific Coast Highway – with stops in Carmel-by-the-Sea, Solvang, Los Angeles, Disneyland, and Huntington Beach.
Considering the length of time, list of activities and all the stays along the way, the tiki aspect of our trip turned out to be just one of a number of killer components. There was plenty of great food, awesome art and design, stunning coastal scenery, escapades on the beach, city sightseeing and even a few opportunities for long overdue reunions with family and friends. But, the tiki gods seemed most pleased with how we had mapped out our itinerary.
The tiki themed venues visited en route to San Diego were excellent milestones, not only for their distinctive décor and classic cocktails but also for their unique and still relevant role in contemporary California culture. The first night of our trip wound down with a Mai Tai toast at San Francisco’s Tonga Room & Hurricane Bar. Open since 1945, it’s the oldest tiki bar in America. The tour concluded with an updated version of that same benchmark cocktail at the two-day old False Idol in San Diego – the newest tiki bar in the States (to the best of my knowledge anyway).
In the days to come, I’ll write more about these and all the tiki bars visited with lots of non-tiki highlights and tips for planning your own California road trip as well.
What’s a Tiki?
Not sure what I’m talking about with all the tiki this and tiki that? No worries. I reckon the Wikipedia definition of “tiki culture” serves as a good place to begin an explanation of what tiki is and why I love it so.
Tiki culture is a 20th-century theme used in Polynesian-style restaurants and clubs originally in the United States and then, to a lesser degree, around the world. Although inspired in part by tiki carvings and mythology, the connection is loose and stylistic, being an American form and not a Polynesian fine art form.
I would add to the above description that the theme is most manifest – and arguably best admired – in the tiki bars of California. Here in the Golden State, tiki did and does flourish more so than anywhere else.
Escapist and naïve, easygoing and beguiling – tiki represents America at its leisurely best with its own flavours, vibrant costume, and ‘exotic’ soundtrack.
I’ve been a tiki fan since the day I entered the Enchanted Tiki Room at Disney World in Florida during a family vacation when I was four years old. And I’ve been seeking out tiki ever since.
Indeed, I already had been to a few of the tiki-themed venues that are to be mentioned in this series. Moreover, I’ve been to California several times over the years for various reasons. Nevertheless, the chance to relax in the perpetual twilight of California’s most iconic tiki bars and bask in the West Coast glow along such an epic bar crawl – and to share it with Kemey – afforded an even deeper sense of wonder and greater appreciation for all things tiki.
Visit California
My California Tiki Tour & More would not have been possible without the support of the kind and hard working folks at Visit California. Go to visitcalifornia.co.uk for all sorts of great resources and top advice to help you dream big and make the most of your own amazing trip to California.
Norwegian Air
I flew Premium with Norwegian Air to/from California. It was my first long haul experience with the low-cost carrier. I very much enjoyed my flights and am happy to recommend Norwegian.
The airline flies year-round direct from Gatwick to Los Angeles and Oakland International Airport – 35 minutes from downtown San Francisco. Flights to all of Norwegian Air’s US destinations are serviced by new Boeing 787 Dreamliners offering a Premium and economy cabin. These technologically advanced aircraft are faster, greener and help reduce the effects of jet lag. All passengers can benefit from an inflight entertainment system. Passengers travelling in the Premium cabin have spacious seating with extra legroom, complimentary drinks, dinner, inclusive luggage, fast track security and access to select airport lounges.
Fares start from £169 (wow!) one way in economy and from £499 in Premium. Find out more at norwegian.com/uk or call 0330 828 0854 (option 1).
Stay tuned for more in my series of posts about my California tiki tour.
