MOTEL NOCA is a celebration of the motel in Northern California, with a special focus on the city of San Francisco.

From a 1930s motor court, with attached garages, to a 1960s motor hotel, with underground parking, the “city by the bay” is home to a variety of motel building types. San Francisco also features a surprisingly intact “Motel Row” and one of the country’s first successful boutique hotels. Explore architect-designed motels, themed motels, neon signs, and more! Let’s take a virtual road trip back in time and experience the golden age of the motel in California.

Presenter Heather M. David is a California-based cultural historian and freelance writer. She is the author of the books Mid-Century by the Bay, Motel California, and numerous articles on American popular culture and historic preservation. Born in San Francisco, and raised in the North Bay, Heather’s love for mid-century modern architecture, art, and signage began at a young age. Her primary interest is Northern California Modernism, with a special interest in roadside architecture, but her work often extends into other geographic regions.

Details

Sunday August 29, 2021
5:00 pm - 6:30 pm Eastern
$5/person

Event will be hosted virtually via Zoom. Zoom login details will be provided by email after registration. All ticket holders will receive a video recording of the event.

Your ticket purchase supports Docomomo US/Northern California, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) membership organization that endeavors to promote the study, interpretation, documentation, and protection of the architecture, landscape, and urban design of the Modern Movement in Northern California. We host walking tours, virtual events, screenings, and lectures for the public, as well as fund a grant program for students and emerging professionals to attend the annual Docomomo US National Symposium.