Blue Skies Mobile Park

4280 Calle Real

The Blue Skies mobile park was opened in the early 1960s. When the park opened, they added what would become an iconic neon sign. Ernie Thompson, veteran glass bender at Modern Neon of Santa Barbara, created the sign. For years the sign stood as a beacon to travelers on Highway 101. Rudi Stern included the sign in his comprehensive neon history, Let There Be Neon. In 1999, the local band The Ataris used the sign for cover art and named their album, Blue Skies, Broken Hearts…Next 12 Exits, after the park. But in the early 2000s a sound wall was built, blocking the sign from the view of the highway as you drive north. Only the southbound traffic is enchanted now.

The sign consists of the words Blue Skies over two overlapping four-pointed stars. The sign still operates, but the glass tubing on the front star is broken, so only one star displays. In speaking with John, the park manager, he said the sign has been fixed twice in the last four to five years, each time costing $500 to $700.

“It’s either vandals or birds” that are breaking the sign, he said. “But it didn’t used to get broken, so we think it’s probably vandals throwing rocks.” The park’s owner considered replacing the sign with an LED equivalent, but the expense was too great.

For the time being, this is what you get.

From the Blue Skies, continue east along Calle Real towards Santa Barbara. Take it to where it intersects with State Street and turn left. Drive to the 3600 block of State and turn into the parking lot across from Denny’s.

source: www.decomposingsb.com