Beaudry-- That was one of my favorite posts yet. I might add to your list of thin towels, smell of disinfectant etc, those gas wall heaters with ceramic crosshatched burners.... and of course I couldn't resist driving around town via Google Street View. It turns out that the La Brea Towers does still stand--note the window pattern and roofline of the Summit Motel at the same address. It still has its tower although it's now a billboard rather than a derrick. (I love the idea that someone might have imagined a glamorous highrise before arriving at the the La Brea Towers
Hotel....)
Summit Motel nee La Brea Towers Hotel, 5005 S. La Brea
The Paradise is still The Paradise. And it even has a great "new" sign:
Don't you hope Paradise is like this? 1116 Sunset
The Sun Motel seems to have been replaced, building and all, by an America's Best Value Inn. But the house to its left remains:
5265 Sunset
The Vine Lodge--same name, same place:
1818 N. Vine
The Nity-Nite (my favorite name) is now the Copacabana Inn. And it's still eminently respectable--weekly specials are available, but there is no mention here of hourly rates.
5316 S. Figueroa
And the Tick-Tock--another great name (even if a little odd and perhaps suggestive). As you say, it's still there with the silo above. It doesn't seem to be receiving guests any longer, however.
1444 S. Atlantic Blvd., East Los Angeles
All photos via Google Street View