COCA LOCAL GATHERING IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

2026 COCA Gathering – Los Angeles

September 16 - 20, 2026 (Wednesday – Sunday)

Local hosts Sandy Lechtick and Mike Lustig have put together an event highlighting great collections, entertaining venues and simplified logistics!  This is a self-driving event, and most venues are all within 30 minutes to one hour from the recommended base hotel.  This is a coin-op gathering, not a formal convention like those in the past.  There is no fee.  You are free to stay and eat wherever you’d like--but we will have some organized suggestions.  This format has been successful in two prior gatherings in Ohio and North Carolina.

 

TENTATIVE Schedule

Wednesday, Sep 16, 2026 – Check in at the hotel of your choice.  We’ll have a “recommended” hotel central to the collections

·      Happy Hour at Sagebrush Cantina, Calabasas         

 Thursday, Sep 17, 2026 -- Hollywood/No. Hollywood

·       John Gaughn, expert prop builder and master illusions for David Copperfield and other major magicians.  John performs at The Magic Castle and has built an impressive collection of devices, automatons, magic memorabilia

·       Hollywood Museum.  The historic art deco Max Factor 1930’s building- 20,000 sq feet , four floors of 100 years of historic and seldom seen Hollywood memorabilia.

·       Lunch at Mel’s Diner (Same building)

·       Optional -- one-block away tourist attractions at The Medieval Torture Devices; Wax Museum, Ripley’s; Grauman Chinese theater (All within five-minute walk).

Friday, Sep 18, 2026 -- Pasadena

·      Greg McLemore- Web Magic Founder and major collector of late 1800s to 1950s American and English penny arcade, many one-of-a-kind pieces. (Will have a “yard sale”).

·       Lunch at Shakers Restaurant, one of Pasadena’s oldest family -owned restaurants.

·       Roger Kislingbery – Author of Saloons Bars & Cigar Stores and American Saloons; master Restorer of coin-op machines who has built an authentic Saloon in a late 1800s Victorian mansion

·       Optional - Pasadena Antique Mall- 25,000 sq. ft., 5 minutes from Shakers-

·       One other Pasadena collector may be added.

·       Friday Night COCA Dinner at Stonefire Grill –Woodland Hills (15 minutes from hotel)

  Saturday Sep 19, 2026 -- San Fernando Valley

·      Mike Lustig- Early 1900’s Cast Iron Trade Stimulators, Dice Machines and Advertising. Some very rare machines.

·       Valley Relics- 1940s-1970s Television and movie Memorabilia, Neon signs, devices.

·       Sandy Lechtick- Author of Detour from Oblivion - The Legacy of Vista Del Mar, has a 2500 sq.ft.penny arcade and collections of Baranger Motions, Mechanical Displays and Automatic Music

·      Lunch at Sandy’s House- Hosted by Sandy and Mike Lustig

 Sunday Sep 20, 2026 -- Optional Home/collections

·       Bill Thomas- Outstanding collection of cast iron trade stimulators, slot machines, mechanical devices. San Pedro- (45 minutes-one hour south of hotel); Nearby Long Beach.

·       Ray Dayton – A eclectic collection in a 20,000 square foot hangar- vintage automobiles, neon signs, coin-op penny arcade, mechanical advertising, Barangers - 45 minutes North of Hotel

·       There are many other tourist events including: The Venice Beach Boardwalk; The Nethercutt, Getty and Peterson Museums; Disneyland; Universal City.

 

For more information or to sign up contact Keith Morris at treasurer@coinopclub.org.

There is a limit of 50 guests including spouses and companions.