When you tell people about the amazing car wash in Campbell, they have every right to be skeptical. A car wash? Really?
The brain child of long time Valley residents Frank and Marilyn Dorsa, Classic Car Wash pioneered a novel approach to getting your car washed. They’ve been in business since the early sixties.
Please join me on a virtual tour:
The Delta Queen Classic Car Wash doesn’t really need a sign, but here it is anyway.
As you enter the lot, you’re greeted with a three-story replica of the Delta Queen. Flags fly, brass shines, and if you close your eyes on a warm summer day, you just might think you’re in New Orleans.
You and your car enter on the left. The actual car wash runs through the river boat
You pull up along side this beauty where the always-courteous greeter takes your order. Do you want the special? May we add an extra wax and shine? Our service department can probably remove the dent on your bumper. It will only take an extra 15 minutes.
Gerardo and Marcus, at your service
How can you say no when you know an extra 15 minutes at the Delta Queen could easily turn into an hour. Here’s why:
After passing through the service area with your car, you cross the entrance to the car wash and climb a narrow ramp. Here are a few novelties on your way.
Delta Queen novelties
When my boys were small, we waited on the ramp till our car entered the car wash, then raced to the other side to see it move through the wash. The sign below removes any lingering guilt about washing your own car at home.
Music to our ears in this drought-parched state
My boys also loved spending time racing back and forth on the deck watching the fish and the ducks. If you bring your quarters, you can get a handful of duck treats to toss in the pond.
Bring your quarters and feed the ducks and the fish
Now that my boys are teens, they stay home and I head straight for the gift shop, known as the Queen’s Chest. They sell all sorts of delightful treasure including household gifts, greeting cards, clothing and candy.
Entering the gift shop. Don’t worry, they have an ATM
The lovely Ann gave me a tour of The Queen’s Chest gift shop
Inside the gift shop and a favorite when my boys were young, is a 1700 gallon fish tank.
This 1700 gallon fish tank sits just above the jewelry case
Once you’ve browsed the gift shop, looked at the fish tank, and paid for your car wash, you exit through doors leading to a wooden landing. To the left is a small cafe and to the right you’re treated to a view of the duck pond, fountain and the beautiful landscaping.
View of the pond, the cafe and the Queen’s Chest
The ducks are there year round, but are especially fun to watch in the spring.
Duck’s crossing
A thoughtful bridge for exiting the water (ducks, not guests)
A pair of ducks enjoy the pond
Three pair of ducks and a couple of frisky, unpaired mallards
Now that you’ve shopped, enjoyed a beverage, fed the ducks, snapped photos and chatted with people around you, you might momentarily wonder “why am I here?” Oh yeah, I’m getting my car washed.
Lovely outdoor waiting area
Your car is ready by now, but feel free to sit down in the shade and relax. After all, getting your car washed is exhausting.
Gardening Nirvana 
The minute you posted this on facebook I wanted to come see it! I wonder if we could get the plane to do a slight detour over San Jose and we could maybe parachute down, just avoiding the duck pond, and land gracefully beside an empty table in the cafe ……. just a thought 🙂
I’m heartbroken to think I’ll travel all the way to America and not get to see the best car wash in the entire world!! And they use recycled water! Love them ❤
It will just have to be a California trip next time 🙂
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Pauline, so many folks were intrigued by that post (or enjoyed reminiscing about it) that I went back a few days later with this post in mind. It really is a little oasis in the middle of an otherwise congested area with multiple lanes of traffic. In my research, I also learned that the couple are philanthropic art lovers, and that Marilyn also designs jewelry. That property is worth a fortune and could have been sold years ago for development. I’m delighted that it is still here and give them lots of business to show my approval.
Honestly, I wish you could come and stay for a month. California is a beautiful state with so many interesting things to see and do. You would love it.
So yes, please come back for the car wash and stay for tea and conversation in my garden.
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PS Petals visited the car wash on one of her visits here. I thought she had blogged about it, but I couldn’t find a post. When she comes along, she can straighten me out.
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No straightening out to be done at all my dear! I may have shared a photo somewhere because I remember being so amazed. You’ve taken so much care to share amazing photo’s and giggles. The ramp is for the ducks not the customers, LOL. I’m surprised no grad antics have been played out there. Or wedding grooms being made to do silly things (do they do that in the states?) It’s just beyond fantastic and typifies what amazes us northerners about California. It just seems to me that it’s one big playground all year round. Several items in the gift shop caught my eye and I love the seafoam scarf I bought there. I’ve always loved the ducks at the lake and miss them so much. Remember how we were following two thru the parking lot to corral them back to their spot. I think we were afraid they’d be in danger from motorists but the guys there were laughing at us. Probably thinking, “crazy ladies, those ducks are here everyday”. Too bad I don’t speak spanish, I’d like to know what they were saying, LOL. I enjoyed hearing all about the boys, they’ve grown a ton since I only met them. I bet it seems like just yesterday for you. Off I go again, xoxo love this post & you!
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Alys, all these wonderful memories and flashback came to me of visits to see you, too long ago. You know how I loved the Delta Queen and especially that gift shop. Love & hugs!
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Kristi, we sure have packed in a lot of outings on your visits to San Jose. How I miss them. I don’t have any photos of us at the car wash (incredible I know). Do you have any?
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What a brilliant concept. My car would be super clean if we had this type of car wash in town.
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I know, right? There really is no excuse. I should have added the obvious: the car leaves there clean from stem to stern. They are fast, efficient and thorough…and nice!
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An example of how all businesses should be.
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Oh wow, that sounds like quite an outing! Love the look of that gift shop, and the look of the actual building too. And the ducks and fountain and everything are lovely! I would probably be so dazzled by it all I’d forget the car and start walking home! LOL!
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Cathy, I often lose track of time there. One time I came out and couldn’t see my car. They had moved it toward the back to make room for other cars since I had stayed so long. LOL
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Wow… the first time I’ve ever wanted to go get my car washed!!
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Isn’t this place fun?
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What a stroke of pure marketing genius! They look like they love what they are doing in addition to being quite brilliant. That place I think is the most fun car wash I have seen and I have seen MANY! They make it an experience rather than a chore. That would be worth the drive through San Jose traffic. 🙂
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Agreed, Marlene! It’s an experience not a chore…well said. I hope you’ll visit San Jose one day and we can take in some of these fun places together.
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How fun is that! I have never heard of this place. I’ve been in the Santa Clara Valley many times and in fact used to live in the area in the early seventies. Makes me want to go get my car washed (and you can be sure it really needs it)!😀
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How cool that you lived here once upon a time! We live in San Jose, and the car wash is right on the border of San Jose and Campbell near highway 17/880. Where did you live on your stay in the Valley?
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We lived in Fremont the year I turned 21. It was great because I was able to spend my 21st birthday in San Francisco. We stayed about 6 months and then returned to Southern California. Too hard to be away from Mom & Dad at that point in my life. We visited the area again many times over the years. Love the entire Bay area.
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Oh my goodness. I lived in Fremont, too, when we were first married. I loved it there. It was just too much of a commute. We spent three hours a day round trip. I have many fond memories.
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Small world! 😊
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There’s one in Los Gatos on Lark Ave.and another in Almaden on Almaden Expressway.
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Forget Disneyland on my trip to the U.S. (one day!), I want to go here! Our Aussie car wash owners could learn a lot from this amazing place! A replica boat, a gift shop, coffee – I’d be there all day, every day! LOL! Love this post, Alys. Thanks for the tour!xoxoxox
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Fantastic!!!! Better than than many tourist attraction!
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