John Wayne (“The Duke”)

John Wayne’s connection to the Twin Inns is one of Carlsbad’s favorite local stories, although it’s important to distinguish between documented history and local tradition.

According to longtime Twin Inns staff, local historians, and the owners over the years, John Wayne (“The Duke”) was a regular guest at the Twin Inns restaurant during the 1950s and 1960s. The restaurant was famous throughout Southern California for its family-style fried chicken dinners, making it a popular stop for celebrities traveling along historic Highway 101 between Los Angeles and San Diego.

Wayne reportedly enjoyed the relaxed atmosphere, hearty meals, and friendly service. His visits became such a memorable part of the restaurant’s history that one of its private dining rooms became known as “The Duke Room.” When the historic building was later restored and transformed into today’s Land & Water Company restaurant, the Duke Room was carefully preserved, including its original vaulted ceiling and stained-glass window, as a tribute to John Wayne’s connection with the Twin Inns.

The Twin Inns itself was a natural gathering place for celebrities. Located along Highway 101, it sat almost exactly halfway between Hollywood and destinations farther south. During the 1930s through the 1960s, countless actors, entertainers, and travelers stopped there to enjoy its famous chicken dinners before continuing their journey. Hollywood stars appreciated that Carlsbad offered beautiful ocean views, a slower pace, and far more privacy than Los Angeles.

While there are many stories about John Wayne’s visits, there are no well-documented accounts of dramatic events or famous incidents that occurred during his time at the Twin Inns. Instead, his legacy lives on through the restaurant’s memories, the preserved Duke Room, and the role he played in establishing the Twin Inns as one of Southern California’s legendary celebrity dining destinations.

For Carlsbad Food Tours, this makes a wonderful storytelling moment:

Imagine it’s 1962. You pull into the Twin Inns after a drive down Highway 101 for one of their famous fried chicken dinners. As you walk through the front door, you glance across the dining room and recognize one of Hollywood’s biggest stars—John Wayne, enjoying dinner just like everyone else. In those days, Carlsbad wasn’t just a beach town. It was a quiet coastal escape where celebrities could trade the bright lights of Hollywood for good food, ocean breezes, and genuine hospitality.