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CALIFORNIA ROUTE 66
To paraphrase the song, Get Your Kicks on Route 66, “If you plan to motor west, take the way that's best. It winds from Chicago to L.A. More than 2000 miles all the way. St Louis, Oklahoma City, Amarillo, Gallup, Flagstaff, and don't forget Winona, Kingsman, Barstow, San Bernadino! Would you get hip to this kindly trip?” Well, hop in! We’ll take you on that California trip, from the beaches of Santa Monica to the desert sands of Needles. The California stretch of Route 66 is indeed a kick!
Celebrating 100 Years
Kick #1: SANTA MONICA
The view of the pier from Palisades Park is one of the most beautiful roadside stops anywhere. The western edge of America perched above the shining sea. Ride the disco-lit ferris wheel as it rises to see the far reaches of Malibu to the north and Palos Verdes to the south. Then hop on the merry-go-round where your great-great-grandparents may have shared a kiss back in their day. Dine at The Lobster or Chez Jay or pull up for a shake, burger & fries at Mel’s Drive-In. Don’t forget to plug the juke box! You know the song.
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Kick #2: BEVERLY HILLS
If the city is a diamond, the true jewel is Ringo Starr’s chrome-plated two-finger peace sign in Beverly Gardens Park that’s right on Route 66 (here called Santa Monica Blvd.) You can’t miss it, just east of the giant arching photo-op sign “B E V E R L Y H I L L S.” Get your high-fashion kicks (and leave all your money behind) in the glossy shops on Rodeo Drive or simply stroll the sun dappled streets of the Golden Triangle.
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Kick #3: WEST HOLLYWOOD
Here’s where we find our ruby slippers–at the end of the rainbow. The proud capital of the gay world, where Route 66 is lined with purple Jacaranda trees and decorated in true colors. At the center of it all, stands The Abbey, inspiration for Chappell Roan’s song Pink Pony Club, but do not drive after dismounting from the bar! BTW, WeHo isn’t all gay, more a cultural intersection where citizens of all persuasions–and colors feel at home. Feel free to join drag queen bingo brunch or sip on a pirate’s cocktail at Lucky Tiki. Over on the east end of West Hollywood, slip into the Formosa Cafe where talent from Warner Hollywood Studios (next door) find fortification in chilled Singapore Slings and hot egg rolls, just as they have since the early days of Hollywood.
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Kick #4: ECHO PARK
Back in 1892, loud echoes from the construction of the reservoir were heard across this natural glen (originally named Edendale). Hence the name change. So, if your motor backfires here, you may suddenly be introduced to the LAPD SWAT team! On a more peaceful note, romantic swan boats glide couples across the shimmering surface as a fountain in the middle of the lake shoots for the stars. A wide sidewalk incircles the lotus-lined lake for joggers and lovers going full circle. Here, Route 66 is Sunset Blvd, snaking in from Hollywood, adorned with eclectic shops and cafes, as the Oz-like skyline of downtown LA towers over the next hillside.
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Kick #5: SOUTH PASADENA
After a fun, curvy cruise east on the world’s first freeway, the 110, take the Fair Oaks Blvd exit and head right (literally) to the soda fountain that time forgot; Fair Oaks Pharmacy where hand-scooped ice cream forms the foundation for skyscraper milk shakes with cherry rooftops. Then pop by Pee-wee’s Herman’s house at 1848 Oxley St. which you’ll recognize from the scene in Pee-wee’s Big Adventure where his bully nemesis, Francis tries to “acquire” his beloved bike. “I know you are, but what am I?”
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Kick #6: PASADENA
The Rose of the West, this stop on our “kindly trip” blooms with many pleasures, including a fantastical rose garden at The Huntington. Honestly, there are so many great things to do and see in Pasadena that you may just want to move here! The Norton Simon Museum, the Original Whistle Stop miniature trains shop and Russell‘s for a 24/7 breakfast should do it for our Rt 66 drive-by visit. Mid-Century mavens who appreciate 1950’s signage design will want to add the Saga Motel for a nostalgic photo-op stop.
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Kick #7: MONROVIA
Author, Miranda July writes in her book, All Fours about a memorable stay in this sleepy suburb, just off Rt 66–an unexpected detour on her road trip from LA to New York. So enchanted was she with this stopover that she hired a local decorator to reimagine her motel room in Marie Antionette level comfort, an eccentric investment of $20K+. Your stay can be more cost-effective by keeping it to strolling Old Town’s quaint shops and cafes along S. Myrtle Ave, and a pup-friendly stop in Library Park (the Monrovia Library also factors into Ms. July’s story). Then head up to see some Mayan Revival magnificence at the Aztec Hotel, a historical landmark designed in 1925 by architect Robert Stacy-Judd. Now let’s rejoin the Route, bound for new pounds at nearby Donut Man.
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Kick #8: CLAREMONT
Home to the 7 Claremont Colleges and Pomona College, Claremont is a hamlet of higher education, in a bucolic storybook setting. Head to Village Grill diner and Vintage Odyssey in the adorable town center between Harvard and Yale avenues (clearly a college-themed town!) The Folk Music Center & Museum is a joy! There’s a cool old Santa Fe Railway station at First St & Harvard and, just down the tracks, (also on First) is the historic 1909 Claremont Packing House, converted from its days as a citrus packing facility into a bustling collection of shops, galleries, and cafés.
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Kick #9: RANCHO CUCAMUNGA
After all this driving and exploring along Rt 66, we’re still only 37 miles out of LA! But we won’t be long here at the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains because, frankly, there’s not a lot to see aside from a sea of home developments and box stores. BUT there’s the Sycamore Inn, serving prime rib since 1848, and the banana yellow Richfield Oil & Gas station, a landmark that may be the mascot for CA’s Route 66.
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Kick #10: SAN BERNARDINO
Home of the first McDonald’s, and the present home of the ultimate McDonald’s Museum (“Please don’t eat the displays!”). Instead, dine at Mitla Cafe, for its authentic, homemade Mexican food and frosty margaritas. Established in 1937, it's one of California's oldest Mexican restaurants, hosted by some of the state’s nicest folks. Spend the night in a concrete teepee at the distinctive Wig Wam Motel, a fanciful Native American-inspired “village” of 15 teepees arranged in a semi-circle, like sleeping on a John Ford movie set.
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Kick #11: VICTORVILLE
Our route takes us up and over the Cajón Pass to California’s high desert, elevation 3,000ft. A trading post in its pioneer days, Victorville has grown crazy big, busting out in all four compass directions. But its vintage attributes are still its best. Roy Rogers and his trusty horse, Trigger once resided on these ranges. Old West lore is captured perfectly in the signage at New Corral Motel. Emma Jean’s roadside cafe has been serving up “Trucker’s Special” sandwiches and more since 1947 out on North D Street— a picture-perfect spot for a David Lynch mystery. And our road trip is fully realized at the California Route 66 Museum with fascinating displays and fun photo ops. Pets are welcome to get behind the wheel!
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Kick #12: ORO GRANDE & BAGDAD
Route 66 now becomes the National Trails Highway leading straight to another quirky roadside lunch option: Crosseyed Cow Pizza in Oro Grande. Right next door is a fantastic rambling vintage store, Antique Station housed in an old wild-west storefront. But the big attraction in these parts is just a little further up the Trail: Elmer's Bottle Tree Ranch, a madcap installation of more than 200 glass-metal-and-found-object creations by the late Elmer Evan Long, a welder, junk collector and visionary. (Proving that “one man’s junk is another man’s masterpiece”).
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Kick #13: BARSTOW
Route 66 is also known as The Mother Road, and here in Barstow you can absorb more mid-century lore at the Route 66 Mother Road Museum. (if it’s open!) Just pressing one’s nose to the museum’s storefront window renders a view back in time, with its cavalcade of vintage road signs and mid-century memorabilia. Around town you’ll see Barstow's Main Street Murals celebrating Rt 66, classic car culture and Native American history. Great mid-mod signage too!
You’ll likely stay the night in Barstow (not that there’s any nightlife). There are new hotels along I-15 near the Outlets at Barstow—given how tiring bargain shopping can be! In the morning, breakfast at Lola's Kitchen or Roy's Cafe before heading out for more kicks on Rt 66.
BONUS TURNOFF: Bagdad Café
The filming location of the cult classic 1987 film is a worthy (and quick) side-jaunt. The small “café” is (usually) open to the public for photos, but movie nostalgia is the only thing on the menu! Not food!
From Barstow, take the National Trails Highway to Newberry Springs.
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Kick #14: AMBOY
This is where the trip gets awesome, as the landscape stretches out majestically—and otherworldly. The Amboy Crater Natural National Landmark, with its sloping profile as black as outer space contrasts vividly against the brown monochromatic terrain, in clear view from the road. Route 66 aligns with a prehistoric trail established by Native Americans, part of an elaborate crisscrossing of foot trails that charted the pathway of today’s US Highway System.
Also out here on this lunar landscape is Roy's Motel & Café, a working 1938 gas station, seemingly in the middle of nowhere. Souvenirs, snacks and photo ops are in abundance at this surreal and cinematic setting.
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Kick #15: MOJAVE NATIONAL PRESERVE
This magical wonderland of desert geology, flora and fauna gifts the visitor an appreciation for the threatened beauty of the Mojave Desert through sight and touch. So many ways to experience this uniquely California wilderness: Hike, bike, drive & camp. (Pets too!) Stroll down into the 27,000 years young lava tube, where shafts of sunlight lead the way. Squeeze through the narrow passages of Rings Loop Trail or just take in the Joshua tree-dotted plain that crests at the horizon in a crown of mountain-size boulders.
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Kick #16: KELSO
Unlike most of the sites in the Mojave National Preserve, Kelso’s charms are accessible via paved roads that won’t shake your wheels loose, (compared to the deeply rutted dirt roads throughout the park.) Kelso Dunes splay the desert floor like a giant comforter. Hike its folds and look for tracks of critters who share their bed with us. The gorgeous arched Kelso Depot visitors center, a historic 1924 train station, now serves as the main visitor center for Mojave National Preserve, featuring exhibits on the area's natural and railroad history, a bookstore, restrooms and a fantastic restored railway diner. (Currently under renovation, planned reopening late 2026)
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Kick #17: NEEDLES
We’ve arrived at the eastern border of California, where it embraces the curves of the Colorado River and the start of Lake Havasu. Named after the pinnacle rocks in the near distance, Needles is the down-home gateway to the West, serving up the best-ever Chicken Fried Chicken with mashed potatoes at the Wagon Wheel Restaurant. Also, Needles has some great vintage shops on Front Street @ F Street, where you’ll see another towering pinnacle, the official Needles sign.
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Now for your next journey… you can keep on going—head east on 66 all the way to Chicago, or turn around and go back for more, just in case you missed some California kicks!
Hope you enjoyed the ride!
Happy motoring!
We are proud of our collaboration with Wanderlust Content Studio and Visit California in creating these images and information about CA Route 66. Thank you!
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