California Dreamin’ Along Route 66
Route 66 has always been more than a highway. Commissioned in 1926, the “Mother Road” stitched together small towns and big-city dreams from Chicago to Los Angeles, carrying Dust Bowl migrants west, postwar families on vacation, and generations of road trippers chasing California sunshine. In 1937, the highway was realigned to end at the Santa Monica Pier, where the asphalt meets the Pacific in a flourish of sea breezes and carnival lights. As the route celebrates its centennial this year, driving the California stretch feels like flipping through a living scrapbook of neon signs, desert outposts, and famous boulevards. Here’s how to experience it, east to west.
The Route: East to West Through California
Needles: The Gateway
Crossing the Colorado River, California welcomes travelers in a wash of desert light and vintage Americana. In Needles, downtown streets preserve remnants of the Mother Road, with white Route 66 shields stenciled on the asphalt and colorful murals brightening the landscape. Snap a photo at the hulking Needles Welcome Wagon, a 1940s movie prop, then seek out the ruins of vintage motels with neon signs. The city’s most elegant landmark is the 1908 El Garces train depot, whose broad verandas once welcomed rail passengers and Route 66 travelers alike.
The Mojave Desert: Goffs to Amboy
West of Needles, Route 66 slips into the vastness of Mojave National Preserve, protecting 1.6 million acres of singing sand dunes, twisted Joshua trees, and volcanic cinder cones. Hike the soaring Kelso Dunes—600 feet high and carpeted with wildflowers after the spring rains—or summit Teutonia Peak for sweeping desert views. At dawn and dusk, watch for desert tortoise and other surprising wildlife. Then, as you approach Amboy, the iconic Roy’s Motel & Café sign rises like a desert mirage. Grab a cold drink, take the obligatory selfie, and soak up the retro cool.
Barstow and Victorville
In the remote desert town of Barstow, the Route 66 Mother Road Museum celebrates the highway’s golden age with vintage cars, neon signs, and midcentury relics that retrace the California dream. Just west of Barstow, The Bottle Tree Ranch shimmers in the desert sun, its welded metal “trees” hung with colored glass in a vibrant ode to roadside folk art. Further on in Victorville, the California Route 66 Museum keeps the nostalgia flowing with classic cars, gas pumps, and diner-era memorabilia.
San Bernardino and Rancho Cucamonga
As the desert gives way to the Inland Empire, palm trees and citrus groves mark your approach to greater Los Angeles. In San Bernardino—immortalized in Nat King Cole’s “Route 66”—the county museum dives into the region’s past, while the Original McDonald’s Site adds a dash of roadside Americana. Cruise the historic Foothill Boulevard into Rancho Cucamonga to visit the restored 1915 Cucamonga Service Station—now a Route 66 museum and gift shop. More midcentury architecture and classic diners line the route, echoing its enduring appeal.
Pasadena
After miles of desert outposts and roadside nostalgia, the road becomes Colorado Boulevard and enters Pasadena, arriving at a refined urban center rich in cultural and architectural heritage. Along the historic route, you’ll pass the renowned Pasadena Playhouse, the iconic Pasadena City Hall, and the restored brick storefronts of Old Pasadena. Colorado Boulevard is also the path for the famed Tournament of Roses Parade. While in town, tour the Arts & Crafts Gamble House, wander the Huntington’s exquisite gardens and galleries, and visit the impressive collections at the Norton Simon Museum.
Los Angeles
In Los Angeles, Route 66 trades city sprawl for cinematic swagger. The historic alignment threads through downtown, where the Broadway Theater District hums with restored movie palaces and the bustling Grand Central Market. Climbing into Hollywood along Sunset Boulevard, neon signs, vintage theaters, and the Hollywood Walk of Fame celebrate the city’s silver-screen mythology. Farther west, Santa Monica Boulevard carries the Mother Road past retro diners through West Hollywood’s design boutiques and nightlife, then into Beverly Hills and West Los Angeles, gliding past the famed storefronts of Rodeo Drive before angling toward the sea.
Santa Monica
At last, Route 66 reaches its celebrated end at the Santa Monica Pier, where the continent yields to the Pacific Ocean. Santa Monica’s wide, sandy beach spreads out beneath swaying palms and the steady rhythm of rolling waves. Stretch your legs along the Marvin Braude Coastal Bike Trail, a.k.a. “The Strand,” which traces 22 oceanfront miles from Pacific Palisades south to Torrance. On the pier, an “End of the Trail” sign marks the route’s terminus, where a Ferris wheel spins above the surf, street performers entertain at sunset, and the salt air carries a sense of arrival.
Where to Stay Along Route 66 in California
Sanctity Hotel
In Rancho Cucamonga, Sanctity Hotel offers a restorative pause between desert miles and city lights. Unwind in the wellness studio, sip cocktails from the rooftop bar, and retreat to serene, design-forward rooms before continuing west on the Mother Road.
Los Angeles Athletic Club Hotel
Just two blocks from Route 66’s original terminus in downtown, the Los Angeles Athletic Club hotel provides entrée into an exclusive private club with state-of-the-art athletic facilities, elegant lounges, and handsomely appointed guest rooms in the heart of L.A.’s Historic Core.
Downtown L.A. Proper Hotel
A few blocks south, designer Kelly Wearstler transformed a historic landmark into a luxurious boutique hotel with an expressive soul. With destination dining and rooftop pool with skyline views, the Downtown L.A. Proper Hotel delivers bold design and an unmistakably cosmopolitan vibe.
Silver Lake Pool & Inn
Near Sunset Junction, Silver Lake Pool & Inn channels relaxed California cool. An elevated pool deck and lively Italian-inspired restaurant create a stylish neighborhood base for exploring L.A.’s eastside just off the historic route.
Hollywood Hotel
Set along the Route 66 corridor, Hollywood Hotel pairs affordability with a bit of old-school glamour. A palm-shaded courtyard and outdoor pool offer welcome respite, while quick access to Sunset and Hollywood Boulevards makes it an ideal base for exploring Tinseltown.
Cara Hotel
Nestled between Hollywood and Los Feliz, Cara Hotel is a tranquil hideaway centered on a dreamy, sun-dappled courtyard and reflecting pool. By night, its restaurant and bar hum with sophistication and understated glamour.
Palihotel Hollywood
On Sunset Boulevard, Palihotel Hollywood captures vintage L.A. spirit with playful design, patterned interiors, and an oversized courtyard pool. A guest-exclusive café and bar add personality to this spirited stop along the Mother Road.
Olivia Hotel
Located along the original Route 66 near Westwood Village and UCLA, the new Olivia Hotel delivers modern comfort with a boutique sensibility. Gather around the outdoor fire pit after a day on the road and wake to an elevated take on the classic continental breakfast.
Channel Road Inn
Two blocks from the beach in Santa Monica Canyon, the historic Channel Road Inn offers a serene coastal retreat. Period charm, thoughtful comforts, and warm hospitality make it an inviting place to unwind at the journey’s end.