The historic highway of Route 66—one of the world’s longest and most iconic road trips, stretching from Chicago to Santa Monica—will mark its centennial in 2026, making this a particularly fitting moment to plan the ultimate American drive. Long celebrated as a symbol of freedom and adventure, the route unfolds as a journey layered with history, culture, and nostalgia. California accounts for 315 miles of the original alignment, with more than 90 per cent of it still drivable today, culminating in the coastal city of Santa Monica, where visitors can still encounter evocative remnants from the road’s 20th-century heyday.
A Short History of ‘The Mother Road’
First designated a federal highway in 1926, the original Chicago-to-Los Angeles route eventually extended to 2,448 miles across eight states. It was built upon the remnants of the National Old Trails Road, a transcontinental path shaped by Indigenous peoples and later by early European settlers. Route 66 initially ended in downtown Los Angeles before its 1935 extension to Santa Monica, evolving over time from a vital cross-country artery into a nostalgic road-trip route celebrated through music, television, film, and popular culture.
Lincoln & Olympic Boulevards
For nearly three decades, Route 66 officially began and ended at this modest intersection, where U.S. 66 converged with U.S. 101A, also known as ALT 101. Today, BEGIN and END historical markers can be spotted on the northern and southern traffic-light poles. To trace the original alignment, drivers can head northwest along Lincoln Boulevard before turning northeast onto Santa Monica Boulevard toward downtown Los Angeles.
Mel’s Drive-In
Immortalised in American Graffiti, the beloved diner chain now operates from the restored end-of-the-road site of The Penguin, a 1959 coffee shop and a classic example of Googie architecture. The parking lot’s vibrant California 66 mural remains a popular photo opportunity, offering a vivid nod to Route 66’s pop-culture legacy.
Will Rogers Highway Marker
As part of a promotional campaign for Warner Bros.’ 1952 biographical film The Story of Will Rogers, plaques designating Route 66 as the “Will Rogers Highway” were unveiled across eight states. The celebrated humorist, performer, and social commentator is commemorated in Santa Monica with a bronze marker located in Palisades Park, near the intersection of Santa Monica Boulevard and Ocean Avenue.
Santa Monica Pier
For generations, travellers have embraced the Santa Monica Pier as the symbolic end of Route 66—an enduring emblem of California’s surf-and-sand lifestyle. Santa Monica Travel & Tourism, the Santa Monica Pier Corporation, and entrepreneur Dan Rice collaborated to install the nostalgic “End of the Trail” sign. Visitors should also seek out the large collage honouring late Route 66 artist Robert “Bob” Waldmire at the Last Stop Shop and 66-to-Cali, a store dedicated entirely to Route 66 memorabilia. Pacific Park pays tribute to the highway’s legacy with Route 66 Racer, a custom-designed midway race game housed inside an Airstream camper. Nearby, West Coaster—the only oceanfront steel roller coaster on a pier in the western United States—offers a fitting salute to the thrill of the open road.
Classic Food Stops
In 1946, Hot Dog on a Stick introduced what would become a quintessential Santa Monica pairing: an oceanside walk with fresh lemonade in one hand and a piping-hot corn dog in the other. More than seventy years later, the iconic little red stand continues to serve its signature fare. For those venturing beyond the pier in search of beachside dining, Perry’s Café and Beach Rentals operates four beachfront locations along the coast.
Muscle Beach
Originally conceived as a Works Progress Administration (WPA) project in the early 1930s, the Original Muscle Beach—situated just south of Route 66’s endpoint—quickly evolved from a few gymnastic mats into the epicentre of the 20th century’s growing fitness movement. While today’s atmosphere is more relaxed, gymnastic rings and bars still line the sand, drawing both seasoned athletes and curious visitors. Fitness enthusiasts seeking a more aquatic challenge can also embrace a classic Southern California pursuit: surfing. Go Surf LA offers year-round surfing and stand-up paddleboarding lessons, complete with essential ocean safety guidance.
Annenberg Community Beach House
Originally an extravagant gift from newspaper magnate William Randolph Hearst to his mistress, silent-film star Marion Davies, the Marion Davies Estate dates back to 1929 and once hosted lavish gatherings attended by studio executives and actors. Beautifully restored, the property is now known as the Annenberg Community Beach House. Open to the public, it combines art galleries, cultural and community events, and outstanding recreational facilities, including the original marble-lined pool set directly along the shoreline. The Marion Davies Guest House also remains accessible through complimentary guided tours.
For a final, memorable touch, travellers can stop by any Santa Monica Visitor Information Center to receive a complimentary Route 66 certificate of completion, along with the full story and history of America’s most storied highway.
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