Route 66 – what to see in California?

California is a state on the West Coast, where Route 66 has its end. Here, the history of this famous road blends with natural beauty and atmospheric towns, creating a fascinating mix that attracts visitors from all over the world.

In this post, we will share with you the most important places to see on the California stretch of the Route 66. We explored these places both while traveling the West Coast and while traveling the iconic Route 66 from Chicago to Santa Monica (Los Angeles).

The places are presented in order from the Arizona border to the coast, although some of you will probably travel this route in reverse order, that is, traveling from Los Angeles. We did just that the first time: being in California and traveling toward Arizona and Utah, we wanted to get at least some of the Route 66 vibe.

Is it enough to drive the California stretch of Highway 66? For some, yes, but others will be unsatisfied. In California you will see some peculiar and characteristic points of Route 66, but for us anyway, the most interesting section of the road is the one in Arizona. It’s in Arizona that such atmospheric places as Oatman, Seligman, Holbrook, Kingman (check out the Route 66 Museum and Hackberry General Store), Winslow and Flagstaff await, and Route 66 even runs through a national park (Petrified Forest National Park) in Arizona.

In our opinion, in order to get a feel for and see the really interesting sections, it’s worth driving all the way to Arizona, but we also know that not everyone can, wants or has the opportunity to do so, which is why this post about traveling the Route 66 trails in California was created.

Thus, below is a list of sites associated with this historic road.

Top attractions on Route 66 in California

California’s stretch of Route 66 abounds with a variety of attractions – from historic towns and atmospheric cafes to a major metropolitan area. Below are places to stop at, and later in the article you will also find recommendations for other California attractions.

Roy’s Motel & Cafe in Amboy

Roys Cafe Amboy is an icon along Route 66 that attracts lovers of the route. The neon, distinctive sign is located at a cafe in the middle of…. nothing. There are only abandoned buildings and desert in the area. It is a very popular photo spot.

Amboy Crater

Amboy Crater is a dormant volcano that is one of the most unusual landscapes along Route 66. It’s worth stopping here for a short walk across the solidified lava and enjoy the almost unearthly view of the Mojave Desert.

Barstow

Barstow is a small town that was once an important stop on Route 66 and an equally important stop when traveling by rail. Today it is home to the Western America Railroad Museum and the Route 66 Mother Road Museum, where you will learn about the history of this famous road. Murals referring to Route 66 await in the city.

Calico – a ghost town

Calico – the ghost town is an abandoned mining town that has become a tourist attraction. It is not directly on Route 66, but only 20 minutes away from Barstow. It is worth visiting the old buildings, mines and learning more about the life of miners from the gold rush era (although it is a silver mine ;) ). There is a fee to enter Calico Ghost Town.

Elmer’s Bottle Tree Ranch

Elmer’s Bottle Tree Ranch is an extremely original place along Route 66. It’s an outdoor art installation where hundreds of bottles have been attached to metal trees, creating a surreal view. The place looks especially special at sunset.

Los Angeles

Los Angeles is a city, or rather a metropolitan area, that offers countless opportunities. Los Angeles itself is the largest city in California, although it is not the state’s capital. During your stay in this metropolitan paradise you can visit Hollywood, the avenue of stars, Griffith Observatory, Venice Beach, Rodeo Drive or the best amusement parks (Universal Studios Hollywood, Disneyland or Six Flags). Although there are few references to Route 66 in the city, and downtown Los Angeles itself does not impress, it is worth spending a while here and exploring the metropolitan area.

Santa Monica pier – the end of Route 66

Santa Monica Pier is the symbolic end of Route 66. The famous“End of the Trail” sign attracts crowds of tourists, and the wooden pier structure overlooking the ocean provides an unforgettable experience. This is the perfect place for a photo to end your adventure. You’ll also find restaurants, souvenir stores and an amusement park on the Santa Monica pier, and time will be made more pleasant with performances by street performers.

Route 66 sign on the road – where to look?

In California you will find numerous Route 66 signs painted directly on the road – we write about this because we know that many Route 66 travelers are looking for such places. We were looking for them, too, of course. So catch the specific places where to look out for them, with a warning: use extreme caution.

For us, it’s a tourist attraction, and for the region’s residents, it’s simply expensive, so there’s no expectation that they’ll slow down here. And unfortunately, the signs are sometimes there, and sometimes they are not :( Part of the Route 66 route is better marked, and part is worse. We ourselves searched a lot of Google Maps for these signs, and when we arrived at the site it turned out that the sign was very worn out or simply no longer there, because, for example, the pavement had been changed.

Where to look for Route 66 signs on the road in California:

• Barstow on Main Street: in several places, however, it is not very safe to take photos here.
• Roys Cafe Amboy: on the street at this landmark location.
• Victorville: At 15492 Seventh Street, near D Street.
• Chambless: on the main street.
• Ludlow: more specifically the Lavic area, along the National Trails Highway, near Lavic Road and towards Siberia.
• Needles: In the vicinity of 1901 Needles Highway.

Of course, these are just a few places, going simply look for them on the streets.

Practical information

Below you will find some tips to help you plan your trip along the iconic road and enjoy every moment of it.

Where to stay overnight on Route 66?

Along Route 66 you will find motels that have retained their old atmosphere. If you are looking for such typical accommodations then this list will be useful, but keep in mind that these are not always the highest standard facilities ;)

• Wigwam Motel: 2728 Foothill Blvd, San Bernardino (note, there is another Wigwam Motel on Route 66, in Holbrook).
• Route 66 Motel in Barstow: 195 W Main St, Barstow
• Rio Del Sol Inn: 1111 Pashard St, Needles

Atmospheric restaurants along Route 66

California’s stretch of Route 66 also abounds with unique places where you can feel the atmosphere of yesteryear. Here are some suggestions for where to stay:

• Emma Jean’s Holland Burger Cafe: 17143 N D St, Victorville – An iconic restaurant serving classic American dishes in Victorville.
• Bagdad Cafe: 46548 National Trails Hwy, Newberry Springs – Known from the movie “Bagdad Cafe,” the perfect place for a break.
• The Summit Inn: 5970 Mariposa Rd, Oak Hills – A historic restaurant with unique decor.
• Roy’s Motel & Cafe: 87520 National Trails Hwy, Amboy – Iconic place for coffee and a snack.

Mind you, it’s not really a restaurant, but it’s worth mentioning that not far from Route 66, in San Bernardino, is the first original McDonald’s museum! This is where this famous fast food chain had its beginnings, although it no longer serves food at this location today.

What is the best time to travel Route 66?

California is travel-friendly most of the year, but the best months are spring and fall, when temperatures are milder. This is also the time outside the highest season, so there should be fewer visitors and it should be a bit quieter.

What else to see in California?

California is a state full of contrasts and amazing attractions that delight both nature lovers and fans of urban life. If you decide to devote more time to it and get off Route 66 you will discover breathtaking national parks, atmospheric towns and big-city attractions that will enrich your trip.

So below are the attractions of California to which you have to drive away a piece.

Yosemite National Park

Yosemite is one of the most beautiful places in the United States. It is famous for its majestic waterfalls, huge sequoias and granite rocks. It is an ideal place for trekking enthusiasts.

Sequoia National Park

Home to the largest trees in the world – giant sequoias. Walking among these giants is an unforgettable experience that shows the power of nature.

Death Valley National Park

The hottest place on earth offers extraordinary views, from sand dunes to a salt desert. Death Valley is a challenge, but the reward is views like from another planet.

Joshua Tree National Park

Joshua Tree is where the Mojave Desert meets the Colorado Desert. Unique Joshua trees and surreal rock formations make this place ideal for photographers. It is the visit to Joshua Tree National Park that is most easily “hooked” when traveling along Route 66 trails.

San Francisco

Although San Francisco is off Route 66, it is well worth visiting the city while in California. The Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz and charming streets are just some of the attractions that await tourists. From San Francisco, you may be interested in taking the Pacific Coast Highway, where you can enjoy the California coastline.

Sacramento

Sacramento, the capital of California, offers a unique blend of history and modernity. Here you can explore Old Sacramento , a historic district with museums (we especially recommend the California State Railroad Museum), Wild West-style stores and restaurants. Also not to be missed are the Pacific Coast Highway, which takes a look at the state’s history, and the Pacific Coast Highway, an ideal place for a walk or bike ride.

Ready-made itinerary

If you are looking for a ready-made, or complete day-by-day itinerary for Route 66 then check out the ready-made plan in our online store. It’s a plan for both 21 and 28 days and includes everything you need: described attractions, access, recommended tour times, alternatives and additional options, suggested accommodations and restaurants – the kind of thing that will definitely make your Route 66 trip easier.

We also have an itinerary that includes only California attractions: the 7-day itinerary. This is a plan that will show you the most interesting cities of California but also many places outside them.

Our review of Route 66 in California

California is the perfect place to start or end a journey along the iconic Route 66. The variety of landscapes, history and countless attractions make this section of the route memorable for a long time.

However, the state has many more interesting places, and you can read about them in a dedicated post about California.

I hope this post will help you plan your dream trip along the California stretch of Route 66.