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Commissioned in 1926, Route 66 is now approaching its 100th birthday — making 2026 a great year to embark on one of the world’s most famous road trips. People come from all over the globe to traverse “The Mother Road,” which offers views of epic natural landscapes, quirky roadside attractions, and retro Americana.
The entire Historic Route 66 stretches about 2,448 miles, beginning in Downtown Chicago and crossing seven states to reach California’s Santa Monica Pier in the west. While the California portion covers about 12-14% of the full distance, it’s full of numerous unforgettable stops along the route from the Mojave Desert to L.A.
Historic Route 66 Centennial
Dozens of roadside attractions will honor the Route 66 Centennial next year with lively parades, restorations, and special installations honoring Indigenous history. Here in California, the Santa Monica Pier will host beachside car meetups and live music over the summer. You can read our article to learn more about the Route 66 Centennial.
While California’s Historic Route 66 passes through dozens of must-see attractions, here are five of the most iconic ones worth putting on your bucket list.
Roy’s Motel & Café 
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This classic motor court, cafe, and gas station dates back to 1938 in the tiny desert town of Amboy, and it still seems frozen in time. Its bright neon sign makes for an essential photo op along Route 66, and the property is undergoing partial restoration to preserve this slice of California history.
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Hidden in the Calico Mountains of the Mojave Desert near Barstow and Yermo, Calico Ghost Town is a restored Old West silver-mining town dating back to the early 1880s. Though it only operated for ten years or so before being abandoned, Calico was rebuilt in the 1950s by theme-park pioneer Walter Knott. These days, it welcomes tourists as a charming regional park in San Bernardino County.
Route 66 Mother Road Museum and Harvey House 
Miskatonic at the English-language Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Housed in the historic Casa del Desierto Harvey House, the Route 66 Mother Road Museum is a small, free museum that makes for an engaging and quick road trip. Learn about the history of Route 66 and Mojave Desert communities through a collection of vintage cars, gas pumps, artifacts, and black-and-white photos. You can extend your visit by checking out the railroad museum next door.
Elmer’s Bottle Tree Ranch 
daveynin, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
No Route 66 road trip would be complete without checking out a quirky art installation, and Elmer’s Bottle Tree Ranch is a popular folk-art landmark worth seeing near Oro Grande. Created by artist Elmer Long beginning in 2000, it comprises several acres of welded metal “trees” decorated with glass bottles and found objects, including guitars, tools, and vintage signs. The site is free to enter and open from sunrise to sunset.
Erika Chimi / Unsplash
The western terminus of Route 66 is honored at Santa Monica Pier’s “End of the Trail” sign, which was installed in 2009 as a way to formalize the end of the journey for travelers. Today, it’s a great final photo op for roadtrippers to celebrate their journey among beautiful ocean views and classic amusement rides.