10 Best Places To See Along Route 66 in California
Discover the Best Route 66 Attractions
The best places to see along Route 66 include natural wonders, historical landmarks and quirky attractions that are quintessentially Californian. The road was established in the 1920s, stretching from Chicago in Illinois to Santa Monica, along the California coast and is now the ultimate USA road trip destination.
From this well-trodden route, you can visit some of SoCal’s most iconic sights. Experience the natural beauty of the desert at Joshua Tree National Park or take in the bright lights of Hollywood and the Santa Monica Pier. You’ll also discover plenty of legendary pitstops, preserved in time, as you travel this historic highway.
1. Joshua Tree National Park
A dream-like desert nature reserve
Ideal para: Aventura, Foto
Joshua Tree National Park is one of Southern California’s most well-known attractions and is easily accessible from Route 66. The national park is found where the Colorado and Mojave deserts meet and is home to an array of plants, animals and striking geological features. The barren desert with huge rock formations and misshapen, spiky Joshua Trees, gives the park a striking, other-worldly feel.
As well as the endless Instagram opportunities, there are plenty of activities to try at Joshua Tree. The park is popular for hiking, rock climbing, nature trails and camping under the clearest, star-strewn skies. Plus, you can visit Pioneertown, an 1880s-style Old West town which was the set for a number of western TV shows and films throughout the 1940s and 1950s. Many of the structures and storefronts used on camera remain in place to this day.
Localização: Joshua Tree National Park, California, USA
Telefone: +1 760-367-5500
Joshua Tree National Park
2. Explore Route 66 history at Rancho Cucamonga
Including an a iconic 1930s gas station
Ideal para: História, Foto
Route 66 passes through the city of Rancho Cucamonga, which is backdropped by stunning, dramatic mountains. After taking in the landscape, make sure to visit the historic Cucamonga Service Station. Originally built in 1915, the gas station has been restored to how it looked as a Richfield station of the 1930s and has become a popular landmark to visit on the interstate highway.
There were once thousands of service stations like Cucamonga in the USA, and the gas station is the last remaining one along Route 66. It’s a snapshot of Californian history and has been awarded a Preservation Design Award. Visitors can also see artifacts of local and Route 66 history at the station.
Localização: 9670 Foothill Blvd, Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91730, USA
Abre: Thursday–Sunday fromn 10 am to 4 pm (closed on Monday–Wednesday)
Telefone: +1 909-271-1024
Explore Route 66 history at Rancho Cucamonga
3. Amboy Crater
Volcanic wonder in the desert
Ideal para: Viagens alternativas, Foto
The Amboy Crater is a dormant volcano in a huge, ancient lava field, located just south of Route 66 in the Mojave Desert. The volcano is an impressive sight to see thanks to its near-perfect symmetrical, 76-metre cinder cone.
Made a national natural landmark in 1973, the crater is part of the Mojave Trails National Monument, which connects the Mojave National Preserve and Joshua Tree National Park. This is arguably the most scenic and undeveloped stretch of Route 66 to explore, and the sunset views are not to be missed.
Amboy Crater
4. California Route 66 Museum, Victorville
Uncover the history of America’s most celebrated highway
Ideal para: História, Foto, Compras
If you want to learn more about Route 66, you can visit the California Route 66 Museum, situated close to the highway in Victorville. The museum showcases the history and significance of the road, from its origins in the 1920s and how it came to symbolize the American Dream.
This interactive museum features artifacts and memorabilia, including permanent collections and rotating displays. There are some fun photo opportunities, such as a VW Love Bus and 50’s style diner. There’s also a well-stocked gift shop so this is a great place to pick up a Route 66 souvenir.
Localização: 16825 D St, Victorville, CA 92395, USA
Abre: Monday–Saturday from 10 am to 4 pm, Sunday from 11 am to 3 pm
Telefone: +1 760-951-0436
California Route 66 Museum, Victorville
5. Mojave National Preserve
Hiking, biking and camping in the desert
Ideal para: Aventura, Foto
Found to the north of Route 66, the Mojave National Preserve features a diverse range of desert landscapes, from woodlands to mountains, and a wealth of wildlife. The preserve features sand dunes, cinder cones, the Bristol Dry Lake and a vast population of Joshua Trees.
There are endless things to do at the Mojave National Preserve, such as camping, hiking, biking and horseback riding. You can hike the Teutonia Peak Trail or the Kelso Dunes for incredible views of the preserve. Plus, you can visit the Kelso Depot, a restored train station found in the middle of the desert.
Localização: 90942 Kelso Cima Rd, Essex, CA 92332, USA
Abre: Friday–Monday from 10 am to 4 pm (closed on Tuesday–Thursday)
Telefone: +1 760-252-6100
Mojave National Preserve
6. Elmer’s Bottle Tree Ranch, Oro Grande
An eccentric art installation on Route 66
Ideal para: Viagens alternativas, Foto, Econômico
Elmer’s Bottle Tree Ranch is a quirky, one-of-a-kind stop on Route 66. The ranch is situated at Oro Grande in the Mojave Desert and is a forest of bottle trees, which are essentially pipes with glass bottles hanging from them. It was created by the late Elma Long, who started collecting the bottles as a child.
A unique and eccentric art installation, Elmer’s Bottle Tree Ranch is now an iconic part of the Route 66 Hall of Fame. It’s free to visit and won’t take long to view, and it’s a great place to jump out and stretch your legs after a long drive.
Localização: 24266 National Trails Hwy, Oro Grande, CA 92368, USA
Abre: Wednesday–Monday from 6 am to 10 pm, Tuesday from 7 am to 10 pm
Elmer’s Bottle Tree Ranch, Oro Grande
7. Santa Monica Pier
Take a selfie at the “end of the trail”
Ideal para: Famílias, Foto, Compras
Santa Monica marks the end of Route 66 and the “end of the trail” sign on Santa Monica Pier is the perfect spot for a selfie. The pier is an iconic LA landmark, dating back to 1908 and has featured in a number of iconic films, including Forrest Gump. In addition to its famous roots, it is also home to the kid-friendly Pacific Park amusement park with rides, games and the famous Pacific Wheel, the world’s first solar-powered Ferris wheel.
Santa Monica Pier also offers seaside shops, snack bars and lovely ocean views. Once you’ve enjoyed the attractions of the pier, you can celebrate the completion of your Route 66 road trip with a stroll on the boardwalk or kick back and relax on Santa Monica Beach.
Localização: 200 Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica, CA 90401, USA
Telefone: +1 310-458-8900
Santa Monica Pier
8. Hollywood
Celebrity-spotting in Tinseltown
Ideal para: Foto, Compras, Alimentação
As you near the end of Route 66 you’ll pass through West Hollywood and Beverly Hills on Santa Monica Boulevard. In the heart of LA, this buzzing neighbourhood boasts an eclectic shopping scene, art galleries, nightlife and a massive choice of restaurants, as well as the opportunity to spot some celebs.
If you’re looking to explore Hollywood, many of the big sights are a stone’s throw from here. Don’t miss the Walk of Fame and the home of The Oscars, Dolby Theater on Hollywood Boulevard. You also can’t leave without a photo of the Hollywood sign, plus, check out the Griffith Observatory, backdrop to a plethora of major films including Back to the Future and La La Land.
Hollywood
9. Original McDonald’s Museum, San Bernardino
The birthplace of the fast-food giant
Ideal para: Viagens alternativas, História, Econômico
Take a trip down memory lane at the Original McDonald’s Museum, a fun and quirky sight just off Route 66 at San Bernardino. The museum marks the site of the famous fast-food chain’s first restaurant, which opened there in 1940.
This family-friendly museum features memorabilia and artifacts from the McDonald’s restaurant chain’s history. Across the globe, the \“golden arches\” are a welcome sight on many a long car journey and the museum has long been a popular stop on a Route 66 road trip. The museum is free to visit.
Localização: 1398 N E St, San Bernardino, CA 92405, USA
Abre: Daily from 10 am to 5 pm
Telefone: +1 909-515-0044
Original McDonald's Museum, San Bernardino
10. Roy’s Motel & Cafe, Amboy
A snapshot of Route 66’s heyday
Ideal para: Viagens alternativas, História, Compras
Roy’s Motel & Café is a famous historical landmark on Route 66, located in Amboy in the Mojave Desert. In the heyday of the iconic highway, Roy’s was humming with life. It opened in 1938 and was the only gas station, café and motel in the area, making it an extremely popular stopping point for travellers.
Today, Roy’s is a ghost town and serves as a snapshot of recent USA history. You can wander around the deserted motel, take a photo with the neon sign and grab a соld, Rоutе 66-brаndеd root beer to drink. Plus, it’s a great place to pick up a souvenir of your road trip.
Localização: 87520 National Trails Hwy, Amboy, CA 92304, USA
Abre: Daily from 8 am to 8.30 pm
Telefone: +1 760-733-1066
Roy's Motel & Cafe, Amboy
Este artigo inclui opiniões da equipe editorial dos Go Guides. A Hoteis.com remunera os autores dos textos publicados neste site, o que pode incluir custos de viagens e outras despesas.