California’s Route 66 is a road of contrasts: from arid desert landscapes and forgotten mining towns to bustling cities and the iconic Santa Monica Pier. Though officially removed from the U.S. Highway System in 1985, the road’s spirit lives on—thanks to preservation efforts, tourism, and cultural nostalgia. This east-to-west guide explores the must-see stops and hidden stories along California’s legendary stretch of Route 66.
1. Needles: Welcome to California
Located on the western banks of the Colorado River, Needles is the first California town on Route 66 after crossing from Arizona. Established in 1883 as a railroad town, Needles was a critical supply point for pioneers and a key stop for Dust Bowl migrants fleeing Oklahoma and Texas in the 1930s. Today, visitors can find restored murals, retro motels like the El Garces Hotel (once a Harvey House), and classic Route 66 signage. The desert sun is intense here—it’s regularly one of the hottest places in the U.S.
🔗 visitneedles.com
2. Goffs Schoolhouse: Preserving Desert History
About 40 miles west of Needles, along a remote section of old Route 66, lies Goffs, a near-forgotten desert community. Its beautifully restored Goffs Schoolhouse, built in 1914, once served the children of miners, railroad workers, and Native American families. Today it houses a museum curated by the Mojave Desert Heritage and Cultural Association. The museum showcases desert railroads, mining equipment, and Native artifacts—offering a rare, authentic glimpse into Mojave Desert history.
🔗 Goffs Schoolhouse
3. Amboy & Roy’s Motel and Café: Neon in the Desert
In the heart of the Mojave lies Amboy, now nearly a ghost town, but once a thriving stop for cross-country travelers. The town’s anchor is Roy’s Motel and Café, built in 1938 and later updated with its now-iconic neon sign and Googie-style architecture in the 1950s. When I-40 bypassed Amboy in the 1970s, the town emptied almost overnight. In recent years, the site has been stabilized and reopened to the public with a small gift shop and restored sign—a favorite for photographers and Route 66 buffs.
🔗 Roy’s Motel & Cafe
4. Bagdad Café (Newberry Springs): Route 66 with Global Fame
Though the town of Bagdad itself vanished after being bypassed, the Bagdad Café in nearby Newberry Springs has taken its place in Route 66 legend. This place is one of the most famous places along Route 66. Immortalized by the 1987 German cult film Bagdad Café, this dusty roadside diner has welcomed travelers from across the globe. The interior is covered in postcards, foreign currency, and handwritten notes. The food is not served after the Covid but the atmosphere is still rich—a true Route 66 institution that blends kitsch, hospitality, and cinematic history.
🔗 Bagdad Cafe
5. Calico Ghost Town: The Spirit of the Old West
Just north of Barstow lies Calico Ghost Town, a former silver mining town founded in 1881 during the California silver rush. At its peak, Calico had over 500 mines and thousands of residents. By the turn of the century, the silver ran out, and the town was abandoned. In the 1950s, Walter Knott—of Knott’s Berry Farm—bought and restored Calico as a tourist attraction. Today, it features preserved buildings, a working train ride, a mine tour, and costumed interpreters, making it a perfect family stop just off the historic route.
🔗 calicoattractions.com
6. Original McDonald’s Museum – San Bernardino
Back in the city, San Bernardino is home to the original McDonald’s, where brothers Richard and Maurice McDonald launched their revolutionary “Speedee Service System” in 1940. Though the restaurant no longer operates, the site now houses a private museum filled with vintage signs, uniforms, toys, and an exhaustive history of McDonald’s transformation from a roadside stand into a global phenomenon.
🔗The Original McDonald’s Museum
7. Pasadena: Elegant Entry to Los Angeles
Heading into the LA area, Pasadena is one of the most visually charming and walkable sections of old Route 66. The road follows Colorado Boulevard, lined with historic storefronts, old theaters, and Route 66-era neon. Pasadena was one of the original starting points of Route 66 when it was commissioned in 1926. Be sure to visit places like the 1931-era Fair Oaks Pharmacy or take in views of the Colorado Street Bridge, which spans the Arroyo Seco.
🔗 Route 66 in Pasadena
8. Santa Monica Pier: End of the Trail
Though Route 66 originally ended in downtown Los Angeles, the Santa Monica Pier has been adopted as its symbolic terminus. A sign reading “End of the Trail” stands proudly near the entrance to the pier, inviting travelers to celebrate their cross-country journey with a walk along the boardwalk, rides on the historic carousel, and Pacific Ocean views. The pier represents more than a geographic endpoint—it’s the emotional finish line of the American road trip dream.
🔗 santamonicapier.org
Route 66 Revival: Keeping the Dream Alive
Route 66 may no longer exist as an official highway, but its spirit thrives. Thanks to grassroots preservation efforts, tourism boards, international fans, and historians, California’s Route 66 has seen a renaissance. Cities repaint faded signs. Cafes reopen under new ownership. Travelers come from across the world seeking the romance of the open road. As America nears the centennial of Route 66 in 2026, the Mother Road remains more relevant—and more cherished—than ever.
Conclusion
From the sunbaked rail town of Needles to the ocean breezes of Santa Monica, Route 66 in California is a road of stories. Whether you’re chasing cinematic legend at Bagdad Café, reliving fast food history in San Bernardino, or standing under the neon glow of Roy’s, each stop reveals a different facet of the American journey. This is more than just a highway—it’s a living time capsule of the 20th century, still waiting to be explored.
【Supported by】
■Visit California（カリフォルニア観光局）
■Discover Inland Empire（インランドエンパイア観光局）
■Visit Pasadena（パサデナ観光局）
■Visit Santa Monica（サンタモニカ観光局）
