314 miles of Route 66 stretch through California, the last (or first) of the eight states on your Mother Road journey. Starting in Needles at the border of Arizona and ending at the Santa Monica Pier in Los Angeles, there are quintessential California Route 66 attractions to see at every turn of the road.
You’ll find quirky roadside attractions, historical museums, vintage diners and drive-throughs, fun souvenir shops, and classic motels and hotels on this stretch of your road trip.
Looking for the best California Route 66 attractions to add to your road trip itinerary? Use the filters below to search our California directory by location, attraction type, or keyword to fill your travel plan, whether you’re taking a day trip from Los Angeles or traversing all 314 miles of The Main Street of America across the state.
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Search California Route 66 Attractions
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Must SeeEmma Jean’s Holland Burger Cafe in Victorville, California
If you’re traveling Route 66 through Victorville, California, make time for a stop at Emma Jean’s Holland Burger Cafe. Sitting just off the highway since 1947, it’s the oldest diner in town and has long been a favorite of truckers, locals, and road trippers looking for a hearty meal.
Goffs Schoolhouse Museum in Goffs, California
On the far edge of the Mojave Desert, just off old Route 66, the small community of Goffs keeps its history alive through one very special landmark: the Goffs Schoolhouse. Built in 1914, this Mission-style, one-room school served local ranching, mining, and railroad families until 1937.
Must See66-To-Cali in Santa Monica, California
66-to-Cali in Santa Monica, California marks the symbolic end of Route 66—or the beginning if you’re headed east. This small kiosk on the Santa Monica Pier is packed with made-in-America t-shirts, guidebooks, and souvenirs that celebrate the Mother Road and the travelers who drive it. It is the place to stop for one of the most iconic souvenirs on the Mother Road.
Pier Burger in Santa Monica, California
Pier Burger, perched right on the Santa Monica Pier, proudly dishes out what they call the “Last Burger on Land.” Just steps from the famous Route 66 End of the Trail sign, it’s the perfect place to celebrate finishing the Mother Road with a beachside bite.
Must SeeBarstow Harvey House (Casa Del Desierto) in Barstow, California
The Casa del Desierto (House of the Desert) in Barstow, California, is one of the most impressive landmarks along Route 66. Built in 1911 by the Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fe Railway, the Barstow Harvey House hotel and depot replaced an earlier wooden structure from 1885 that had burned in 1908.
Must SeeEl Garces Harvey House Hotel and Depot in Needles, California
In 1908, the Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fe Railroad opened the El Garces Harvey House Hotel and Depot in Needles, California. Built after the original wooden depot burned in 1906, the new station spared no expense. Designed in the Classical Revival style by architect Francis W. Wilson.
Needles Regional Museum in Needles, California
The Needles Regional Museum, also known as the Anul Cuwal Santa Isabel Needles Regional Museum, sits inside a former 1948 J.C. Penney store. The museum stands along the pre-1930 alignment of U.S. Route 66 across the street from the historic El Garces Harvey House.
Santa Monica Pier Bait and Tackle in Santa Monica, California
Santa Monica Pier Bait and Tackle isn’t just for anglers, it’s the “Last Stop Shop” on Route 66. Sitting at the far west end of the pier, this spot offers everything from pole rentals, bait, and tackle to Route 66 souvenirs, postcards, and magnets.
Soda Jerks Ice Cream Shop in Santa Monica, California
For a sweet stop at the end of the Mother Road, head to Soda Jerks Ice Cream Shop on the Santa Monica Pier. This retro-style parlor serves up classic frozen treats in one of the Pier’s most historic settings. You’ll find Soda Jerks tucked inside the 1916 Carousel Building, one of the oldest structures in Santa Monica.
The Albright in Santa Monica, California
If you’re wrapping up your Route 66 adventure at the Pacific, you don’t have to go far to find fresh seafood with a view. Since 1977, The Albright in Santa Monica has been serving up classic seaside fare right on the Santa Monica Pier. The Albright holds the title as the longest-running restaurant on the Pier.
