Route 66 Attractions from Rancho Cucamonga to Santa Monica

The section from Rancho Cucamonga to Santa Monica is the last part of Route 66 in California. If you have been driving it all the way from Chicago, then it can be bittersweet to make it finally to the end. Here are the stops for this section of the drive, and you can see the rest of my California Route 66 posts below. These stops will take you to most of the historic places on Route 66 along this stretch. Do note that most of this drive is through modern and updated areas with little to no Route 66 history, primarily since the Los Angeles area has grown so much over the last century.

Previous Route 66 Posts I Have Done

• Needles to Barstow
• Barstow to Victorville
• San Bernardino to Rancho Cucamonga
• View my entire Route 66 drive from 2019 here

This section of Route 66 follows Foothill Blvd for most of the first half.

Cucamonga Service Station

After passing the incredibly popular Victoria Gardens (feel free to stop and shop if you would like), the first historic place you will reach is the Cucamonga Service Station. This is one of the best stops during this section of the drive as it is a recreated old service station. When it is open, you can walk around and even go inside to buy merchandise. I have been back a few times and always enjoy it.

Thomas Winery Plaza

A few miles down the road, you will reach the Thomas Winery Plaza. This is the location of where the oldest winery in California used to sit. The building is still there, but the winery is long since gone. You can see a historical plaque there if you desire.

Sycamore Inn

This famous horse and buggy stop has a history that predates Route 66, as do a few other items on the list. It is an upscale steakhouse now, but it still retains a lot of that historic charm, and it is worth a stop.

Magic Lamp

About a quarter-mile from Sycamore Inn, the Magic Lamp is a fun restaurant and bar with a historic Route 66 vibe. It has a sign about its history on the mother road outside and a fun neon sign with a magic lamp on it.

Donut Man

Donut Man is one of my favorite stops on the route because they have great donuts, not because it is historic. The Donut Man is especially fantastic for fruit donuts, and if you go during peach season, which is only a few weeks out of the year, then be sure you get one.

From here, I would recommend continuing on Huntington Rd, then turning right on Mountain and then a left back onto Foothill.

Aztec Motel

This Mayan-inspired hotel was designed and built on Route 66 in 1924. It has been closed on and off for renovations over the years, so if it isn’t open when you go, then just take a photo of the impressive facade from the outside.

From Foothill, I would turn left on Sierra Madre then right on Colorado to continue Route 66.

Foothill Boulevard Milestone

Located right in front of the McDonalds on Colorado, this gravestone looking rock is a historical mile marker. The markers were placed at the turn of the century to designate cities and areas along the road, and this is the only remaining one on the entire drive.

Howard Motor Company Building

Before getting back in your car, look across the street at the Howard Motor Company Building. This building was designed for the Howard Motor Company to sell vehicles in the 1920s. Today there is nothing in it, but the unique architecture is worth the stop.

Colorado St Bridge

The Colorado Street Bridge is one of my favorite bridges in Southern California; plus, it was a part of Route 66 history as well. It was even the highest bridge in the world when it was completed back in 1913. Read more about how to see it best here.

Set the GPS for 511 South Fair Oaks Ave to find the next spot.

Bekin’s Storage Sign

This massive sign is much bigger than what you would expect to see nowadays. It is located on top of an old building, and it was impossible to miss when it debuted in 1926. The name on the sign has changed since its creation, but it is the only pre-war sign in Pasadena today.

Fair Oaks

Fair Oaks is one of my favorite stops on this portion of the drive. They specialize in making phosphate sodas, and they have dozens of flavor combinations. It’s a great, old school spot that makes you feel like you are driving historic Route 66.

Rialto Theater

This grand theater from 1925 has deteriorated a lot over the past decade. Today it is not in use, but it is still pretty impressive to see from the outside. I hope they one day redo it so that it can retain its former beauty.

Arroyo Seco Parkway

Known as one of the first freeways in the United States, Highway 110 from Pasadena to LA is still full of historic bridges and stops. It has remained virtually unchanged since it was created, which is a marvel for a city as big as LA. You can drive the whole thing, or you can get off at a few stops.

Galco Old World Grocery Store

I recommend stopping here as it is a grocery store that has been around for a century, and it has a vast selection of old sodas and candy. Even though it is a little off Route 66, it is a great spot to relive the historic road you are on via food.

Chicken Boy

Located in what used to be part of Route 66, this strange statue sits on top of a Mexican food restaurant. It is a muffler man that was redesigned, and it is an excellent spot for a photo.

Southwest Museum

Located on the hill above the Arroyo Seco Parkway, this is the first museum in LA and one that works to keep the area’s Native American history alive. While there are not a lot of exhibits here currently, it has a beautiful view of the city below.

Lummis House

If you want to see an old house that predates Route 66, then head over to the Lummis House, which was the home of the first city editor of the LA Times and a big proponent of saving Native American history in the area.

From here, I would recommend hopping on the 101 and getting off at Santa Monica Blvd. There are many things you can do here in LA proper but not much left of Route 66 history.

Or you can drive through Hollywood, West Hollywood, Beverly Hills, then on Santa Monica Blvd. You can stop and take a picture of the Beverly Hills sign if you feel so moved.

Plaque on Santa Monica and Ocean Ave

Before heading over to the pier, be sure to see the historical plaque dedicated to Will Rodgers, who inspired people to drive Route 66. It is in the park right next to the intersection of Santa Monica and Ocean. This is technically the end of the route, but of course, you should walk over and see the Santa Monica Pier as well.

Santa Monica Pier

The Santa Monica Pier is where you will see the official end of Route 66 sign. Note that it is very popular, with people from all over photographing it.

Be sure to walk all the way out to the end of the pier as well, where you can see a small exhibit dedicated to the last shop on Route 66 with a lot of photos and memorabilia.

So there you have it, you have completed the California section of Route 66 or Route 66 as a whole. Be sure to let me know what I left off in the comments and check out more iconic drives in California here.