Ocean to Desert Route 66 Road Trip: Cruising California and Arizona

With vibrant Los Angeles, California, as the gateway, this itinerary takes you east along Route 66: the legendary “Mother Road.” Once the main thoroughfare linking the U.S. Midwest to the Pacific, Route 66 has long been associated with open-road adventures. And while the West Coast is the historic end of the route, there’s no reason not to start your journey in sunny California. You’ll travel from Pacific Ocean shores to Painted Desert peaks, exploring must-see cities, charming towns and unique roadside attractions. Pack your sunglasses and head for Los Angeles – unforgettable Route 66 experiences await.

Entertainment in Santa Monica and Los Angeles, California

Arrive at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) in Los Angeles, California, and pick up a rental car for a breezy 30-minute drive to Santa Monica. Your first Route 66 stop is the historic Santa Monica Pier. Spend time browsing specialty stands, including the on-theme gift shop 66-to-Cali, snap a photo at the iconic “End of the Trail” sign, and enjoy amusement park rides with Pacific Ocean views. Save your appetite for diner fare at a nearby landmark: Mel’s Drive-In. You can’t miss its Googie architecture (a mid-century style with futuristic elements) and penguin-topped neon sign. Stop in for classic burgers and malts before rolling down old Route 66 – now Santa Monica and Sunset boulevards – toward the buzz of downtown Los Angeles. Spend the night or stay for side trips highlighting legendary live music scenes, luxury shopping, global cuisine and glamorous Hollywood culture.

Landmarks in Pasadena and San Bernardino, California

Your next stop is nearby Pasadena, the second-oldest city in the Los Angeles area, where architectural gems and historic sites abound. Cruise by the Beaux Arts arches of the Colorado Street Bridge, a National Historic Landmark, then brake for refreshments at Fair Oaks Pharmacy. Part soda fountain, part compounding pharmacy, this charming spot on Route 66 has served up hand-dipped desserts since 1915. Hop back in the car and drive just over an hour to San Bernardino for more road trip eats and transportation tales. Mitla Cafe on Route 66 is an authentic Mexican restaurant that’s been family-owned since 1937. The San Bernardino History and Railroad Museum is your next destination for more local history. It’s set in the restored 1918 Santa Fe Depot, a National Historic Landmark of Mission Revival architecture. From there, take a quick detour to the Original McDonald’s Site & Museum. Though not original to Route 66, it’s full of nostalgia and memorabilia, which sets the stage for your next leg of travel.

Roadside Gems En Route to Needles, California

Venture beyond San Bernardino to Victorville, at the southwestern edge of the Mojave Desert, where the California Route 66 Museum awaits. Exhibits there include vintage signs, photos and classic cars. A 15-minute detour north will take you to Elmer’s Bottle Tree Ranch near Oro Grande, a sculpture garden where colorful glass “trees” shimmer in the desert sun. After that, it’s on to Amboy and the unmistakable neon beacon of Roy’s Motel & Café. Stop for fuel and admire more Googie architecture while sipping a cold Route 66 root beer. Get back on the road to Needles, or pull off to nearby points of interest like the Amboy Crater and the surrounding Mojave Trails National Monument. In Needles, check out murals and photo ops, including the wooden Welcome Wagon. Dine and stay in this Colorado River town before crossing into Arizona.

Photo Ops in Kingman, Arizona

Depart Needles and drive to Exit 1 to hop on the beginning of the longest remaining stretch of Route 66. Cruise though the old mining town of Oatman where burros roam the streets before arriving in Kingman, Arizona, with your camera ready. This Route 66 town is packed with retro charm, including neon signs, colorful murals and classic diners. Learn about the history of the “Mother Road” in Arizona at the updated Arizona Route 66 Museum inside the Kingman Visitor Center. Head across the street to grab burgers and house-made root beer at Mr. D’z Diner. Take a stroll down Route 66 to check out the neon signs lining the street before circling back on Beale Street. Mom-and-pop businesses line this quintessential historic downtown district. Those interested in delving into northwest Arizona’s rich past can explore the Mohave Museum of History and Arts. Continue northeast to Peach Springs, capital of the Hualapai Tribe and gateway to Grand Canyon West. Stop by the Diamond Creek Restaurant at the Hualapai Lodge before continuing east to Williams.

Williams, Arizona, and Grand Canyon National Park

In Williams, thrills range from a heart-pumping afternoon riding the mountain coaster and tubing at Canyon Coaster Adventure Park to spotting bears, bison and reindeer on a drive through Bearizona’s 160-acre wildlife park. Spend the night in the elegant Grand Canyon Railway and Hotel, a block from downtown Williams and Route 66. After a night of rest, board the Grand Canyon Railway, which runs daily train trips to the South Rim. Myriad experiences await at Grand Canyon National Park, whose eye-catching rock walls showcase 1.8 billion years of the earth’s history. Plan ahead for an epic rafting trip, or hike the easy, paved Rim Trail. Take advantage of all of the breathtaking viewpoints before hopping on the train back to Williams.

Stories and Stars in Flagstaff, Arizona

Make your way to Flagstaff, where the Visitor Center sits right on Route 66 in the historic train station downtown. Stroll past vintage diners and neon motel signs before grabbing a bite at Mother Road Brewing Company or Galaxy Diner. Explore natural history and culture – including a new Route 66 exhibit – at the Museum of Northern Arizona, or climb among the treetops at Flagstaff Extreme aerial adventure park. As night falls, head to Lowell Observatory for incredible views of the night sky – Flagstaff is the world’s first International Dark Sky City. Then take a short drive to Wupatki National Monument to see stars shine above ancient Puebloan ruins in one of Arizona’s 12 Dark Sky Parks. On your way to Winslow the next morning, stop at Walnut Canyon National Monument to walk the cliffside trails and admire preserved Sinagua cliff dwellings.

Winslow, Arizona, and Desert Park Drives

Before cruising into Winslow – the final stop on your Route 66 road trip – make a detour to Meteor Crater Natural Landmark, formed by a meteorite strike over 50,000 years ago. Explore the rim on a guided tour or stop by the visitor center for more insight into the geological wonder. By lunchtime, head to downtown Winslow, famously immortalized in the Eagles’ beloved song “Take It Easy.” Snap photos of the artwork and murals at Standin’ on the Corner Park, then check into hotel La Posada, a restored architectural gem designed by Mary Elizabeth Jane Colter. After settling in, don’t miss the world’s largest single loom Navajo rug at the on-site Affeldt Mion Museum. Browse other huge works inside the Tina Mion Gallery, as well as the antique furniture and historic photos that fill the hotel. End your trip with dinner and a toast at the Turquoise Room, the hotel’s elegant Southwestern-inspired restaurant. In the morning, reflect on your journey during the scenic two-and-a-half-hour drive to Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX).