Route 66 End of the Trail
A large sign at the Route 66 End of the Trail in Santa Monica CA marks the "spiritual" end of the historic route. Located at 330 Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica, CA 90401. The original route ended in Olympia, Washington and Lincoln, but Santa Monica opted to honor Route 66's history with a commemorative sign. The historic sign was unveiled on November 10, 2009, and 66 old cars and motorcycles honked their approval at the dedication ceremony. Up next is Thousand Oaks
The Travell-O-Tel motel, which dates to the 1950s, has postcards for sale. Nearby, the Old Wilshire Service Station is a good example of Googie architecture, and the Santa Monica Pier has a space age feel. Both sites are historic and worth a visit. You might even come across an old-fashioned car, which is the perfect souvenir. Whether you want to celebrate Route 66's heyday in Santa Monica or remember a time when you lived in a different state, you'll find a great vacation spot here.
The famous Route 66 End of the Trail sign once adorned the Santa Monica Pier, creating the national public perception that Route 66 ended in Santa Monica. Throughout its history, the official terminus of the historic highway was a source of much controversy. However, now that Dan Rice owns a 66 to Cali apparel shack at the Santa Monica pier, the city is acknowledging the connection between Route 66 and its iconic beach.
While the Route 66 End of the Trail sign is not an official highway sign, the evocative neon glow of the iconic Highway remained a constant source of inspiration for thousands of visitors each year. Taking a road trip along the iconic Route 66 route is more than a nostalgic trip through history. And, even 35 years after its official decommission, it still remains an amazing symbol of the American spirit. Click for more
The famous route 66 in California is synonymous with the car culture of the region. In fact, it is a symbol of Southern California's car culture. However, Santa Monica has made a significant move to combat the traffic problem by introducing the Big Blue Bus, which began service in 1928. The bus runs two routes and costs a mere $1.25. Bike-friendly Santa Monica also has miles of bicycle lanes and bike share. Bikes can also be parked in several places for free.
In the United States, Route 66 is perhaps the most famous road. Originally a path for immigrants, it supported the economies of many of the communities along the route. The popularity of the highway spurred businesses along the route and many of them became wealthy. The road continued to be an iconic highway in its own right despite the Interstate Highway System. Nevertheless, the popularity of the highway led some locals to fight for its preservation.