Get Your Kicks in 2026 with Official Landmarks, Historic Businesses and Centennial Events at the Western End of America’s Mother Road
SANTA MONICA, Calif. (April 21, 2026) – Route 66 holds a significant place in Santa Monica’s past and its present as the western end (or beginning) of America’s Mother Road. In 2026, Santa Monica welcomes road trippers to join us in celebrating 100 years of this iconic American highway with must-visit landmarks, legacy businesses and centennial events all year long.
The Story of Route 66 in Santa Monica
First declared a federal highway in 1926, Route 66’s original path from Chicago to Los Angeles eventually grew to 2,448 miles across eight U.S. states and extended its official end from Downtown Los Angeles to Santa Monica in 1936. As the Interstate Highway System began construction in 1956, traffic slowly faded from Route 66 and the road was decommissioned in 1985.
This didn’t stop Route 66 from evolving into a worldwide symbol of all things Americana, representing the nostalgia of glowing neon signs, kitschy roadside attractions, classic cars and retro diner stops. Route 66’s place in pop culture grew as the globe jammed to Nat King Cole’s 1946 “(Get Your Kicks On) Route 66,” CBS TV aired the 1960-1964 series “Route 66” and Disney-Pixar’s 2006 movie “Cars” refueled interest in the Mother Road with a new generation through its engaging look at the end of Route 66’s heyday and the importance of lifting up the Mom and Pop shops, historic sites and culture of exploration tied to Route 66’s golden age.
住宿地点
After a legendary journey along Route 66, travelers looking to stay immersed in the spirit of the American road trip will find a mix of historic charm and modern luxury on SoCal’s sunny coast. Historic stays abound for those craving classic California glamour standing throughout the heyday of Route 66, including 乔治亚酒店, a 1933 Art Deco landmark rich in character and Old Hollywood history. Meanwhile, the nearby 费尔蒙特美丽华酒店及别墅 has welcomed travelers to their coastal retreat since 1921, offering today’s visitor an opportunity to stay within the same walls where road trippers of generations past celebrated their completion of the Route. This year, guests will enjoy the “Where the Road Meets the Sea” offer including bungalow or ocean-view suite accommodations, a luxury BMW X5 rental, complimentary parking, unlimited ride wristbands for two to Pacific Park on the Santa Monica Pier and a curated Route 66 welcome gift celebrating the nostalgia of the open road. Another landmark property overlooking the Pacific, Casa del Mar 酒店 celebrates 100 years since it debuted in 1926 as a private beach club and served as a health and wellness center in the 1970s before undergoing a monumental restoration. Reopening as a hotel in 1999, Hotel Casa del Mar’s legacy of luxury is reflected today throughout the property’s elegant design, dedicated service and exquisite ocean view dining. The celebration continues at their sister property 海滩上的百叶窗, honoring the centennial with a Route 66 menu of American classics for $66 at their beachfront restaurant Coast. For Art Deco roots with modern luxury, step into a historic beachfront building reopened in 2025 under a refreshed identity: 伊甸园酒店. The Eden preserves its Streamline Moderne architecture while introducing contemporary amenities across its rooms and suites, outdoor pool, meeting spaces and on-site café.
For accommodations directly along Route 66, travelers will enjoy the affordable price point and contemporary design of The Gateway Hotel on Santa Monica Boulevard or the vibrant interiors and unbeatable location of 码头边酒店 mere steps from the Santa Monica Pier’s “End of the Trail” sign. Those completing Route 66 in Santa Monica this year are invited to celebrate the moment with The Pierside’s Route 66 Centennial Certified package, offering $66 dining credit, a road trip recovery kit, commemorative keepsake gift and complimentary valet parking at the end of the Mother Road.
Just a short walk from the official end of the Route lies 圣莫尼卡酒店, a perfect home base for road trip travelers featuring revamped guest rooms, a bright atmosphere and even an outdoor game area. Additional hotel stays on the Route include 圣莫尼卡温德姆戴斯酒店 featuring an eye-catching pink exterior and 圣莫尼卡-西洛杉矶舒适酒店 with newly updated rooms, a convenient business center and a heated pool. Guests staying with 圣莫尼卡最佳西方酒店 SureStay can’t miss specialty Route 66 décor in the property’s breakfast space for a nostalgic Americana atmosphere.
Must-See Landmarks
There are many ways for visitors to celebrate the Route in Santa Monica today and recognize the cultural significance of this American legend. Whether starting or ending the once-in-a-lifetime drive in Santa Monica, travelers must not miss the “End of the Trail” sign on the 圣莫尼卡码头 acting as the symbolic end of the Route. One of the city’s most popular photo destinations, the sign welcomes road trippers with sweeping ocean views and fresh coastal air steps away from 太平洋公园的 Route 66-themed “West Coaster” and elevated American amusement park fare at Snackville. The “End of the Trail” sign stands as a celebrated symbol of the countless journeys taken along Route 66 and the enduring legacy of America’s Mother Road.
For those looking to visit the official end of the Route, head to Mel's Drive-In at Lincoln and Olympic Boulevards for a view of the official Route 66 end street signs accompanied by American diner favorites. Mel’s Drive-In is a nostalgic stop operating out of a historic 1950s building, reflecting the vibe of Route 66 diner culture with a colorful Route 66 mural in its parking lot, a host of memorabilia, favorite American diner dishes and a Route 66 mosaic at the restaurant’s entrance.
Legacy Businesses
100 years of Route 66 presents a once-in-a-generation opportunity to reflect on the stories and figures of a century past. History is cherished in Santa Monica, as evidenced in the careful restorations of longstanding buildings and community support for legacy businesses. Established in 1959, 杰伊餐厅 celebrates over 66 years hosting road trippers at this legendary bar on Ocean Avenue. A favorite amongst the likes of Frank Sinatra, Dolly Parton and even astronauts and politicians of the day, Chez Jay is an old school hangout where classic cocktails and free peanuts flow. Continue the night at 厨房 established in 1934 in Santa Monica’s Main Street neighborhood. The Galley is still a local favorite watering hole today featuring a nautical ambiance, themed cocktail menu and seafood and steaks.
Steps from the “End of the Trail” sign, visit 大迪安海滨咖啡厅 for a nostalgic seaside spot to catch the big game over a mouthwatering burger and refreshing beer, savor authentic Polish flavors at family-owned legacy restaurant 团结 serving diners on Route 66 since 1978, or mark the occasion at celebrated local restaurant 龙虾 welcoming diners for over 100 years with fresh seafood dishes accompanied by stunning views of the Santa Monica Pier and Pacific Ocean. A tour of Santa Monica’s historic restaurants isn’t complete without a stop on Pico Boulevard, home to Mexican dishes at 拉雷斯 opened in 1968, neighborhood favorite 吉尔伯特的埃尔印迪奥 opened in 1974 and nostalgic comfort food at 瑞餐厅 since 1958.
Just a quick jaunt north lies the 安纳伯格社区海滩之家, a beloved gathering place rich with history since the early 1900s. The Beach House welcomes travelers to embrace its historic spirit with a dip in the meticulously preserved Art Deco era swimming pool or a tour through the Marion Davies Guest House, an oceanside estate constructed in the 1920s. Built in 1914 as the home of a local women’s group pursuing social and cultural causes, the Santa Monica Bay Woman’s Club is also a living reminder of the impact Santa Monica women have had on the community over generations. Designated a historic landmark in 1991, the Santa Monica Bay Woman’s Club continues hosting cultural programs and events today. With surprising stories at every turn, one of the best ways to dive into the city’s history is with a tour by the Santa Monica Conservancy’s team of local historians providing an insightful lens on the city’s cultural heritage.
Centennial Celebrations
2026 will see Santa Monica celebrations all year long.
On January 3, the city was proud to kick off the festivities as the starting point for 回家的路, a road trip journey by America’s Automotive Trust in partnership with the National Route 66 Centennial Commission ending at the Detroit Auto Show. Departing from the Santa Monica Pier, vintage vehicles embarked on the full length of Route 66 culminating in an exhibition at the Detroit Auto Show showcasing the cars and highlights from the drive. More opportunities to celebrate will continue throughout the centennial year, with new festivities announced regularly on our 活动日程.
Santa Monica Travel & Tourism also launched the Route 66 Song Contest open through September 13, 2026, reflecting the destination’s vibrant arts and culture landscape. This creative competition invites songwriters and musicians over the age of 18 to submit an original song capturing the spirit of Santa Monica and its ties to the historic road for the chance to win $10,000.00 USD. As music speaks many languages, we invite artists based in the United States, Australia, Canada, France, Germany, India, Ireland, Mexico, New Zealand and the United Kingdom to share their original pieces celebrating this globally beloved symbol.
Arts and culture festivities continue with the inaugural 圣莫尼卡国际爵士音乐节, Route 66 edition taking place May 1-9, 2026. With this year marking the 100第 anniversaries of Route 66 and jazz legend Miles Davis’ birth, the festival will feature Grammy award-winning headliner Kamasi Washington alongside a stellar lineup of musical talent performing across the city at iconic locations including 第三街海滨长廊, 塘瓦公园 和 宽广舞台.
Summertime celebrations abound, beginning with a special edition of Locals’ Night on the Santa Monica Pier June 4 inviting attendees to enjoy nostalgic tunes by a Route 66 DJ, line dancing, an art zone, classic cars and a Route 66 Steak Challenge where contenders will compete to devour a delicious, 72 oz. steak dinner from the Big Texan Steak Ranch. Don’t miss the launch of an all-new brew celebrating Route 66 debuting at this event, with the “End of the Trail Ale” by 圣莫尼卡啤酒厂 coming to a limited number of retailers in Los Angeles County and on tap at Santa Monica Brew Works Tasting room. This exciting event precedes the Main Street of America Route 66 Centennial Caravan departing the Santa Monica Pier on June 6. Organized by the Route 66 Road Ahead Partnership, this caravan will embark across the full length of the Mother Road celebrating each community along the way. Meanwhile, the beloved Santa Monica 4第 of July Parade invites all to join us for this year’s special Route 66 edition celebrating both the holiday and this major milestone.
Welcoming road trippers with bucket list views of the Pacific and must-see landmarks marking the Route’s end, Santa Monica is a breath of fresh air at the western end of America’s Mother Road. Travelers starting or ending their Route 66 journey in Santa Monica must be sure to stop by any of Santa Monica Travel & Tourism’s Visitor Information Centers to pick up your complimentary Route 66 Certificate of Completion or California Route 66 Passport highlighting key landmarks and stops along the Golden State’s stretch of the Route. To plan your Route 66 road trip to Santa Monica today and learn more about the city’s centennial celebrations, visit santamonica.com/route66.
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圣莫尼卡旅游与观光局 (Santa Monica Travel & Tourism, SMTT) 是一家非营利性组织，旨在通过将圣莫尼卡作为旅游目的地进行推广，增加游客支出、旅游收入和当地就业机会。欲了解更多信息，请访问 santamonica.com, 电子邮件 [email protected], 或在 Instagram 上关注 SMTT (@SeeSantaMonica), X (@GoSantaMonica)或 Facebook (@VisitSantaMonica).
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