LibGuides: Historic Route 66: California

California: 314 miles

The Aztec Hotel
The Aztec Hotel is a historical landmark building in Monrovia, in the San Gabriel Valley, California. The hotel is an example of Mayan Revival architecture still in existence. It was designed by architect Robert Stacy-Judd, and built on U.S. Route 66 in 1925-26.
California Historic Route 66 Association
We focus on the unique history and abundance of historic treasures along the road in our state. Our goal is to encourage folks to get off the interstate and drive Route 66, refreshing memories and acquainting themselves with this significant part of America.
California Route 66 Museum
The California Route 66 Museum is devoted to the representation of U.S. Highway 66 in both historic and contemporary exhibition. The museum intends to continually promote, preserve, and educate the public throughout the world bringing relative weight to the cultural influences; and impacting effects the Mother Road had on architecture, the arts, community development, and commerce; since its induction as a U.S. Highway in 1926.
Roadtripping California Blog
Tips on the best things to see and do on Route 66 from two people dedicated to California road trips.
Route 66 California: What to See Along the Way Blog
A town by town guide to the best roadside attractions along California's Route 66.
Roy's Motel & Café
Roy’s Motel & Cafe was first opened as a gas and service station in 1938, on Route 66. It was first known as Roy’s Garage, then was changed to Roy’s Garaged and Cafe and is now known as just Roy’s Motel & Cafe.
Santa Monica Pier: The end of the road
The Santa Monica Pier marks the end of Route 66.
NPS: California Places
US Highway 66, popularly known as “Route 66,” is significant as the nation’s first all-weather highway linking Chicago to Los Angeles. Explore places along this historic roadway as it passes through California.
National Park Service: Route 66 in California
California. Its name beckons like a golden promise on the horizon. Route 66 travelers coming from the east were often wayfarers seeking a fresh start in a new land, and in the early to middle years of the twentieth century, California was that new land, brimful of promise and rumors of plenty.

The Silence and the Sun: An historical account of people, places, and events on old Route 66 and railroad communities in the Eastern Mojave Desert, California by Joe De Kehoe
ISBN: 0979382718

Publication Date: 2012-01-01

Exploring the back roads of the Mojave Desert is a rewarding experience – there is a real thrill when one tops a ridge or rounds a curve to find the remains of an abandoned mine, town or former roadside business. All is silent now; the place is empty and may be overgrown as the desert reclaims the land. But at one time, decades ago, people lived, worked and raised their families in these forgotten places. The Silence and the Sun, liberally illustrated with photographs, offers a selection of historical accounts on the growth and eventual decline of some of these desert sites and stories of the people who lived there. Not only will the book help inspire your desert adventures and explore places you never knew existed; it will also broaden your appreciation of this beautiful country. The desert scenery in this area, bordered on the north by old Route 66, displays a beauty all its own and the area is steeped in history centered on the railroad and mining. There are few roads in this region – some are prospector trails and others are tracks to abandoned mines, but for those who are interested in exploring and learning about some of the lesser known areas, the wealth of information contained in The Silence and the Sun is second to none.