Route 66 Turns 100 This Year — The Part Nobody Talks About Is the California Stretch, and It’s Stunning

One hundred years after a stretch of dirt, gravel, and wooden planks first connected the American heartland to the Pacific Coast, Route 66 is celebrating its 100th anniversary — and California’s portion of the Mother Road, which winds through deserts, canyons, and concludes at an epic beachside finale, is at the center of the national conversation.

From San Bernardino County’s sun-scorched Mojave terrain all the way to the salt air of the Santa Monica Pier, the Golden State’s 315-mile stretch is alive with new cultural installations, retro-inspired motels, a brand-new visitor center, and a calendar of centennial events running throughout 2026.

“Route 66 is more than a highway —

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