Step back in time along California’s iconic stretch of Route 66. From preserved neon landmarks to surreal desert vistas, here are the top experiences to add to your itinerary.
Explore historic downtown districts frozen in time. Visit classic vintage roadside diners, restored mid-century service stations, and local Route 66 museums that showcase the Golden State’s deep automobile history.
Stand beneath one of the most famous neon signs in America. Located in the heart of the desert, this mid-century ghost-town landmark offers an unmatched throwback photo opportunity and a sense of total open-road isolation.
Just minutes off the main highway lies an extinct cinder cone volcano. Take the 3-mile round-trip hiking trail across basalt lava fields to reach the top for 360-degree panoramic views of the surrounding Mojave floor.
Catch a double feature under the desert stars at Barstow’s Skyline Drive-In. It remains one of the few surviving original drive-in theaters operating along the historic highway network.
Browse quirky roadside antique shops, folk-art installations, and roadside curiosity museums that line the two-lane tarmac between San Bernardino and the desert outposts.