After travelling west on Route 66, the grand finale takes place in California after over 2,400 miles and ends at the Pacific Ocean with a sign marking the “end of the trail” on the Santa Monica Pier.

The over 300 miles of Route 66 in California begin in the Mojave Desert where travelers can enjoy a classic Route 66 experience with stops such as the historic Bagdad Café and roadside ghost towns. Pop culture enthusiasts can explore historic Route 66 sites in California featured in movies and film such as the iconic Roy’s Motel and Café and drop by the California Route 66 Museum in Victorville. All along the California Route 66 corridor hungry travelers can dine at restaurants like Mitla Café that have satisfied hungry travelers for over 80 years.

Explore the stories of Route 66 in California and learn how you can celebrate and advocate for the route in 2026.

Route 66 Centennial Events in California

Millions of Route 66 supporters and dozens of communities along the Route 66 corridor will celebrate the Mother Road’s 100th birthday in 2026 with events, commemorations, and advocacy. This year, join the National Trust and our partners in California and be a part of the multi-state centennial celebration:

National Trust on Route 66 in California

For over 35 years, the National Trust has worked alongside our partners to preserve Route 66 as part of our ongoing Preserve Route 66 campaign that includes over $2.3 million in grantmaking across the eight Route 66 states, advocacy for federal legislation, traveling the route to document its rich history, and supporting Route 66 sites as part of other initiatives like the list of America's 11 Most Endangered Historic Places and Backing Historic Small Restaurants.

In California, twenty-five Route 66 sites to-date have received over $536,000 in grants to support critical preservation work that helps enable small businesses and prized community landmarks to thrive and continue to tell their piece of the Route 66 story. Grantees in California include La Paloma Mexican Restaurant in La Verne for critical roof repairs essential for sustaining operations and the Route 66 Citrus Learning Project in Rancho Cucamonga that documents the intersection of agricultural labor and Route 66 tourism.

Stay tuned for the next round of Preserving Route 66 grant opportunities for Route 66 Legacy Businesses and Route 66 Sites in Fall 2026.

Stories of California’s Route 66 on Google Arts and Culture

In 2026, the National Trust for Historic Preservation partnered with Google Arts & Culture to launch a new theme page as part of its work to preserve the Mother Road. This project—an Official Route 66 Centennial Project recommended by the U.S. Route 66 Centennial Commission—was developed in collaboration with over 20 additional partner organizations resulting in over 130 stories that take you across all eight states on the Mother Road, including California.

• Preserving and Revitalizing Route 66 in the Mojave Desert
• Vintage Entertainment Venues to Experience on Route 66 in California
• Sites of Latinx Joy, Resistance & Grief on California Rt. 66
• 16 Classic Lodgings for Route 66 Tourists in California
• Key Spots Along Route 66 in San Bernardino County
• 18 Stunning Signs to See on Route 66 in San Bernardino County
• Vintage Restaurants to Enjoy on Route 66 in San Bernardino County
• The Mitla Cafe: Serving the San Bernardino Community for Generations
• Generations Flock to La Paloma
• Route 66: The Los Angeles Edition
• Vintage Restaurants to Enjoy on Route 66 in Los Angeles County
• Key Spots Along Route 66 in Los Angeles County

Advocate for Route 66

What better 100th birthday present for Route 66 than a National Historic Trail designation? We need your help to make that happen!

Your elected officials in the House and Senate need to hear from you about why Route 66 matters to you and the importance of preserving its rich history. This Centennial year is a pivotal moment to designate Route 66 as a national historic trail and help preserve Route 66 for the next 100 years and beyond.

Ask your Member of Congress to cosponsor and support the legislation during 2026 by sending them a letter and sharing this link widely with your community, meeting with congressional staff in their Illinois offices, and inviting elected officials to join you for a Route 66 site visit or event.

Here are some additional resources to help with your advocacy:

• Printable one-pager on Route 66
• Letter template to House and Senate offices
• Preservation advocacy tips