If you ever plan to motor west (we 100% stole that opener from the famous song “Route 66” made famous by crooner Nat King Cole), then you know we’re talking about heading west on the Mother Road Route 66 which celebrates 100 years this year. Officially opened on November 11, 1926, its initial popularity was due to it being the main route out of the Dust Bowl west toward the agricultural mecca of sunny California. As automobiles and the family road trip grew in popularity, many a summer trip was planned from Chicago, the easternmost portion of the road. Heading west along Route 66, stops might have included St. Louis, Missouri; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; Amarillo, Texas; Albuquerque, New Mexico: Winslow, Arizona and culminating in California. Santa Monica to be exact is where Route 66 terminates. So whether you plan to road trip all the way west or are just planning a California glamping trip to Thousand Trails Idyllwild, Thousand Trails Soledad Canyon or Thousand Trails Wilderness Lakes, check out Santa Monica and the infamous “End of the Trail” sign located on the Santa Monica Pier, which designated the end of Route 66.
Route 66 related fun when visiting Santa Monica can include a nostalgic meal at Mel’s Diner, which was originally the Penguin Coffee Shop, where end of the road travelers grabbed a bite to eat; some Route 66 history at the Santa Monica History Museum; and a visit to Chez Jay, an iconic nautical themed bar, also at the end of the road.
Other Santa Monica must-sees should be the Marvin Braude Bike Trail, also known as The Strand, which is a concrete bike path that stretches for 22 miles along the Pacific Coast; the Original Muscle Beach, built in 1932 the outdoor training gym made famous by body-builders; Heal The Bay Aquarium, which has more than species, several touch tanks and a focus on conserving local coastal waters and of course, the infamous Santa Monica Pier. With its classic boardwalk, carnival games and amusement rides including a ferris wheel, roller coaster and the terrifying Pacific Plunge, which drops riders 44 feet! You can also fish off the pier and no license is required. Bring your own gear or rent it on the pier and try your hand at fishing for Pacific mackerel, California halibut and Sand bass. Shopping and dining can be found at the Third Street Promenade, an open-air, pet-friendly area just a few blocks from the beach. Don’t miss the street art murals!
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