Urban Sprawl at the End of Route 66
The iconic Route 66, once a vital artery connecting the heartland of America to the sun-kissed shores of the Pacific, meets its end in a landscape dramatically transformed by urban sprawl. While the journey westward begins with glimpses of burgeoning development in San Bernardino, the true extent of this transformation becomes starkly apparent as the Mother Road pushes towards its final destination at the Santa Monica Pier. The very fabric of the original Route 66 has, in many places, been obscured, swallowed by the relentless expansion of Los Angeles and its sprawling suburbs.
In the early days of Route 66, its primary purpose was to link the scattered small towns dotting the vast expanse between Chicago and the Pacific Coast. The areas that now constitute the sprawling suburbs of Los Angeles were, at that time, a collection of these very towns, each possessing a unique character defined by family-owned businesses. These included quaint diners serving up classic American fare, cozy motels offering respite to weary travelers, roadside fruit stands overflowing with the bounty of California’s agricultural riches, and curio shops brimming with unique souvenirs and local crafts.
The allure of California, fueled in part by the very existence of Route 66, ignited a population boom. Travelers, seeking escape from the hardships of the Dust Bowl era in the Midwest, flocked to the Golden State, drawn by its promise of a more temperate climate and abundant opportunities. This influx of people spurred rapid development, forever altering the landscape that Route 66 traversed. The impact of Urban Sprawl at the End of Route 66 is undeniable.
Despite the encroachment of modern development, dedicated Route 66 enthusiasts can still trace segments of the "original" road. The path, though fragmented, persists, weaving through a labyrinth of city streets and suburban thoroughfares. The journey from Pasadena to Santa Monica, a distance of approximately 80 miles, is a testament to the enduring spirit of the Mother Road. This section of the route, variously known as Foothill Boulevard, Colorado Boulevard, Huntington Drive, Sunset Boulevard, and Santa Monica Boulevard, snakes through a seemingly endless succession of suburbs, each blending seamlessly into the next. However, prospective travelers should be prepared for a full day of navigating congested traffic and countless traffic lights, a stark contrast to the open road that once defined the Route 66 experience. The effects of Urban Sprawl at the End of Route 66 are felt even when attempting to follow the historic path.
For those seeking a more expedient route to the end of America’s Main Street, the I-10 freeway offers a direct path from San Bernardino to Santa Monica. A more nuanced approach might involve a combination of strategies, utilizing surface streets along the periphery of the urban core and transitioning to the highway when the frustrations of city driving become overwhelming.
Venturing along the original route eastward toward Pasadena, through the suburbs of Fontana, Rancho Cucamonga, Azusa, Monrovia, and others, reveals remnants of a bygone era. Amidst the ubiquitous strip malls and fast-food restaurants, vintage icons stand as silent witnesses to the road’s rich history. To find these gems requires a keen eye and a willingness to explore beyond the modern facade. The challenge of finding historic landmarks highlights the extent of Urban Sprawl at the End of Route 66.
The journey begins in Rialto, a San Bernardino suburb once renowned for its sprawling lemon groves. Here, at the city’s edge, stands the infamous Wigwam Motel, a quirky roadside attraction that once rented rooms by the hour, its reputation playfully advertised with the slogan "Do It In a Teepee." Serving travelers since 1947, these distinctive teepee-style cottages have undergone a comprehensive renovation, enhancing both their interior and exterior appearance and revitalizing the motel’s surrounding landscape. The Wigwam Motel, located at 2728 W. Foothill Boulevard, offers a tangible connection to the Route 66’s past.
Continuing along Foothill Boulevard, the traveler soon arrives in Fontana, a suburb offering glimpses of vintage roadside attractions. At the southwest corner of Foothill Boulevard and Sultana Avenue once stood Bono’s, a classic Italian restaurant. While Bono’s is currently closed and the building available for rent, its presence serves as a reminder of the area’s history. Adjacent to the former restaurant stands the last remaining orange juice stand of what was once a common sight along California’s Route 66, a testament to the state’s agricultural heritage.
Rancho Cucamonga, once characterized by vineyards and orange groves, has transformed into one of the fastest-growing suburbs in the Los Angeles metropolitan area. Despite this rapid development, the city retains several Route 66-era landmarks. At Haven Avenue, one can find the Virginia Dare Winery, one of California’s oldest. Additionally, at the northwest corner of Foothill Boulevard and Archibald Avenue stands a 1920s Richfield Oil station. Dating back to a time when Route 66 traversed primarily countryside and vineyards, this station offers a striking contrast to the surrounding modern landscape.
Rancho Cucamonga is also home to the historic Sycamore Inn, originally a San Bernardino Stage stop. Located at 8318 Foothill Boulevard, this venerable establishment has provided food and hospitality for nearly 150 years. While in Rancho Cucamonga, a visit to the Route 66 Visitors Center and Museum at 8916 Foothill Boulevard is highly recommended.
Upland, the next city along the route, features the vintage Buffalo Inn, a landmark known for its buffalo burgers since 1929. This frontier saloon atmosphere provides a relaxed setting to enjoy a burger and a brew before continuing westward. The Buffalo Inn is located at 1814 W. Foothill Boulevard.
Claremont offers a different kind of attraction: the Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden, located on the right side of Route 66 just before the intersection with Indian Hill Boulevard. This garden showcases the diverse flora of California, providing a tranquil escape from the urban environment.
As Foothill Boulevard curves slightly to the right, it enters Pomona, home to the vintage Wilson’s Restaurant at the northwest corner of the intersection with Garey Avenue.
From Pomona, the route passes through La Verne and San Dimas before arriving in Glendora. Here, the Golden Spur Restaurant, an establishment with a history spanning more than 80 years, once stood. A 1940s gas station can be found at the intersection of Alosta Avenue and Loraine. Glendora also boasts a quaint downtown district where many buildings have remained virtually unchanged for over a century, offering a glimpse into the past.
Azusa is home to the vintage Foothill Drive-in Theatre, the last historic drive-in theater on Route 66 west of Oklahoma. Designated as a California historic resource in 2002, this theater represents a significant piece of the road’s cultural heritage.
The route then passes through Irwindale and Duarte before reaching Monrovia, a city offering numerous views of yesteryear. On Shamrock Avenue, one block north of Colorado Boulevard, stands a vintage gas station, a relic from an earlier alignment of Route 66.
Arcadia is home to the Santa Anita Racetrack, where a 1930s art-deco building stands just beyond 1st Avenue. Designed by Gordon Kaufmann, the architect of the Hoover Dam, the racetrack opened in 1934 and hosted famous attendees such as Charlie Chaplin, Clark Gable, Cary Grant, and Bing Crosby. During World War II, the track served as a detention camp for 20,000 Japanese Americans awaiting relocation to internment camps. Today, the track continues to serve racing fans and tourists, offering several restaurants. Also in Arcadia is the historic windmill atop Denny’s restaurant, saved from demolition by preservationists. The windmill dates back to the building’s days as a Van de Kamp eatery.
Entering Pasadena, travelers should prepare for congested traffic. Foothill Boulevard becomes Colorado Boulevard as it moves west into Pasadena. Along this route, vintage views can be spied among the modern buildings, such as the Astro Motel, a 1950s futuristic design resembling a rocket launching pad. Other landmarks include the stone Holliston Church and the Pasada Motel.
Pasadena’s 22-block historic district showcases over 200 historic buildings where art deco and 19th-century architecture blend, forming a colorful, eclectic collection. The original center of town has been restored and serves as a popular destination for nightlife, shopping, dining, and entertainment. The Fair Oaks Pharmacy, opened in 1915, has served Route 66 tourists with sodas, ice cream floats, and cherry rickeys for decades and is located at 1526 Mission Street.
As the Mother Road continues westward from Pasadena, two different alignments exist. The first crosses the Colorado Street Bridge, built in 1913, predating Route 66. Travelers used this arched span until 1940, when the Arroyo Seco Parkway opened.
On December 30, 1940, the Arroyo Seco Parkway opened, becoming the new official alignment for Route 66. Connecting Pasadena to Los Angeles, the parkway extends through Arroyo Seco’s Arts and Crafts landscape and has been designated as a Federal Scenic Byway. This parkway is significant as the first freeway in the west, representing a transitional time when parkways became freeways. According to a UCLA study, the 22-mile parkway is the site of the most traffic accidents in the Los Angeles area.
In Los Angeles, 7th and Broadway was the original end of Route 66, later extended to Santa Monica in 1935. Downtown Los Angeles features numerous examples of 1920s architecture, including the largest concentration of pre-World War II movie palaces in America. These theaters began as vaudeville stages, hosting live acts like the Marx Brothers and Sophie Tucker before transitioning to movie theaters.
Following the final alignment of Route 66 to the Pacific Ocean, Santa Monica Boulevard travels through Hollywood, where the famous Hollywood Sign stands as a landmark.
Originally spelling "Hollywoodland" for a real estate development in Beachwood Canyon, the sign was erected in 1923, measuring 450 feet long with letters rising almost 50 feet above the ground. After years of neglect, the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce stepped in during 1949, removing the last four letters and repairing the rest. The sign, located near the top of Mount Lee, is now a registered trademark.
Hollywood offers numerous attractions, including Grauman’s Chinese Theater, the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and Universal Studios.
Continuing along Santa Monica Boulevard, the route passes through West Hollywood and a theater district filled with trendy shops and boutiques before entering Beverly Hills.
Finally, Route 66 ends in Santa Monica at Pacific Palisades Park and the Santa Monica Pier. Taking a stroll and watching the sunset offers a fitting conclusion to the historic journey. The memories and photographs accumulated along the way will undoubtedly last a lifetime. The journey highlights not only the historic route but also the undeniable Urban Sprawl at the End of Route 66.