Old Rt 66 red, this column green

I first experienced Route 66 on a family vacation to southern California in 1958. From our home in southern Idaho we had driven for two days, joining Route 66 in Barstow late in the afternoon. It was dark by the time we arrived at San Bernardino, but somewhere along there -- it must have been on Cajon Pass –- a dramatic view of the Los Angeles basin spread out before us. To a boy whose idea of the big city was Salt Lake, it seemed like the lights went on forever. I hoped to find that view again as I started south down Cajon Boulevard to retrace the westernmost section of Route 66. But after overnight rains in the San Gabriel Mountains, low hanging clouds obscured distant vistas, even in the early afternoon. I had to be satisfied with nearby sights.

This stretch of historic Route 66 is pretty seedy now: vacant lots and relic motels on one side, the railroad on the other. The first few miles in San Bernardino appeared rather run down also, although many of the older motels seemed to be hanging

Cajon Motel has seen better days, by jkbrown

on. The route turns west on Fifth Street, then jogs to Fourth through a mostly industrial area. In Rialto the name changes to Foothill Boulevard. I stopped to check out the first Route 66 landmark: the Wigwam Motel, an icon since 1949. "Sleep tight in a Wigwam tonight." It appeared to be well maintained and prosperous.

In Fontana there was little Route 66 presence; Foothill Boulevard was lined with strip malls and fast food establishments, along with numerous older motels. You could make a good smoothie by using the ingredients from the names of cross streets: Citrus, Cherry, Banana, Mulberry. At Rancho Cucamonga the scene changed to huge shopping malls and apartment complexes. I noticed three tasteful Route 66 signs on businesses. In Upland there were more 66 signs, including a Starbucks coffee cup.

Wigwam Motel, by jkbrown

Next came the college towns of Claremont and Pomona, much different in character. San Dimas, at the foot of the San Gabriels, manages to retain something of a rural feel. Denny's Classic Drive-In restaurant bore a Route 66 logo. In Glendora they changed the street name to Route 66, the only city in the area to have done that. Many businesses there carried a 66 shield: real estate office, hardware store, auto parts store, motels. Flappy Jack's

Get your cups on Route 66, by jkbrown

Pancakes had a shield-shaped sign. I found it very interesting how different cities along the route either embraced or ignored their Route 66 connections.

In Azusa we were back on Foothill Boulevard. In village-like Duarte, the name changed again, to Huntington Drive. In Arcadia I noticed a classic Route 66 road sign, not the brown historic variety. Here you have to watch for the junction with Colorado Boulevard; following Huntington will lead to downtown Los Angeles. It would be helpful if they installed a sign indicating the 66 routing.

Colorado becomes the main street of Pasadena and in the late afternoon, traffic was bogging down as we entered its downtown

Classic Route 66 roadsign in Arcadia, by jkbrown

district. Colorado Boulevard is also the route of the annual Rose Parade. On this day after Christmas every available plot of land had temporary seating in place for the big event.

We finally escaped the Pasadena traffic, staying with an early 66 routing on Colorado, then turning south on Figueroa into Los Angeles proper. It was getting dark now so I cheated a little by taking the Pasadena Freeway, then the Hollywood Freeway to Santa Monica Boulevard. Hollywood, West Hollywood, Beverly Hills all seemed like a glitzy blur. I couldn’t help looking out for movie stars, but no luck. I saw very little evidence of Historic Route 66 either.

After the last few miles of Santa Monica Boulevard we reached Ocean Street, the western end of Route 66. It had taken us nearly four hours to drive the 70 or so miles from Cajon Pass. I was tired. Timmy and I both needed a break. I drove to the beach where we took a walk. I wanted to take a photo at the ocean, but it was too dark by then. We drove back to our San Diego camp after a long day of highway exploration.

Travels With Charley Join author John Steinbeck and his poodle Charley on their 1960s "RV" trip across America. This is a delightful, inspiring book that will both entertain and charm the RVer and would-be RVer.	2006 Mapquest RV & Campsites Guide & Atlas Finally, a road atlas especially for RVers. This 2006 Mapquest road atlas and campground directory is the first publication of its kind. Complete with state and Canadian province road maps, color photos and 3700 campground listings.	Guide Book to Highway 66 (1946 reproduction) Planning to get some RV kicks on Route 66? Learn about the highway as it was 50 years ago, and use it to trace what remains of the road today.