Barstow—A California Stop on Route 66
As you cross from Arizona to California on Route 66, one of the first major stops along the way will be Barstow. This city of about 25,000 sits amidst the arid, rugged beauty of the Mojave Desert.
Barstow’s history is intricately linked to mining and making use of the region’s mineral resources. Already, the original Native American residents of the area gathered turquoise from the ground to make elaborate jewelry.
U.S. settlement in the area began in the late 1840s. As an interesting aside, Barstow would have to wait roughly 100 years until it was officially incorporated in 1947.
Initially, Barstow served as a stop along the Mormon Road, but it all changed when gold and silver were discovered in the surrounding region in the 1860s. Just like that, Barstow and the nearby Calico (now a ghost town) began booming.
By 1888, both the Calico Railroad and the Santa Fe Railroad had arrived in town, bringing miners, traders, and others with them. The latter was especially important—so much so that the town was named after its president, William Barstow Strong (and presumably his impressive beard).
That said, Barstow had several names before that. Over the years, it has been known as Camp Sugarloaf, Grapevine, Waterman Junction, and Fishpond.
Then, in 1926, the newly designated Route 66 started carrying in visitors who weren’t interested in mining. And a lot of them came, to boot. At one point, the intersection of Route 66 and US 91 was one of the busiest in the country, with local gas stations dispensing more than 800 gallons of gas a day.
One of the prime attractions in Barstow is the Barstow Harvey House. Originally built in 1911 as Casa del Desierto, the beautiful building served as a depot and a Harvey House hotel on the Santa Fe Railroad. Today, it’s an Amtrak station and houses government offices, alongside two museums.
Well, one museum, really. One of them used to be the Route 66 Mother Road Museum, but it sadly closed down in 2024.
The Western America Railroad Museum, however, is still open. With both indoor and outdoor sections, this museum provides a fascinating look into the history of the Pacific Southwest railways.
For some Route 66 kitsch, hunt down all the Cars of Barstow. These are a collection of cardboard cutouts of classic vehicles hoisted up on top of stone pedestals, located around town.
You should also go to the local McDonald’s—not for a Big Mac, though, but to see the water tank from the 1930s that was used by the Mojave Water Tank gas station until the 1960s. The relic is still there in the parking lot, although it’s painted a tacky red and sports the golden arches.
Another fascinating museum in town is the Mojave River Valley Museum. The objects on display here trace the area’s history all the way back to the 1700s.
For a closer look at local history, though, you must visit the Calico Ghost Town. Once a busy mining base, the town has been restored to resemble the way it was back during the silver rush (although some of the buildings are just facades).
Even if you happened to be one of the rare motorcyclists who doesn’t care for Route 66, Barstow is still well worth a visit due to the gorgeous desert scenery. Nearby, you’ll find multi-hued cliffs and spires of Rainbow Basin. If you like off-road riding, you can venture into the Mojave National Preserve and the Caste Mountains National Monument.
Facts & Info
Nearby Attractions
- Barstow Harvey House
- Cars of Barstow
- Mojave River Valley Museum
- Rainbow Basin
Nearby Roads
In Barstow, there is a small stretch of dirt road that follows the original 1926 alignment of Route 66. Unfortunately, it’s not rideable. E Main St also travels along the same line as the Mother Road for a very brief section, but overall, Route 66 is gone here.
If the lack of Route 66 has left you distraught, you can soothe your pain by heading south to the Angeles National Forest. Here, you’ll find two fantastic roads with plenty of curves and thrills.
The Angeles Crest Scenic Byway (SR 2) offers a cavalcade of mountain views and turns that goes on and on. Meanwhile, the Rim of the World Scenic Byway takes you to Big Bear Lake, with all its watersports and outdoor activities.
Recommended Lodging: Rodeway Inn on Route 66
This motel is located on the historical Route 66 alignment. It’s a modern, if not particularly fancy establishment, with spacious and quiet rooms, soft beds, and friendly service.
Parking spaces are available next to your room door, and you can enjoy a hot breakfast in the morning. The motel also has a swimming pool so you can cool yourself in the California heat.
The Rodeway Inn is what you want from a Route 66 motel—straightforward, affordable, and comfortable.
Recommended Lodging: Route 66 Motel
If you’d like to sleep in a place that has been there for the entirety of Route 66’s history, this one’s for you. The Route 66 Motel was founded in 1922 as Barstow Auto Court and is still in business today.
Here, you’ll find simple but well-sized rooms that have been thoroughly modernized and renovated. You can also admire the collection of classic cars in the parking lot.
Additionally, many of the current chain motels in Barstow—like Budget Inn and Econo Lodge—are housed in buildings that once served as independent motels on Route 66. Financial realities have forced them to sell to national chains, but the places are essentially the same.
Food & Dining
- Lola’s Kitchen: This local Mexican restaurant is famous for its excellent, homestyle dishes. Try the chorizo and eggs for breakfast—it’ll start your day right. Find it at 1244 E Main St, Barstow, CA.
- Di Napoli’s Firehouse: This Italian restaurant is a Barstow staple. The portions are very generous, so make sure you have room in your panniers for leftovers. Find it at 1358 E Main St, Barstow, CA.
- Route 66 Pizza Palace: I had to mention this place since it has Route 66 in the name. If you’re riding through Barstow and need a quick, tasty lunch, this is the place. Find it at 2046 Main St, Barstow, CA.
Best Time to Travel
Barstow is a good riding destination practically year-round. Summer temperatures can get very hot and winters chilly, but snow is almost unheard of in the city. That said, if you want temps that don’t cook you sous vide in your riding suit, opt for April-May or September-October.