California Route 66

End of the Road

California represents the final leg of Route 66, where the Mother Road meets the Pacific Ocean after thousands of miles across the heartland and deserts of America. Covering roughly 316 miles from the Arizona border to Santa Monica, California transitions from desert landscapes and towns to the urban sprawl of Los Angeles, offering riders a dramatic and diverse conclusion to their cross-country journey.

Entering California, you are immediately greeted by the Mojave Desert. Towns like Needles, Barstow, and San Bernardino preserve vintage diners and old gas stations among modern establishments, all blasted by the relentless sun. Farther west, the terrain begins to undulate, transforming into foothills until the metropolis takes over just before you hit the Pacific Ocean.

For motorcyclists and road trippers, California is a scenic and unforgettable grand finale to the Mother Road journey. Every mile tells a story of freedom and a hope once held for a better future.

Big Bear

Big Bear isn’t technically on Route 66, but it’s a welcome detour—a cool mountain refuge after the relentless heat of the desert that stretches around Barstow. Nestled in the San Bernardino Mountains, Big Bear offers a sharp contrast to the scorching landscapes of the Mojave. With a sparkling alpine lake surrounded by towering pines, it seems almost impossible to imagine after days on flat, dry highway.