Route 66 Day 6: San Bernardino, CA to Santa Monica, CA - Epic Self-Guided Driving Tour.
Places: 18 POIs
Distance: 88.51 mi
Duration: 1h:54m
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Tour #2466
About this English self-guided 1h:54m driving tour in Santa Monica
Welcome to the final day of your legendary Route 66 journey! Today’s drive takes you from San Bernardino to the sparkling shores of Santa Monica, California — where the iconic Mother Road officially comes to an end.
This tour is perfect for first-time visitors and seasoned Route 66 enthusiasts alike, offering a blend of history, culture, and unforgettable experiences.
Get ready to make memories that will last a lifetime on this ultimate Route 66 road trip.
This trip focuses on the Mother Road and will guide you through 17 points of interest, including the Wigwam Motel, Original McDonald's Museum, Arroyo Seco Historic Parkway, Santa Monica Blvd, Beverly Hills and the Santa Monica Pier.
- 1For the best experience, begin at the tour's recommended starting point and follow the stops in order.
- 2Want to start somewhere else? Simply use Start At on the tour screen, before tapping Start Tour, to begin from any stop.
- 3Need to detour or skip a stop along the way? Tap Tour Assistant (
![UCPlaces AI Bot Icon]()
) to use Force Play, Skip, and Back, for full flexibility.
) to use Force Play, Skip, and Back, for full flexibility.
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This tour is also available in reverse direction:
Places (POIs) visited during this tour
Place #1
![Map Pin]()
Recommended Starting Point
Distance: 0.00mi
, Attraction : City
2105 N E St, San Bernardino, CA 92405, USA
Downtown San Bernardino — The Gateway to Route 66’s Final Stretch
Welcome to Downtown San Bernardino, a vibrant historic hub that serves as a key gateway on the last leg of your Route 66 journey. Known as one of the original cities along the Mother Road, San Bernardino has long been a crossroads of culture, commerce, and travel.
Here, you’ll find classic Route 66 nostalgia alongside modern revitalization — from vintage neon signs and old-school diners to arts districts and community murals. Downtown’s landmarks include the historic California Theatre and the original McDonald’s site, a must-see for fast-food history buffs.
As you explore San Bernardino, take a moment to soak in the city’s rich heritage and diverse spirit. This lively downtown area perfectly captures the essence of the American road trip before you hit the final miles toward the Pacific coast.
Here, you’ll find classic Route 66 nostalgia alongside modern revitalization — from vintage neon signs and old-school diners to arts districts and community murals. Downtown’s landmarks include the historic California Theatre and the original McDonald’s site, a must-see for fast-food history buffs.
As you explore San Bernardino, take a moment to soak in the city’s rich heritage and diverse spirit. This lively downtown area perfectly captures the essence of the American road trip before you hit the final miles toward the Pacific coast.
Place #2
![Map Pin]()
Distance: 0.63mi
, Attraction : Museum
1450 N E St, San Bernardino, CA 92405, USA
Original McDonald's Museum
Coming on your right, The Original McDonald's Site and Museum in San Bernardino, California, commemorates the birthplace of the world's most famous fast-food chain.
The museum, located on the site of the original McDonald's restaurant, features exhibits showcasing the history of the McDonald's brothers and their innovative Speedee Service System. Visitors can explore vintage McDonald's memorabilia, including menus, advertisements, and equipment.
The museum is operated by the McDonald's Historical Society, a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving the legacy of the McDonald's brothers. The Original McDonald's Site and Museum offers a fascinating glimpse into the origins of fast food and the entrepreneurial spirit that made McDonald's a global phenomenon.
The museum's collection includes items donated by McDonald's employees and enthusiasts, reflecting the company's impact on American culture.
The museum, located on the site of the original McDonald's restaurant, features exhibits showcasing the history of the McDonald's brothers and their innovative Speedee Service System. Visitors can explore vintage McDonald's memorabilia, including menus, advertisements, and equipment.
The museum is operated by the McDonald's Historical Society, a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving the legacy of the McDonald's brothers. The Original McDonald's Site and Museum offers a fascinating glimpse into the origins of fast food and the entrepreneurial spirit that made McDonald's a global phenomenon.
The museum's collection includes items donated by McDonald's employees and enthusiasts, reflecting the company's impact on American culture.
Tour itinerary stops | Additional places you'll see on this self-guided tour
Place 1
Downtown San Bernardino — The Gateway to Route 66’s Final Stretch
Place 2
Original McDonald's Museum
Place 3
Wigwam Motel (Rialto)
Place 4
Bono's Historic Orange
Place 5
Cucamonga Service Station
Place 6
Aztec Hotel
Place 7
Arroyo Seco Parkway – America’s First Freeway
Place 8
Los Angeles, California – Almost The End of the Road
Place 9
Hermon Park – A Community Oasis in Northeast LA
Place 10
Ernest E. Debs Regional Park – Wild Beauty in the City
Place 11
West Sunset Boulevard — Hollywood’s Iconic Artery
Place 12
Short detour for stunning views
Place 13
Griffith Observatory – Stars Above LA
Place 14
Santa Monica Boulevard – The Final Stretch of Route 66
Place 15
Beverly Hills – Glamor on the Mother Road
Place 16
Lincoln Boulevard — The Official End of Route 66
Place 17
Lincoln & Olympic – The True End of Route 66
Place 18
Route 66 End Sign
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Have any questions about this tour? Or a general travel / self-guided tours question? That's completely natural
+ How long does this tour take?
Most travelers complete this tour in approximately 1.5 to 2 hours, depending on pace, time spent at each stop, and optional detours. Having said that, please remember that self-guided tours are extremly flexible (you can start, pause, continue anytime) and everyone has their own pace.
+ What does this tour include?
This self-guided driving tour includes 18 stops, covering top attractions such as Downtown San Bernardino — The Gateway to Route 66’s Final Stretch, Original McDonald's Museum, Wigwam Motel (Rialto), Bono's Historic Orange, Cucamonga Service Station.
+ Where does the tour start?
The tour starts at Downtown San Bernardino — The Gateway to Route 66’s Final Stretch (Address: 2105 N E St, San Bernardino, CA 92405, USA). You can begin the tour there or join from any stop along the route.
+ What type of tour is this?
This is a self-guided driving tour designed to be completed by car, covering scenic routes, city highlights and optional key stops.
+ Can I do this tour at my own pace?
Yes, this is a self-guided driving tour, so you can start anytime and explore at your own pace. You can pause, skip stops, or spend more time at places that interest you. You can even split it into multiple days. Explore however feels right for you. The only vaiables that might affect your pace are speed limits and traffic congestion.
+ Do I need a car for this tour?
Yes, this is a driving tour, designed to be completed by car, with stops spread across different locations connected by a driving route.
+ Do I need anything in order to take the tour?
There are two things that you need - 1. A mobile phone (with the UCPlaces app installed and active location services, and a cellular data plan with a decent signal for downloading the tour). 2. A car. Here are some recommendations for a great experience: 1. Make sure your phone is fully charged and bring a charging cable for your car. 2. Connect your phone to the car speaker system via bluetooth or use our CarPlay/Android Auto option for the best experience.
+ How will I navigate from point to point during the tour?
The tour uses GPS-based navigation through the UCPlaces app, with automatic audio playback and step-by-step directions between stops. This works great either directly from your phone, or while connected to your car's multimedia system and using our CarPlay or Android Auto options. Just follow the route and listen to the audio guide. Use the resume feature to continue from where you recently stopped (or closed the app). Easily skip or go back to stops.
+ Is this tour suitable for families or groups?
Yes, self-guided tours are ideal for families and small groups, allowing everyone to explore comfortably without being tied to a fixed schedule.
+ What makes a self-guided tour better than a guided tour?
Self-guided tours are more flexible, affordable, and personalized. You can avoid crowds, choose your pace, and focus on the stops that interest you most.
+ I installed the app and it's now asking for GPS and media access permissions, why?
The app is your tour-guide, it needs to know where you are located on the map to be able to trigger the points of interest. It also needs access to audio and media files to provide you with this experience.
+ What happens if there are unexpected roadblocks or navigation issues?
We have been working hard to deliver a great experience. Though you may run into unexpected obstacles (the world is constantly changing), our app has multiple features and mechanisms in place to help you overcome them, including: AI assistance, force play an audio if you can't reach the stop, skip or return to stops, automatic rerouting and more.
+ Can I take the tour in my language?
Though all of our tours are primarily in English, many tours are muyltilingual (including: Spanish, German, Portuguese, French, Japanese, Hebrew, French, Arabic and more...). The tour language options depend on the specific tour - You can easily check which languages are available in the tour screen!