Route 66: The Los Angeles Edition
Explore twelve historic spots on Los Angeles's stretch of Route 66 that celebrate the history of Hollywood, entertainment, and architecture in Southern California.
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Traversing Scenic USA via Route 66
There is no interstate in America as iconic as Route 66, winding its way from Chicago, IL through Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and finally, to Santa Monica, CA. Though decommissioned in 1985, the route is still a popular tourist attraction today.
Scroll to learn more about 12 iconic spots that you won't want to miss along Route 66 in Los Angeles.
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Heritage Square Museum
The Heritage Square Museum preserves a variety of Victorian homes and relics from Southern California during the first 100 years of statehood. The museum has spent five decades restoring the houses in the square. Learn more about Heritage Square and their collections here.
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Gloria Molina Grand Park
Gloria Molina was the first Latina to be elected as a Los Angeles Councilmember as well as to the State Assembly. She was instrumental to the revitalization of Grand Park, at the heart of L.A.'s Civic Center. The park was renamed in Molina's honor her after her death in 2023.
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Jensen's Recreation Center
Jensen's Recreation Center is one of the first examples of a mixed-use development in Los Angeles. It was built in 1924 and became a historic-cultural monument in 1998. Today, it hosts apartments, studios, and coffee and food options for Route 66 travelers in the heart of Echo Park.
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The Road to California
California represents the final stretch of Route 66, bringing travelers through desert, mountains, valleys, and to the ocean. Since 1926, California has attracted those looking for new opportunities. It was key to migration during the Great Depression and the World Wars.
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The Echo & Echoplex
The Echo & Echoplex's reputation as a music scene staple in Los Angeles has made it a top choice for established and burgeoning talent alike in Los Angeles. Before it was a music venue, The Echo was a Mexican restaurant and community cornerstone called the Nayarit until 2001.
The Black Cat by Laura Dominguez/L.A. ConservancyLos Angeles Conservancy
The Black Cat
Two years before the Stonewall Riots, The Black Cat became the site of one of the largest documented LGBTQ civil rights demonstrations in the nation. Hundreds gathered outside of the bar in peaceful protest of police brutality and discriminatory laws and procedures.
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Marouch
Marouch is a well-known and loved Armenian-Lebanese restaurant located in Hollywood. This family-run restaurant serves homestyle Middle Eastern dishes that engage all your senses. Marouch opened in 1982 and is a legacy business worth the visit.
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Stick to the path
Since opening, the original Route 66 road from San Bernardino to Santa Monica has been heavily urbanized. Some suggest skipping the section for a different path to Route 66’s endpoint, but there is immense value to sticking to the route, especially down Santa Monica Boulevard.
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Hollywood Forever
Hollywood Forever is one of the world's most famous burial and cremation grounds. It is the resting place of many Hollywood states and executives, not to mention Hollywood residents. Hollywood Forever is also a cultural events center featuring movie screenings and more.
Exterior View of the Formosa Cafe (2017-04-03) by Adrian Scott Fine/L.A. Conservancy and ExteriorLos Angeles Conservancy
Formosa Cafe
The Formosa Cafe opened in 1925 and quickly became a watering hole for some of Hollywood's most famous actors, actresses, and executives. This legacy business closed its doors in 2016 and re-opened in 2019, fully renovated. Learn more about the Formosa Cafe here.
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Astro Burger
Astro Burger in West Hollywood opened in 1972. It offers classic American diner food, including a variety of burgers, sandwiches, and breakfast dishes. Astro Burger opens early and closes late; you can always find a time to visit!
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The memorialization of Route 66
Over nearly a century, California’s Route 66 has been memorialized through songs, books, and film. It plays heavily on the economic history of the USA and paints a picture of California. Route 66 represents opportunity and the pursuit of our dreams.
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Tail O' The Pup
Don't be fooled by it's current location - Tail O' The Pup has moved three times! This iconic example of programmatic architecture. It has been visited by celebrities, architecture enthusiasts, and your average Angelenos alike. Watch a podcast about Tail O' The Pup here.
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Cafe 50's
Cafe 50’s has been serving classic American diner food for nearly 40 years. The diner, located at the western edge of Los Angeles and established in 1986, features neon lights, vinyl booths, and a jukebox.
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