18 Stunning Signs to See on Route 66 in San Bernardino County
Neon still shines brightly along San Bernardino County's stretch of the Mother Road!
California Historic Route 66 Association
Beth Murray, California to Chicago Photography: https://www.californiatochicago.com/
Magic Lamp Inn sign by Beth MurrayCalifornia Historic Route 66 Association
18 stunning signs on Route 66 in San Bernardino County
Neon still shines brightly along San Bernardino County's stretch of the Mother Road! Roadside photographers and other enthusiasts will appreciate the area's impressive signage, including some signs that have been restored and relit. Note: this sign tour goes from east to west.
The Mojave Desert
66 Motel sign by Beth MurrayCalifornia Historic Route 66 Association
66 Motel (Needles, CA)
The 66 Motel's neon sign was restored and relit in 2012 following a fundraising effort. The 1946-1947 motel's six guestrooms now serve long-term residents instead of travelers.
Needles Theatre (Needles, CA)
The long vacant, 1930 Needles Theatre shows off its neon marquee, which was restored and relit in 2008.
Fender's RV Resorts (Needles, CA)
With its recently restored neon sign, Fender's has become a mainstay along Route 66. It offers not just an RV park but a row of motel rooms (in the former Lad Motel). This is one of the area's few properties with private beach/boating access directly to the Colorado River.
Cub's Liquor (2012) by Kelli ShapiroCalifornia Historic Route 66 Association
Cub's Liquor (Needles, CA)
With its colorful neon arrow sign and its parabolic, Googie style, 1959 building (designed by architect Pierce Woodman), this liquor store knew how to catch the eye of passing travelers on Route 66!
Roy's by Beth MurrayCalifornia Historic Route 66 Association
Roy's Motel & Cafe (Amboy, CA)
One of the most photographed locations on all of Route 66 is Roy's, a quintessential, longstanding roadside business undergoing a lengthy preservation process. The motel/cafe/gas station complex's iconic, Googie-style, neon sign was beautifully restored and relit in 2019.
West Winds Motel (Newberry Springs, CA)
The West Winds Motel and adjacent restaurant (now named Bagdad Cafe) appeared in the 1987 film Bagdad Cafe. The motel got demolished in 2014, but its "Motel" sign survives. The "Henning" text at the base refers to the sign's original owner, Barstow's long-gone Henning Motel.
Kelly's Motel and Cafe sign with passing train by Beth MurrayCalifornia Historic Route 66 Association
Kelly's Motel and Cafe (Daggett, CA)
This sign is all that remains of the 1947 Kelly's Motel and Cafe. The arrow's continued existence metaphorically points to the businesses that once thrived along Route 66 (and beside the railroad tracks) in what is now mostly a ghost town.
The Village Cafe by Kelli ShapiroCalifornia Historic Route 66 Association
The Village Cafe & Hotel (Barstow, CA)
With eye-catching neon signs on its roof and facade, the Village Hotel and Cafe has made appearances in Barstow postcards for decades. Although its guest rooms are no longer open to tourists, the building is still home to a great Chinese restaurant with good prices!
The Torches Motel (Barstow, CA)
This sign's multiple elements were meant to grab drivers' attention - including one indicating a once-crucial motel feature, "Color TV by RCA." The televisions, sign, and name were later additions to the property, which the Hollon family started in the 1940s as the Hollon Motel.
Cactus Motel (Barstow, CA)
The Cactus Motel's appropriately green blade sign, which abstractly depicts a cactus, has stood since at least the 1950s.
New Corral MotelCalifornia Historic Route 66 Association
New Corral Motel (Victorville, CA)
Make sure that you pull the "Trigger" on stopping here! Nearby is the Roy Rogers Ranch - former home of Trigger, the Western movie star's famous horse, which the New Corral's sign reportedly depicts. The motel proudly displays a nod to the Victorville area's ranching heritage.
City of San Bernardino
Mitla Cafe by Beth MurrayCalifornia Historic Route 66 Association
Mitla Cafe (San Bernardino, CA)
After this family-owned gem opened in 1937, it served as a center for local Latino life. In the 1950s, Mitla's tacos inspired nearby restaurateur Glen Bell to found Taco Bell. The National Trust for Historic Preservation awarded Mitla a Historic Small Restaurants grant in 2023.
Tap to explore
Oasis Motel (San Bernardino, CA)
In the mid 1960s, actress Virginia Arnett moved to this diverse city to operate the previously white-only motel as an integrated lodging - rare for both the area and the era. She hosted travelers and long-term residents of all races. The property and its sign still survive today.
Tap to explore
California Theatre (San Bernardino, CA)
This gorgeous, 1928 picture palace once hosted studio test screenings (including for "The Wizard of Oz" and "King Kong"); premieres; and celebrity performances. Since 1969, it has served as a performing arts center. The facility began a $6.8 million renovation in 2025.
San Bernardino County's foothill communities
Sand and Sage Motel by Kelli ShapiroCalifornia Historic Route 66 Association
Sand and Sage Motel (Fontana, CA)
The two separate, wall-mounted neon signs - plus the desert theme - must have helped this small, 1955 motel stand out from its many local competitors in the Inland Empire's foothill communities during Route 66's heyday.
Sycamore Inn (Rancho Cucamonga, CA)
On the site of an 1848 stagecoach stop / tavern, the rustic, 1920 Sycamore Inn once provided guest rooms upstairs for weary travelers. The upscale steakhouse is still a great supporter of Route 66 today.
Magic Lamp Inn sign by Beth MurrayCalifornia Historic Route 66 Association
Magic Lamp Inn (Rancho Cucamonga, CA)
Rub the lamp and make a wish! Trimmed in neon and with a flame coming out the lamp's spout, the Magic Lamp Inn's sign alone should be enough to bring you in. This 1955 fine-dining establishment's excellent food seals the deal. Get a reservation, follow the dress code, and enjoy.
Taco King (Upland, CA)
This creative neon sign, with its sombrero-clad figure leaning against a cactus, helped draw locals and tourists to this Mexican fast-food restaurant from at least the 1970s until 2018. Although Taco King then closed and the building has a new occupant, the sign was preserved.
Roy's sign by John MargoliesCalifornia Historic Route 66 Association
18 stunning signs on Route 66 in San Bernardino County
The night sky glows in front of you. An oasis on the horizon is emblazoned in neon. It's not a mirage. It's just one of many examples of all types of historic signage that still dot Route 66 in San Bernardino County! (Hint: this scene could be any number of local locations!)
Kelli Shapiro and Scott Piotrowski, CHR66A board members
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