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Places (POIs) visited during this tour

Place #1
Recommended Starting Point
Distance: 0.00mi
Map Pin
1273 Palisades Beach Rd, Santa Monica, CA 90401, USA
POI 1 Tour Image
Route 66 End of the Trail Sign
Before we begin heading east, there's one Route 66 landmark you may want to visit.

Just a short distance away on the Santa Monica Pier is the famous Route 66 End of the Trail sign.

Now, that might sound a little strange considering we're just beginning our journey. That's because most Route 66 travelers historically travel in the opposite direction, from Chicago toward California, making Santa Monica the celebrated finish line.

The sign has become one of the most popular photo opportunities anywhere along Route 66, with the Pacific Ocean and Santa Monica Pier providing the perfect backdrop.

So if you haven't already done so, this is your chance to grab that classic Route 66 photo.

For us, however, it's not the end of the trail.

It's the beginning.

We're about to turn our backs on the Pacific and start following the Mother Road east toward San Bernardino — and, if you're continuing with our other Route 66 tours, eventually all the way toward Chicago.

  https://www.santamonicapier.org/
Place #2
Distance: 0.90mi
Map Pin
601 Olympic Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90401, USA
POI 2 Tour Image
Lincoln & Olympic – The True End of Route 66
Get ready to turn left, but first, here at Lincoln Boulevard and Olympic Boulevard, we're passing an important piece of Route 66 history.

While the Santa Monica Pier has become the famous symbolic end of the Mother Road, this intersection is generally recognized as Route 66's historic western terminus after the highway was extended into Santa Monica.

When Route 66 was first commissioned in 1926, it didn't reach all the way to the Pacific. The route was later extended west through Los Angeles to Santa Monica.

Unlike the pier, there was nothing particularly glamorous about this intersection. It was simply the end of the designated highway.

For travelers coming from Chicago, this marked the end of an incredible cross-country journey.

We're doing things the other way around.

From here, we're heading east, retracing the Mother Road through Los Angeles and toward San Bernardino.

So think of this intersection as our symbolic starting line. We've got a lot of Route 66 ahead of us.
Tour itinerary stops | Additional places you'll see on this self-guided tour

Map Pin Place 1 Route 66 End of the Trail Sign
Map Pin Place 2 Lincoln & Olympic – The True End of Route 66
Map Pin Place 3 Lincoln Boulevard — The Official End of Route 66
Map Pin Place 4 Beverly Hills – Glamor on the Mother Road
Map Pin Place 5 Santa Monica Boulevard – The Final Stretch of Route 66
Map Pin Place 6 West Sunset Boulevard — Hollywood’s Iconic Artery
Map Pin Place 7 Ernest E. Debs Regional Park – Wild Beauty in the City
Map Pin Place 8 Hermon Park – A Community Oasis in Northeast LA
Map Pin Place 9 Los Angeles / Heading East
Map Pin Place 10 Arroyo Seco Parkway – America’s First Freeway
Map Pin Place 11 East Colorado Boulevard - Historic Route 66
Map Pin Place 12 Aztec Hotel
Map Pin Place 13 Glendora — Where the Street Is Actually Called Route 66
Map Pin Place 14 Foothill Boulevard
Map Pin Place 15 Claremont — College Town on Route 66
Map Pin Place 16 Madonna of the Trail — Honoring America’s Pioneer Women
Map Pin Place 17 Magic Lamp Inn — A Route 66 Roadside Classic
Map Pin Place 18 Cucamonga Service Station
Map Pin Place 19 Bono's Historic Orange
Map Pin Place 20 Wigwam Motel (Rialto)
Map Pin Place 21 Welcome to San Bernardino!
Map Pin Place 22 The Original McDonald’s — It Started Here



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How to take a UCPlaces tour
Taking a UCPlaces tour is fun and easy.
Download the app (Android or iOS), purchase the tour (either here on the website, or from within the app).
That's it, you're ready to go!
When you want to start the tour, find the tour in the app (via a quick in-app search or by clicking the tour link received in your confirmation email) and click "Start Tour" (headphones recommended for best experience.)
* After purchasing a tour you will receive a purchase confirmation email including the tour link and instructions on how to take the tour, so you don't have to remember anything now.
How does the tour work?
UCPlaces acts as your personal tour guide, providing self-guided audio tours fully navigated within our app using GPS-based navigation. You won't need to switch between external navigation apps.
Whenever you approach a point of interest (POI) on the tour, our app will automatically play the relevant audio story at the right time and place.
If you start the tour before reaching the first POI, the app will navigate you to the starting point and then begin the tour.
How is this more convenient than a traditional tour?
UCPlaces offers an innovative and flexible way to explore exciting destinations on your terms.
Here are some key advantages over traditional tours:
  • No need to commit upfront or purchase in advance; buy a tour only when you're ready to go.
  • Walk at your own pace.
  • No waiting for groups; go on your schedule.
  • Take the tour in your preferred language.
  • Start, stop and continue the tour whenever you want.
  • Returning to the same destination? Take the tour again, and again, and again... And bring a friend!
  • Enjoy preferred prices.

What's included?
  • A self-guided audio tour taken via the UCPlaces app [iOS (iPhone) / Apple CarPlay / Android / Android Auto].
  • Tour route map and in-app GPS navigation (via the UCPlaces app).
  • Audio stories for places visited during the tour.
  • Apple CarPlay connection (iOS users) and Android Auto connection (Android users); for a seamless driving tour experience.
What's NOT included?
  • Earphones (highly recommended).
  • Smartphone.
  • Any kind of transportation (including tickets and passes).
  • Tickets to the attractions on your tour.
  • Food and drinks
  • Physical tour guide.

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 3 to 4 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 22 stops, covering top attractions such as Route 66 End of the Trail Sign, Lincoln & Olympic – The True End of Route 66, Lincoln Boulevard — The Official End of Route 66, Beverly Hills – Glamor on the Mother Road, Santa Monica Boulevard – The Final Stretch of Route 66.
+ Where does the tour start?
The tour starts at Route 66 End of the Trail Sign (Address: 1273 Palisades Beach Rd, Santa Monica, CA 90401, 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 - <b>1.</b> 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). <b>2.</b> 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!