This article is part of our ongoing series on traveling Route 66 in 6 parts. Check out our previous chapter, Section 5 | Albuquerque to Kingman.
This last—or first, depending on your direction—section of Route 66 is just as special as all the others, so take your time getting to the coast. Not only do you not want to miss some of the best souvenir shops and the “coolest visitor center in Arizona,” but you’ll be glad you slowed down when you hit Oatman, a tiny town where wild burros outnumber residents (and don’t necessarily follow traffic rules).
KOAs along the way:
Hackberry General Store｜Hackberry, AZ
The Hackberry General Store is much more than just a place to stock up on souvenirs and cold drinks, although it offers plenty of opportunities to do both. Founded by artist Bob Waldmire, who was known for traveling in his orange 1970s Volkswagen Microbus, the store is full of treasures from yesteryear: a tin-can billboard, vintage gas pumps, classic cars, enamel signs, and other ephemera of the West.
Kingman Visitor Center｜Kingman, AZ
Kingman, Arizona, home to the “Coolest Visitor Center in Arizona,” according to Only In Your State, takes its Route 66 heritage very seriously. The visitor center has its own neon sign that rivals any vintage variety you might find nearby, and welcomes travelers to drive through a large, lighted Route 66 shield sign. Located in the historic Powerhouse building (built to provide power to the town as well as several mines in the 1900s), the site is home to a museum, gift shop, EV chargers, and plenty of photo-ops.
Oatman, AZ
Oatman, Arizona, is best-known for its four-legged residents; the small town began as a modest mining camp and exploded in popularity when gold was discovered in the early 1900s. Today, Oatman is home to more wild burros (small donkeys) than people, and was brought back from ruin thanks to its reinvention as a tourist destination offering Wild West gunfights, souvenir shops, art galleries, the historic Oatman Hotel (bring dollar bills to tack on the wall), and events such as the annual Burro Biscuit Toss.
Roy’s Motel and Cafe｜Amboy, CA
Like Oatman, Amboy, California, also originated as a mining camp, but is better known to fans of roadside America by the iconic neon sign advertising Roy’s Motel and Cafe. Roy Crowl opened his eponymous gas and service station in 1938; a few years later it was expanded to include a cafe and motor court comprising individual cabins (a precursor to the “motel”). The neon sign rose in 1959 and had been dark since the 1980s until restoration efforts led to a relighting ceremony in 2019; today, the site is privately owned, with a functional gas station and convenience store.
Elmer’s Bottle Tree Ranch｜Oro Grande, CA
One of Route 66’s most iconic art installations, Elmer’s Bottle Tree Ranch, is the work of collector and artist Elmer Long. Erected in 2000 and comprising 200 trees made of metal and colorful glass bottles, the found-art folk art masterpiece proves that one man’s trash can indeed become a treasure in the right hands. Although Long died in 2019, the ranch continues under the stewardship of his son, Elliot; Elmer’s Bottle Tree Ranch is free and open every day from sunrise to sunset.
Santa Monica Pier｜Santa Monica, CA
Whether this is the end or just the beginning of your Route 66 trip, Santa Monica, California, is home to a sign proclaiming the Pier to be the End of the Trail.” While the Mother Road officially “ended” at various highway intersections thanks to several realignments, it became a tradition for travelers to continue until it was physically impossible to do so—thanks to the Pacific Ocean. In 2009, on the Mother Road’s 83rd birthday, the president of the California Historic Route 66 Association placed this sign on the Santa Monica Pier, a popular destination for amusements, rides, and sweeping ocean views.
Unlike the “begin” sign, the Route’s terminus is marked by a sign only accessible on foot. After traveling nearly 2,500 miles through eight states, the Santa Monica Pier is a great place to stretch your legs, have some fun, and either end your trip or start another one—if you feel like there are still more kicks to be had, rest up at a nearby KOA, then turn around and do it all over again.
About the Author: Kampgrounds of America
Kampgrounds of America is the largest system of open-to-the-public campgrounds in the world, with over 500 locations across the United States and Canada. Founded in Billings, MT in 1962, KOA’s family of campground brands – KOA Journey, KOA Holiday and KOA Resort – today serve more than a million camping families each year. KOA is dedicated to “connecting people to the outdoors and each other” by providing people with a variety of camping experiences and the information they need to make the most of their camping trip. Read more of their camping and travel resources by visiting KOA.com/blog.
