San Bernardino County

The gateway to Southern California and the largest US county in any state, San Bernardino County demonstrates that Route 66 really is the Mother Road, as it anchors a sun-baked plethora of offshoots. Highway trippers can navigate a vast, landscape of classic roadside Americana, funky diner digs and Joshua tree-lined parkland.

Joshua Tree National Park

Adventurers, hippies, stargazers, campers, geologists and rock climbers drift through Joshua Tree at one moment or another. The park is open 24/7/365. While there are no gas stations, grocery stores, hotels or restaurants inside the park limits, surrounding cities and towns offer shopping and eclectic cuisine. The dark sky and the chiseled landscape inspire many who stay in the desert.

Original McDonald’s Site and Museum

In 1940, Richard and Maurice McDonald opened the first ever McDonald’s restaurant in San Bernardino. The original structure is long gone, but an unofficial museum currently sits on the same parcel of land, thrilling visitors with tons of paraphernalia, most of which dates to long before Ray Kroc bought the fast-food chain. You don’t need to care about McDonald’s grub. The collection is an amazing chunk of American business history.

Wigwam Motel

One of the most photogenic locations anywhere on Route 66, the motel allows guests to actually stay inside several 32-foot-tall cement teepees. The 19 teepees are distributed in a semi-circle around the office building, which is also connected to another teepee. Originally built in 1948, the complex is one of only two remaining Wigwam Villages.

Roy’s Motel and Café

Located in Amboy, a renowned ghost town where desert winds sweep the hats right off peoples’ heads, Roy’s Motel doesn’t just look like a deserted movie set. It actually is a deserted movie set. Several films have taken place in Amboy’s desolate environs, all while the current owner of Roy’s Motel tries to rebuild the town for a new generation of roadside explorers. It still is one of the most treasured spots on all of Route 66.

Calico Ghost Town Regional Park

After the value of silver plummeted in the 1890s, miners abandoned the town of Calico, where they once made a righteous living. It was not until the 1950s that Walter Knott came along and took over the crumbling remains and restored several of the buildings. Nowadays, the town is a state-registered landmark and people can shoot films, go camping, hiking or even spend a day shopping at 10 specialty retailers.

Big Bear Lake

Located in the San Bernardino National Forest, Big Bear Lake is immensely popular. Families, large groups and tourists descend upon the landscape all year long, during all four seasons. Skiing, fishing, shopping, concerts, hiking, and even water sports are common. Whoever isn’t walking a dog or drinking a latte is probably scoping out the scene for a film shoot.