Route 66 End of the Trail

The End of the Trail sign, the end of Route 66

The Santa Monica audio-guided tour stops you before a sign impossible to miss. With its retro style and bright colours, it symbolically marks the end of the legendary Route 66, one of the most famous roads in the United States, on the Santa Monica pier.

A legendary road from Chicago to California

Created in 1926, Route 66 linked Chicago to California over nearly four thousand kilometres, crossing eight states and very varied landscapes, from the great plains to the deserts of Arizona. Originally, its terminus was in Los Angeles, but it was extended in 1936 to Santa Monica, by the Pacific Ocean. The sign embodies this emblematic end of the journey.

What there is to see

The End of the Trail sign is one of the most photographed points on the pier. It attracts lovers of road trips and American culture, who come to immortalise the arrival at the end of Route 66. All around, the bustle of the pier and the ocean view add to the charm of this place laden with symbol and nostalgia.

Practical information

The End of the Trail sign is on the Santa Monica pier, at the end of Colorado Avenue. It is freely accessible at all hours and on the level. It is a must for a souvenir photo, linked to the legendary Route 66.

What does the End of the Trail sign symbolise?

It symbolically marks the end of Route 66, on the Santa Monica pier, the terminus of this legendary road since 1936.

When was Route 66 created?

Route 66 was created in 1926 and linked Chicago to California over nearly four thousand kilometres. Its terminus was extended to Santa Monica in 1936.