Journey through California’s vibrant landscape along the historic Inland Empire Route 66, where the echoes of the Mother Road meet modern urban sprawl. This iconic stretch of highway, connecting Chicago to the Pacific Coast, showcases a surprising number of vintage treasures amidst the bustling cities between San Bernardino and Los Angeles. Despite rapid development, dedicated travelers can still uncover picturesque motels, classic diners, and unique roadside attractions that define the spirit of America’s Main Street USA.
When Route 66 first began, its primary purpose was to link the smaller towns situated between Chicago and the Pacific Coast. At that time, many of the areas now considered Los Angeles suburbs were indeed small communities, characterized by mom-and-pop diners, quaint motels, roadside fruit stands, and charming curio shops. However, the allure of California, for which Route 66 was partly responsible, led to a rapid population boom as travelers fled the Dust Bowls of the Midwest, drawn by the Golden State’s inviting climate and abundant opportunities.
For those eager to experience the authentic journey, the original road can still be traversed along various thoroughfares leading to Santa Monica, weaving seamlessly through interconnected suburbs. From San Bernardino to Pasadena, the route follows Foothill Boulevard, now designated California State Highway 66. As you drive through cities like Fontana, Rancho Cucamonga, Azusa, and Monrovia, a surprising number of vintage icons await discovery, nestled between contemporary strip malls and fast-food establishments. However, recognizing city signs is crucial to discerning when you transition from one suburb to the next.
The segment from Pasadena to Santa Monica encompasses eighty miles of urban streets through Los Angeles, known by various names including Foothill Boulevard, Colorado Boulevard, Huntington Drive, Sunset Boulevard, and Santa Monica Boulevard, culminating at the western end of the Mother Road by the Pacific Ocean. If your plan is to follow this original path, be prepared for a full day of navigating frustrating traffic congestion and numerous traffic lights before reaching your final destination. Alternatively, for those simply aiming to reach the end of America’s Main Street USA more efficiently, taking I-10 from San Bernardino to Santa Monica is an option. Better yet, consider a combination of surface streets and highways, switching as needed to manage traffic and maintain your enjoyment.
Rialto, California: From Lemon Groves to Modern Growth
Rialto, once a modest settlement, now thrives as a community of nearly 100,000 residents, spanning a four by eight-and-a-half-mile area. Its origins trace back to 1887 with the expansion of the Santa Fe Railroad line, which established 25 town sites between San Bernardino and Pasadena, Rialto being one of them. That same year, a group of Methodists envisioned a college here, though it was never realized, their presence helped establish the fledgling town. By 1893, Rialto boasted six businesses, a school, and 35 homes, a testament to its early growth.
The early 20th century saw Rialto flourish as a hub for citrus production. The area was renowned for its abundant lemon groves, supporting seven packing plants that distributed produce nationwide. As the town’s population steadily increased, residential and commercial developments gradually replaced these expansive citrus orchards, transforming the landscape.
Even with its significant modernization, Rialto preserves several iconic Inland Empire Route 66-era businesses. The most famous is undoubtedly the Wigwam Motel, a distinctive lodging establishment that has welcomed Route 66 travelers since 1947. Known for its unique teepee-style cottages, the motel recently underwent extensive renovations, revitalizing both its interiors and exteriors, as well as its landscaping, ensuring its continued charm. The Wigwam Motel remains a prominent landmark at 2728 W. Foothill Boulevard on the city’s eastern side.
Fontana, California: A City of Industrial Innovation
Traveling east from Rialto, you merge into the dynamic city of Fontana, approximately sixty miles from Los Angeles. Fontana’s history begins as part of a vast Spanish Land Grant before A.B. Miller officially established it in 1913. Miller developed the town into a diverse agricultural center, specializing in citrus, grain, grapes, poultry, and swine. This agricultural foundation endured until a pivotal moment in 1942 when Fontana was chosen as the site for a major steel mill. Within a decade, with a population approaching 14,000, Fontana emerged as Southern California’s leading producer of steel and related products.
Fontana experienced rapid expansion over the years and continues to be a significant industrial hub, benefiting from an excellent transportation network. Despite its growth to over 150,000 residents, numerous Inland Empire Route 66 icons can still be found. Several old motor courts, such as the El Rey, Rex, Dragon, Sand & Sage, Rose, and Sunset Motels, line both sides of the road. While these establishments show signs of their age, they evoke memories of a bygone era. Encouragingly, Fontana is actively collaborating with the Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program to enhance and promote its segment of Route 66, aiming to ensure the longevity and appreciation of these historic motels.
At the intersection of Foothill Boulevard and Sultana Avenue, travelers once enjoyed Bono’s, a classic Italian restaurant that served countless Route 66 patrons. Although Bono’s is now closed, the building awaits new life. Adjacent to it stands a truly special sight: the last remaining orange juice stand that once dotted California’s Route 66, a nostalgic reminder of the region’s rich agricultural past and the fresh produce once readily available to weary travelers.
Rancho Cucamonga: The Premier City of the Inland Empire
Rancho Cucamonga’s storied past began in 1839 as a 13,000-acre Mexican Land Grant awarded to Tiburcio Tapia, a soldier and politician. Tapia established an adobe home on Red Hill, managed extensive cattle herds, and cultivated a successful winery, parts of which survive today within the Thomas Winery Plaza. The name “Cucamonga” is believed to derive from a Shoshone term meaning “sandy place.”
In 1858, Tapia’s daughter sold the rancho to John Rains and his wealthy wife, Maria Merced Williams. Two years later, the couple commissioned Ohio brick masons to construct their new home, a structure now listed on the National Register of Historic Places and preserved as a museum. By 1861, the Rains family occupied their strategically located home at the convergence of the Mojave, Old Spanish, El Camino Real, and Butterfield Stage routes. John Rains, a well-regarded and politically influential figure, often welcomed travelers. However, his prominence also attracted enemies. In November 1862, Rains was ambushed near San Dimas while driving to Los Angeles. His body, riddled with bullet holes, was discovered 11 days later, and his murder remains unsolved.
Following Rains’ untimely death, the rancho encountered difficulties, exacerbated by prevalent disputes over water rights. By 1870, the property fell into foreclosure and was acquired by banker Isaias Hellman and other San Francisco businessmen, who subsequently formed the Cucamonga Company. Dona Merced, having remarried, relocated with her impoverished family to Los Angeles.
Hellman’s initial plans for community development were hampered by water scarcity. In 1881, Adolph Petch and four investors opened a competing development track just outside the Rancho lands. This competition spurred Hellman to bring water to his community through waterways constructed by Chinese laborers. Continuous improvements to the irrigation tunnels led to the widespread cultivation of citrus, olive, peach, and grape crops. In 1887, the two communities merged to form Loamosa, later renamed Alta Loma in 1913 with the arrival of the Pacific Electric Railway. Concurrently, another community named Etiwanda emerged to the east.
Given its historical role as a crossroads for various trails, it was fitting when Route 66 was incorporated into its network. The city quickly developed an array of motels, diners, and tourist shops to cater to the increasing number of travelers on the Mother Road.
Today, Rancho Cucamonga, formed by the 1977 merger of Alta Loma, Cucamonga, and Etiwanda, is one of the fastest-growing suburbs in the metropolitan area, with a population nearing 150,000. While new developments have replaced many older structures, the city still offers numerous glimpses into its rich historical past. Though its agricultural base has largely diminished, the soil remains fertile, and throughout the year, travelers might still find roadside produce stands.
At the northwest corner of Foothill Boulevard and Haven Avenue stands the historic Virginia Dare Winery building, once one of California’s oldest wineries. This structure, dating back to the 1830s, has been converted into offices while meticulously preserving its original architectural charm.
Further along, at 10150 Foothill Boulevard, is Route 66 Memories, a unique antique and gift shop housed within a historic three-story farmhouse. Visitors are welcomed by a collection of metallic dinosaurs in the front yard and can explore a wide variety of items, from metal sculptures and rustic mission furniture to rare collectibles and extensive Route 66 memorabilia.
A short distance down Inland Empire Route 66, at the northwest corner of Foothill Boulevard and Archibald, is the Cucamonga Service Station, also known as the Richfield Oil Station. This station, predating the Mother Road, opened in 1915 and served Route 66 travelers until the 1970s. It stands as a striking contrast to the modern surroundings. In January 2013, Lamar Advertising donated the land to the Route 66 Inland Empire, California Association, which transformed the building into a museum, reopening it in October 2015.
Continuing to Hellman Avenue, the New Kansan Motel at 9300 Foothill Boulevard evokes the memories of Midwesterners who sought refuge in California during the Dust Bowl era. On the corner of Vineyard and Foothill stands the old Thomas Winery, recognized as the oldest winery in California, established in 1839. Legend suggests its first owner mysteriously vanished, leaving behind hidden treasure. Today, this California historical landmark is home to “The Wine Tailor,” a coffeehouse, and a restaurant, preserving its heritage for new generations.
Conclusion: Preserving the Legacy of Inland Empire Route 66
The journey along Inland Empire Route 66 is a fascinating blend of historical exploration and modern-day reality. While urban development has undeniably transformed much of the landscape, the tenacious spirit of the Mother Road endures. From the revitalized Wigwam Motel in Rialto to the industrial heritage of Fontana and the ancient vineyards of Rancho Cucamonga, each city offers unique narratives and tangible links to a bygone era. Taking the time to navigate these evolving communities allows travelers to discover hidden gems and appreciate the enduring legacy of America’s most famous highway, proving that even amidst change, the heart of Route 66 continues to beat strongly in California’s Inland Empire.
