Atlas Obscura Itineraries

The Golden State via Route 66: An Adventurer’s Guide

Since the 1920s, when construction began on the highway that would eventually connect Chicago to Los Angeles, Route 66 and California have filled the global imagination with stories of ambition and possibility. California is well known as a state that values individual expression and welcomes both diversity and creativity. During the Great Depression, Route 66 offered a literal pathway for westward migration toward opportunity within the United States. As the road was modernized, it also provided an economic lifeline to businesses in small towns, which benefited greatly from access to larger markets along the highway. Route 66 turns 100 in 2026, marking a perfect time to go west to play. In California, families and solo travelers will find plentiful year-round outdoor activities, staggeringly gorgeous mountains and beaches, and a culture that celebrates freedom of expression and quality of life. If you’ve ever felt the pull to go west, make this your year to experience California.