The traditional way to see Route 66 is east to west, just as hundreds of thousands of visitors and transplants have done since the historic route opened in 1926. For 80 years, one of the most famous roads of the 20th century has been the path of choice to �journey west,� as Bobby Troup wrote in his classic song, �Get Your Kicks on Route 66.� �From Chicago to LA,� Troup suggested. Then came the 1960s TV show, �Route 66,� in which the two stars found great adventures on this highway, in their Corvette convertible. Route 66 is still intact and can be explored by visitors. Corvette convertible optional.

Route 66 enters Los Angeles County from the northeast and makes its way along Colorado Boulevard in Pasadena. From there, the route meanders through the Arroyo Seco, one of LA�s early areas, down Figueroa Street and into Downtown. When the Arroyo Seco Parkway (later renamed the Pasadena Freeway, the oldest freeway in LA) was opened, Route 66 was incorporated into it. Both Figueroa Street and the parkway/freeway follow pretty much the same route. They pass the Southwest Museum of the American Indian, perched high on the hill to the west. The museum contains one of the most extensive collections of Native American art and artifacts in the world. Nearby, the eccentric Charles Lummis, one of the museum�s founders, built his home with stones from the arroyo. This century-old, just-as-eccentric house is open to the public. Just south of here, Route 66 skirts Dodger Stadium. Then Route 66 heads for Downtown LA along Broadway. It travels through Chinatown (a great place to stop for lunch) and then past El Pueblo de Los Angeles State Historic Park. The birthplace of LA, El Pueblo includes many early structures as well as the pedestrian walkway Olvera Street, a lively Mexican marketplace lined with shops, cafes and restaurants. Route 66�s original terminus was several blocks south, at Seventh Street and Broadway. That was in the heyday of Broadway�s dazzling movie palaces. Several of the elaborate facades are being restored.

In the mid-1930s, Route 66 was extended to Santa Monica, beginning at Sunset Boulevard (at that point, it is called Cesar Chavez Boulevard for several blocks). Then the street ambles through Echo Park and one of LA�s most bohemian neighborhoods, Silver Lake, which is lined with sidewalk cafes. At an east Hollywood intersection, Route 66 now takes Santa Monica Boulevard through Hollywood, West Hollywood, Century City, West LA and Santa Monica. In Hollywood proper, the route passes Hollywood Forever Cemetery, where many famous stars are buried.

Visitors may roam the grounds for a close-up look at the resting places of Rudolph Valentino, Cecil B. De Mille and Douglas Fairbanks (Jr. and Sr.). Just past La Brea Avenue is the Formosa Cafe, a must stop for �L.A. Confidential� fans and a nostalgic glimpse of Hollywood�s glam days. The cafe is still surrounded by movie studios. In Hollywood, Route 66 runs parallel to Hollywood Boulevard, home to most of Tinseltown�s landmarks and just a few blocks to the north.

From there, Route 66 goes through West Hollywood. South of the San Vicente Boulevard intersection are two eye-catching postmodern structures, one blue and one green. That�s the Pacific Design Center, the heart of the West Coast�s interior design world. At Doheny Drive, Route 66 enters Beverly Hills. This section of roadway is lined with Beverly Gardens Park. On the other side of the park are the elegant mansions that made Beverly Hills famous. To the south are the tempting shops of Rodeo Drive.

Next is Century City, a bustling business and shopping section created out of 20th Century Fox�s backlot.

Route 66 continues along Santa Monica Boulevard to the city of Santa Monica itself. Contrary to the romance of the road, Route 66 did not end at the Pacific Ocean, but a few blocks inland at Lincoln and Olympic boulevards. For Route 66 fans, that�s nitpicking. The myth is that Route 66 ends at Santa Monica�s picturesque Palisades Park with its sweeping view of the ocean. Just two blocks south of there is Santa Monica Pier, with a roller coaster and other fun rides|�|the perfect spot to celebrate the end of this journey west.

For more information on Route 66 visit www.theroadwanderer.com/RT66pacific.htm.

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