Why Santa Monica Should Be on Your 2026 Travel List: Route 66 Celebrations & Stylish Stays
There has never been a better time to visit Santa Monica. In 2026, the legendary Route 66 turns 100, and the iconic beach city at the western end of America’s most famous highway is celebrating all year long. Add in a wave of refreshed luxury hotels and buzzy boutique stays, and Santa Monica is shaping up as one of the year’s most inspiring California escapes.
Route 66 Turns 100 — And Santa Monica Is the Grand Finale
For generations of road trippers, Route 66 represented freedom, adventure, and the promise of the Pacific Ocean. The route famously ends in Santa Monica, where travellers still gather at the beloved “End of the Trail” sign on the Santa Monica Pier for that bucket-list photo.
For those looking to visit the official end of the Route, head to Mel’s Drive-In at Lincoln and Olympic Boulevards for a view of the official Route 66 end street signs accompanied by American diner favorites. Mel’s Drive-In is a nostalgic stop operating out of a historic 1950s building, reflecting the vibe of Route 66 diner culture with a colorful Route 66 mural in its parking lot, a host of memorabilia, favorite American diner dishes and a Route 66 mosaic at the restaurant’s entrance.
To mark the centennial, Santa Monica is hosting citywide celebrations throughout 2026, highlighting the road’s history, nostalgia, and enduring cultural appeal. Visitors can expect commemorative events, special experiences, and themed programming all year.
Significant Route 66 Happenings for the Rest of the Year 
Summer: Classic Car & Road Trip Season
Summer is prime time for California cruising. Expect an uptick in vintage car rallies, Route 66 enthusiasts, and cross-country travellers arriving in Santa Monica after driving the Mother Road. Join locals for a special event on the Santa Monica Pier June 4 featuring line dancing, classic cars and a Route 66 Steak Challenge, and send off the Main Street of America Route 66 Centennial Caravan departing from the Pier on June 6, It’s the perfect season to rent a convertible, drive the coast, and celebrate the route in style.
Fall: Best Weather, Fewer Crowds
September through November is the perfect time to visit and enjoy Santa Monica’s year-round sunshine. Warm days, cooler evenings, and fewer peak-summer crowds make fall ideal for enjoying the beach path, outdoor dining, and nearby shopping along Third Street Promenade.
November 11: The Official 100th Anniversary
Route 66 was officially established in November 1926, making November 11, 2026 a key date this centennial year. Expect celebrations across the country—with Santa Monica as the ultimate end or beginning of your Route 66 journey.
New & Noteworthy Hotel Offerings in Santa Monica
Santa Monica’s hotel scene has been elevated with stylish openings and high-profile restorations.
Regent Santa Monica Beach
One of the most anticipated luxury arrivals on the California coast, this oceanfront property brings elevated wellness, refined dining, and ultra-premium service to Santa Monica. Perfect for Canadian travellers wanting a five-star beach retreat.
The Georgian Hotel
This iconic Art Deco landmark has been beautifully revived, bringing Old Hollywood glamour to Ocean Avenue. Just steps from the Santa Monica Pier, it’s a dream stay for travellers wanting Route 66 nostalgia with modern sophistication.
Hotel Casa del Mar
Celebrate 100 years of Route 66 and Hotel Casa del Mar at this luxurious beach retreat marking its centennial anniversary in 2026. Originally debuted in 1926 and undergoing a thoughtful restoration before reopening as a hotel in 1999, Hotel Casa del Mar offers elegant design, dedicated service and exquisite ocean view dining.
Why Book Now
With Route 66’s 100th anniversary attracting global attention, Santa Monica hotel demand is expected to remain strong through the rest of 2026—especially summer weekends and the November anniversary period.
Final Inspiration
Few destinations combine history, beach culture, walkability, shopping, and luxury as effortlessly as Santa Monica. In 2026, visitors can stand where Route 66 meets the Pacific, celebrate one of America’s great travel icons, and check into some of California’s most exciting hotels.
If you are starting or ending your Route 66 journey in Santa Monica must be sure to stop by any of Santa Monica Travel & Tourism’s Visitor Information Centers to pick up your complimentary Route 66 Certificate of Completion or California Route 66 Passport highlighting key landmarks and stops along the Golden State’s stretch of the Route. Creatives can’t miss an opportunity to submit an original song capturing the spirit of the famous highway for a chance to win $10,000 USD in the Santa Monica Route 66 Song Contest. To plan your Route 66 road trip to Santa Monica today and learn more about the city’s centennial celebrations, visit santamonica.com/route66.