McDonald's oldest surviving restaurant, opened in 1953, is in Downey, California.
The restaurant was built by McDonald's franchisees Roger and Wilbur McDonald in Downey and is recognized for preserving the chain's early architectural identity. Its tall Golden Arches are an important example of how the arches began as physical restaurant structures before becoming the central symbol of the brand.
San Bernardino is a common mix-up because Richard and Maurice McDonald opened their original restaurant there in 1940 and developed the Speedee Service System there. That earlier site is historically crucial, but the surviving 1953 building associated with the oldest McDonald's restaurant is in Downey.
The Downey location is also known for its historic displays and museum material about McDonald's early restaurants, signs, and advertising.