Santa Monica, California, contains the End of the Trail sign associated with historic Route 66’s western terminus.
The original U.S. Route 66 ended in Santa Monica, where the route reached the Pacific Ocean. The endpoint is commonly identified near the Santa Monica Pier, and a commemorative sign marks the conclusion of the historic highway for travelers following its westbound story.
Route 66 did not originally run all the way to the pier in exactly the same way as every modern commemorative route. Over time, alignments and endpoint markers changed, and some signs celebrate the route symbolically rather than reproducing every historic roadway detail. Santa Monica nevertheless remains the accepted western terminus in Route 66 heritage culture.
The city is distinct from Los Angeles, which the highway also crossed or approached on different alignments. Pasadena and San Bernardino were important California Route 66 communities, but neither was the route’s western endpoint. Santa Monica’s oceanfront location gives the “end of the trail” idea its memorable geographic finish.