The Santa Monica Pier was my almost-final stop on the last leg of my Route 66 adventure (technically, I grabbed lunch at Mel’s Drive-In the next day before heading to Long Beach Airport to fly home).
While the pier isn’t the official end of Route 66 (that is on the corner in front of Mel’s) it has long stood as the symbolic finish line of the Mother Road.
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Built in 1909, this historic pier has been a fishing spot, amusement hub, and cultural icon for more than a century. Today it stretches proudly into the Pacific, and it is her you can find the now-iconic “End of the Trail” sign that draws travelers from all over the world.
I walked to the Pier from The Santa Monica Hotel, where I was staying, a mile-long stroll that felt like a journey of its own (the hotel’s free parking sweetened the deal). The first thing I did was stop beneath the famous Santa Monica Pier Arch, that towering neon welcome sign at the entrance, to snap a few photos. From there, I made a beeline to 66-to-Cali, the best-known souvenir stand at the end of Route 66. Their claim to fame is selling Route 66 Certificates of Completion, official-looking proof that you’ve driven the entirety of Mother Road. I didn’t buy mine right away, though. I wanted to save that moment until I was ready to head out (and let’s face it, I didn’t want to accidentally bed it or spill powdered sugar all over it), so I chatted with the man at the booth for a bit and then moved along.
The rest of the afternoon I let myself soak it all in. I ducked into the Santa Monica Pier Bait & Tackle Shop for a magnet, a cheap bottle of water, and a moment to admire their tribute to Robert Waldmire, the beloved Route 66 artist and preservationist whose whimsical maps helped keep the road alive.
I grabbed a funnel cake from Scoops Creamery, topped with strawberry ice cream, because if you’re at a pier or amusement park, funnel cake is basically non-negotiable. I wandered past the rides, tempted by the solar-powered Ferris wheel, but decided to save my $15 for another visit. Later, I toasted the end of the road with celebratory oysters at The Albright, the pier’s longest-running restaurant.
Of course, I had to step down onto the sand too. I wasn’t prepared for a beach walk, but I kicked off my shoes anyway and let the waves roll over my feet. I’ll always believe that if you’re standing that close to the ocean, you have to dip your toes in and gaze out at the endless horizon.
And then, of course, I had to take photos with the Route 66 End of the Trail Sign. The bold black-and-white marker is a symbol for travelers who’ve finished their journey, though plenty of tourists who’ve never driven or even heard of the road snap selfies there too. The crowd was thick, lines stretched from both sides, and getting a clean shot was nearly impossible (especially as a solo traveler who usually takes photos with a tripod). I managed a few selfies and then asked a kind stranger to take my photo. Still, I returned the next morning before the shops opened to get some quiet self-portraits with no one else around.
Before I left the pier for good, I circled back to 66-to-Cali and finally picked up my Certificate of Completion. The moment I got home, I framed it.
Out of all my Route 66 stops, the Santa Monica Pier might not have been my favorite. I’ll always lean toward the quirky outcasts of Seligman over shiny boardwalk arcades, and I’d take a diner’s chicken-fried steak over funnel cake any day. But the pier was still a fun stop, a necessary stop, at the end of my journey.
And I know I’ll be back. The next time I drive Route 66. Then I’ll save room for a Pier Burger, ride the carousel or Ferris wheel, and take another round of photos with that famous End of the Trail sign, celebrating once again that the road goes on forever, even when it ends at the ocean.
Things to Do at the Santa Monica Pier
The Santa Monica Pier has been welcoming visitors for over a century with its mix of history, food, fun, and ocean views. Whether you’re here to mark the symbolic end of Route 66 or just enjoy a classic California boardwalk, here are some must-see stops:
- Santa Monica Pier Arch: Snap a photo at the towering neon arch that welcomes visitors onto the pier.
- Route 66 End of the Trail Sign: The black-and-white sign marks the symbolic finish line of the Mother Road and is the most popular photo spot on the pier.
- 66-to-Cali: Pick up souvenirs or an official Route 66 Certificate of Completion at this famous gift stand.
- Scoops Creamery: Treat yourself to funnel cakes topped with ice cream, because pier food isn’t complete without something sweet.
- Santa Monica Pier Bait & Tackle: Grab fishing supplies, a cold drink, or a Route 66 magnet, and check out the Robert Waldmire tribute wall.
- Soda Jerks: Step inside the historic carousel building for old-fashioned ice cream sodas and sundaes.
- Pier Burger: Enjoy burgers, fries, hot dogs, and frozen custard, right behind the End of the Trail Sign.
- The Albright: The pier’s longest-running restaurant, serving fresh seafood like oysters and shrimp with a side of boardwalk views.
- Pacific Park: Ride the solar-powered Ferris wheel or roller coaster at this seaside amusement park.
- Carousel: A beautifully restored 1920s carousel with hand-carved wooden horses, perfect for a nostalgic spin.
- Playland Arcade: From skee-ball to claw machines, this arcade delivers a dose of classic boardwalk fun.
- Santa Monica Beach: Kick off your shoes, dip your toes in the Pacific, and savor that perfect end-of-the-road moment.
Photos of the Santa Monica Pier in Santa Monica, California
