Route 66 End of the Trail Sign

During my exchange program at California State University Long Beach, I had the chance to visit Santa Monica and see the final stop of the legendary Route 66. This iconic “End of the Trail” sign is one of the most famous symbols in the United States, deeply tied to history, culture, and the spirit of freedom across generations. My professor recommended that if I was in California, I should not miss the opportunity to take a photo here as a special keepsake. Route 66 was once a vital highway stretching over 2,400 miles (about 3,900 kilometers) from Chicago to Los Angeles, passing through multiple states and becoming a symbol of endless road adventures. Decades ago, it captured the hearts of young people across America, and its image has been immortalized in countless movies, music videos, and pop culture trends that originated here. In Santa Monica, the final marker of Route 66 is located right on the vibrant pier, surrounded by blue ocean, white sandy beaches, and bustling shops. Standing in front of this historic sign, I could feel both the nostalgia of the past and the energetic vibe of the present. Visiting the end of Route 66 was not only a fun photo opportunity but also a unique and memorable moment from my time in the United States.

Very busy on the Santa Monica piers. There are many shops and restaurants on this pier. The end of Route 66 is not here but about 2 miles away in land. This was described as the Route 66 trail, it was probably for advertisement and commercial purpose only because there is no cars on the pier.

It was a fun walk on the pier and a short wait in a line to grab this photo. One day I will drive Route 66!

One of the iconic famous spots here on the Santa Monica pier in California, is the historic iconic route 66 sign here .....its on the main walk way on the pair entrance area ......its a very popular spot to visit here for photos 📸 and people do a short type of line up to take turns to pose infront of the route 66 sign .

If you’re doing Route 66 this is an absolute must. The true end of the road is a few blocks away but this place is cool because it’s on the pier. Lots to see and do on the area. Stop by the nearby shop and get your completion certificate!!

One of those places that hits different. Standing at the end of Route 66, right where the highway meets the ocean, I felt more than just the end of a road, I felt years of stories, miles, moments. I wasn’t just visiting. I belonged. The breeze, the view, the weight of everything behind me… worth the stop. If you’ve come a long way, in life or on the map, this is where you let it sink in. — Rick Hughes

The famous sign in the Santa Monica Pier, next to a Burger place. Don’t miss it!

We actually drove route 66 all the way from Amarillo to Santa Monica. So it was really cool to see the end of the road route 66 marker.