Santa Monica

The smell of salt air hits you before you even see the water, and then there it is — the Santa Monica Pier sitting at the end of a long stretch of road that started somewhere in Chicago. For most travelers passing through, the Pier is the main event, and for good reason. If you're driving any part of Route 66, this is literally where it ends — there's a sign on the Pier that says so, and standing there with the Pacific in front of you after miles of desert feels like the trip earned something. After that, people tend to wander over to Chez Jay on Ocean Avenue, a small, dark, wood-paneled restaurant that's been there since 1959 and feels like it hasn't tried to update itself once, which is exactly the point. If you're the kind of person who takes burger recommendations seriously, Father's Office on Montana Avenue draws a crowd for a reason — no substitutions, no ketchup, just a very good burger. Travelers who stay overnight usually book something close to the Pier so they can walk back in the evening when the crowds thin out. If you're piecing together a Route 66 road trip or a California coastal run, Santa Monica is the kind of stop that slows you down in a good way — plan an extra few hours and you'll be glad you did.