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Route 66 terminus Santa Monica is getting its licks

8th January 20268th January 2026 funtime65

Famously it winds from Chicago to LA and takes in ten other named destinations on the way but we’re glad to say at last that the Route 66 terminus Santa Monica is getting its licks.

Route 66 has been following us all the past year since checking in to Chicago, where the great western highway begins… and we’ll go there again.

But here we’re flagging up the official finishing spot, the pier in Santa Monica, your final stop-off, unless you want to end up in the Pacific Ocean.

Why Bobby Troup bodyswerved Santa Monica when writing his classic 80 years ago about the odyssey to California is lost to history.

But the Santa Monica Travel & Tourism is putting that right.

By inviting musicians and songwriters from across the globe to celebrate the centennial of Route 66 through music.

A hundred-thousand reasons

And he’s off: Route 66 starting point in Chicago

The Route 66 Song Contest offers artists over-18 (we just qualify) the chance to submit an original track capturing the spirit of Santa Monica.

And its legendary connection to the highway for a chance to win $10,000.

Entries are welcome from the U.S., UK, Australia, Canada, France, Germany, India, Ireland, Mexico, and New Zealand.

Route 66, The Mother Road, stretches 2,448 miles from Chicago to Santa Monica.

‘The Santa Monica Route 66 Song Contest presents an opportunity for music lovers to be part of this historic anniversary’ said President/CEO Misti Kerns..

‘By invoking their artistic imagination and sharing what the road’s legacy and Santa Monica’s connection means to them.

‘The arts are core to Santa Monica’s community and culture.

‘And we’re pleased to invite artists from around the world to join us in creatively honoring this milestone.’

‘As part of the 100-year celebration, we look forward to welcoming visitors from around the globe.

‘to begin or end their Route 66 journey in our urban beach city.’

Riding into history

And, of course, who’s to know if you cheat by getting a picture at the start in Chicago and one at the end in Santa Monica?

Maybe even ask a kind Hell’s Angel to take a photo of yourself next to his motorbike…

Well, it worked with a bicycle at the highest point of the Tour de France on the Col du Tourmalet.

The centennial festivities kicked off with The Drive Home.

Thorn among roses: With the gang in Santa Monica

A cross-country journey by America’s Automotive Trust in partnership with the National Route 66 Centennial Commission.

The trip started in Santa Monica on January 3 and is covering the full length of the highway.

And culminating in an exhibition at the Detroit Auto Show.

Visitors can also explore Route 66 stops along the way, including retro diners, neon-lit motels, and cultural landmarks.

America, Countries

Get rail tracks on Route 66

30th November 202530th November 2025 funtime65

For when you don’t have a motorbike or a Winnebago.. get rail tracks on Route 66.

Because in the Land of the Road Trip and on the most famous one of them all nervous drivers can let the train make the strain.

You’ll be riding on the Amtrak and sleeping in a Roomette and all in the centenary of the route next year.

You’ll start off in Chicago and be treated to an Architecture Cruise and learn just why the great metropolis of the Mid-West is called the Second City.

Rivers and deserts

This Internet Traveller trip gives you plenty of time to get out on the great rivers too.

And there are none more iconic than the Mississippi where you’ll be treated to a river cruise..

In the St Louis leg of your journey where you’ll get to climb the soaring Gateway Arch.

Cross into Albuquerque, rich with desert hues and soak up the southwestern spirit.

Walk in the footsteps of the New Mexicans of yore on an Albuquerque Old Town History, Legends & Lore Tour.

Immerse yourself in Albuquerque’s Native American and Spanish traditions.

And fare with their green chilli stew.

Grand Canyon

Then it’s on to Flagstaff, your doorway to the awe-inspiring Grand Canyon.

Now having seen the wild horses of the Canyon and meandering Colorado River from the air on a Maverick Helicopters ride.

Then I’m keen to experience it on the ground which you will with a Grand Canyon Rail Tour.

And really channel your Wild West hero at night and relax under a big sky and galaxy of stars.

On the Santa Monica Boulevard

Before rounding it off in style on the Santa Monica Boulevard.

And having got stuck in an Uber from the pier which went round in circles there the train and foot feels a far better option.

With plenty of time to explore LA on a Sightseeing Tour and see where the stars come out to shine in Hollywood.

Deal me in

Your Internet Traveller 13-nighter will set you back ¢2,945pps.

And include your air travel from Britain.

And you’ll spend two nights at the 4* Silversmith Hotel Downtown, Chicago.

Two nights at the 4* Moonrise Hotel, St. Louis, three nights at the 4* Little America Hotel, Flagstaff.

One in an Amtrak Roomette, Flagstaff to Los Angeles and two in the 4* Fairmont Miramar, Santa Monica.

MEET YOU ON THE TRAIN

America, Countries

The Lar Angeles Story

2nd February 20242nd February 2024 funtime65

I’m curbing my own enthusiasm here as I get excited for the return of Larry David to our screens in what I’m calling The Lar Angeles Story.

Larry David, the curmudgeon for our times, paints high-end LA life with a brush stroke that is unparalleled.

Now having brushed up against high rollers there, in West Hollywood, Beverly Hills and Santa Monica I have had some experience here.

But New Yorker Larry brings most of his angst upon himself.

By not clueing into the idiosyncratic LA way of life.

Although he has a point about pig parking where drivers leave bigs spaces between cars when parking, a gag he takes over on holiday to Italy.

A natural in LA

These words: With Natasha Bedingfield in Anaheim, California

But while New Yorkers are all about the angle in LA it’s the image.

And I proved a natural when I availed of the hair dye table.

Down in Huntington Beach at the Snoop Dogg beach party.

Where I purpled up and hit the zeitgeist when Natasha Bedingfield played for us back in Anaheim.

And she picked me out from stage as she played a rockin’ version of Prince‘s Purple Rain which the Great Man would look down proudly on.

While she doubled down on her compliment later at our meet and greet.

Star of David

Bandanaman; The star and the duck in Hollywood

Not that I’d want to tell Larry David how to act and interact…

He is surrounded by more stars than the Walk of Fame in Hollywood.

Like the rest of you I’ll just sit back and smile at his efforts on Sunday.

And remember much of The Lar Angeles Story is ad-libbed.

And look forward to getting back out there later this year.

America, Countries

Tracks on Route 66

23rd February 202222nd February 2022 funtime65

OK it’s a forced rhyme but here goes, get your Tracks on Route 66.

With our old pals Travel Department who are offering this kickstastic journey on America’s most famous highway.

Now we can give you the prosaic history and description of US Highway 66 and its 2,448 miles from Chicago to Santa Monica.

Chuck it our way

But that’s not the romantic king of the road spirit which would have engaged Jack Kerouac or Chuck Berry to sing its praises.

It’ll take you anything between two weeks and a month to traverse between Illinois and SoCal, Southern California.

But just a couple of minutes on Chuck’s odyssey.

Great eight states

Now you go through Saint Looey/Joplin, Missouri/And Oklahoma City is mighty pretty/You see Amarillo, Gallup, New Mexico, Flagstaff, Arizona/Don’t forget Winona, Kingman, Barstow, San Bernardino…

Won’t you get hip to this timely tip/When you make that california trip/Get your kicks on Route Sixty-six.

Of course some of us even cheat by getting the de rigeuer photo at the end of the route on Santa Monica pier.

TD’s the day

Tis Grand: With Tara and Tryphavana on the Grand Canyon

TD’s trip, a 15-night adventure is from €3,799pp inc. flights, transfers, B&B stays and guide. Dep. September 4.

Oh, did we mention that you’ll get to walk the South Rim of the Grand Canyon.

Now you’ll make your own Route 66 story but for everyone else’s visit the Route 66 Museum & Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma.

TD also flags up a walk in the footsteps of Abraham Lincoln on a guided tour to his home in Illinois.

And a trek high above the Sandia Mountains on a breathtaking ride on one of the world’s longest aerial tramways.

Back to the future

See you on the other side: United Airlines

Now I’ve been to the end I’m backtracking.

And I wish I could in time too to September 2018 when I should have been with my pal Martina and my go-to flyers United Airlines.

Only a selfish oul’ woman banjaxed my plans by going and turning 90.

And yes, that wee Irishwoman, my Mum, who had already enjoyed the charms of the Windy City.

And much more on her Tracks on Route 66.