Exploring California's Inland Empire on Route 66
Exploring Route 66 in California’s Inland Empire
The Aztec Hotel in Monrovia, California is one of those iconic buildings that just scream Route 66. We’ve seen it a few times but never have been able to go into the building and that was the case again on this adventure.
There were a number of buildings that celebrated the Mayans including this one which was first opened in 1925. The hotel originally had 40 rooms and, today, is a National Historical Landmark. While the preservation had been started it hasn’t been completed and, as of this writing, the building is for sale.
The Aztec Hotel on Route 66 in Monrovia
Rolling through this portion of the Route is interesting because the road takes a turn through a neighborhood which is where we saw a vintage service station being worked on - perhaps restored in time for the centennial of Route 66? Oh, wait.
Another thing we drove by was a statue of the Madonna of the Trail which is one of 12 monuments to the pioneer women in the U.S. The monuments were commission int eh late 1920s by the Daughters of the American Revolution and placed along the National Old Trails Road which goes from Cumberland, Maryland, to Upland, California.
The Madonna of the Trail monuments were intended to commemorate the courage and faith of the women who helped conquer the wilderness and establish permanent homes. Through the continuing efforts of local and national groups, all are currently in good condition and on display.
Donut Man Number 5
Though it came to be after Route 66 was decommissioned, one of the “must stop” places is Donut Man in Glendora which is on Route 66. Although this is location number five, it was the company’s original location and is a small shop. But we arrived in the afternoon and it was hopping with a crew of people making donuts and people lined up to enjoy that crew’s efforts.
This shop is famous for their peach donuts in season, but it wasn’t the season. However they did have strawberry donuts with what looked like an entire container of strawberries on each of the large donuts. Oh, and the donuts were large! The maple bars were every bit of two feet long.
While I just got the same donuts I usually get, glazed old fashioned, Bill got this cinnamon roll donut that was easily as big as his head. We all proclaimed the donuts to be good and the popularity of this shop is no surprise given. The staff was really friendly, too!
There is a huge number of donut shops in Southern California that are owned by people of Asian descent including this one, started in 1972. For some reason the story of these Asian-owned donut shops intrigues me. Perhaps it will you, too. They also make darned good donuts.
Famous Richfield Station
One of the more photographed building on the west coast portion of Route 66 is an iconic 1915 Richfield gas station in Rancho Cucamonga. The station predates Route 66 having been built in 1915. It was pretty tired for a while but the company that owned it donated it and it is now beautifully restored. There are volunteers there several days a week who really are helpful.
That’s where we’ve learned that the organization is hoping to recreate the old mechanic’s shops that were originally behind the station. I was fascinated by the fact that there is a pit back there where mechanics would go under cars that stopped for service.
There are some really interesting photos in the shop showing the station in the early years and it was surrounded by competing stations in those days. Somehow this one survived and is now in so so many photos for good reason, it’s beautiful.
One of the fun things is that is in the station is one of the bell hose things. In the original days, when a car would drive into the station it would run over the hose causing a bell to ring. This called an attendant would come out and actually fill your gas for you and check your oil and radiator water. Those were the days - and the gas was inexpensive too!
Parking was easy across the street even with all the trailers we had in our convoy. There is no charge to visit the station although donations are very welcome and there are plenty of things to get - I have been adding to my pin collection and got some nifty pins.
Put on the The Hat - a pastrami paradise
Once we got settled, Kate changed her tire (read on) and walked the dogs it was time for dinner. Another Southern California staple is The Hat which is known for their pastrami sandwiches. The location we visited was in Glendora and is a newer location for the company but the word has clearly gotten out. This place had a mile-long line at the drive-through and you could almost hold your seat inside for ransom it was that popular.
There was a crew behind the counter was this organized chaos but the sandwiches that we got, pastrami of course, were skillfully crafted. This place has some epic food and that’s the reason for the lines inside and out.
Peggy is still sad that the pastrami place that she used to go to, Grinder Haven, has since closed because they mastered a toasty roll and it was darned good. The Hat is also good, but different.
WigWam Motel in San Bernardino
Our last bit of Route 66 adventure was driving through the famous WigWam Motel in San Bernardino. The family that owns this landmark is doing a great job keeping it in beautiful shape and, if you haven’t slept in a Wigwam, perhaps you should.
There are three of these motels left across the U.S., this one, the one in Holbrook, AZ and a third in Kentucky. We’ve slept in this and the Arizona locations and they’re both just a unique treat. This one is the newest of the seven originally built and the first to have a pool, which is still operational today and a highlight of a summer stop in the heat of Southern California.
We found the place to be well maintained and clean. The people on site are very friendly and it’s a unique opportunity to experience an icon of Route 66.
Camping in the Inland Empire - Rancho Jurupa
We camped at Rancho Jurupa which is a huge local park with a lot of camping but also other amenities including a water park. The sites are decently large with water and electric hook-ups and this almost feels more like a resort than a community park.
Kate had had a screw removed from her tire in Palm Springs and found that the repair didn’t take, so she had to swap out her tire for the spare that she had.
