Take a short but nostalgic ride along the historic Mother Road as we travel west on California’s segment of Historic Route 66 from San Bernardino to Rialto. Though just three miles in length, this brief stretch is packed with classic roadside character, mid-century Americana, and echoes of the golden age of U.S. auto travel.
Our journey begins at the interchange of Interstate 215 and 5th Street in San Bernardino, where California State Route 66 continues the path of its legendary predecessor. From here, we cruise west through a densely packed residential district rich with cultural energy. This area of San Bernardino has long been home to a vibrant Hispanic community, evident in the murals, mom-and-pop taquerias, and bustling corner shops that dot the roadside. As we roll along 5th Street, the Santa Fe Railway line runs quietly to our left, a reminder of the parallel journeys trains and cars once took across the Southwest. The sounds of daily life—vendors, children playing, the occasional horn from the nearby tracks—form a living soundscape that’s been part of this corridor for generations.
Approaching Nunez Park, a small but well-loved community greenspace, the road begins to shift in feel. Here, Route 66 leaves 5th Street behind and picks up a new name: Foothill Boulevard, a title it will carry for much of its journey westward through the Inland Empire. The landscape opens slightly, with more commercial properties appearing—many of them mid-century in origin, some still operating, others left as decaying relics of the Route 66 heyday. We pass aging motels, neon signs, and vintage service stations, each whispering stories of the families, travelers, and long-haul dreamers who once made their way along this fabled path. Even in decline, there’s a palpable charm that clings to these old facades—history layered over function, beauty found in rust and timeworn stucco.
As we near the city line between San Bernardino and Rialto, an unmistakable landmark comes into view: the Wigwam Motel. Instantly recognizable by its towering teepee-shaped rooms, the Wigwam is one of only three remaining examples of the original Wigwam Villages that once dotted America’s highways. Built in 1949 and lovingly restored, this motel is both kitsch and cornerstone—an authentic time capsule that still welcomes guests eager to sleep inside a piece of history. Just beyond the final teepee lies the boundary with Rialto, making the Wigwam the last historic Route 66 structure in San Bernardino proper. We pull into its driveway and end our short but meaningful drive parked beneath its iconic sign, where the spirit of the open road still hums beneath the surface.
Though just a few miles long, this drive serves as a poignant reminder that Route 66 was never only about the distance—it was always about the journey. From railroads to roadside attractions, quiet neighborhoods to neon glow, the soul of the Mother Road endures here between San Bernardino and Rialto.
🗺️ Route Map
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