July 29, 2026

208. Route 66 Part 3 - Arizona to Santa Monica - Sunbaked Highways to Oceanfront Dreams

Show Notes
Transcript

Join us for Travel Is Back episode 208, “Route 66 Part 3 - Arizona to Santa Monica - Sunbaked Highways to Oceanfront Dreams,” as we chase neon and desert sunsets from Winslow to the Pacific. This episode guides you through iconic Route 66 landmarks and local flavors, with highlights including Standin’ on the Corner Park in Winslow, Delgadillo’s Snow Cap Drive-In in Seligman for burgers and shakes, the wild burros and staged gunfights of Oatman, the vintage Americana at Hackberry General Store, and the triumphant End of the Trail at the Santa Monica Pier. You’ll get practical travel tips — plan spring or fall drives to avoid extreme heat, carry extra water and fuel, download offline maps for long desert stretches, and book classic motels ahead for the full retro experience. We’ll also dig into food stops and what to order, from diner pies and milkshakes to roadside barbecue and regional comfort food. This episode was prepared with the assistance of AI tools, giving us more time to travel and bring you even more destinations. Travel Is Back -- over 200 episodes covering destinations across America and beyond.

Some episodes use AI for research, writing assistance, and occasional voiceover when Johnny Mac is unavailable. His point of view, and his insistence on finding the best local taco remains entirely human.

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Hey, we made it to Root sixty six Part three,

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Arizona to Santa Monica. You're in for a real treat

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on this stretch, as this is where the iconic highway

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meets a perfect blend of desert landscapes, quirky roadside stops,

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and that unmistakable Californian vibe. So let's get going and

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dive right into this legendary road trip. Starting in Arizona,

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you've probably heard of the Petrified Forest National Park. It's

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a must visit. Imagine ancient trees turned to stone over

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millions of years and now spread across a vast, colorful

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desert landscape. You walk among these remarkable formations and it

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feels like stepping back in time. The park is divided

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into two sections, the Painted Desert and the Petrified Forest.

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Both are worth your attention, but the Painted Desert is

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where you'll get those stunning, instagram worthy multicolor views. Make

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sure to stop by the Painted Desert Inn, a historic

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building that offers not just a peek into Arizona's past,

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but also some fantastic photo ops. Continuing along Route sixty six,

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you'll want to stop at Winslow, Arizona. Yes, the same

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Winslow from the Eagles song Take It Easy. There's a

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corner commemorating the song, complete with a statue and a

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mural featuring a flatbed ford. It's a great spot for

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a photo and to soak in a bit of Americana

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music history. While you're there, pop into the Sip Shop,

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a local cafe where you can grab a coffee and

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maybe a slice of pie. Head west and you'll soon

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find yourself in Flagstaff. This city has a cool, youthful

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vibe thanks to Northern Arizona University. While you're here, take

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a stroll through the historic downtown. You'll find a mix

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of quirky shops, restaurants, and breweries. Speaking of which, Flagstaff

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is known for its craft beer, so if you're a fan,

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consider grabbing a pint at Mother Road Brewing Co. They

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have a great selection that's perfect after a day of exploring.

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From Flagstaff, it's an easy drive to one of the

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seven natural wonders of the world, the Grand Canyon. Sure,

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it's a bit of a detour from Route sixty six,

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but trust me, you don't want to miss it. The

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South Rim is the most accessible part, with plenty of

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view points where you can stand in awe of this

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immense natural marvel. Plan a few hours here at least,

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and if you're up for it, take a short hike

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along the Rim Trail. It'll give you some of the

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best views and a chance to really immerse yourself in

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the majesty of the place. Back on the road, make

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your way to Kingman, Arizona. It's a town that proudly

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celebrates its Route sixty six heritage. You'll find several museums

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dedicated to the history of the road, like the Route

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sixty six Museum at the Powerhouse Visitor Center. It's a

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great spot to learn more about the highway and its

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impact on American culture. Kingman also has some classic diners,

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perfect for grabbing a burger or a milkshake. You might

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want to try mister D's Route sixty six Diner for

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a bit of a nostalgia and some good eats. As

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you leave Arizona, you're heading into California and the landscape

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starts to change. Welcome to the Mojave Desert. It's a stark,

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intriguing place where the road seems endless and the horizon

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stretches on and on. It's worth stopping at the Mojave

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National Preserve. If you have time, the Kelso Dunes are

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particularly interesting, and a short hike up then will reward

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you with fantastic views. Next stop is Barstow, California. It's

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a classic Root sixty six town with a rich railroading history.

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Check out the Root sixty six Mother Road Museum. It's

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small but packed with memorabilia and stories. There's also the

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Western America Railroad Museum. If you're into trains. Barstow is

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a convenient place to stretch your legs, refuel, and maybe

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grab a bite. There are plenty of diners in fast

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food spots, as well as a few Mexican restaurants if

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you're in the mood for tacos. As you continue west,

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the landscape starts to shift once more, a sign that

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you're getting closer to the Pacific. Keep your camera ready

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because you'll want to snap some shots as you drive

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through the San Bernardino National Forest. The mountains here are

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a beautiful backdrop, especially if you catch them at sunset.

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You're getting close to Los Angeles now, but don't rush through.

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Take a moment to stop in San Bernardino, where you

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can find the original McDonald's site. It's now a museum

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that chronicles the fast food giant's history. It's a fun

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and nostalgic stop, especially if you've ever wondered how McDonald's

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got its start. Now you're ready to enter Los Angeles.

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The traffic might be a bit intense, but it's all

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part of the adventure. Your first stop should be Santa Monica,

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where Roote sixty six officially ends. It's a triumphant moment

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when you reach the Santa Monica Pier, a bustling place

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filled with people, music, and the ocean breeze. The pier

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is iconic with its ferris wheel, arcade and street performers.

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It's a great spot to just walk around, take in

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the sites, and enjoy some classic boardwalk food like corn

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dogs or cotton candy. While in Santa Monica, takes some

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time to explore the Third Street Promenade, a pedestrian friendly

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area with shops, street performers, and restaurants. It's lively and

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a great place to wander and soak in that Southern

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California vibe. And if you're craving something sweet, make a

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stop at Sweet Lady Jane. Their desserts are renowned, especially

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the triple berry cake. If you're up for a little

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more exploring, Venice Beach is nearby. It's famous for its

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bohemian spirit and eclectic boardwalk. You'll find street vendors, performers,

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and of course, Muscle Beach, where bodybuilders pump iron under

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the sun. It's a lively, colorful scene that offers a

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real slice of La culture. Now, if you're a movie buff,

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Hollywood is just a short drive away. You can take

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a walk along the Hollywood Walk of Fame, check out

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the TCL Chinese Theater, and if you're lucky, catch a

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glimpse of the Hollywood Sign in the distance. For a

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bit of a quieter experience, Griffith Park is nearby. It's

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one of the largest urban parks in the US and

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offers hiking trails and panoramic views of the city. Griffi

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Observatory is a must visit for its stunning vistas and

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fascinating exhibits. As your journey along Route sixty six comes

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to an end, think back to all the incredible places

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you've seen and the memories you've made, from the sweeping

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deserts of Arizona to the bustling pier of Santa Monica.

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Each mile has its own story, its own charm. Route

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sixty six isn't just a road, It's an experience, a

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journey through America's heart and soul. For one last meal,

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consider heading to the Apple Pan in Los Angeles. It's

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an old school diner known for its burgers and pies.

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It's the perfect spot to reflect on your trip, enjoy

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some classic American fare, and maybe start planning your next adventure.

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Well that's it for today, I'm Johnny Mack and travelers back.

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As you leave the Hollywood glitz behind, consider taking a

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short drive west to the vibrant neighborhood of Venice Beach.

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This iconic spot is a tapestry of eclectic street performers,

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quirky shops, and that unmistakable California surf culture. Take a

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leisurely stroll down the Venice Boardwalk, where you'll see vendors

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selling everything from handmade jewelry to street art. The skate

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park is a must see, with talented scapeboar orders pulling

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off tricks that defy gravity. If you're feeling adventurous, rent

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a bike or a pair of rollerblades and cruise along

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the path that runs parallel to the beach. The salty

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air and ocean views make for a refreshing experience. Don't

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miss Muscle Beach, where you can watch bodybuilders lift weights

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under the sun. It's a staple of the area that

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harks back to the days of Arnold Schwarzenegger. When hunger strikes,

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head over to Abbot Kenney Boulevard, just a few blocks inland.

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This trendy street is bursting with boutique shops and eateries.

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Grab a taco from one of the food trucks parked

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along the avenue. The flavors are vibrant. The casual setup

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makes it easy to enjoy your meal while soaking in

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the laid back vibe of the area. Or if you're

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in the mood for something sweet, make a stop at

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Salt and Straw for some uniquely flavored ice cream like

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olive oil or honey lavender. As you meander around Venice,

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keep an eye out for the area's famous canals. Tucked

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away from the hustle and bustle, these canals are a

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serene reminder of the neighborhood's early aspirations to become the

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Venice of America. Take a leisurely walk along the paths,

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enjoy the peaceful water views and snap a few photos

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of the charming bridges and quaint houses lining the water.

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From Venice, it's a smooth transition to the upscale neighborhood

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of Santa Monica, where your journey on Route sixty six

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officially concludes at the Santa Monica Pier. The peer is

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buzzing with energy, offering amusement park rides for the young

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and young at heart. Try your hand at the arcade games,

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or take a spin on the historic carousel. The ferris

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wheel offers stunning views of the coastline and is an

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ideal spot to watch the sun dip below the horizon.

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Beyond the pier, the Third Street Promenade awaits. It's a

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lively pedestrian street filled with shops, street performers, and alfresco

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dining options. Pop into one of the local cafes for

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a cup of coffee or a light snack. It's the

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perfect place to people watch and soak in the diverse

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crowd that makes Santa Monica so vibrant. For dinner, you

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might want to try Blue Plate Taco, a local favorite

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righte by the ocean. Their fish tacos are fresh and flavorful,

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capturing the essence of southern California cuisine. Pair it with

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a margarita, and you've got the perfect meal to cap

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off your epic journey down Route sixty six. As you

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take in the last sights and sounds of Santa Monica,

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reflect on the eclectic mix of culture, scenery, and history

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you've experienced. Each stop along the way has left its mark,

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painting a vivid picture of the road less travel. It's

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the end of the road for Route sixty six, but

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certainly not the end of your adventures. I'm Johnny Mack

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and Travel is Back. Follow Travel Is Back wherever you

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listen to podcasts and find all two hundred plus destinations

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in our back catalog.

208. Route 66 Part 3 - Arizona to Santa Monica - Sunbaked Highways to Oceanfront Dreams

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