California Route 66 Road Trip: The Stories Behind the Landmarks | California Now Podcast

Celebrate 100 years of America’s most legendary highway in this special on-location episode of the California Now Podcast. Join host Josh Meyers as he road-trips across California’s stretch of Route 66, uncovering the people, stories, and roadside gems that keep the Mother Road alive today.

Josh begins his journey in the Mojave Desert with Kyle Okura, the keeper of Roy’s Motel & Café and the owner of the town of Amboy. Kyle shares the powerful father-son story behind preserving this Route 66 icon and why the remote desert outpost still captivates travelers from around the world. Next, check out the hike up Amboy Crater, a dormant volcano and perfect detour off the Route 66 drive.

Josh then drives down the Oro Grande to explore Elmer’s Bottle Tree Ranch with Elliot Flag, who continues his dad’s beloved folk-art tradition of building an expansive desert wonderland out of trash. Elliot gives Josh an intimate tour of the glowing glass sculptures and tells the story behind the ranch’s most unforgettable pieces.

In San Bernardino, Josh visits the legendary Mitla Cafe, where he sits down with Michael Montaño to discuss his family’s iconic restaurant and its surprising connection to the very first Taco Bell. Plus, insights into the history of the Mother Road in San Bernardino and favorite menu items.

Finally, Josh reaches the “End of the Trail” at the Santa Monica Pier—wrapping up the adventure with a Ferris wheel ride above the Pacific.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode
• The history and preservation of iconic Route 66 landmarks
• How Roy’s Motel & Café became a symbol of desert solitude and resilience
• The folk-art magic behind Elmer’s Bottle Tree Ranch
• The Latino culinary legacy of Mitla Café
• Must-see stops along California’s portion of Route 66
• Why Route 66 still inspires travelers 100 years later

Featured Route 66 Stops
• Roy’s Motel & Café, Amboy
• Amboy Crater
• Elmer’s Bottle Tree Ranch, Oro Grande
• Mitla Cafe, San Bernardino
• Santa Monica Pier — End of Route 66 Sign

View the full episode show notes: https://www.visitcalifornia.com/podca...

Subscribe to the California Now Podcast on your favorite podcast streaming service: https://link.cohostpodcasting.com/a97...

Timestamps
00:00 Route 66 Centennial Introduction
00:31 Hitting the Mother Road in California
01:37 Kyle Okura on Preserving Legacy of Roy’s Motel & Café
10:09 Hiking Amboy Crater
12:59 Road Trip to Elmer’s Bottle Tree Ranch
13:40 Elliot Flag on Folk Art, Creativity & Family Legacy
16:02 The Story Behind the Bottle Tree Ranch
24:58 Driving into San Bernardino
25:19 Inside the Historic Mitla Cafe
27:42 Taco Bell’s Connection to Mitla Cafe
35:31 Last Stop + Reaching the End of Route 66
36:46 Riding the Ferris Wheel in Santa Monica
37:13 End Credits

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