A Tour of Route 66 Icons in West Hollywood

Cruise WeHo’s section of the Mother Road to see some of LA’s coolest roadside stops.

When it was established in 1926, Route 66 was one of the longest continuous stretches of paved highway in the U.S. — ultimately covering the nearly 2,500 miles from Chicago to Los Angeles. As nicknames like “The Mother Road” and “Main Street of America” suggest, the route made a tremendous impact on America’s history and economy.

Culturally, though, it became the beating heart of a uniquely American mythology: the freedom of the open road. Today, the section of Old Route 66 that runs through West Hollywood — Santa Monica Boulevard from La Brea Avenue to Doheny Drive — is a particularly joyful expression of this myth, with a surplus of historic sites and pop-culture icons to explore. As Route 66 celebrates 100 years in 2026, read on to learn exactly where to get your kicks.

The Formosa Cafe

The Formosa’s dining room is a former trolley car.

7156 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood, CA 90046

With its all-red interior still gleaming from a recent restoration, this living piece of West Hollywood history is also an incredible vibe. Go for the star-studded stories — Frank Sinatra, Ava Gardner and John Wayne were documented regulars — and stay for tasty Taiwanese-American cuisine in a restored Southern Pacific trolley car.

The Lot at Formosa

1041 N. Formosa Ave., West Hollywood, CA 90046

Just across from the cafe, you’ll find a storied slice of movie-making magic. Formerly home to Pickford-Fairbanks Studios, United Artists, Samuel Goldwyn Studios and others, this full-service film lot has witnessed the creation of everything from “Some Like it Hot” (1959) to “Big Little Lies” (2017) and beyond.

Thunder Road Cafe

7253 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood, CA 90046

The spirit of Route 66 rumbles on at this fashionably gritty all-day cafe. Fuel up on locally roasted Petrol coffee, breakfast burritos, bodega goods and even beer and wine amid vintage bikes and moto-decor. Next door, Thunder Road Motorcycles keeps LA’s choosiest bike enthusiasts furnished with bespoke Indians, Triumphs, Harley-Davidsons and other kings of the road.

MAK Center for Art and Architecture at the Schindler House

Exterior of the Schindler House illuminated at night. West Hollywood, CA — Schindler House is considered the birthplace of Southern California modernism.

835 Kings Rd., West Hollywood, CA 90069

Mid-century architect R.M. Schindler was Austrian by birth, but Californian by choice. Today, the Kings Road residence where he hosted Frank Lloyd Wright, Richard Neutra, Theodore Dreiser and other contemporaries houses the MAK Center for Art and Architecture — and provides a lasting home for his most significant work.

Barney’s Beanery

8447 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood, CA 90069

Barney’s has been a divey delight since 1920, providing generations of night owls with an unpretentious pre- and post-club hang. “Grease” (1978), “Body Double” (1984) and “The Doors” (1991) all filmed memorable scenes here; it’s a great place to spot off-duty celebrities, too.

Soho House Holloway

8465 Holloway Dr., West Hollywood, CA 90069

Next door to Barney’s is this MICHELIN Key-awarded, members-only hideaway. Popular with celebs (membership unlocks the chain’s other swanky clubs around the world), the space is steeped in mid-century modern style but designed with its members’ discerning tastes in mind. Colorful contemporary art hangs on wood-paneled walls, while murals by Jessalyn Brooks punch up the dreamy, plant-filled rooftop.

Tail O’ the Pup

8512 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood, CA 90069

Though it’s moved from its original La Cienega Boulevard location, the Tail O’ the Pup remains an icon — with millions of tasty dogs, countless classic movies and even a Doors song under its belt. “L.A. Woman” was recorded in what is now the restaurant’s bathroom.

Ramada Plaza Hotel & Suites

8585 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood, CA 90069

This sleek, modern hotel is built on the former site of the legendary Tropicana Motel: the long-suffering stomping ground of LA’s rock ‘n’ roll scene. Check in to uncover where Janis Joplin, The Beach Boys and Led Zeppelin famously got up to no good.

The Rainbow District

Santa Monica Boulevard from N. La Cienega Blvd. to N. Doheny Dr.

The sparkling mother lode of the Mother Road, this 1-mile stretch of Santa Monica Boulevard is an enduring celebration of LGBTQ+ identity, creativity and visibility. Spend a few hours exploring this colorful cluster of 50+ queer-owned and -allied shops, restaurants, bars and community organizations — and keep an eye out for the Inclusive Pride Crosswalks and colorful commemorative Route 66 road signs.

Petit Ermitage

8822 Cynthia St., West Hollywood, CA 90069

Wrapped in an irresistible bohemian vibe, Petit Ermitage mixes eclectic objets d’art and European design touches not typically found in Los Angeles hotels — think vintage Scalamandré tapestries, rich wood fireplaces and bronze bathtubs in the finest suites. As good as that all is, it’s just a warmup for what’s upstairs on the roof — a saltwater pool, a cozy fire deck and bistro tables set in a butterfly garden make for prime alfresco gathering year-round.

Kimpton La Peer Hotel

627 N. La Peer Dr., West Hollywood, CA 90069

For a stylish stay a block off the Route, this hotel by preeminent designer Gulla Jónsdóttir has one foot in the past and the other firmly in the present-day. On the outside, the Kimpton La Peer evokes Art Deco; inside, it’s a treasure trove of architectural flourishes and gallery-worthy pieces by LA artists. Take a swim in the pool before dipping into the hotel’s bar, No Rose, or acclaimed restaurant, Ladyhawk, for Mediterranean bites and cocktails.

Dan Tana’s

9071 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood, CA 90069

In a town famous for its devotion to the Next Big Thing, Dan Tana’s somehow still feels precisely like it did in 1964 — with checkered tablecloths, straw-cloaked Chianti bottles and tinseltown power brokers whispering in the corner booth. Get the chicken parm and keep your eyes peeled for luminaries doing deals over dinner.

The Troubadour

9081 N. Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood, CA 90069

The Troubadour is a mandatory stop for music lovers — much as it’s been a vital stepping stone for musicians since its opening in 1957. Thanks to impresario Doug Weston’s well-tuned ear, this humble stage has launched countless careers; Joni Mitchell, Neil Young, James Taylor, Pearl Jam and many others debuted here.

Googie & Other Goodies Nearby

The iconic neon sign for Mel's Drive-In on Sunset Boulevard is illuminated at sunset. West Hollywood, Los Angeles, California. — L–R: Mel’s Drive-In, Mutato Musika, neon diver at West Hollywood Aquatic Center

L–R: Mel’s Drive-In, Mutato Musika, neon diver at West Hollywood Aquatic Center

More than a road, Route 66 is a mindset — a cultural and artistic optimism casting its light on everything around it. Some of this is literally illuminating; West Hollywood is blessed with a bounty of mid-century (and MCM-inspired) neon both on and around the Route, from the iconic diver presiding over the West Hollywood Aquatic Center to the original signs adorning The Roxy and Whisky a Go Go to the faithful homages paid by Jones, Book Soup and Hamburger Mary’s.

Even off the main Route, the “Spirit of 66” is alive and well in West Hollywood’s era-spanning architecture. Behold the Art Deco splendor of the Sunset Tower Hotel, which hosted everyone from Gable and Garbo to Iggy Pop. Don’t miss Mutato Musika, the circular standout designed by Brazilian architect Oscar Niemeyer — and currently occupied by Devo frontman Mark Mothersbaugh’s production company.

And by all means, go gaga for Googie: the fabulously futuristic aesthetic that visually defined car culture. A single Sunset Strip address has been home to two atomic-age staples: Ben Frank’s (1962–1996) and Mel’s Drive-In (1997–now). And the West Hollywood NORMS, which has been slinging greasy goodness since 1957, remains one of the seminal examples of California Googie diner design.

Other Close-ish Kicks Along Route 66

Eastbound from West Hollywood: In the charming Los Feliz neighborhood, triple your pleasure at the Vista Theater; this old-school movie palace is Spanish Colonial Revival on the outside, Egyptian Revival on the inside, and arthouse cinema through and through. Knock some pins at Highland Park Bowl, restored to its Prohibition-era splendor and possibly the coolest bowling alley anywhere. Headed for Pasadena? Check out the classic motel signage en route before crossing the Arroyo Seco via Colorado Street Bridge — built in 1913 and on the National Register of Historic Places.

Westbound from West Hollywood: Got a plan to motor west? Before reaching the terminus of Route 66, stop in for a celebratory cocktail and signature Butter Steak at Chez Jay. This beloved maritime-kitsch time capsule is known for its stiff martinis and loose, dark-all-day atmosphere, both of which made it a regular hangout for the original Rat Pack — and every iteration of the “it kids” from 1959 to now. Once you’re fully fortified, head across Ocean Avenue to the Santa Monica Pier for compulsory pics with the famous “End of the Trail” sign.