California Route 66 Museum

The California Route 66 Museum is a nostalgic journey into the golden age of American roads, located in the historic heart of Old Town Victorville. The museum is housed in the former legendary Red Rooster cafe, which is itself an important landmark of roadside architecture in the Mojave Desert. This local history center in the USA is entirely dedicated to the "Main Street of America" and the impact it had on the region's development.

Inside, visitors will find a rich exhibition covering the first half of the 20th century. It features authentic road signs, vintage billboard mockups, classic car models, and even original soda machines. The museum's collection vividly illustrates how the settling of the West transformed small settlements into bustling centers of trade and service.

Boasting a high rating among travelers, the museum attracts people with its warm atmosphere and the chance to touch living history. It's not just a collection of objects, but a real portal to the past, telling stories of the romance of long journeys, the search for a better life, and the aesthetic of retro-futurism that continues to inspire artists and filmmakers from all over the world.

To clarify details before your visit or to organize a group tour, you can contact the museum administration using the contact information provided below.

In the museum's halls, you can literally touch the legend. The main highlights are the beautifully preserved vintage cars and roadside infrastructure details from the 1920s–1950s. Visitors are allowed to take photos in authentic settings that recreate the atmosphere of old motels, diners, and gas stations from the "Roaring Twenties" era.

Special attention should be paid to the collection of license plates and advertising signs that once beckoned drivers with neon light in the night desert. You can examine old Coca-Cola vending machines and study rare documents detailing the lives of the first travelers. Tours are often conducted by passionate volunteers who are happy to share little-known facts about Route 66 and life in California in the middle of the last century.

Before leaving, be sure to stop by the gift shop. Here you can purchase unique stickers, copies of the famous shield-shaped road signs, and other memorabilia. And if your path continues through the Mojave Desert, don't forget to stock up on water and gas nearby—just like motorists did decades ago.

Getting to the cultural center of Old Town Victorville is easy, as the museum is located in close proximity to the region's main transport arteries. If you are traveling by car, look for Interstate 15 (I-15): you will need to exit at D Street and head towards the historic center. The drive from Los Angeles takes about an hour and a half, and for navigation, it is convenient to use the coordinates POINT(-117.2943851 34.5371351).

For those who prefer public transport, the city is an important hub where rail and bus routes intersect. You can take a taxi from the Victor Valley Transportation Center, which is no more than 15–20 minutes away. If you are flying into Ontario International Airport (LA Ontario International), it is most convenient to rent a car to enjoy the scenic views of the Mojave Desert on the way to the museum.

Parking for visitors is provided right next to the building. Additionally, the museum is easily accessible on foot if you are staying in one of Old Town's vintage motels or walking near the Victor Valley Memorial Park.

The history of this place is inextricably linked to the development of car culture in the USA. The building that houses the exhibition today was once home to the famous Red Rooster cafe—a cult stop for travelers in the middle of the last century. The city of Victorville, founded in 1885 as a railway station, experienced a true boom thanks to the construction of the "Mother Road," becoming a key transport hub in the harsh conditions of the Mojave Desert.

The legendary Route 66 was officially opened on November 11, 1926, and just a year later, the recognizable shield-shaped road signs appeared. During the Great Depression and the post-war boom, it became a symbol of hope and freedom, connecting Chicago and Los Angeles. For thousands of people seeking a better life in California, this stretch of the desert path was a vital stage in a great adventure.

In 1990, Congress recognized Route 66 as a national heritage site. Today, the museum carefully preserves the memory of this bygone era, showing how a simple highway was able to shape a unique cultural layer—from the specific architecture of roadside motels to the aesthetics of classic American diners.

A detailed tour of the museum's collection and immersion into the history of Route 66 usually takes 1 to 2 hours. This is quite enough time to leisurely explore all the themed halls, examine archival photographs, and see original roadside infrastructure artifacts.

If you are a fan of vintage machinery or mid-20th-century history, you might want to stay longer. Local volunteers often share unique stories not found in guidebooks, so leaving a little extra time to chat with them will make your visit even more valuable.

The museum welcomes guests according to the following schedule: Monday to Saturday, the doors are open from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM. On Sunday, working hours are slightly shorter—from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM.

Please note that opening hours may change on holidays or during special events. It is recommended to check the official museum website for the latest information before your trip to ensure your visit is as comfortable as possible.

A walk around the museum's surroundings will allow you to immerse yourself even deeper into the atmosphere of classic "small-town" America and get to know the local flavor. Old Town Victorville hides many interesting locations: from historic buildings to cozy themed establishments.