Celebrating 100 years of Route 66 đźš—
At BIT – Borsa Internazionale del Turismo 2026, Visit California joined the centennial celebrations of the legendary Route 66, the iconic “Mother Road,” whose first – or last – 500 kilometers run through California.
Route 66 is not simply a continuous highway but a story unfolding in fragments: historic diners, ghost towns frozen in time, resilient communities, and unexpected landscapes. Rather than a single line, it is a mosaic of places, memories, and identities, and this multiplicity is what keeps its legend alive.
In roughly 500 kilometers, this segment captures the essence of the Golden State: the silence of the desert, crisp mountain air, pop culture icons, vineyards, and the expanse of the Pacific. It is an itinerary that condenses California’s extraordinary variety of landscapes and atmospheres, reflecting the state’s unparalleled storytelling power.
The modern road trip is no longer about simply completing a route. It is an invitation to curiosity: to explore side roads, connect with local communities, share moments with fellow travelers, and let the journey itself redefine the destination.
As Route 66 enters its second century, Visit California reminds travelers that this is the perfect time to begin collecting stories along the way. With the FIFA World Cup 2026 on the horizon and the Los Angeles 2028 Summer Olympics already shaping the future, there has never been a more exciting moment to experience the Golden State.