Route 66, ATVs and California
In Ludlow, the Route 66 traveler will leave the National Old Trails Highway by turning right, or north, onto Crucero Road. Follow Crucero Road under I-40, at the Ludlow Exit turn left, or west, onto the frontage road and continue for 8 miles. Turn left at Lavic Road, cross over I-40, and then turn right back on the National Old Trails Highway through Newberry Springs and Daggett.
In Daggett, the ATV adventure in California can begin. Johnson Valley OHV Area is located here, off CA-247 on Old Woman Springs Road or Camp Rock Road. Helmets are required as are mufflers, spark arresters and a license or registration of the ATV. No passengers are allowed on ATVs. If riding at night, then all ATVs must have headlights and taillights. Camping is allowed throughout the area as long as no roads or trails are blocked, but is limited to 14 days.
After spending time riding your ATV at Johnson Valley OHV Area, the journey through California on Route 66 continues on the National Old Trails Highway. Continue on this highway to the Nebo Road Exit. Take this exit and return to I-40. Once again, exit I-40 using the Marine Corps Logistic Base Exit. Turn left and pass under I-40, then turn right on East Main Street in Barstow California.
Barstow also has an ATV riding area known as Dumont Dunes, which is BLM land. Dumont Dunes is located off CA-127 and has steep volcanic hills as well as the slow running Amargosa River. Riders are required to have a Use Permit and their ATVs must be licensed or registered. Helmets, spark arresters, mufflers and a red or orange flag or mast must be on each ATV. If night riding will be done, each ATV must have headlights and taillights. No passengers are allowed on ATVs and no glass containers are allowed in the area. For more information, visit www.blm.gov/ca/barstow/dumont.html.
When the call of Route 66 brings you back to the adventure, return to Barstow from Dumont Dunes. Here Route 66 continues on Main Street, which is the National Old Trails Highway. Continue through Lenwood, Hodge, Helendale, Bryman, LaDelta, Oro Grande to Victorville.
If you are in the mood to trail ride again, Victorville is another location with ATV trails. El Mirage OHV Area, located in the Mohave Desert offers trails as well as camping for up to 14 days. To get to El Mirage take US-66 to Air Base Road, then to Highway 395. Stay on Highway 395 to La Mirage Road and on to Mountain View Road. Registration and licensing are required for all ATVs as well as mufflers, brakes and spark arresters. Helmets must be worn and a parent must supervise riders under 14. There are also no passengers, no shooting firearms, no fireworks and no glass containers. Riding in wet or muddy areas is also prohibited. Joshua trees and any tortoises are protected and should not be messed with. For more information, visit www.blm.gov/ca/barstow/mirage.html.
After exploring the trails offered at El Mirage, continue with the trip on Route 66 by returning to the National Old Trails Highway, which becomes D Street in Victorville. Once on D Street, continue under I-15, turn right onto 7th Street. Stay on 7th Street to Palmdale Road Exit and enter I-15 from this exit. Continue on I-15 to Cajon Summit, exit at Cleghorn Road Exit. Turn left on Cajon Boulevard and continue traveling to Kenwood Avenue. Turn left, get back on I-15 South and move to the left lane to exit on I-215. Continue on I-215 to Devore. Exit I=215 at the first exit for Devore. Turn left on Cajon Boulevard and continue to San Bernardino.
San Bernardino offers another area for ATV riding. ATV trails can be found in San Bernardino National Forest. Here riders will find 36 miles of trails as well as staging areas, trailering sites and campsites. Campsites available with direct access to the ATV trails are Big Pine Flats, Horse Spring and Crab Flats. As with most riding areas in California, riders must have a helmet, can carry no passengers and their ATVs must have a muffler, spark arrester and must be correctly licensed or registered.
After enjoying all the riding on the beautiful trails of San Bernardino National Forest, the quest to travel Route 66 continues. In San Bernardino, Route 66 continues on Cajon Boulevard, passing under CA-30, Mt. Vernon Avenue and continues 1.9 miles where it turns right, or west, on 5th Street. 5th Street becomes foothill Boulevard also known as CA-66.
Route 66 continues through California as CA-66 and travels through Rialto, Fontana, Rancho Cucamonga, Upland, Claremont, Pomona, LaVerne and San Dimas. In Glendora, continue on CA-66 to Route 66. On Route 66 keep to the left, cross under the railroad tracks and continue to Azusa on Route 66 to CA-66, which is Foothill Boulevard. Remain on Foothill Boulevard to Irwingdale. Foothill Boulevard will become Huntington Drive here. Stay on Huntington Drive through Duarte and on to Monrovia where Huntington Drive will intersect with Shamrock Avenue. Turn right, or north on Shamrock Avenue, then left, or west, back onto Foothill Boulevard. Route 66 continues on Foothill Boulevard through Arcadia to Santa Anita Avenue, where it turns left, or south, crosses I-210, crosses the railroad, turns left on Huntington Drive and then travels through Arcadia. Route 66 then turns right at the Y-intersection onto Colorado Place and continues on Colorado Boulevard to Pasadena.
In Pasadena, Route 66 continues westbound on Colorado Boulevard, travels left on Arroyo Parkway, which is CA-110, and continues southbound on CA-110 to Los Angeles. In Los Angeles, Route 66 exits CA-110 at the Santa Monica Boulevard Exit. After reaching the Santa Monica Boulevard off ramp, turn left, cross the freeway. Turn right onto Figueroa, travel one block and turn right on Sunset Boulevard. Travel 3 miles on Sunset Boulevard; turn left onto Manzanita Boulevard, which will become Santa Monica Boulevard. Stay on Santa Monica Boulevard through West Hollywood, Beverly Hills and on to Santa Monica. In Santa Monica, turn left onto Lincoln Boulevard to Olympic Boulevard. Route 66 ends here.
