Santa Monica Tourism launches songwriting contest about city’s link to Route 66

Songwriters who love the Mother Road, here's your chance. And there's money involved. Santa Monica Travel & Tourism has invited music artists to create an original song that celebrates the city's connection to Route 66 as part of the highway's centennial next year. The top prize is $10,000. The Route 66 Song Contest is open … Continue reading Santa Monica Tourism launches songwriting contest about city’s link to Route 66

Robert Redford helped save Santa Monica Pier from demolition during the 1970s

In the wake of actor and director Robert Redford's death this week at age 89, a story emerged about how he helped save the decaying Santa Monica Pier from being torn down in the early 1970s. It's hard to believe now, but the pier was so dilapidated, the Santa Monica City Council voted to demolish … Continue reading Robert Redford helped save Santa Monica Pier from demolition during the 1970s

IHOP will try to break pancakes world record on Santa Monica Pier on Saturday

IHOP at the Santa Monica Pier will seek to break a Guinness World Record by serving 20,000 pancakes in an eight-hour period on Saturday to commemorate National Pancake Day, which actually is on March 4. The event, dubbed "20K for Pancake Day," aims to serve up all those pancakes from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. … Continue reading IHOP will try to break pancakes world record on Santa Monica Pier on Saturday

The Lobster on Santa Monica Pier marks 25 years; restaurant dates back more than a century

The Lobster, right next to the iconic Santa Monica Pier neon sign, recently marked the 25th anniversary of its rebirth, though the seafood restaurant itself dates back more than a century. To celebrate the milestone, The Lobster will showcase a special menu during National Seafood Month in October, according to the Santa Monica Daily Press. … Continue reading The Lobster on Santa Monica Pier marks 25 years; restaurant dates back more than a century

Great Route 66 Centennial Convergence set for Santa Monica Pier on April 2026

The centennial year of Route 66 is still well over a year away, but an event called the Great Route66 Centennial Convergence has been scheduled for April 30, 2026, at the Santa Monica Pier in Santa Monica, California. Social media influencer John Binns of Australia, with the handle of Wasteland Firebird, is organizing the event. … Continue reading Great Route 66 Centennial Convergence set for Santa Monica Pier on April 2026

Santa Monica Pier was nearly lost by a storm 41 years ago

The iconic Santa Monica Pier -- the traditional western endpoint for many Route 66 travelers -- nearly was destroyed by a severe storm and some bad decisions by a contractor 41 years ago. That factoid was revealed during a Santa Monica Daily News story about walking tours offered at the 115-year-old pier: Back in the … Continue reading Santa Monica Pier was nearly lost by a storm 41 years ago

Santa Monica Pier probably will replace its bridge in a few years

The City of Santa Monica, California, edged closer last week to a much-delayed project to replace the bridge leading to the iconic Santa Monica Pier. The city council approved an environmental document required for the $27 million project, reported the Santa Monica Daily Press. The Santa Monica Pier Bridge was built in 1939 and serves … Continue reading Santa Monica Pier probably will replace its bridge in a few years

Santa Monica Pier was saved from destruction 50 years ago

It's unthinkable now, but the iconic Santa Monica Pier in Santa Monica, California, once was very much in danger of being torn down a half-century ago. The Santa Monica Daily Press recently published an article about the history of the pier, including a successful grass-roots effort in 1973 to preserve it after the city council … Continue reading Santa Monica Pier was saved from destruction 50 years ago

Mel’s Drive-In restaurant marks its 75th anniversary

Mel's Drive-In restaurants, which includes a location at the actual western terminus of Route 66 in Santa Monica, marked its 75th birthday on Dec. 14 at its eight locations in the San Francisco and Los Angeles regions. On its birthday, the regional chain offered 75% off classic food items, including the Mel burger, country eggs, … Continue reading Mel’s Drive-In restaurant marks its 75th anniversary

Mobil 1 campaign includes advocating Route 66 as a National Historic Trail

Apparently Mobil 1 isn't content with slapping Route 66 content onto a racecar. The oil company over the weekend rolled out its Keep Route 66 Kickin' campaign with several events planned along the Mother Road, a guide to Route 66's small businesses and advocacy for having the U.S. Congress designate Route 66 as a National … Continue reading Mobil 1 campaign includes advocating Route 66 as a National Historic Trail