SeeCalifornia.com

Scenes from Route 66 include WWII troops near Needles, Calif. in 1942 (bottom left), Barstow (top left), swimsuit clad beauties next to a California US 66 sign, Wigwam Motel (top right), and Murphys Garage in Ludlow, Calif. (bottom right)

Historian Joe Sonderman, author of books on all the other Route 66 states, now presents his “California Dreamin‘” work, exploring the people, places & history that made the route & its culture both unique and still popular to this day in the Golden State.

While many places commemorate Route 66 with signage and events such as the annual Rendezvous in San Bernardino, the vintage–many of them priceless–photos Sonderman has rounded up bring the route back to life by showing the fascinating and often creatively-designed motels, restaurants, attractions and gas stations along the way.

The history associated with the people and places is incredible. Here are some amazing California tidbits that Sonderman came up with–and you don’t even have to pay for gas on this nostalgic trip over the Golden State’s portion of the iconic road.

–An extinct volcano can be seen off Route 66 near Amboy (in the Mojave Desert, west of Needles).

–Elvis Presley stopped at the Summit Inn in Cajon Pass & was upset that none of his records were in the jukebox. He left the waitress a big tip anyway.

–In 1924, Lionel Sternberger, a 16-year-old fry cook in his father’s Rite Spot Restaurant of Pasadena, invented the cheeseburger by dropping a slab of cheese on a burger. He & his dad, Herman, loved the special taste & the rest is history.

Read Craig MacDonald’s review of this fantastic book about beloved Route 66 in California.