The Santa Monica Pier marks the symbolic end of the road for Historic Route 66 but proprietors of The California Roadhouse, a new restaurant and entertainment venue replacing the recently closed Rusty's Surf Ranch hope they can keep the party going with the preservation of live music over the Pacific Ocean.
The venture is the brainchild of Sean Ahaus, a Santa Monica native and current co-owner of VITO, a neighborhood restaurant at 2807 Ocean Park Blvd. that has served the community for more than 45 years.
Billing itself as "The Last Great American Roadhouse at the end of Route 66," the restaurant will open just in time for the 100th anniversary celebration of Route 66, which is set to take place on the pier in April 2026. The location marks where both the 2,448-mile Route 66 from Chicago and the 2,460-mile Interstate 10 from Jacksonville, Florida, meet the Pacific Ocean.
The menu will feature customizable options including build-your-own gourmet burgers with beef, turkey, chicken, veggie or vegan patties, along with California farm-fresh grilled ribeye steaks and slow-roasted baby back ribs. Lighter options will include build-your-own Buddha bowls, salads, wraps and fresh seasonal fish, followed by classic American desserts. The restaurant will offer vegetarian, vegan, organic and gluten-free options.
The beverage program will feature classic spirits, whiskeys, bourbons and ryes, along with signature California craft cocktails, local craft spirits, California craft beers and premium California wines. Non-alcoholic options will include signature juice-infused mocktails, farm-fresh juices, blended juice and protein smoothies, classic ice cream milkshakes, and gourmet teas, coffees and specialty espresso beverages.
Entertainment will be central to the venue's concept, with a daily lineup including live music featuring established and emerging artists from diverse genres, from rock, pop, jazz, R&B and hip hop to violin, Native American flute, banjo and steel drums. The venue will also host live band karaoke, trivia nights, music bingo nights featuring classic music videos, live comedy and open mic nights.
The California Roadhouse plans to partner with local music education institutions including School of Rock and Musicians Institute to provide performance opportunities for students. Student recitals and pop-up performances will be regularly scheduled, offering emerging artists stage experience while providing family-friendly entertainment.
"Santa Monica is the perfect place for The California Roadhouse — it's where the entire journey of Route 66 culminates in celebration," Ahaus said. "As a Santa Monican, I feel a deep connection to The Santa Monica Pier. We're honoring the 108-year legacy of our building while injecting a powerful new energy of live performances, great food and community support."
The restaurant will be located at the "End of the Trail" where Route 66 terminates at California's most popular beach and pier, which attracts more than 12 million visitors annually.
Details on job opportunities, performance opportunities and the official entertainment calendar will be available at caroadhouse.com in the coming months.
The Santa Monica Pier has been an entertainment destination since 1916, when carousel maker Charles Looff added a "Pleasure Pier" with amusement rides and games. By 1924, the pier featured the La Monica Ballroom, the largest dance hall on the West Coast, which accommodated up to 5,000 dancers. More than 50,000 people attended its opening night, causing Santa Monica's first major traffic jam.
The pier's modern entertainment renaissance began in the 1990s with the 1996 debut of Pacific Park, the first new amusement park since the 1930s, featuring the world's first solar-powered Ferris wheel.
Rusty's Surf Ranch, which opened in 1994 in the former Crown & Anchor pub space, served as the pier's main live music venue for 31 years. Founded by Russell "Rusty" Barnard, the surf-themed restaurant and bar hosted everything from children's birthday parties to rock concerts, embodying the pier's dual identity as both family-friendly attraction and nightlife hub. Rusty's closed in late 2024 after serving the community for more than three decades.