By Michael S. Klein Santa Monica
Don Gray (“It’s a pier, not a parking lot,” March 6, page 4) says that Route 66 doesn’t end at the (Santa Monica) Pier.
The California Route 66 Preservation Foundation says that: “... and finally Route 66 ends in Santa Monica at Palisades Park and the famous Santa Monica Pier on the Pacific.” (http://www.cart66pf.org/Map/66west.htm) In fairness to Don, they go on to say that: “Technically, the Santa Monica Pier is not the real end of Route 66. Route 66 ends a block away from the pier at the intersection of Santa Monica Boulevard and Ocean Avenue. The Will Rogers Highway Dedication Plaque is across the street from here in Palisades Park — the real end of Route 66.”
But then, in fairness to me, they go on to say that: “Ah, but the pier is close enough to count!” Maybe Don knows better than the Foundation. I don’t. I will certify only that my personal authority on the topic of Route 66 is severely limited.
But the point remains that many, if not most, folks join the California Route 66 Preservation Foundation in thinking that Route 66 ends at the pier. And even those who don’t, according to the PRC, typically finish a Route 66 trip at the pier.
Regardless of that, the most important point I was making is that, if we’re debating the history of the sign, (a) historically speaking, the sign was literally designed to be driven under, and (b) drivers on Route 66 (and the rest of us) have been able to drive under it since it first saw the light of day.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on March 8, 2007. Read the original PDF.