Day Tripping: California Route 66 Museum
Woman in the Middle | June 27, 2014We recently took a little road trip to Victorville, located on Interstate 15 in the high desert, to visit the California Route 66 Museum. The famous Route 66 went through downtown Victorville and this small museum celebrates what John Steinbeck called the Mother Road. We have been meaning to go there for quite some time so we were glad when a free Sunday finally allowed us to hit the road!
In keeping with the route 66 theme, we wanted to eat at a diner for lunch on the way there. The Outpost Cafe, on the west side of the freeway just north of the Highway 395 off ramp looked like just the right spot!
A high Desert institution since 1961 (at least that is what the sign said, it may be older) the Outpost Cafe has a nice selection on the menu, but three of us decided to go with the pulled pork sandwich which was a special that day, not on the menu. It was served Memphis style with coleslaw on the bun with the pulled pork. We had a wide selection of sides to choose from. One of the sides was house made potato chips. That was different so we went for it. It was a good choice as they were nice and crispy and had a good flavor. The pulled pork sandwich was excellent. The fourth person in our party went with the BLT and it was as good as expected.
We hit the freeway again to the far side of the valley and got off on D Street. The museum is just a few minutes away at 16825 D Street. The California Route 66 Museum is located in a former commercial building and so is small. But it is packed full of things to see. Even better, entrance is free, but a donation is always welcome.
The museum has three rooms. One is devoted to Route 66, one to Transportation, and one to Victorville history. In the Transportation room is a 1917 Model T that you are allowed to climb into for photos. Of course, we couldn’t resist, as you can see below. This room had all kinds of things, including a little history of the Burma Shave signs. I know about the Burma Shave signs but the history was new to me.
The Route 66 Room has lots of information about Route 66, both in and around Victorville, and other places along the route as well. In order to get the girls int he Model T, Hubby and I had to agree to get in the VW van. Aren’t we cute?
The Victorville room had infrmation on the history of Victorville and he Victor Valley. There were panoramic photos of Downtown Victorville, a collection of old high school yearbooks dating back to 1932, and information on early businesses.
The museum includes a gift shop where you can buy postcards and Route 66 merchandise.
Altogether we spent about an hour at the museum. You could certainly spend more time there as there was lots to see including video about Route 66.
Due to the fact that there are lots of things that are within easy reach but shouldn’t be touched, this may not be a suitable place for small children.
The museum’s website is http://califrt66museum.org/
The Outpost Cafe is at 8685 U.S. Highway 395, Hesperia CA (Take the Highway 395 exit, go north a short dsitance on 395 to Joshua Street, turn right on Joshua Street and then make a quick left into the entrance)
The museum is on D Street, on the block between 5th or 6th street. However, the parking lot can not be accessed from D Street. You will need to go past the museum, turn right on 6th Street, and then turn in the ally behind the museum. There are some signs and you can see the ally I am referring to on Google maps and such.
Hours:
Monday: 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Thursday: 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Friday: 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Saturday: 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Sunday: 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM
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