For 14 years, San Bernardino, California, has offered a salute to the legendary highway that crossed the country, bringing travelers to Southern California. As Route 66 winded its way westward into California through the desert and then into populated Southern California, the road passed through San Bernardino and on toward the Pacific Ocean at Santa Monica.
Over the years, songs have been written about the route, movies were made about it, and even a popular TV show featured two young men cruising the route in an early model Corvette looking for adventure. Each year, San Bernardino's salute has grown. It now requires a yearly staff of city employees and volunteers to put together an event that draws more than 600,000 spectators. Vehicle entries are held to 2,448 - the total number of miles between Chicago and Santa Monica. Entries can only be pre-'74 vehicles, plus any year for Corvettes, Vipers, and Prowlers.
The Route 66 Rendezvous is held in the downtown area of San Bernardino, 32 blocks in all, and a cruising route that snakes its way throughout the area. Entrants are allowed to park along the curb on streets throughout the show area, except in the center section, where street fair booths are anchored. The event is held the third weekend of September, and if you're interested in participating, contact the San Bernardino Convention and Visitors Bureau at (800) TO-RTE-66 (867-8366), or visit the website at www.route-66.org.