Date: Wednesday, June 11, 2025
Distance covered: 528 km
Time riding: 7 hr 49 min
Route: Los Angeles, CA ➝ Santa Monica, CA ➝ Malibu, CA ➝ Santa Barbara, CA ➝ Pismo Beach, CA ➝ Atascadero, CA ➝ Gonzales, CA ➝ Monterey, CA
Vibes: Beachfront views, coastal curves, and emotional goodbyes to Route 66
🌊 Wheels in the Water
We left our AirBNB around 10:00 a.m. and headed straight to the Santa Monica Pier — the official end of Route 66.
After nearly two weeks, this moment hit hard: the iconic sign, the ocean breeze, the sense of completion. A few laughs, a few selfies, and maybe a quiet pause to let it all sink in. We even checked out Pacific Park, just to add a bit of amusement before heading north.
🌴 California Dreaming: The Coastal Route Begins
Done with Route 66, but not with the adventure. We turned up the Pacific Coast Highway and let the ocean hug our left side as we continued north.
Stops included:
- El Matador State Beach – rugged beauty, golden cliffs, and the smell of salt in the air
- A recharge at Starbucks in Santa Barbara
- A nature break at Cachuma Lake Recreation Area — green, calm, and scenic
- A chill meal at Wooly’s in Pismo Beach – right on the waterfront
This day was all about soaking in that California coastal magic.
⛽ Late Night Push to Monterey
The day didn’t end with the sunset. After a pit stop in Atascadero and a fuel break in Gonzales, we finally rolled into Monterey by 10:17 p.m., settling into the Monterey Hostel — tired but smiling.
🌟 Highlights of the Day:
- ✅ “We made it” moment at Santa Monica Pier
- 🌅 Coastline views that were straight from a postcard
- 🦞 Fresh sea air and beachfront food in Pismo
- 🌃 Late-night ride under stars into Monterey
💭 Final Thought:
“The end of Route 66 wasn’t the end of the ride — just a milestone on the long road home. California gave us the closure we didn’t know we needed.”
Ready for Day 14: Monterey to San Francisco and beyond? Let’s keep the wheels turning.