Get Your Kicks on Route 66

Get You Kicks on Route 66

Get Your Kicks on Route 66! An Adventure from Las Vegas to Los Angeles.

Around this time last year we did a little traveling. One of our trip was renting a car and taking the old US Route 66 from just south of Las Vegas into Los Angeles.  I must admit we stopped at some pretty out of this world places along the way, things of a forgotten world from long ago. I just wanted to share a little piece of Americana with you all.

*Please note that this post may contain affiliate links for your convenience. These involve no extra cost to you, but may result in me receiving a small commission – for which I am very grateful! You can view my full advertising disclosure here. 

One of first stops was Bakers, CA  known as the Gateway to Death Valley, which is home to many iconic Route 66 venues. First thing you will see as you exit onto Baker Boulevard is the World’s Tallest Thermometer, which was at a sweltering 106 degrees  on the day we were there. Located next to Bob’s Big Boy Restaurant this 134-foot-tall monument is a reminder of the record high temperature in the nearby Death Valley of 134 degrees in 1913.

Optional Booking from Las Vegas-

  • Death Valley Day Trip– Discover the lowest point in the Western Hemisphere at Death Valley National Park, the largest National Park in the US, on this guided, full-day excursion from Las Vegas. Travel on board an air-conditioned motorcoach to one of the most desolate places on earth. Learn about Death Valley’s history, landscape and wildlife along the way. Also, see other desert highlights like Furnace Creek, Artist’s Palette, Badwater Basin, Zabriskie Point and much more. All entrance fees plus lunch, bottled water, snacks and a Las Vegas hotel pickup and drop-off are included.

 

As we proceeded down the boulevard, to this undeniable landmark and ultimate car snack stop Alien Fresh Jerky. Talk about a Sci Fi lovers dream come true, this place has more little green men than you can shake a stick at. It is like visiting a remote desert location, where a spaceship has cashed (ummm Roswell… Area 51) These lovable cosmic creatures  have been left behind.
Large UFO’s adorn the parking lot light posts,  and  a happy carload of aliens with ray guns  are available for a photo op. This is a great stop for the whole family, and they also have future plans for a spaceship hotel being constructed behind the gift shop. Upon entering the gift shop, it is apparent what the primary food source for these desert aliens is beef jerky, with over 15 flavor types lining the walls. They come in assorted meat varieties as well including turkey, buffalo, ostrich, alligator, and I think I even saw some salmon. Some of the flavors choices include Whiskey and Roadkill Original, while some are a little more exotic, like the Abducted Cow which is a pineapple teriyaki  flavor.  They run $9.00 each or 3 for $25.00, so we picked up a few for the car ride, along with some nuts….. I should apologize for this picture but I just had to post it. We found it truly hilarious after visiting the world’s largest thermometer at 106 degrees. Clearly they have marketing geniuses out here in the desert. Alien Jerky also carries a large variety of flavored nuts, hot sauces, and candies. Along with other fun alien themed novelties.  After stocking up on travel snacks we headed over to our last stop in Bakers, CA the iconic Mad Greek Cafe, for lunch before we hit the road again. It was very crowded, as it was a Friday, and plenty of patrons were making the same trek that we were, except they might have been headed into to Vegas for the weekend. This was very authentic greek cuisine and a great choice for a lunch stop. My husband and I split a greek salad, look how fresh and beautiful it was, such a tasty oasis in the middle of the blazing desert of heat. We the each ordered  our own gyro platter, which came with some of the world’s best french fries. Just look at them perfectly spiced and crispy, a true treat.  After this meal we were stuffed and ready for a little car ride.Our next stop was Yermo, CA which is home to the famous Jenny Rose sign. You might recognize it since it was was featured on Colbie Caillat album Bubbly. Since I am a Jenny, I had to stop for the perfect photo op. Lucky for us Yermo, CA is also home to Peggy Sue’s Diner. This original 1954 diner is still an operational restaurant today.  It also has a fun retro 5 and dime themed gift shop, complete with ice cream bar for a afternoon snack and clean bathrooms. Well with exception of the guy in the ladies room!!! No worries ladies it is just a “Man”nequin but it still makes you do a double take as you walk in the door……As does the “diner”saur park. That’s right Peggy Sue’s Diner is home to a the only “diner” saur park in the desert. Stretch your legs and stroll through the lush tree shaded desert oasis while you view the large metal prehistoric beasts. Bop along to all your favorite 50’s musically tunes piped into the garden from the diner. I promise this is a one of kind experience. The was back into the car to continue on for our final stop on our historic route 66 adventure before arriving in Los Angeles. We stopped at Elmer’s Bottle Tree Ranch located at 24266 National Trails Hwy Oro Grande, CA 92368. I am giving you the address since it is not a common landmark that you can goggle a website to locate. This by far was one of my favorite stops, because Elmer has taken his passion for large metal pipes, bottles and other found objects and has literally created a forest of bottle trees. It is located along the Historic Route 66, in the heart of the California desert, and I only found it because other bloggers, like myself, have featured it as a must see site.Imagine acres of these unique one of kind bottle trees. It may sound like junk but it is beautiful the way the sunlight shines through the variety of colored bottles. Elmer has thought of everything you can even play a game of eye spy or a scavenger hunt to find the most weather vanes or old bicycles rusted to perfection.Although there is not a charge to visit this one of kind landmark you can find a small donation to give whatever you like just to help with the upkeep and future adds to this vast collection. If you are local I believe he takes bottle donations as well.I hope you enjoyed our to do list from the our Route 66. Be sure to follow us on Pinterest for other great travel tips and ideas, and Instagram to see where we are going next. 

56 Comments

  1. Dorothy Kovak

    I stumbled upon this read you have a lot of useful travel information about the Rt.66 from Vegas to LA. I love the bottle tree ranch! It seems off the beaten path but well worth a stop. I am bookmarking your site to check back, as it has lots of great topics I would like to look at, I am just focused on our vacation right now.

  2. It looks like you had a blast! One of these days I’ll travel

  3. You will, just set you some travel goals and never pass up an opportunity to see that big old world out there!!!

  4. Wow, so many interesting sights to see, what a fun drive! Can’t believe the temperatures there, that is HOT!

  5. Sergai Potek

    We plan to visit this area soon. I like the Bottle Tree Ranch very unique. Thanks for the great advice!

  6. Primetime

    Thanks very much for your skilled and amazing travel help. We always take weekend trips to Vegas from LA, I had never heard of the Bottle Ranch and it was great. I won’t hesitate to suggest your blog post to any individual who would like a guide in this area.

  7. Aubrey Andrews

    I mentioned this site to my pals, they were headed to Vegas this year and I knew you had a spot about it, now that I look at it….it not about Vegas at all, oops LOL. Do a post on Vegas….quick!

  8. Addison Wheeler

    Spot on with this write-up, we just followed this planned trip advisor and had the best time on our journey. I will be most happy to refer you site the everyone I know. I also plan to read far more from you, thanks for this info. We did have a great time a Elmer’s Bottle Ranch.

  9. highroller

    My wife and had so much fun on our last weekend Vegas trip. We are a-gasp that we have the writer of this blog to thank for that. Elmer’s Bottle Ranch was fantastic Thank you!

  10. Gemma

    Wow you do it all here on your site. I love that you have added in some travel blogs as well.

  11. rental car 54 where ru

    We are driving across this very same path and I wanted to find a few fun attractions to create some family memories. Thanks for all your great advice. The Murphy’s

  12. turbo dog

    Great post and thank you for pasting about the these out of the way sites on Rt.66. We just did a leg across the other direction but found all of your landmarks to be perfect for our journey. Thanks for the share.

  13. Diane

    Take pleasure in your travels for the remaining portion of the year. Your doing a wonderful job.

  14. Kanye go West

    I wished to thanks on your time for this excellent post! I definitely enjoying each little bit of it and I have you bookmarked for my trip and to check out new stuff you blog post.

  15. Our Little Fox Hole

    My husband and I have been over joyful as baby Jordan will soon join us next March. We decided to go on a baby moon before the little rascal get’s here. Although Vegas would not have been my first choice we did this exact drive. What to say thank you for recommending the Bottle Ranch, it was amazing and we got a lot of great pictures for our announcement cards.Thank you for the whole thing!

  16. NVMD

    Do you know what a helpful experience I receive from reading through this blog? Thank you for imparting this helpful travel plan I will pin for later.

  17. kyrie irving

    There are definitely a lot of details to take into consideration when planning a trip. Looks like you got us all covered with this post, thanks!

  18. Juicy Orange

    I just wanted to post a quick word so as to thank you for these great travel facts you are posting at this website. We are planning a road trip soon and I feel very blessed to have encountered your Blog post. I am looking forward to plenty more excellent reading here. Thanks again for everything.

  19. Katie Moore

    Just had a great Vegas trip, however the city felt weird in wake of the shooting aftermath.It was actually kind of nice to leave a go somewhere happier. Now I am thankful for this assistance as we found the dinosaur farm and the bottle ranch both were a very uplifting experience. I hope that you realize what a fantastic job that you’re doing by advising others via your blog. Thanks!

  20. ugagirl2018

    It’s hard to search out knowledgeable folks on this matter of travel experts, but you sound like you know what you’re talking about! Thanks for the great trip advice we will add it to our itinerary.

  21. Pink Warrior Walker

    A lot of thanks for your insane travel tips. We did the Bottle Ranch, Thermometer and the Alien Jerky shop all were fantastic. You’re doing a superb job.

  22. yellow posties

    you’ve got a fantastic weblog right here! would you wish to make some invite posts on my blog?

  23. air max

    very nice post with insightful travel tips, i actually really love this web site, carry on, it suits you.

  24. 42 herber

    very good post, i actually love this website, keep up the good work

  25. traveling cheap

    These travel guidelines worked out to be a good way to fully grasp this road trip. Other people have similar eagerness to do this same voyage and just as myself, learn a little more around this area. I think there are lots of more enjoyable instances ahead for individuals like us that scan through your website full of advice.

  26. tiny

    Good post. I learned so much about this area of Nevada, I did not know existed. Thanks for sharing.

  27. 13 low

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  28. Sauumye

    I would like to express some thanks to you for rescuing me from this difficulty decision of what to do for a vacation. As a result of looking out throughout the online world and coming across many notions I was unsure of where to go. If I hadn’t discovered this blog post we would have probably ended up in Gaitlenburg again. Now we have pain and can enjoy a new adventure this up going year.

  29. Delphia

    It’s good to get a fresh way of looking at it. Nice post with some unique tips and stops.

  30. Jillian Brecken

    I have to express my appreciation for your generosity to give site seeing enthusist all this information for free. Most travel agents don’t even have information this good. I find some of my best travel sites via bloggers like you. They area more honest and upfront about the experience.

  31. Jingo

    We are going to Las Vegas from San Diego this summer I will make sure to book mark your post for fun sites to see, thanks!

  32. NVMD

    Spot on with this write-up, I think this website needs far more consideration from reader out there. You have such a great line up of different types of posts.

  33. Beth

    I’m often to blogging and I actually admire your content. The article has really peaks my interest. I am going to bookmark your web site and keep checking for brand new information.

  34. April Helmsworth

    My husband and I are planning a Vegas trip this spring, so this is a really helpful post. We had not thought of doing the rt.66 but it looks like a lot of fun.

  35. Tina

    I must show my respect for your generosity supporting old Americana this is a great read full of fun stop along the way. Elmers bottle ranch really looks interesting and I have never heard of it.

  36. NVMD

    Aw, this was a really nice post. In thought, I want to put in writing that taking time to make a very good article is absolutely appreciated by me. As a fellow blogger I know hoar much work goes into these posts.

  37. the cheap jordan’s

    I wish to be back out that way soon, I love the old rt. 66. I have been to a few of those places but I have not heard of Elmer’s Bottle Ranch, it looks really cool. All those old bottles and rust metal yard art pieces. I will look it up and see if they have any more information about it, thanks for the share.

  38. Sundie Breyland

    A lot of thanks for your whole efforts on this web site. My niece and I are going to Las Vegas this spring, kind of a right of passage trip, so the road trip would be even better once we add a few of your stops to the adventure. Thanks!

  39. The Wooly Farmhouse

    Thanks so much for providing individuals with an extremely superb vacation possibilities along with the ability to check tips from here. I am just always amazed with your staggering pointers you give.

  40. Urban Farmgirl

    My spouse and I are planning a trip to Vegas and we have been thinking about driving the old Rt.66 to get over the Disenyland. Being east coast people we have never been there so this post was really helpful.

  41. Georgia Gal

    I’m just writing to say you this looks like such a fun trip. I will need to see it we can do this soon!

  42. huarache

    I ma not planning a trip any time soon, but it has always been on our bucket list to drive the Old Rt. 66. I am fascinated by Elmer’s Bottle Farm, that is really very cool and unusual. Great post to readied take a metal vacation through your globetrotting.

  43. Terry Haide

    We are planning a trip to Las Vegas and arena considering adding on the same road trip over to L.A. Thanks for providing interesting travel spots on this leg of our trip. This is really great information, and I am hoping the Alien hotel is now opened, that would be a fun thing to see and do.

  44. The Delightful Farmhouse

    This is a delightful read, and I have learn about so many great landmarks for my up coming adventure. Thanks you so much for taking the time publish such a useful piece of information. I really like your site and your inner voice so I will be adding your to my regular feed reader.

  45. nydia.bernacchi

    I am checking out your site for a upcoming weekend trip to the Vegas, we have got to stop by that jerky place my boyfriends loves that stuff.

  46. June Tennent

    We are planning a trip to Vegas and have talked about driving the old Route 66. I love this post, which all your stops Elmer’s bottle Ranch is quite the find so we will make sure to stop there for sure.

  47. Cathryn Ziegler

    Thank you for all the reply awesome ideas and tips for places to visit along this leg of the the old route 66. The alien jerky and bottle ranch both look like fun places to check out.

  48. Yerlio MacDonnell

    Between me and my husband I think we decided to stop at all your suggestions and we had the best time. Elmer’s bottle ranch while quite trek was very cool, and we were shocked at all the attractions at the thermometer/jerky exit it was a little oasis in the desert.

  49. Kelly Monroe

    I almost never drop comments, and I actually do have 2 questions for you if it’s allright. Are you writing on other places, if so where, I would like to follow everything fresh you have to post. Also would you make a list of the complete urls of all your social sites like your Instagram page, Facebook page, Pinterest and Twitter feed?

  50. Hi Kelly thanks for leaving a comment please know that for us bloggers it really is our bread and butter, we love them 🙂 To answer your questions I only write on blog page, while I have been asked to write a few guest posts, I always stipulate that they must be cross posted here for my followers to be able to view as well. I like to retain my voice 😉 As for my social media accounts they are listed on my home page as clickable icons, but since this will be emailed as a direct response to you as well I will also include them here:
    http://www.facebook.com/jenrondesigns
    http://www.twitter.com/jenrondesigns
    http://www.instagram.com/jenron.designs
    http://www.pinterest.com/jennygirlgainer

  51. Pfeffer

    I rarely drop remarks, however I really like this post and I love Elmer’s Bottle Ranch and was so happy you featured it.

  52. Katrine Guzman

    Hi we are planning a trip along this same route this summer and I want to thank you for all the great travel tips and advice.

  53. Love this post, I so want to go to Las Vegas soon, and maybe add this drive to the trip.

  54. Land of Nod

    I am just doing a little light reading and have always wanted to visit this area Route 66 this looks like a fun trip guide.

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