Los Angeles, California
The big finish begins — traffic, diners and the last night before the ocean.
Los Angeles is the shock after the desert — suddenly you're threading through the Inland Empire's traffic into the vast, bright sprawl of the LA basin. But it's also the last real night of the trip, and the city rewards you with classic diners, the Wigwam Motel just before you arrive, and the celebration dinner you've earned.
“We took the Angeles Crest instead of the traffic and it was the finest riding of the trip — pines and sweepers, no desert, no six lanes. Trust the detour.”
History
LA was the western terminus of Route 66 from the start — the road poured into the city along Foothill Boulevard and Colorado Boulevard before the freeway swallowed it. The road's end at the Pacific turned a Mexican pueblo into the American dream's destination. The Wigwam Motel in San Bernardino, the last of its kind, is the final roadside icon before LA proper.
Why Visit
It's the last night of the journey, the proper celebration, and a chance to ride through the most famous city in the world on a motorcycle. Stay downtown or near the beach and toast the road before the short, emotional ride to Santa Monica.
Best Motorcycle Roads
Angeles National Forest detour (the finest riding of the trip)
Instead of the traffic slog, take the Angeles Crest Highway through the mountains — pines, sweepers and no desert. The finest riding day of the whole trip. Don't miss it.
Foothill Boulevard (old 66 into LA)
Follow the original alignment through the San Gabriel Valley — slow but the real road.
Best Hotels
The Tuck Hotel
PremiumA stylish downtown LA base to celebrate the last night on the road — rooftop bar and a proper dinner.
Hotel Figueroa
PremiumA 1926 downtown landmark with a famous poolside bar — historic, central and a great finish.
Best Restaurants
Philippe the Original
Sandwiches
The 1908 originator of the French dip sandwich — a LA institution and a perfect casual last-night meal.
Must Try · French dip sandwich (beef, double-dipped)
Original Pantry Cafe
Diner
Open since 1924, never closed, never without a queue — a proper old-LA breakfast for your last morning.
Hidden Gems
- The Wigwam Motel, San Bernardino — the last of the Route 66 tipi motels, en route into the city.
- The Angeles Forest detour — see 'best roads'. Do it.
- Olvera Street — the original 1781 pueblo of Los Angeles, a market street with real history.
Photography Spots
- The Wigwam Motel tipis with your bike, San Bernardino.
- Downtown LA skyline from the Figueroa rooftop.
- Burbank's neon signs and classic car culture.
Sunrise & Sunset
Around 6am. From Griffith Observatory if you're up early — the whole basin below you.
From the Hollywood hills or a rooftop downtown — the city glows.
Practical Information
- Chevron on Sunset Boulevard — central, easy access.
- Arco/ampm stations across the Valley and downtown — cheap and plentiful.
LA is motorcycle-friendly — lane filtering is legal in California (the only state), and most hotels offer valet. Downtown street meters are cheap; read signs carefully for restrictions.
Suggested Walking Routes
Downtown historic core
A 1.5-mile walk from Olvera Street through the historic core to the rooftop bars — LA's oldest to newest.
Hollywood Walk of Fame
Touristy but the full LA cliche — a flat mile of stars and neon.
Weather & Ride Difficulty
Mediterranean — after the desert, LA feels like paradise. Summer days 28°C, nights 18°C, mostly sunny. June can be 'May Grey/June Gloom' with morning marine cloud. Smog lingers inland; the coast is clearer.
The traffic is the challenge — six lanes, fast mergers and impatient drivers. California lane-filtering helps a lot. Take the Angeles Forest detour to avoid the worst of it and ride the best miles on the trip.
Nearby Attractions
- Wigwam Motel, San Bernardino (en route)
- Griffith Observatory
- Hollywood Walk of Fame
- Olvera Street (El Pueblo de Los Angeles)
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes — California legally allows lane splitting/filtering. Do it sensibly at low speed and traffic becomes a non-issue. It's the one city on the route where a bike is faster than a car.
Some links may be affiliate links. If you buy through them, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. We only recommend products we believe are useful for riders.