Fun Facts: Monrovia, California
- Route 66 took two separate alignments in Monrovia – one along Huntington Drive, and the other, older version leaving Huntington to travel along Shamrock Avenue onto Foothill Blvd.
- Before they launched the first McDonald’s in San Bernardino, the McDonald brothers operated two food stands on Route 66 in Monrovia:
- Downtown Monrovia (located conveniently between the city’s two Route 66 alignments) is a lively hub full of quirky shops, cozy cafes, and a welcoming small-town vibe- all of which make it a favorite for travelers and locals alike.
- Keep an eye out for Samson the Hot Tub Bear, the city’s beloved mascot; painted statues of him can be found around town as part of a public art project. The real Samson, a 500-pound black bear, gained fame in the 1990s for his habit of taking a dip in multiple residents’ hot tubs.
- The Monrovia Historical Museum, located in a former municipal pool building, offers a dive into the city’s colorful past and Route 66 heritage.
For more information:
POINTS OF INTEREST
- Flying A Gas Station
- Shamrock Ave.
- Aztec Hotel
- 301 W. Foothill
- Mar- k Twain Statue
- 321 S. Myrtle Ave
- Oak Park Motel
- 925 E. Huntington
- Sampson Statue
- Downtown on Myrtle