The city of West Hollywood unveiled Route 66 street signs that will be installed along Santa Monica Boulevard this fall. (photo by Edwin Folven)

Vintage cars lined the parking lot at Plummer Park on Aug. 16 during the city of West Hollywood’s Route 66 Centennial Celebration, marking the 100th anniversary of the “Mother Road” in 2026.

The celebratory event also included the unveiling of new West Hollywood Route 66 signage designed by the artist Sküt that will be installed along Santa Monica Boulevard this fall. The event featured a retro slide show presentation by pop culture historian and author Charles Phoenix, children’s games and food. The day concluded with the final Summer Sounds concert of the season in Plummer Park.

“It is great to see all the cars out here in the park,” West Hollywood resident Al Wilson said. “It’s just great to spend a day in the park and be part of the fun.”

Route 66 opened between Chicago and Los Angeles in 1926. The section of Santa Monica Boulevard in Hollywood, West Hollywood, Beverly Hills, West Los Angeles and Santa Monica was part of the iconic road.

In conjunction with the 100th anniversary of the highway, the cities of West Hollywood, Beverly Hills and Santa Monica are collaborating on a public art initiative, presenting “Path Discovery” by artist Vinnie Hager. The vibrant series of graphic artworks will be displayed as vinyl wraps on street poles in West Hollywood and Santa Monica, and as art banners along Santa Monica Boulevard in Beverly Hills. Featuring customized Route 66 shields and colorful motifs inspired by the joy of exploration and the cultural legacy of the historic highway, the project brings a unified artistic experience to the iconic corridor.

The collaboration marks the first time the three cities have partnered on a public art initiative, visually connecting Santa Monica Boulevard from West Hollywood to Santa Monica and the Pacific Ocean. As part of the Route 66 Centennial project, Luciana Abait’s “Road Trip,” a temporary vinyl mural, is on display at 8315 Santa Monica Blvd. in West Hollywood. Also, Sylke Meyer’s “Past Tense/Future Perfect” temporary sculpture will be on display this fall at Plummer Park, 7377 Santa Monica Blvd. The sculpture captures the motion, mythology and memory of Route 66 through a curved fiberglass camera obscura.

For information, visit go.weho.org/route66.

The city of Beverly Hills is holding a Route 66-themed art making workshop at the Beverly Hills Art Show on Saturday, Oct. 17, and Sunday, Oct. 18, from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. in Beverly Gardens Park, 9439 Santa Monica Blvd. The event features Green Dog Workshop’s personalized folded paper cars and maps; eDiscover Center’s “vehicles to go” project using upcycled art materials; and Starry Night Designs Route 66 road trip-themed marbled coasters.

The Petersen Automotive Museum will also hold a community project on Oct. 18 from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. at the Beverly Hills Art Show with a full-sized vehicle for children and families to decorate. For information, visit beverlyhills.org/1807/Route-66-Centennial.

Santa Monica is holding “Cinema by the Sea” on Saturdays, Aug. 22 and 29, from 8-11 p.m. at Regent Santa Monica Beach, 1700 Ocean Ave. Road trip-inspired movies are paired with Route 66-inspired cocktails.

The city is also seeking submissions for the Santa Monica Route 66 Music Contest, inviting musicians and songwriters to submit an original song that captures the spirit, history and cultural significance of the city’s iconic connection to Route 66. The grand prize is $10,000.

For information, visit santamonica.com/route66.