Before I opened my shop on the Santa Monica Pier, I'd traveled Route 66 over 25 times. A few years back, I noticed a big problem happening with it: From Chicago to L.A., I couldn't find a nice American-made t-shirt anymore. For a road as American as Route 66, that just seemed ridiculous, so in 2008, I set out to do something about it.

For years, my friend John has been manufacturing the finest brands of t-shirts in the USA at his little factory in downtown L.A., so I asked him if he could make a Route 66 t-shirt for me.  My wife and I went to work on that first design, and when the first order was finished, she and I jumped in my truck (packed with shirts) and drove to Chicago.

All across the country, we asked owners of the nicest Route 66 Landmarks if they were interested in a US Made Route 66 t-shirt that was the best quality the Route had ever seen. Guess what? After seeing and feeling them, they all said "yes." Long story short…by the time I got back to L.A. eight days later, my company "66-to-Cali" had been born.

One problem: We had no base of operations! But there was another oversight we wanted to correct that could change that. Since 1926, there'd never been a shop dedicated to Route 66 at its traditional end on the Santa Monica Pier. How was that possible?! So we asked the city's permission, they said "yes," and suddenly we'd established the first ever Route 66 business at the end of Route 66!

At our shop, we have one rule. Everything is made-in-the-USA...our shirts, our signs, our books, right down to our magnets and shotglasses. Everything. And here’s why: The Route always represented the best America had to offer. That said, when you buy a "66-to-Cali" product, you're supporting a heritage that is true to Route 66's original legacy...strengthening the American economy!  Basically, you're helping us return the road to its rightful heritage of making this country strong.

So thanks for visiting "66-to-Cali" online! As the guy at the end of the road, I make it my responsibility to be the welcoming friend who provides a suitable, celebratory end to your Route 66 journey. So come down and see me. Buy a shirt. And like so many before you, celebrate the end of the road, and the beginning of the dream! I thank you for your business!

Your friend at the end,

Dan Rice