Welcome to
San Bernardino
San Bernardino is the birthplace of McDonald's — the McDonald brothers opened their original 1948 walk-up burger stand here, and the site is now the free Original McDonald's Site & Museum.
The town is also home to the Wigwam Motel (1949), with its 19 concrete teepees that Pixar's Cars based the Cozy Cone Motel on. Mitla Cafe (1937) is the Mexican-food institution where Glen Bell ate the tacos that inspired Taco Bell.
exploreThings to See & Do
Original McDonald's Site & Museum
The 1948 birthplace of fast food — where Dick and Mac McDonald invented the Speedee Service System on Route 66
Wigwam Motel (Rialto / San Bernardino)
One of only three surviving Wigwam Villages in America — sleep in a 1949 concrete teepee on Route 66
California Theatre of the Performing Arts
Restored 1928 movie palace where Will Rogers gave his final live performance — anchor of downtown San Bernardino's Route 66 heritage
Original McDonald's Site and Museum
The 1948 birthplace of the McDonald's fast-food revolution on San Bernardino's E Street — free unofficial museum at the original Speedee drive-in location
California Route 66 Museum (Victorville/San Bernardino corridor)
Free volunteer-run museum documenting California Route 66 history, the Cajon Pass crossing, and Inland Empire roadside heritage
Tips for Visiting San Bernardino
Original McDonald's Site & Museum is free, open daily 10am–5pm — don't miss the underground display.
Wigwam Motel teepees can be reserved by phone — book early, especially for weekends.
Mitla Cafe's green and red chile sauces are sold to take home.