Summit Inn Cafe (Route 66 — Rebuilt)

Hilda and Cecil Stephens opened the original Summit Inn in 1952 at the crest of Cajon Pass on Route 66, capitalizing on the desperate thirst, hunger, and engine-cooling needs of cars and trucks that had just climbed the long, steep grade from San Bernardino. The cafe quickly became a Mother Road institution. Elvis Presley reportedly stopped there. Pierce Brosnan ate there during a film shoot. Generations of California road-trip families remember pulling into the gravel lot, the smell of grilled meat and desert sage, the postcard-perfect view, and the kitschy-but-genuine Route 66 atmosphere.

The signature menu item was the ostrich burger — Cecil and later owners offered ostrich, bison, and buffalo meats alongside classic beef as a memorable specialty that distinguished Summit Inn from every other Route 66 cafe. The gift shop sold T-shirts, Route 66 maps, postcards, mugs, magnets, and souvenirs that became prized possessions of road-trippers worldwide. The neon Summit Inn sign — bright red with yellow lettering, towering over the cafe — was one of the most photographed Route 66 signs in California.

When Interstate 15 was built through Cajon Pass in the 1960s and 70s, the Summit Inn — unlike most Route 66 businesses — actually benefited, because the freeway exit was placed close enough that travelers could still easily reach the cafe. The Summit Inn survived the broader Route 66 decline, prospered through the 1980s-2000s as Mother Road nostalgia revived, and remained an essential stop for any California Route 66 traveler — right up until that catastrophic August 2016 morning when the Bluecut Fire took it all in a few hours.

The Bluecut Fire ignited on August 16, 2016 in Cajon Pass and exploded with terrifying speed in the dry, wind-driven conditions — eventually burning more than 36,000 acres, destroying 105 homes, and forcing the evacuation of more than 80,000 people. The Summit Inn caught fire in the late afternoon as flames crested the pass. The wood-frame structure burned completely; only the iconic neon sign, blackened but still standing, survived. The owners and the Route 66 community were devastated.

For years after, the burned foundation became an informal pilgrimage site. Visitors left flowers, candles, and notes. Photographs of the lonely surviving sign against the empty foundation went viral on Route 66 forums and social media. Plans to rebuild advanced and stalled multiple times — insurance, permits, financing, and ownership changes all complicated the path forward. Eventually new ownership, partnership with the original family, and significant investment from Route 66 preservation interests delivered the funding and momentum to rebuild.

The new Summit Inn opened on or near the original site, designed to honor the historic character while meeting current building codes and fire-resistant construction standards. The original surviving sign has been restored and reinstalled. The menu reflects the original's beloved items — ostrich burgers, bison burgers, American diner classics — while the dining room and gift shop carry forward the Route 66 character. For 2026 Centennial travelers, this is a powerful story of loss and rebirth.

The Summit Inn is located in Hesperia (technically Oak Hills area) at the top of Cajon Pass, just off I-15 at the Oak Hill Road or Cajon Summit exit (verify current exit numbers — the rebuilt location may differ slightly from the original). From Victorville, it's about 20 minutes south on I-15. From the LA basin (San Bernardino), it's about 30 minutes north on I-15 with the long climb up Cajon Pass. The location provides spectacular views — San Bernardino Mountains to the south, Mojave Desert to the north, the historic Cajon Pass right outside.

Hours are typically 7am-3pm daily but may vary; the rebuilt operation is still establishing its rhythm. Call ahead or check the website before making a special trip. The menu features the signature ostrich and bison burgers, classic American breakfast served all day, milkshakes, sandwiches, salads, and rotating daily specials. Prices run $12-22 per person. The gift shop stocks Route 66 souvenirs, T-shirts, and the new Summit Inn merchandise that's already becoming collector's items.

Combine the Summit Inn with a Route 66 itinerary by stopping there as you descend (eastbound) or ascend (westbound) the Cajon Pass between Victorville and San Bernardino. Pair with the Wigwam Motel in Rialto (30 minutes south) for an essential southern-California Route 66 day. Park anywhere in the gravel lot. Restrooms are inside. The dining room has views; the outdoor deck (weather permitting) is even better. For 2026 Centennial photo opportunities, the restored Summit Inn sign is among the most evocative Route 66 photo subjects in California.