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4.1
38 votes

Wigwam Motel

2728 W Foothill Blvd Historic Route 66, San Bernardino, California 92376-5333 USA

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Open Now
Thu 12a-11:59p
  • Independent
  • Credit Cards
    Accepted
  • Pet Friendly
  • Wheelchair
    Accessible
  • Public
    Restrooms

Road Trip Classic

Our Take

No. 7 has a double row of 19 Wigwams and it has undergone extensive renovations through the years. Gone are the days when rooms could be rented by the hour—a sign urging travelers to "Do it in a Teepee" once hung out front. No. 7 has a small, kidney-shaped pool and better souvenirs than the other two remaining Wigwam motels, including postcards, patches, pins, ornaments, and key tags. There are several vintage cars sitting on the property and a circular base in the back that looks like it may have been destined to be a 20th Wigwam, but it was never finished.

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“Rest in a wigwam the Route 66 Way!”

"When you first pull up to the Wigwam Motel what strikes you immediately is just how picture-perfect it looks. I've wanted to stay at the Wigwam Motel for years. When my husband and I first started working on Roadtrippers this was one of the very first places we added to the site. It's just so thoroughly American and such an iconic part of Route 66. So, last week I finally went. And it was awesome. Here are some reasons why you'll fall in love with the Wigwam Motel too. 1. It's a Motel...that's also a Wigwam. You can sleep in a Wigwam!  Yes, I know it seems kitschy, and it is, and I won't apologize for loving it. Spending the night in Wigwam Village #7 just feels cool. 2. Motel owner Kumar Patel is a rare breed of awesome. I had the great pleasure of hanging out with Kumar on my most recent trip down Route 66. I spent the night in one of the Wigwams with my 9-month-old son, Bruce, and then got to tour some amazing places, like the World's First McDonald's, Carey's Fine Automobiles, and we had a fantastic breakfast at D.J. Coffee Shop. Kumar lives and breathes Route 66. He does an exceptional job in promoting it as a travel destination and has gone to great length to encourage its preservation. America's lucky to have such a passionate business owner who works so tirelessly at promoting the road that helped define us as a country, and that continues to serve as a living time capsule of yesteryear. 3. The kids will LOVE it! Not only does spending the night in a Wigwam afford major bragging rights to the kids, there's also a pretty rad pool to cool off that's surrounded by...you guessed it, nineteen 30-foot tall teepees! 4. Location, location, location!!! If you started your Route 66 road trip from Chicago, the Wigwam Motel is conveniently located right as you enter the last stretch of your trip in California. There's plenty of cool places to hit up in the California stretch of Route 66. Definitely hit up the World's First McDonald's while you're in the neighborhood.  5. It's a timeless historical icon with quite the past... Built in 1949, the California Wigwam Motel is technically within the city limits of San Bernardino (though it has a Rialto postal address). It was the last of the Wigwam Motels that were built. Frank Redford, the brains behind this retro motel, was "heavily influenced by native Indian culture." Today there are only 3 Wigwam Motels left, and only two are located along Route 66. The other one is in Redford's home state of Kentucky. 6. Everything a weary traveler could need in a motel. Each individual wigwam has refrigerator, bathroom with a shower, cozy bed, A/C and there's also a BBQ area and pool.  7. A little something for everyone... From car enthusiasts to foreign travelers, from families to history buffs and travelers of all generations find something special about visiting the Wigwam Motel. 8. A bucket list-worthy roadside motel in every sense of the word. The motel oozes the kitschy, cult ideal of the Mother Road's finest roadside attractions. It immediately transports you to a bygone era of drive-in movies, all-day breakfast at aluminum diners and going on dates at the local soda shop.  9. It's like right out of a movie! When John Lassiter was scouting locations for his now-classic Disney Pixar film, Cars, he was immediately struck by just how classic the Route 66 Wigwam Motels were. Other Route 66 places that made a cameo include the Tower Conoco & U-Drop Inn, Blue Swallow Motel, Rt. 66 Roy's Motel Cafe & Gas Station and this gas station in Galena, KS: 4 Women On the Route." -Roadtrippers The California Wigwam Motel was built within the city limits of San Bernardino in 1949, a period when citrus groves flourished. The motel would later acquire a Rialto postal address, creating confusions as the property actually sits in San Bernardino. This Route 66 Motel is fun for all, located only minutes from Colton, Grand Terrace, Redlands, Big Bear, Highland, Rancho Cucamonga, Fontana, and Bloomington, CA. This location would mark the final of 7 Wigwam Motels that were constructed. The motel's village-style arrangement of nineteen 30-foot-tall tepees made from wood framing, concrete and stuco draws much admiration from all generations. Each individual wigwam is carefully equipped with all the traveler's essentials with grounds that includes of grass area, an outdoor barbecue grill and kidney-shaped swimming pool.

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Reviewed by
BabysVacantStare

  • 1 Review
  • 10 Helpful
December 12, 2013
Rated

I have to say this is THE BEST place to stay in Southern California (I say, as I am booking my fourth stay in the last two years)! The rooms are clean, comfortable and you are right on Rt. 66. Staying at the Wigwam is not like staying at your typical motel. The guests, hang out with each other, which is something that you dont find at other places and the owners, the Patel family, are the most amazing people that you meet. They love this place and their guests. And it shows. This is a true treasure that you dont want to miss.

Will I stay anywhere else? NOPE! The Wigwam is my Cali home.

10 people found this review helpful

Reviewed by
Tatiana Danger

  • Road Warrior
  • 1,169 Reviews
  • 910 Helpful
August 30, 2014
Rated 5.0

I can't say enough awesome things about the Wigwam Motel in California. First of all, Kumar, the owner, is amazing. He's such a great guy. He gave me and my son Bruce a tour of the area after we checked out. He loves Route 66 and loves talking about the Road. The room was incredibly clean and well-appointed. Big TV, nice bathroom, comfy bed. I wish I could have gone swimming because the pool looked really fun. Overall, I can't wait to go back!

4 people found this review helpful

Reviewed by
TheaterLover2014

  • 3 Reviews
  • 3 Helpful
July 27, 2016
Rated 1.0

Here's the deal: there's novelty--it's fun--its iconic, HOWEVER, this place is shady AF. I don't care that it's small--I care that the windows are incredibly low to the ground and easily jimmied open; the one in the bathroom is without a screen, any bum could just pop on in for a rest. I'm glad it's clean, but I'm staying here in July and I'm sweating my ass off (AC is on full blast). ALSO, this neighborhood is super sketch. Like SUPER. If I wake up and my car is gone I'm gonna be pissed. Luckily I'm traveling with my dogs, and I have a taser... Lord help me. May we all pray for my safety (and the others staying here) tonight. PS, it smells like dank weed. I'm not complaining, because it's funny and stereotypical, but if you have kids--SO MUCH POT STANK.

3 people found this review helpful

Reviewed by
Amanda

  • 2 Reviews
  • 3 Helpful
June 03, 2015
Rated 5.0

Kumar was an entertaining host, and a helpful guide for a first time roadie! I've been there twice since August 2014, and would go back again in a heart beat!

2 people found this review helpful

Reviewed by
Jill.Connor.86

  • 11 Reviews
  • 12 Helpful
May 31, 2015
Rated 4.0

Very cool place to stay. Very friendly front desk. They don't have a computer system tho. And shower was very small. I'm only 5' 3" and I was tall in it.

2 people found this review helpful

Reviewed by
nadina.medlin

  • 1 Review
  • 2 Helpful
July 09, 2014
Rated

We love staying at the Wigwam Motel. It is exceptional, spotlessly clean and comfortable. The Patel family are wonderful hosts. They are friendly and welcoming. Nicest place on the Route!

2 people found this review helpful

Reviewed by
blundie

  • 3 Reviews
  • 2 Helpful
June 27, 2014
Rated

Lovely owners and clean rooms. A super deal on Rt 66!

2 people found this review helpful

Reviewed by
Katita

  • 3 Reviews
  • 2 Helpful
June 06, 2015
Rated 3.0

Just stopped by to take pictures and it's a really cool little place. The only thing is that it's kind of in a shady part of town.

1 person found this review helpful

Reviewed by
Lety

  • 7 Reviews
  • 7 Helpful
April 29, 2015
Rated 4.0

Excellent photo op. Neighborhood its a little rough. Staff really nice.
L

1 person found this review helpful

Reviewed by
Austin Coop

  • 485 Reviews
  • 505 Helpful
July 17, 2014
Rated 5.0

I love all the Wigwam Motels left in America and make it a point to share them with anyone I know traveling near one. Wigwam Village #7 is no different! People are friendly and the rooms are not only unique but clean and comfortable.

1 person found this review helpful

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Wigwam Motel

2728 W Foothill Blvd Historic Route 66
San Bernardino, California
92376-5333 USA
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Hours

Open 24 hours today
  • Sun - Sat: 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

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Check In
3pm
Check Out
11am
Rooms Count
19
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    All Day Front Desk
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