Old US Route 66
Amboy - Roy's Motel & Cafe
Jump to: 2007 Update - Your Comments

"My folks went to fort ord in June 1963 I was 13. i remember it was like 85 degrees at 10pm at night when we stopped in Amboy and stayed over night. I have post cards and pictures from 1963 in the attic. I realize how neat it is to see all this on the internet now. I plan on retiring soon and plan on a route 66 trip. haven't seen any of this for 45 yrs. it was a different world then..."

--- Ron Aaroen

"I was stationed at 29 palms from 1956 until 1958.    I live in Indiana and 3 times I came to Amboy to catch the greyhound bus to come home on old route 66.   I have great memories of those trips.    Glad Amboy is still on the map."

--- Anonymous

"I have good news! Just past Amboy... in the tiny spot called
Chambless...there IS a trailer park! With FULL HOOKUPS! It is run by Walt
and he has a really nice set up out there. Check him out! A really nice guy!"

--- Deborah

We went on a trip in Sept. (2007) & on the way home through Amboy our trailer broke down. We were stranded there for hours waiting for the repair man to come. We met Larry and he was the most. He went all out to help us & every one that came by. We had to stay the night & Larry plugged our electric into his home. All the people that live around there were so nice to us. And I couldn't believe all the tourist that stopped by just to see Amboy. Please keep the post office going. Those people there need it & we would like to see the town thrive again. Thanks again Larry for all you did for us, & every one that stopped by.

---Jo Crawford

In '96 on my first motorcycle ride along the 'Mother Road' I happened onto Roy's on my way to Santa Monica from Virginia. Thirsty, Hungry, and overheated on that mid-afternoon in early September ride from Needles, Roy's was a surprise and a more than welcome sight. After a few iced teas, and probably the best Cheeseburger ever, I continued on way refreshed, refueled, and smiling. Since then, I've made five more rides from east coast to west coast over that same stretch of desert '66' and each time I have been hopeful, but disappointed to find that oasis in the desert still closed up.
With the re-awareness and increasing interest in travel on the Mother Road, there are more than a few of us that would love to see Roy's revived and reopened for business. Since I first stopped there years ago, I have wanted to spend at least one night at the motel followed by breakfast in the diner.
I hope it's there for all of us on my next trip west from Needles.

--- Bob

Amboy is an awesome little town. My parents live in California, and I live in Nevada. So when I come to visit them I take the back roads from Cima, California then thru Kelso, California and into Amboy. It is a beautiful ride along Route 66. The Shoe Tree gets larger every years and I take a picture everytime. It is awesome to look at and I hope it is never removed. Amboy is looking awesome to, new paint, and little rooms to stay at. They look like they are open but cannot be sure. As for the Post Office it would be a shame to close such an historic landmark. It needs to stay open for those in the area who still live close by. Those people do not need to drive 25 to 50 miles to get there mail. Amboy is a great little town with wonderful people. Thank you for wonderful memories each and every time I visit, which is at least 2 or 3 times a year. Thanks,

--- Luwana Faulkenburg

I used to live and work in Amboy. The people there were wonderful, and I wish I'd never left. Life was simple. We would have monthly potlucks at the school and everyone came. I worked in the diner and a woman who lived with her family at the salt plant, and made lunches for the kids at the school would watch my daughter everyday for me. I really miss the closeness we all shared. 

--- Jeri

My mom and dad grew up in Amboy when it was booming town before the 40 Freeway was built, my grandma's and grandpa's house was by Hills brothers no longer there but its wonderful memories for my mom when she goes out there. I've been through there a couple of times on my way to Las Vegas.  I stopped there to get a cold drink and have used the post office there, it would be a shame to close it.

--- Rebecca

March 07, 2008: My wife and I have been by Amboy many times, on this trip out to Amboy Crater we saw that the gas station was open and servicing gas and diesel.

--- Alex
 

In 1978-1981 I was assigned to the Needles Desert Substation with the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Dept. When things were really slow we would take the road from the cut-off at Mountain Pass and head off to Goffs and Essex. A couple of times we would meet with the 29 Palms Deputies for a mail or prisoner run exchange. Knowing that we could refuel on water and a great sandwich or burger we would leave a little early in order to beat the 29 Stumps (our namesake for the Palms) Deputy in order to enjoy the company and food at Roy's. The last time I passed through Amboy was in 2005 and a plethora of emotions and memories surged up, reminding me of the greatest days of my career in law enforcement, and the people whom I chose to serve and protect in that short time period in my 26 year career. I now am a teacher and I regale the history of Amboy and places like it to my students as what America, and California specifically, were made of in the early days. I plan to revisit Roy's
sometime in the spring (my wife doesn't fare well in the heat) and to actually slow down and walk the grounds and visit an old friend.

-- Curtis Ward
 

As a boy in the 50s and growing up in calif , I saw Amboy at its best, and have seen it deserted. a few weeks ago i was through it and now see much improvement. Forget the interstate,with its trucker bombs"bottles of urine" and drive route 66 ,take the highway thats the best, it keeps getting better out there.

-- Michael D. Haskins
 

I also remember this place. Looks like cousin Ron was reminiscing, like myself.
It's quite the place. My understanding is that it's still there, time truly has stood still. 1963 was a great year, I remember them visiting us in Fort Ord, California.

-- Roy Aaroen
 

I have been to Amboy a hundred or so times since 1982. It is a special place on the road for me and my family. It would be great if the motel could open again. With the right marketing this place could become profitable again.

-- Tim Allison