a bit more modern, perhaps
Rancho Cucamonga is where Frank Zappa record his first album:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pal_Recording_Studio
Riverside is home to first navel orange in the US and the Mission inn
San Bernardino is where the site of the first McDonalds
http://www.route-66.com/mcdonalds/history.htm
http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.js...81474977006745
and I only live a block from Route 66:
http://www.wigwammotel.com/
http://www.legendsofamerica.com/CA-InlandEmpire.html