Elmer’s Bottle Tree Ranch – Oro Grande, California – Route 66
A Whimsical Wonderland
In January of 2017, I was riding my motorcycle on a solo trip through California. I followed a leg of Route 66 back towards Los Angeles. That’s where I learned about Elmer’s Bottle Tree Ranch.
![Route 66 Sign in Oro Grande California](https://i0.wp.com/photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-6LHWnJC/0/a200a5d3/X2/i-6LHWnJC-X2.jpg?w=768&ssl=1)
January 2, 2017, was a gray morning, I cruised along Route 66 through Oro Grande, California on a rented Triumph Tiger 800. Amongst the dusty scrub, I rolled up to an oasis.
Welcome to Elmer’s Bottle Tree Ranch
![Motorcycle road trip Elmer's bottle tree ranch route 66](https://i0.wp.com/photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-r7TThS6/1/3c970a92/X2/i-r7TThS6-X2.jpg?w=768&ssl=1)
The ranch was an unassuming place. When I pulled up and parked it almost felt like I was trespassing. I wondered if I could just walk in? Or if I needed to pay? Or how this all worked. But, there was no one there but me.
I figured, what the hell and made my way towards an opening in the fence. The welcome sign quelled my fears about trespassing.
![welcome sign at Elmers Bottle Tree Ranch in California](https://i0.wp.com/photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-WgjMLG5/1/2e1e1ab8/X2/i-WgjMLG5-X2.jpg?w=768&ssl=1)
Yup, I had the place to myself. I silently walked among the bottle trees listening to the wind make squeaking, tinkling music across the assemblages.
![Elmer's bottle tree ranch - motorcycle road trip](https://i0.wp.com/photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-LJpzrTN/0/31fde95a/X2/i-LJpzrTN-X2.jpg?w=768&ssl=1)
My only wish? That the sun was out. Seeing the light reflecting through the different colored glass must be magical on a bright blue day.
![https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-r7TThS6/1/3c970a92/X2/i-r7TThS6-X2.jpg](https://i0.wp.com/photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-KdVMbwT/1/03e2d844/XL/i-KdVMbwT-XL.jpg?w=900&ssl=1)
Aside from the bottles themselves, the bottle trees are also adorned with found objects and other assemblages.
![old cash register at Elmer's bottle tree ranch](https://i0.wp.com/photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-fbgTSK6/0/4272251c/X2/i-fbgTSK6-X2.jpg?w=900&ssl=1)
![motorcycle road trip to elmers bottle tree ranch](https://i0.wp.com/photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-R9nF799/1/0cc7ec18/X2/i-R9nF799-X2.jpg?w=768&ssl=1)
You know I couldn’t help but smile to see a hat tip to motorcycling.
![old gas pump at Elmers Bottle Tree Ranch in California](https://i0.wp.com/photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-NtpgmNL/0/becdbe5c/X2/i-NtpgmNL-X2.jpg?w=768&ssl=1)
A lovely Coco-Cola relic.
![Coca-Cola sign at the Bottle Tree Ranch in California on a motorcycle road trip of route 66](https://i0.wp.com/photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-k7V5W7P/1/3c7cd962/X2/i-k7V5W7P-X2.jpg?w=768&ssl=1)
Elmer’s Bottle Tree Ranch is definitely a place to get your kicks on Route 66.
![route 66 sign at elmers bottle tree ranch](https://i0.wp.com/photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-RVVn7MG/0/d497f9c6/X2/i-RVVn7MG-X2.jpg?w=900&ssl=1)
A forest of beautiful bottle trees.
![bottle trees at elmers bottle tree ranch](https://i0.wp.com/photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-kxV9CGq/1/e94e24e1/X2/i-kxV9CGq-X2.jpg?w=768&ssl=1)
Listen for the hypnotic twinkling sounds of the ranch:
Elmer’s Bottle Tree Ranch
24266 National Trails Hwy,
Oro Grande, CA 92368
Google Maps
Taking a ride along Route 66 has always been something on my bucket list. Appreciate the pictures, sounds like it was an awesome ride.
BTW – Nice bike to rent!