California 52 East


Cresting over the Mission Trails Summit (el. 821 feet), the valley containing Santee, El Cajon, and Lakeside come into view on eastbound California 52. Santee, which is part of the cluster of cities and unincorporated communities known locally as "East County," serves as the eastern terminus of California 52. Photo taken 04/09/11.

Torrey Pines Road north
The first appearance of Interstate 5 and California 52 overhead sign trailblazers along northbound Torrey Pines Road (Historic U.S. 101W) occurs at the intersection with La Jolla Shores Drive and Torrey Pines Lane. Photo taken 01/24/07.
An erroneous Interstate 52 shield is posted on the next set of overhead signs as Torrey Pines Road approaches La Jolla Parkway. Continue straight ahead to merge onto La Jolla Parkway east to California 52 and Interstate 5 south. Turn left on Torrey Pines Road north to Interstate 5 north and to continue along the route of Old U.S. 101. Photo taken 01/24/07.
La Jolla Parkway east
After departing the Torrey Pines Road intersection, eastbound La Jolla Parkway carries four lanes. La Jolla Parkway culminates in an interchange with Interstate 5 south and California 52 east. Use California 52 east to Interstate 805 north/south. Photo taken 08/21/04.
To California 52 east, use the left lane. To Interstate 5 south, use the right lane. Photo taken 08/21/04.
Eastbound La Jolla Parkway (former Ardath Road) transitions onto eastbound California 52 at this sign bridge, with an option to take Interstate 5 (San Diego Freeway) southbound. There is no access to northbound Interstate 5. This is the only remaining sign that uses the control city of "San Clemente Canyon" in association with east California 52. Photo taken 08/21/04.
California 52 (Soledad Freeway) east
Eastbound California 52 begins as La Jolla Parkway connects directly onto the Soledad Freeway alignment. The single lane of eastbound through traffic from La Jolla Parkway receives additional lanes from northbound Interstate 5 (from the right) and southbound Interstate 5 (from the left). Photo taken 07/27/02.
The first exit along California 52 (Soledad Freeway) east is Exit 1, Clairemont Mesa Boulevard east and Regents Road north. The first photo shows the connection to California 52 east from La Jolla Parkway, and the second photo shows the connection from Interstate 5 north. Photo taken 08/23/04.
The right lane becomes exit only for Clairemont Mesa Boulevard east and Regents Road north. Photo taken 04/09/11.
Eastbound California 52 (Soledad Freeway) reaches Exit 1, Clairemont Mesa Boulevard and Regents Road. Clairemont Mesa Boulevard heads south and then west from here, roughly parallel to California 52 through the Clairemont and Kearny Mesa communities of San Diego. Regents Road heads north into University City. Photos taken 01/19/12 and 08/23/04.

The next exit along eastbound California 52 is Exit 2, Genesee Avenue (some maps show this as a southerly extension of San Diego County S-21, but it is not signed as such), one mile. This sign was replaced in October 2003. Photo taken 08/23/04.
A California 52 east reassurance shield is posted after the on-ramp from Clairemont Mesa Drive and Regents Road. Photo taken 08/23/04.
Genesee Avenue travels north into the University City community of San Diego and south into the Clairemont community of San Diego. This arterial roadway is generally four lanes wide through San Clemente Canyon. On the south side of the freeway is Marian Bear Park, which is an open space park with trail that parallels the freeway. This sign was replaced between 2007 and 2010, but no exit number was added. Photos taken 04/09/11 and 08/23/04.
Eastbound California 52 reaches Exit 2, Genesee Avenue. Photo taken 04/09/11.
The ramp from California 52 (Soledad Freeway) loops to Genesee Avenue. A gore point sign indicates that this is Exit 2. Photo taken 04/09/11.
The next exit along eastbound California 52 is Exit 3, Interstate 805 (Jacob Dekema [Inland] Freeway). From Interstate 5 east to the location of this picture, California 52 has followed narrow San Clemente Canyon. However, the canyon widens out at the Interstate 805 interchange, and California 52 leaves the canyon on the east side of the interchange. Photo taken 08/23/04.
A California 52 east reassurance shield is posted on eastbound Soledad Freeway between Genesee Avenue and Interstate 805. The section of California 52 freeway between Interstate 5 and Interstate 805 is the first section of California 52 to open. Photo taken 04/09/11.
The right two lanes of California 52 (Soledad Freeway) will connect to Interstate 805. Stay left for the continuation of California 52 east. Interstate 805 travels north, straddling University City and Mira Mesa before ending at Interstate 5 in Sorrento Valley near Torrey Hills and Carmel Valley. To the south, Interstate 805 serves the communities of Clairemont and Kearny Mesa. Photo taken 05/22/04.
Eastbound California 52 (Soledad Freeway) reaches Exit 3, Interstate 805/Jacob Dekema Freeway north to Sorrento Valley, Carmel Valley, and Los Angeles. To the south, Interstate 805 connects with Interstate 8 in Mission Valley and proceeds through North Park and City Heights en route to National City, Chula Vista, and ultimately San Ysidro near the International Border with Mexico. Photo taken 05/22/04.
Now looking at the transition ramp from eastbound California 52 to Interstate 805, use the left lane to connect to northbound and the right lane to southbound. Photos taken 08/23/04 and 05/22/04.
Back on the mainline, this view shows California 52 east as it passes through the Interstate 805 stack interchange as seen from eastbound California 52. Travelers on Interstate 805 would hardly realize that this interchange is so tall, since all of the connecting ramps are located under that freeway. Photos taken 08/23/04.
The next exit along eastbound California 52 is Exit 5, Convoy Street. Convoy Street leads south into Kearny Mesa, and it is well known for the many ethnically diverse eateries along its corridor. Photo taken 08/23/04.
As California 52 climbs out of San Clemente Canyon, it approaches this mileage sign for the next three exits: Exit 5, Convoy Street; Exit 6, California 163 south; and Exit 7, Interstate 15/Kearny Villa Road. Photo taken 08/23/04.
Eastbound California 52 (Soledad Freeway) reaches Exit 5, Convoy Street. This exit leads to the City of San Diego landfill. California 52 through this area was built on the original landfill, and as a result, the road has a tendency to sink. This forms the dips that are common along the road and is why the road is asphalt rather than concrete. Photo taken 04/09/11.
The next exit along eastbound is Exit 6, California 163 (Cabrillo Freeway) south to downtown San Diego. There is no ramp to northbound California 163; northbound traffic should instead use north Interstate 15 (Exit 7). Photo taken 02/16/05.
This mileage sign along eastbound California 52 provides the distance to the next three exits: Exit 6, California 163; Exit 7, Interstate 15 and Kearny Villa Road; and Exit 8, Santo Road. Photos taken 05/16/09 and 08/23/04.
Eastbound California 52 reaches Exit 6, California 163 Southbound and approaches Exit 7, Kearny Villa Road (old U.S. 395) and Interstate 15. The ramps visible in the distance are associated with California 163, but this off-ramp leads to all three routes. Photos taken 05/16/09 and 08/23/04.
Use Exit 7 to Kearny Villa Road (former U.S. 395). Photo taken 05/16/09.
Immediately thereafter, eastbound California 52 next reaches Exit 7 for Kearny Villa Road and Interstate 15. Kearny Villa Road is the original U.S. 395, and an old expressway segment that parallels Interstate 15 between California 163 and Miramar Road is accessible by taking Kearny Villa Road northbound. Interstate 15 is a major north-south freeway that leads north to the northern reaches of San Diego as well as Escondido and eventually Temecula in Riverside County. Photos taken 05/16/09, 08/23/04, and 02/16/05.
Use Exit 7 to reach Kearny Villa Road (Old U.S. 395), which follows an old alignment of Interstate 15 to the north and follows the route of U.S. 395 from before the construction of California 163 (Cabrillo Freeway). Photo taken 02/16/05.
Now on the transition ramp to Interstate 15 from eastbound California 52, the first ramp serves Kearny Villa Road (Old U.S. 395). The ramp to Interstate 15 south and north is just ahead. Note the newer sign at the gore point and the older sign on side of the road. Photos taken 02/16/05 and 05/16/09.
The right lane connects to Interstate 15 south. This new sign replaces the one seen on the left side in the previous photo. Photo taken 05/16/09.
Both lanes will connect to northbound Interstate 15, but only the right lane connects to the ramp to southbound Interstate 15 to Murphy Canyon and City Heights. Photo taken 05/16/09.
Traffic bound for south Interstate 15 departs here, while those connecting to northbound Interstate 15 will use the "Citizens for 52 Bridge" to make the connection. Cowles Mountain (the highest point within the city of San Diego and a focal point of Mission Trails Regional Park) and Fortuna Mountain come into view in the distance. Photos taken 05/16/09 and 02/16/05.
The flyover transition ramp that carries traffic from California 52 east to Interstate 15 north is signed as the "Citizens for 52 Bridge." Photo taken 05/16/09.
This view looks north from the transition ramp toward Interstate 15 north. This view has changed as the new managed lanes project progresses. Photo taken 08/23/04.
Back on the mainline, this view shows the transition ramp that carries traffic from east California 52 to north Interstate 15 as seen from the mainlanes along eastbound. The overhead transition ramp seen in the last picture is the one signed as "Citizens for 52 Bridge." Photos taken 04/09/11 and 05/22/04.
Traffic from Interstate 15 north joins California 52 east. Busy nearly every afternoon (especially during commute hours), quite a few motorists make their way from San Diego to Santee and Lakeside via California 52. Watch for stopped or slowing traffic as the freeway gains elevation en route to the Mission Trails summit. Photo taken 04/09/11.
The next exit along eastbound California 52 (Soledad Freeway) is Exit 8, Santo Road, 0.75 mile. The guide sign was replaced to include the exit number between 2005 and 2009. Photos taken 04/09/11 and 02/16/05.
Due to the commuter traffic on this route every weekday morning and afternoon, a commuter bus runs along California 52. This sign provides motorists with the number for more information about this route. Photo taken 04/09/11.
This mileage sign is found along eastbound California 52, and it provides the distance to Exit 8, Santo Road; Exit 13, Mast Boulevard; and Exit 14, Mission Gorge Road. In the original mileage sign, Mission Gorge Road was omitted, and an extra space was left on the sign for Jackson Drive, which was to be extended north through what is now Mission Trails Regional Park on the east side of Tierrasanta. The extension of Jackson Drive was removed from the regional transportation plan once the park was expanded westward. The new sign was posted in late 2010 or early 2011 around the same time new signs were posted for the extension of California 52 through Santee. Photos taken 04/09/11 and 02/16/05.
Eastbound California 52 (Soledad Freeway) reaches Exit 8, Santo Road. Santo Road leads south into the Tierrasanta community. Most of this area burned in the wildfires of Sunday, October 26, 2003. Photo taken 04/09/11.
A gore point sign is posted for Exit 8, Santo Road. Photo taken 04/09/11.
This mileage sign provides the distance to the next three exits along eastbound: Exit 13, Mast Boulevard; Exit 14, Mission Gorge Road; and Exit 15, California 125 south to La Mesa, Chula Vista, and Otay Mesa. Space was allocated in the original sign for the unconstructed and never to be built Jackson Drive interchange. The new sign was posted in late 2010 or early 2011 in conjunction with the freeway extension in Santee. Photos taken 04/09/11 and 05/22/04.
Mission Trails Regional Park, with North/South Fortuna Mountain and Cowles Mountain, comes into view after the Santo Road overpass. There are no exits for the next five miles. The park is owned and operated by the City of San Diego. To the north is the Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) at Miramar, which is owned by the federal government. Photo taken 04/09/11.
This reassurance marker for California 52 is located immediately after the Santo Road interchange. Photo taken 05/22/04.
Eastbound California 52 passes through the scenic open space of Mission Trails Regional Park. Somewhere in the vicinity of this picture, Jackson Drive was at one time planned to connect to California 52. The road and the adjacent planned neighborhoods were never constructed, and those lands are now part of the Mission Trails Regional Park open space. Photo taken 05/22/04.
A climbing lane allows for a third lane as California 52 climbs toward Mission Trails Summit (the elevation of California 52 at this summit is 821 feet - the 1,291 feet cited on the version of the sign posted in 2006 is incorrect, has been corrected, and reflects the elevation at the top of nearby North Fortuna Mountain). Signage for the summit was placed in late 2005; the last photo (taken in 2009) shows the corrected elevation. A barrier-separated bike lane is also found on the shoulder of California 52. Photos taken 04/09/11, 03/28/09, and 01/27/06.
Descending from the summit, California 52 skirts the northern edge of Mission Trails Regional Park. This large open space park, situated around the San Diego River as it passes through picturesque Mission Gorge, offers passive recreation including hiking, sightseeing, and wildlife viewing. Use Exit 13 (Mast Boulevard) east to West Hills Parkway south to Mission Gorge Road west to Kumeyaay Lakes, Mission Trails Visitor Center, and Old Mission Dam. After the summit, California 52 used to revert back to two lanes. However, the three-lane eastbound configuration was extended in 2009 all the way to Mast Boulevard. See the 2004 picture for the former merge point on the descent into Santee. During commute hours, this merge used to add to significant traffic delays along this route. While this third lane expansion has improved the situation, SANDAG (the San Diego Association of Governments, the local planning organization) plans to add Managed Lanes to this segment of California 52 due to its high traffic volumes. Photos taken 04/09/11 and 05/22/04.
As California 52 descends from the summit, it approaches its next exit (the first in five miles): Exit 13, Mast Boulevard, one mile. These two pictures show the expanded freeway that opened in 2009. Photos taken 04/09/11 and 02/16/05.
A set of San Diego Gas and Electric electric transmission power lines crosses over California 52 in Mission Trails Regional Park. Photos taken 03/28/09 and 04/09/11.
Eastbound California 52 approaches Exit 13, Mast Boulevard (one-half mile). The overhead sign was replaced with an exit number sign by 2010. Photos taken 04/09/11 and 02/16/05.
Use Mast Boulevard north to West Hills Parkway south to reach San Diego's Mission Trails Regional Park. Santee Lakes are located north of Mast Boulevard via Fanita Drive. Photos taken 04/09/11 and 02/16/05.
Eastbound California 52 reaches Exit 13, Mast Boulevard. Mast Boulevard heads south to Mission Gorge Road and northeast into Santee. Unfortunately, a short segment of Mission Gorge Road is not constructed near the boundary between Santee and Lakeside, thus rendering the street ineffective for regional traffic flow. Instead, traffic must use California 52 and Mission Gorge Road east. Photos taken 04/09/11 and 02/16/05.
After the Exit 13 gore point, the third lane of California 52 ends (just prior to the San Diego River bridge, which has only two lanes in each direction). Photo taken 04/09/11.
Curving southeast to cross the San Diego River, this interchange sequence sign provides the distance to the next three exits on California 52 (Soledad Freeway) east: Exit 14, Mission Gorge Road; Exit 15, California 125 south; and Exit 17, Cuyamaca Street. Photos taken 04/09/11 and 02/16/05.
California 52 passes over Mast Boulevard on a two-lane bridge for eastbound traffic. Tall radio towers dominate the scene on both sides of the freeway as we travel south to cross the San Diego River. Photos taken 04/09/11.
As traffic merges onto eastbound California 52 from Mast Boulevard, the freeway crosses the San Diego River. The bridge is named in honor of Border Patrol Officer Neil Wilkie Hepburn, who was killed on September 7, 2007, by a wrong-way drunk driver on California 52. Photos taken 04/09/11.
The next exit along eastbound California 52 is Exit 14, Mission Gorge Road. A major arterial corridor, Mission Gorge Road provides an east-west connection through the heart of Santee and the best route to California 67. It also travels southwest into the city of San Diego en route to the communities of Grantville and Mission Valley. The second off-ramp is Exit 15, which connects to California 125 south. Photos taken 04/09/11 and 03/28/09.
For the first time in its journey, California 52 departs the city of San Diego and enters the city of Santee. Incorporated on December 1, 1980, Santee consists of 16.56 square miles, sits at an elevation of 350 feet, and had a population of 52,975 as of the 2000 Census. Continuing construction of new homes has brought rapid growth to this city, which lies northeast of the city of San Diego. A portion of Mission Trails Regional Park lies within the city limits of Santee, while the majority of the park is within the city of San Diego. This city limits sign was replaced between 2006 and 2009. Photos taken 03/28/09 and 01/27/06.
Eastbound California 52 meets Exit 14, Mission Gorge Road. The next exit along eastbound is Exit 15, California 125 south, followed by Exit 17, Cuyamaca Street. The freeway extends east to California 67. While California 125 is complete south of here, it is possible that California 125 could be extended north as well. However, the exact path for California 125 north (if ever built) has not yet been determined. Photos taken 04/09/11 and 02/16/05.
Upon exiting at Exit 14, the off-ramp widens to three lanes. Turn left to follow Mission Gorge Road east to Santee and right to Mission Gorge Road west to Mission Trails Regional Park and the San Diego communities of Grantville and Mission Valley. Photo taken 03/28/09.
Shortly thereafter, eastbound California 52 reaches Exit 15, California 125 south. Prior to the completion of the extension of California 52 east as part of the Sunnyside Gateway Project, all traffic had to depart onto California 125 south. The freeway was extended to California 67 on March 29, 2011. Photos taken 04/09/11 and 02/16/05.
Two lanes depart from California 52 east to California 125 south to La Mesa, Lemon Grove, Spring Valley, Chula Vista, and the International Border with Mexico at Otay Mesa. The left two lanes continue east on California 52 into Santee. Photos taken 04/09/11.
Traffic transitioning from California 125 north to California 52 west passes over the eastbound lanes of California 52. Photos taken 04/09/11.
California 52 passes over the main lanes of California 125, which only travel a short distance north to end at Mission Gorge Road. Fanita Drive also passes under the California 52 freeway. Photos taken 04/09/11.
Traffic from California 125 north joins California 52 east at the merge point ahead. The final distance of California 52 (between California 125 and California 67) opened to traffic on March 29, 2011. Photos taken 04/09/11.
This interchange sequence sign provides the distance to the final four exits along California 52 (Soledad Freeway) east: Exit 17, Cuyamaca Street; Exit 18A, Magnolia Avenue; Exit 18B, California 67 (San Vicente Freeway) south to El Cajon; and Exit 18C, California 67 (San Vicente Freeway) north to Lakeside and Ramona. Photo taken 04/09/11.
A California 52 east reassurance shield is posted after the on-ramp from California 125 and prior to Exit 17, Cuyamaca Street. Photo taken 04/09/11.
The next exit along California 52 (Soledad Freeway) east is Exit 17, Cuyamaca Street. Photo taken 04/09/11.
Eastbound California 52 reaches Exit 17, Cuyamaca Street. Exit here and follow Cuyamaca Street north to downtown Santee. Photo taken 04/09/11.
Two lanes depart California 52 east for Cuyamaca Street. The freeway continues east with two through lanes. Photo taken 04/09/11.
A spring storm dropped 5-6 inches of snow on the higher elevations, including Mount Laguna (visible from California 52 looking toward the northeast). Photo taken 04/09/11.
This interchange sequence sign provides the distance to the final three exits along California 52 (Soledad Freeway) east: Exit 18A, Magnolia Avenue; Exit 18B, California 67 (San Vicente Freeway) south to El Cajon; and Exit 18C, California 67 (San Vicente Freeway) north to Lakeside and Ramona. Photo taken 04/09/11.
With a final curve to the east, the final mile of California 52 comes into view. Traffic from Cuyamaca Street merges onto California 52 east. Photo taken 04/09/11.
A final California 52 east reassurance shield is posted shortly thereafter. Photo taken 04/09/11.
The final three exits along California 52 (Soledad Freeway) east are Exit 18A, Magnolia Avenue; Exit 18B, California 67 (San Vicente Freeway) south to El Cajon; and Exit 18C, California 67 (San Vicente Freeway) north to Lakeside and Ramona. Photo taken 04/09/11.
Eastbound California 52 (Soledad Freeway) reaches Exit 18A, Magnolia Avenue. Traffic continuing east on California 52 will split by taking either Exit 18B, California 67 (San Vicente Freeway) south to El Cajon (right lanes) or Exit 18C, California 67 (San Vicente Freeway) north to Lakeside and Ramona (left lanes). Photo taken 04/09/11.
California 52 (Soledad Freeway) ends as the eastbound freeway splits between Exit 18B, California 67 (San Vicente Freeway) south to El Cajon (right two lanes) and Exit 18C, California 67 (San Vicente Freeway) north to Lakeside and Ramona (left two lanes). Photo taken 04/09/11.
At the gore point, traffic splits between California 67 north and south (Exits 18B-C). No end shield is posted for California 52. The freeway likely won't continue any further east on its current alignment due to the hill visible ahead. Photo taken 04/09/11.
This series of pictures follows the transition ramp from California 52 east to California 67 north (Exit 18C). The two-lane ramp narrows to one lane as it merges onto California 67 north. Photos taken 04/09/11.


Page Updated September 22, 2012.

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