California 67 is the San Vicente Freeway from Interstate 8 in El Cajon to California 78 in Ramona via Santee and Lakeside. From Lakeside north to the unincorporated community of Ramona, California 67 is mostly a two-lane, somewhat mountainous route with occasional passing lanes and expressway segments. This corridor sees a fair share of accidents due to high speed, limited sight distance, and a fair amount of traffic. Long-range plans call for eventual expressway/divided highway standards for the length of the entire state highway.
Future Aspirations/Planned Improvements
Proposals have been floated for converting California 67 between Lakeside and Ramona into an expressway for its entire length, and some have advocated merging California 67 and 125 into a single north-south freeway corridor north to California 78 west of Ramona, with a possible extension north to Interstate 15 near Rainbow or even to Interstate 10 near Redlands. However, any expansion or extension of California 67 is very controversial and is many years away from construction.
This freeway proposal for California 67 was publicly announced by Caltrans in May 2000. This bypass would go due north from California 67 at Archie Moore Road to California 78 near Bandy Canyon Road (about four miles east of the San Diego Wild Animal Park). This highway would be planned for long-term needs, and it had not previously been in the San Diego Association of Governments (local planning agency) roads/highways plan. Many recent reports on the 67 corridor are now titled as 67/125, especially since the northerly extension of California 125 north through Poway is considered unlikely. A combined California 67/125 corridor would also serve as a trade route, providing another route to the international border that avoids most of metropolitan San Diego. It remains to be seen whether this proposal is accepted by the communities along the route. A corridor study was conducted by SANDAG in June 2002; it recommended some widening but did not recommend the freeway option. As of April 2011, a freeway widening of California 67 remains a long-range, unfunded proposal.
Due to the multitude of accidents along the two-lane segment of California 67, less costly improvements to enhance safety are being planned for the corridor, including additional barriers and climbing lanes.
Highway Guide
California 67/San Vicente Freeway north
Northbound Magnolia Street transitions directly onto California 67 at the Interstate 8 interchange in the city of El Cajon. The first ramp is to Exit 1A, Junction Interstate 8 east, following by a cloverleaf ramp onto Interstate 8 west (Exit 1B). For a long time, this intersection was only a cloverleaf, but the later addition flyover ramps from eastbound Interstate 8 to Northbound California 67 and from southbound California 67 to westbound Interstate 8 changed the dynamic of the interchange. Photo taken 10/12/03.
After Magnolia changes into California 67, the second ramp of the cloverleaf interchange connects to Interstate 8 westbound. California 67 begins in the city of El Cajon, which had a population of 94,869 as of the 2000 Census and was incorporated on November 12, 1912. Photo taken 10/12/03.
Northbound California 67 meets Exit 1B, Junction Interstate 8/Kumeyaay Highway west to San Diego. California 67 continues north toward Santee, Lakeside, and Ramona, while Interstate 8 west leads to La Mesa and San Diego. Photo taken 10/12/03.
The next exit along California 67/San Vicente Freeway north is Exit 1C, Broadway, Fletcher Parkway, and Magnolia Avenue. Photo taken 04/09/11.
A Begin Freeway sign for California 67/San Vicente Freeway is posted between Interstate 8 and the offramp to Exit 1C, Broadway, Fletcher Parkway, and Magnolia Avenue in El Cajon. Photo taken 04/09/11.
The right two lanes of California 67/San Vicente Freeway north connect to Exit 1C, Broadway, Fletcher Parkway, and Magnolia Avenue. The left two lanes will carry California 67 north to Santee, Lakeside, and Ramona. Photo taken 04/09/11.
The offramp to Exit 1C actually lands on Graves Avenue, which parallels California 67 on the east side of the freeway. Upon exiting, turn right on Graves Avenue south. At the traffic signal, turn right for Fletcher Parkway west to Parkway Plaza shopping center and Fletcher Hills. Turn left for Broadway east to Bostonia. To the continuation of Magnolia Avenue, follow Fletcher Parkway west, pass under the California 67 freeway, and turn right north at the first traffic signal. Magnolia Avenue is old California 67 and will follow the freeway on the west side. Photo taken 04/09/11.
Northbound California 67/San Vicente Freeway reaches Exit 1C, Broadway, Fletcher Parkway, and Magnolia Avenue. Ahead, traffic from Interstate 8 east merges onto California 67 from the left. Photo taken 04/09/11.
The main lanes of California 67/San Vicente Freeway north reduce to one through lane prior to merging with traffic from Interstate 8. Photos taken 04/09/11.
This mileage sign along California 67/San Vicente Freeway north provides the distance to the next two exits: Exit 1D, Bradley Avenue and Exit 2, Junction California 52/Soledad Freeway west to La Jolla and Prospect Avenue. Photo taken 04/09/11.
The next exit along California 67/San Vicente Freeway north is Exit 1D, Bradley Avenue. Use this exit to Gillespie Field, a general aviation airport managed by the County of San Diego. Photo taken 04/09/11.
California 67/San Vicente Freeway passes under Greenfield Drive. Photo taken 04/09/11.
California 52/Soledad Freeway begins its westbound journey at California 67 Exit 2. Traveling west, California 52 passes through Santee, skirts the northern edge of Mission Trails Regional Park and Tierrasanta, proceeds past Miramar Landfill, then proceeds through San Clemente Canyon before transitioning onto La Jolla Parkway (Ardath Road) en route to La Jolla. Photo taken 04/09/11.
TransNet (one-half cent sales tax) funded the California 52 extension and the interchange with California 67. The segment of California 52 between California 125 and California 67 opened to traffic on March 29, 2011. Photo taken 04/09/11.
Northbound California 67/San Vicente Freeway reaches Exit 1D, Bradley Avenue. The following interchange is Exit 2, Junction California 52/Soledad Freeway west to La Jolla, which includes a connecting ramp to Prospect Avenue. Photo taken 04/09/11.
Use Prospect Avenue west into Santee. Prospect Avenue connects with Magnolia Avenue (Old California 67), which travels north into Santee as well. Finally, California 52 west to Cuyamaca Street (Exit 17) will bring traffic into Santee. Photo taken 04/09/11.
Passing under Bradley Avenue, northbound California 67/San Vicente Freeway approaches Exit 2, Junction California 52/Soledad Freeway west to La Jolla. The right lane becomes exit only for California 52 west, while the left two lanes will carry California 67 north to Lakeside and Ramona. Photo taken 04/09/11.
Northbound California 67/San Vicente Freeway reaches Exit 2, Junction California 52/Soledad Freeway west to La Jolla and Prospect Avenue. Photo taken 04/09/11.
Within the interchange between California 67 and California 52, the freeway enters the city of Santee. Incorporated on December 1, 1980, Santee consists of 16.56 square miles, sits at an elevation of 350 feet above sea level, 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. Photo taken 04/09/11.
Upon entering the transition lanes from California 67 north to California 52 west, the first offramp will connect to Prospect Avenue. Photo taken 04/09/11.
The Prospect Avenue offramp is the first right from the transition ramp. The left two lanes will connect to California 52 west. Photo taken 04/09/11.
This series of pictures shows the newly opened transition ramp that connects California 67 north with California 52 west. Photos taken 04/09/11.
Leaving the interchange between California 67 and California 52, traffic from California 52 east merges onto California 67 north. The freeway continues north for a bit, then will curve toward the northeast between Woodside Avenue and Mapleview Street. Photo taken 04/09/11.
The next exit along California 67/San Vicente Freeway north is Exit 4, Riverford Road and Woodside Avenue. Photo taken 04/09/11.
California 67 leaves Santee and enters the unincorporated community of Lakeside before reaching Exit 4. Lakeside had a population of 19,560 as of the 2000 Census (as a Census-designated place). The community is named for its proximity to Lindo Lake. Use Mapleview Street east to Maine Street south to Lakeshore Drive east to Lindo Lake Park. A community center is located on the west shore of the lake. Photo taken 10/12/03.
Northbound California 67 meets Exit 4, Riverford Road. The Riverford Road exit is the first Lakeside exit. Photos taken 04/09/11 and 10/12/03.
The offramp from California 67/San Vicente Freeway north to Exit 4, Riverford Road and Woodside Avenue is a hard right turn, connecting to a traffic signal with Woodside Avenue. Turn left on Woodside Avenue to connect to Riverford Road. Photo taken 04/09/11.
The next exit along northbound is Exit 5, Wintergardens Boulevard, 0.75 mile. Photos taken 04/09/11 and 10/12/03.
This California 67 north reassurance shield is posted between Exits 4 and 5. Photo taken 10/12/03.
Northbound California 67 reaches Exit 5, Lakeside/Winter Gardens. The sign was replaced in the early 2000s and again in the late 2000s to include the exit number. Photos taken 04/09/11 and 10/12/03.
After passing Exit 5, the California 67 freeway prepares to convert to a conventional, two-lane highway for the remainder of its journey to Ramona. This yellow warning sign advises that the freeway ends in 0.75 mile; what it does not tell you is that the end features a traffic light at Mapleview Street that may cause back-ups onto the freeway. Photos taken 04/09/11 and 10/12/03.
The freeway will end and become a regular at-grade highway at Exit 6, Mapleview Street. Okay, this is not really an interchange, and this "exit" marks the northern end of the freeway section. Photo taken 10/12/03.
A pair of yellow "END FREEWAY" diamond signs are posted on either side of the northbound lanes of California 67. Photo taken 04/09/11.
Use Mapleview Street east (right turn) to Ashwood Street north to Barona Indian Reservation. One of several Indian reservations sporting gaming, dining, golf, and hotel, Barona Resort and Casino is located off Wildcat Canyon Road (Ashwood Street turns into Wildcat Canyon Road after passing by El Capitan High School and Willow Road). Barona is a popular destination and brings traffic from California 67 onto Mapleview Street. Photo taken 04/09/11.
Northbound California 67 approaches Mapleview Street (Exit 6) in Lakeside. This traffic signal is for Mapleview Street, Maine Street, and Lake Jennings Park Road. Mapleview Street changes names into Lake Jennings Park Road east of here; Lake Jennings Park Road offers a quick route from California 67 to Interstate 8 east to Alpine and El Centro. Photo taken 10/12/03.
California 67 north
A traffic signal governs the flow of traffic between California 67 and Mapleview Street. Ahead, California 67 downgrades to a two-lane conventional highway and crosses the San Diego River. Photos taken 04/09/11.
Now a few miles north, this photo shows San Diego County Route S-4 (Poway Road) approach signage along Northbound California 67. County Route S-4 leads west and north into the city of Poway. Also at this intersection is a parking area for those who wish to climb Iron Mountain. A trail begins eastward along the same trajectory as County Route S-4, and it ascends the mountain in a somewhat circuitous manner. The view from the top of the mountain is fantastic, and one can see much of central San Diego from this vantage point. As for California 67 through this area, the highway frequently widens to include a passing lane, and at certain locations, the highway becomes an expressway, complete with jersey barrier separation and two lanes in each direction. Plans call for additional passing lanes and widening to occur along this stretch of California 67. Designated a safety corridor by Caltrans, California 67 has frequent collisions, some of them head-on, as a result of the frequent curves, heavy traffic, and high speeds. Some of the additional traffic may be attributed to the new backcountry Indian casinos that have been added to the landscape since the late 1990s. Photos taken 12/05/01.
Northbound California 67 ends at its junction with California 78 in Ramona. California 78 west leads toward San Pasqual Valley, the Wild Animal Park, and Escondido. Continuing straight, traffic is defaulted onto California 78 eastbound, which leads to Santa Ysabel (home of Dudley's Bakery) and Julian (known for its apple pie). Turning left at this intersection leads to southbound San Vicente Road, which is the original alignment of California 67. Although the road goes for several miles southbound, it ends at a private residence just north of San Vicente Reservoir. The rest of the original route was flooded over by the reservoir. Once the reservoir was complete, California 67 has to be realigned westward to its current path. Photo taken 06/06/99.
California 67 south
The first mileage along California 67 south is found in Ramona shortly after the intersection with California 78. The sign provides the distance to Lakeside, Santee, and El Cajon. Omitted is Poway. Photo taken 06/06/99.
First reassurance shield along Southbound California 67 in Ramona. Note the Lucky's grocery store sign partially obscured by a tree. This grocery chain was acquired by Albertson's around 2000. Photo taken 06/06/99.
California 67/San Vicente Freeway south
Leaving the Maplewood Street signalized intersection in Lakeside, California 67/San Vicente Freeway begins its southbound journey after the traffic signal. A pair of freeway entrance shield assemblies (not shown) indicate the beginning of the freeway after Maplewood Street. Photo taken 04/09/11.
A Begin Freeway sign is posted shortly thereafter. Photo taken 04/09/11.
Shortly thereafter, a California 67 south reassurance shield is posted. For southbound traffic, there is no access to Winter Gardens Boulevard (unlike northbound). Photo taken 04/09/11.
The next three exits along California 67 south are: Exit 4, Riverford Road; Exit 3, Woodside Avenue; and Exit 2, Junction California 52/Soledad Freeway west to La Jolla. This sign is mounted on the Winter Gardens Boulevard overpass. Photo taken 04/09/11.
The next exit along California 67 south is Exit 4, Riverford Road. Photo taken 04/09/11.
Southbound California 67/San Vicente Freeway reaches Exit 4, Riverford Road. Photo taken 04/09/11.
The next exit along California 67 south is Exit 3, Woodside Avenue. Upon exiting, there is no direct access back onto California 67 south. Motorists must use Magnolia Avenue south. Photo taken 04/09/11.
California 67 leaves Lakeside 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 above sea level, and had a population of 52,975 as of the 2000 Census. Photo taken 04/09/11.
The next three exits along California 67 south are: Exit 3, Woodside Avenue; Exit 2, Junction California 52/Soledad Freeway west to La Jolla; and Exit 1D, Bradley Avenue. Photo taken 04/09/11.
Southbound California 67/San Vicente Freeway reaches Exit 3, Woodside Avenue. Photo taken 04/09/11.
A roadside mileage sign along California 67 south provides the distance to the next two freeway interchanges: Exit 2, Junction California 52/Soledad Freeway and Exits 1B-A, Junction Interstate 8. Omitted are Exit 1D, Bradley Avenue and Exit 1C, Broadway. Photo taken 04/09/11.
The right two lanes of California 67/San Vicente Freeway south provide access to Exit 2, Junction California 52/Soledad Freeway west to Santee, Mission Trails Regional Park, Tierrasanta, Kearny Mesa, San Clemente Canyon, Clairemont, University City, and La Jolla. Photo taken 04/09/11.
Southbound California 67/San Vicente Freeway reaches Exit 2, Junction California 52/Soledad Freeway west to La Jolla. The left two lanes continue south on California 67 to El Cajon. Photo taken 04/09/11.
California 67/San Vicente Freeway proceeds south through the California 52/Soledad Freeway interchange. Flyover ramps connect California 52 east to California 67 north and California 67 north to California 52 west. Photo taken 04/09/11.
The next exit along California 67/San Vicente Freeway south is Exit 1D, Bradley Avenue. Use this exit to Gillespie Field, a general aviation airport managed by the County of San Diego. Photo taken 04/09/11.
This mileage sign along California 67 south provides the distance to the next two exits: Exit 1D, Bradley Avenue and Exit 1C, Broadway and Fletcher Parkway. Photo taken 04/09/11.
Traffic from California 52 east merges onto California 67 south. Photos taken 04/09/11.
This guide sign for Exit 1D, Bradley Avenue was added when California 52 signs were installed in the opposite direction. Photo taken 04/09/11.
Southbound California 67/San Vicente Freeway reaches Exit 1D, Bradley Avenue. Photo taken 04/09/11.
The next exit along California 67/San Vicente Freeway south is Exit 1C, Broadway and Fletcher Parkway. Broadway travels east to Bostonia, while Fletcher Parkway travels west to Fletcher Hills and Grossmont. Photo taken 04/09/11.
Southbound California 67 approaches its southern terminus with Interstate 8 in El Cajon. The next exit is Exit 1C, Broadway and Fletcher Parkway, followed by Exits 1A-B, Junction Interstate 8 east to El Centro and west to San Diego. Photo taken 02/07/05.
California 67 leaves Santee and enters the city of El Cajon, which had a population of 94,869 as of the 2000 Census and was incorporated on November 12, 1912. Photo taken 04/09/11.
Southbound California 67 reaches Exit 1C, Broadway and Fletcher Parkway. Stay left for Exit 1A, Junction Interstate 8 west to San Diego and right for Interstate 8 east to El Centro. To Magnolia Avenue south to downtown El Cajon, stay right. Photo taken 02/07/05.
Immediately thereafter, California 67 splits between Exit 1A, Junction Interstate 8 west to San Diego and Exit 1B, Junction Interstate 8 east to El Centro. Stay right for Interstate 8 east; the left three lanes connect to Interstate 8 west. Photo taken 02/07/05.
A California 67 south reassurance shield is posted here, as the state route effectively follows the ramp to Interstate 8 west and Magnolia Avenue south. Photo taken 04/09/11.
A single lane will connect California 67 south with Interstate 8 west (Exit 1B) and Magnolia Avenue. Photo taken 04/09/11.
California 67/Magnolia Avenue south
Traffic from California 67 south merges with Magnolia Avenue south. Magnolia Avenue then passes under the ramp that connects California 67 with Interstate 8 west. Stay left for Magnolia Avenue into downtown El Cajon or right for the link to Interstate 8 east (loop ramp). Photos taken 04/09/11.
The right lane of California 67/Magnolia Avenue south connects with Interstate 8 west at Exit 1B. Stay left for downtown El Cajon. Photo taken 04/09/11.
Southbound California 67/Magnolia Avenue meets Exit 1B, Junction Interstate 8 west. Photo taken 04/09/11.
State maintenance ends as we meet the loop ramp to Interstate 8 west. An END truck route sign is posted here; an END California 67 shield would also be appropriate here. Ahead, Magnolia Avenue travels into downtown El Cajon, meeting Historic U.S. 80 and Business Loop I-8 at the Main Street intersection. Photo taken 04/09/11.
Southbound Magnolia Avenue immediately meets Madison Avenue at this traffic signal in El Cajon. Photo taken 04/09/11.
Scenes Pertaining to California 67
This is the first California 67 south trailblazer shield; it is mounted on a signal mast arm as seen from northbound San Vicente Road at the California 67-California 78 intersection in Ramona. (This intersection is a bit skewed because California 67 actually leads due west from here, then turns south toward El Cajon.) Photo taken 06/06/99.
