California 78/Neighbors Boulevard and Business Loop I-10 west
Now traveling south on Neighbors Boulevard from Hobson Way toward the Interstate 10 interchange, the first westbound California 78 shield is posted along westbound Business Loop I-10 prior to the interchange with Interstate 10 in western Blythe. An END shield for the business route is posted ahead. Photo taken 03/14/09.
An END Business Loop I-10 shield assembly is posted in Blythe as it approaches its junction with Interstate 10 and California 78. From this point, traffic along westbound Business Loop I-10 is defaulted onto westbound California 78 unless it takes Interstate 10 east or westbound from this interchange. An END shield is posted for the west end of this business route. Photos taken 03/14/09.
California 78 west
Skipping ahead, this suite of pictures shows the Imperial Sand Dunes through which California 78 passes near Glamis. These dunes extend south into Mexico, and Interstate 8 passes through them as well. These dunes are popular with drivers of off-ramp vehicles, and parts of the dunes are open to this sort of recreation. All photos taken 11/10/00.
Westbound California 78 meets Junction California 86 in Brawley. Photo taken 06/99.
After splitting from California 86, westbound California 78 crosses the San Diego-Imperial County Line. Photo taken 12/15/02.
A snow chains ahead sign is posted prior to the first San Diego County Route S-2 intersection. This sign was posted sideways. Note the use of button copy; this sign was placed in 1964. Photo taken 04/19/08.
Passing through the badlands, westbound California 78 approaches Junction San Diego County Route S-2 north to Warner Springs and Hemet via California 79. Continue west on California 78 to Julian at the top of Banner Grade. Photo taken 04/19/08.
OOPS! "San Diego" is misspelled within the S-2 pentagon shield. Photo taken 04/19/08.
A second San Diego County Route S-2 trailblazer shield assembly is posted after the mileage sign; the intersection is located just ahead. Briefly, California 78 west and County Route S-2 south will merge together. Photo taken 04/19/08.
Westbound California 78 merges briefly with San Diego County Route S-2, then splits with the county route. Turn south to follow County Route S-2 southeast to Ocotillo and Interstate 8. Photo taken 05/04/02.
These pictures show a gorgeous sunset along westbound California 78 at the top of Banner Grade just outside of Julian near dusk. Photos taken 03/15/01.
California 78 west and California 79 north
Passing through downtown Julian, an unincorporated community in remote San Diego County, a 1959 park parallel sign remains in use today. Photo taken 04/19/08.
Westbound California 78 and northbound California 79 prepare to turn at a four-way stop from Main Street onto Washington Street. Photo taken 04/19/08.
A mileage sign prior to the Washington Street intersection provides the distance to Santa Ysabel (seven miles), Ramona (22 miles), and Oceanside (60 miles). Distance to Escondido, Vista, and San Marcos is not provided on this sign. Photo taken 04/19/08.
A second set of California 78 west and California 79 north shields are posted at the Main-Washington intersection in downtown Julian. Photo taken 04/19/08.
In front of the Julian town hall is this historic plaque that provides a brief history of the former mining town. Photo taken 04/19/08.
California 78 west and California 79 south lose elevation as they approach Santa Ysabel. Photo taken 04/19/08.
Westbound California 78 and southbound California 79 prepare to split in the unincorporated community of Santa Ysabel. Turn right to follow California 79 north to Warner Springs and Temecula; continue straight ahead to follow California 78 west to Ramona, Escondido, and Oceanside. Note the use of a green California 79 shield on a yellow blade sign. Photos taken 04/19/08.
California 78 west
California 78/Ronald Packard Freeway west
Westbound California 78 meets Vista Village Drive in Vista. Photo taken 06/30/01.
This California 78 west reassurance shield is posted prior to Exit 4B, Emerald Drive. Photo taken 06/30/01.
Westbound California 78/Ronald Packard Freeway reaches Exit 4B, Emerald Drive. Photo taken 06/30/01.
The next exit along California 78 west is Exit 3, College Boulevard, one mile. The next exits are for El Camino Real (San Diego County Route S-11) and Jefferson Street. Photo taken 06/30/01.
The next exit along California 78/Packard Freeway west is Exit 3, College Boulevard (one-half mile). Photo taken 06/30/01.
Westbound California 78 reaches Exit 3, College Boulevard. This road leads north through the eastern portion of Oceanside to connect with California 76. Photo taken 06/30/01.
The next exit along California 78 west is Exit 2, Junction San Diego County Route S-11/El Camino Real (one mile). Photo taken 06/30/01.
Westbound California 78 approaching Exit 2, San Diego County Route S-11, El Camino Real. The power lines in the distance are the main transmission lines from Orange County, and they connect to the San Onofre nuclear power plant near San Clemente. From here, the power lines connect to the Carlsbad Encina natural gas electricity generation plant, and then split into a variety of transmission lines that serve various locales in San Diego County. The only other transmission line to enter San Diego County roughly parallels Interstate 8 from the Imperial Valley. Photo taken 06/30/01.
Westbound California 78 approaching Exit 2, San Diego County Route S-11, El Camino Real, one-half mile. Photo taken 06/30/01.
Now at the top of the El Camino Real offramp, a San Diego County Route S-11 trailblazer sign is posted prior to the traffic signal. Unfortunately, San Diego County Route S-11 is poorly shielded for much of its length through Carlsbad. Photo taken 06/30/01.
After the El Camino Real interchange, the next exit is Exit 1C, Jefferson Street. Photo taken 07/17/04.
Westbound California 78/Packard Freeway reaches Exit 1C, Jefferson Street. Photo taken 07/17/04.
The final two exits along westbound California 78 are Exits 1B-A, Junction Interstate 5 north to Orange County/Los Angeles and south to San Diego. Photo taken 07/17/04.
Westbound California 78 approaches Exit 1B, Junction Interstate 5 north to Los Angeles. The right lane is exit-only. Photo taken 07/17/04.
This interchange marks the western terminus of California 78. Use the left two lanes for Exit 1A, south Interstate 5; the middle lane connects to Vista Way and downtown Oceanside; and the right lane is Exit 1B for north Interstate 5. Photo taken 07/17/04.
California 78 approaches the western end of its freeway as it reaches Interstate 5 in Oceanside. Photo taken 07/17/04.
Westbound California 78 reaches Exit 1A, Junction Southbound Interstate 5 in Oceanside. Photo taken 07/17/04.
This traffic signal regulates the flow of traffic transitioning from westbound California 78 onto south Interstate 5. Photo taken 07/17/04.
