The city of Yorba Linda maintains a section of California 90, including the four-lane Richard M. Nixon Parkway. The parkway has an interchange at Kellogg Drive, but it does not feel like a typical Southern California freeway with its landscaped median, beautified parkways, and lowered speed limits. Photo taken 01/30/05.
Routing
California 90 is split into two parts: the Marina Freeway between California 1 and just east of Interstate 405 and the Richard Nixon Parkway in Orange County in Yorba Linda. There were plans to connect the two segments, but that plan seems to be on permanent hiatus.
Highway Guides
California 90/Marina Expressway east
Leaving the intersection with California 1/Lincoln Boulevard, eastbound California 90 begins as the Marina Expressway. Much of the land located within the footprint of California 90, including some parking lots at the western end and a nursery in the median, are owned by the state of California and leased to private business ventures. The first eastbound reassurance shield is posted in the median of the expressway. Photo taken 02/13/11.
California 90 curves a bit to the southeast to reach its intended carriageway. The speed limit is set at 40 miles per hour. Photo taken 02/13/11.
The first intersection (and only at-grade intersection) is located at Mindanao Way. After this intersection, the expressway will upgrade to freeway (the first interchange of which is with Culver Boulevard). Photo taken 02/13/11.
Mindanao Way travels southwest to California 1/Lincoln Boulevard in Marina del Rey and northeast to connect with Glencoe Avenue and Short Avenue east to Centinela Avenue. Photo taken 02/13/11.
Eastbound California 90/Marina Expressway meets Mindanao Way at this traffic signal. Photo taken 02/13/11.
After Mindanao Way, California 90 upgrades to a freeway. Stay left for California 90 east or right for the first exit, which connects to Culver Boulevard. Photo taken 02/13/11.
Eastbound California 90/Marina Expressway meets Exit 1A, Culver Boulevard. Like Mandanao Way, Culver Boulevard travels southwest to northeast, and it connects California 1, California 90, Centinela Avenue, and California 187/Venice Boulevard. Use Culver Boulevard northeast to the northern part of Culver City; continue east on California 90 for the southern part of Culver City, including Fox Hills. Photo taken 02/13/11.
California 90/Marina Freeway east
A California 90 east freeway entrance shield is posted after the Culver City offramp. Photo taken 02/13/11.
A pair of BEGIN FREEWAY signs flank the eastbound lanes of California 90/Marina Freeway. Photo taken 02/13/11.
California 90 passes over Culver Boulevard with two eastbound lanes. Photo taken 02/13/11.
Between 2005 and 2007, the Culver Boulevard interchange was built to its current design. Prior to that, there were two at-grade intersections, one with Culver Boulevard and the other with Alla Road. Photo taken 02/13/11.
A variable (changeable) message sign is located immediately after the onramp from Culver Boulevard. Photo taken 02/13/11.
California 90 widens to three eastbound lanes. Photo taken 02/13/11.
The next three exits along California 90/Marina Freeway east are: Exit 1B, Centinela Avenue; Exit 2, Junction Interstate 405/San Diego Freeway; and Exit 3, Slauson Avenue (END FREEWAY). Photo taken 02/13/11.
California 90 is known as the Marina Freeway, the third name this section of freeway has had. Prior to that, it was briefly known as the Richard M. Nixon Freeway (a name that was dropped when the former president resigned and left office). The entire California 90 freeway corridor was planned as the Slauson Freeway. Photo taken 02/13/11.
Eastbound California 90/Marina Freeway reaches Exit 1B, Centinela Avenue. This major north-south arterial travels north to serve the Del Rey and Mar Vista communities of Los Angeles as well as western Culver City along the Washington Boulevard corridor. Photo taken 10/30/05.
California 90 passes over Centinela Avenue. Photo taken 02/13/11.
Two new lanes join California 90 east from Centinela Avenue. Photo taken 02/13/11.
The left three lanes continue west on California 90, while the right lane becomes exit only for Interstate 405/San Diego Freeway north and south. Photo taken 02/13/11.
Eastbound California 90 meets Exit 2, Junction Interstate 405/San Diego Freeway. Interstate 405/San Diego Freeway travels south to Long Beach, Irvine, and San Diego or north to Santa Monica, Santa Clarita, and Sacramento. Photo taken 02/13/11.
Once on the offramp to Exit 2, the left lane connects to Interstate 405 north, while the right lane connects to Interstate 405 south. Photos taken 10/30/05 and 02/13/11.
This series of pictures follows the transition ramp from California 90 east to Interstate 405 north. The flyover ramp offers several good views of the Interstate 405 mainline. Photos taken 02/13/11.
California 90 leaves Los Angeles and enters Culver City (population of 38,816 as of the 2000 Census and incorporated on September 7, 1917). Photo taken 10/30/05.
Leaving the Interstate 405 interchange, a pair of END FREEWAY advance signs are posted along eastbound California 90. Photo taken 10/30/05.
The California 90 freeway ends in one-half mile. Photo taken 10/30/05.
The final distance of California 90 rides on an elevated viaduct. Photo taken 10/30/05.
This takes traffic above the Fox Hills Mall located next to the California 90 freeway. Photo taken 10/30/05.
Eastbound California 90 approaches the final exit, which is an intersection with Slauson Avenue that is governed by a traffic signal. Photo taken 10/30/05.
Ending at Slauson Avenue, no END shield is posted for California 90. Turn left for Slauson Avenue to Sepulveda Boulevard and Jefferson Boulevard. Turn right for Slauson Avenue to Fox Hills and Ladera Heights. Photo taken 10/30/05.
California 90/Imperial Highway east
California 90/Richard M. Nixon Parkway east
Leaving the intersection with Yorba Linda Boulevard, eastbound California 90/Imperial Highway next approaches Kellogg Drive, the only full interchange along the Richard M. Nixon Parkway. The parkway extends from Yorba Linda Boulevard southeast to Esperanza Road and Orangethorpe Avenue. This overhead sign is mounted on the Lakeview Avenue overpass. Photo taken 01/30/05.
California 90 travels southeast through a beautified corridor. Prior to completion of these improvements, California 90 was a Super Two Freeway. Yorba Linda took over maintenance of this section of state highway, and the city rebranded the route as a parkway. Photo taken 01/30/05.
Eastbound California 90/Imperial Highway (Richard M. Nixon Parkway) meets Kellogg Drive at this offramp. Photo taken 01/30/05.
The Kellogg Drive diamond interchange was constructed in 1962 as part of larger plans to construct a freeway along the California 90 corridor. That plan is all but dead, with the parkway segment the only remanants of the freeway proposal left in Orange County. Photo taken 01/30/05.
A California 90 east reassurance shield is posted after the onramp from Kellogg Drive on eastbound Imperial Highway. Back in 2005, the highway was only two lanes (one lane in each direction between Kellogg Drive and Orangethorpe Avenue), but this segment has since been widened. Photo taken 01/30/05.
The next traffic signal along California 90/Imperial Highway is with Esperanza Road and Orangethorpe Avenue. This intersection was converted into a grade-separated overpass in the late 2000s, but a traffic signal still governs the flow of traffic between the two roadways. Photo taken 01/30/05.
Turning almost due south, eastbound California 90/Imperial Highway approaches Esperanza Road east and Orangethorpe Avenue west. California 90 will proceed south across the Santa Ana River and then meet the California 91 freeway. Photo taken 01/30/05.
California 90/Imperial Highway east
As California 90 crosses over the Santa Ana River, the state route leaves Yorba Linda and enters Anaheim. California 90 next approaches its junction with California 91/Riverside Freeway. Traffic turning west onto the freeway should stay right. Photo taken 01/30/05.
California 90/Imperial Highway west
As westbound California 90/Imperial Highway crosses over the Santa Ana River, we approach a railroad crossing followed by a signalized intersection with Esperanza Road east and Orangethorpe Avenue west. This intersection was converted into a grade-separated interchange with a traffic signal between the two roadways in the late 2000s. Photo taken 01/30/05.
California 90/Richard M. Nixon Parkway (Imperial Highway) west
Within the city of Yorba Linda, California 90/Imperial Highway is known as the Richard Nixon Parkway. Photo taken 01/30/05.
Use California 90/Imperial Highway (Richard M. Nixon Parkway) west to the birthplace of former President Richard M. Nixon in Yorba Linda. Photo taken 07/15/06.
Prior to widening, California 90 for a time functioned as a Super Two freeway through southern Yorba Linda between Orangethorpe Avenue and Kellogg Drive. Now this section of freeway is entirely four lanes, two in each direction. Photo taken 01/30/05.
The next exit along California 90/Imperial Highway (Richard M. Nixon Parkway) is with Kellogg Drive (one-half mile). The two-lane freeway used widen to four lanes at this point. Photo taken 01/30/05.
Westbound California 90/Imperial Highway (Richard M. Nixon Parkway) meets Kellogg Drive at this offramp in Yorba Linda. Photo taken 07/15/06.
Landscaping was added to the median of California 90/Imperial Highway as part of a larger project to widen the Richard M. Nixon Parkway segment to four lanes in Yorba Linda. Photo taken 01/30/05.
A California 90 west reassurance route marker is posted along westbound Imperial Highway (Richard M. Nixon Parkway) after the onramp from Kellogg Drive. The city decided that it did not want the word "freeway" associated with its parkway at all, so it removed all such references that Caltrans had previously put up on signage, including cutting the "freeway entrance" signs off the top of the freeway entrance sign assemblies for the Kellogg Drive on and off ramps. The shields were replaced between 2005 and 2006. Photos taken 07/15/06 and 01/30/05.
This view looks west toward the Lakeview Avenue overhead and the end of the freeway at Yorba Linda Boulevard. Photo taken 01/30/05.
Approaching the Lakeview Avenue overpass, a warning sign advises of the pending end of the parkway and upcoming traffic signal with Yorba Linda Boulevard. Photo taken 01/30/05.
Westbound California 90/Imperial Highway, which is generally headed northwest, approaches the intersection with Yorba Linda Boulevard in Yorba Linda. Photo taken 01/30/05.
California 90/Imperial Highway west
Shortly thereafter, westbound California 90/Imperial Highway meets Olinda Street next to the Yorba Linda Public Library. Photo taken 07/15/06.
California 90/Marina Freeway west
Skipping ahead to the brief Marina Freeway segment in Culver City, westbound California 90/Marina Freeway leaves Slauson Avenue and approaches Exit 2, Junction Interstate 405/San Diego Freeway north to Sacramento and Bakersfield. Photo taken 07/03/05.
Almost immediately after the freeway begins, California 90 joins an elevated viaduct. This short freeway provides a quick route from Culver City to Marina del Rey and California 1/Lincoln Boulevard. Photo taken 07/03/05.
Westbound California 90/Marina Freeway meets Exit 2, Junction Interstate 405/San Diego Freeway north to Sacramento and Bakersfield. There is no ramp from California 90 west to Interstate 405 south. Photos taken 07/03/05 and 10/30/05.
California 90 passes over Interstate 405/San Diego Freeway on its elevated viaduct. Interstate 405 stays at or below grade through this interchange. A sweeping ramp passes overhead, carrying traffic from California 90 east to Interstate 405 north. Photos taken 07/03/05.
Leaving the Interstate 405 interchange, this mileage sign provides the distance to the final two exits along California 90/Marina Freeway west as well as the western terminus of the state highway: Exit 1D, Centinela Avenue; Exit 1C, Culver Boulevard; and Exit 1A, Junction California 1/Lincoln Boulevard (traffic signal/end of expressway). Omitted from the list is a signalized intersection with Mindanao Way (Exit 1B) between Culver Boulevard and Lincoln Boulevard. Photo taken 03/25/07.
A California 90/Marina Freeway west sign is posted after the onramp from Interstate 405 and prior to the offramp to Centinela Avenue. Photo taken 03/25/07.
Westbound California 90/Marina Freeway meets Exit 1D, Centinela Avenue. The right lane ends and the freeway narrows as we approach the final freeway interchange at Exit 1C, Culver Boulevard. Photo taken 03/25/07.
The next exit along California 90/Marina Freeway west is Exit 1C, Culver Boulevard. The freeway ends after this grade-separated interchange about 1.25 miles from here (a bit less than the reported 0.75 miles on the yellow advisory sign). The Culver Boulevard interchange was built in 2005 and was open by 2007. Photo taken 03/25/07.
Traffic from Centinela Avenue merges onto California 90 west. Construction efforts in 2005 included new soundwalls and the upcoming Culver Boulevard interchange. Photos taken 03/25/07 and 10/30/05.
The final exit along California 90 west is Exit 1C, Culver Boulevard. The END FREEWAY overhead sign was modifed to show 0.75 mile before the end rather than 0.25 mile. Photos taken 03/25/07 and 10/30/05.
Westbound California 90/Marina Freeway reaches Exit 1C, Culver Boulevard. Photo taken 03/25/07.
Passing over Culver Boulevard, an empty sign bridge in 2007 now states (in 2011) that the freeway ends in 0.25 mile. Photo taken 03/25/07.
California 90 descends from the Culver Boulevard overpass and proceeds onto a frontage road to become the Marina Expressway. Ample space is available if the freeway segment is extended further west from here. The towers ahead are in Marina del Rey. Photos taken 03/25/07.
The expressway segment has three lanes and almost functions like a one-way street, since the other direction of traffic is separated by a large area of open space (presumably reserved for the future freeway expansion). Photo taken 03/25/07.
Westbound California 90/Marina Expressway meets Mindanao Way at this traffic signal. Photo taken 03/25/07.
Westbound California 90 approaches and meets California 1/Lincoln Boulevard at this traffic signal in Marina del Rey. California 1 travels south toward Long Beach and north toward Santa Monica via Venice Beach. If the California 90 freeway is ever extended this far west, it is not clear if the freeway would have an interchange with California 1 or a traffic signalized intersection. No California 1 advance shields are posted (although the blue truck route sign is a hint that the next intersection is with a state highway), and no END shield is posted for California 90. Photos taken 03/25/07.
Scenes Pertaining to California 90
Westbound Slauson Avenue approaches the left turn onto California 90/Marina Freeway. Use California 90 to Interstate 405 north or continue ahead on Slauson Avenue to Interstate 405 south. There is no ramp from California 90 west to Interstate 405 south. Photo taken 10/30/05.
Traveling in the other direction, eastbound Slauson Avenue approaches the right turn onto California 90/Marina Freeway. Use California 90 west to Interstate 405 north. A freeway entrance shield assembly is posted for California 90 west at the turnoff from Slauson Avenue. Photos taken 07/03/05.
This freeway entrance for California 90 used to be posted on Kellogg Drive at the sole onramp for the two-lane Richard M. Nixon Parkway in Yorba Linda. This assembly has since been removed, as the parkway is no longer considered a freeway. Photo taken 09/16/00.
A variable message sign is posted on eastbound La Palma Avenue in Anaheim just west of California 90/Imperial Highway. Photos taken 07/15/06.
