Leaving the intersection with California 54/Jamacha Road in Rancho San Diego, westbound California 94 carries three lanes with a near-expressway configuration (aside from a few driveways serving businesses). Photo taken 05/07/09.
Some of the driveways have deceleration lanes, while others require turns from the right lane of California 94 west. After the speed limit sign is the last driveway (with turn lane). Photo taken 05/07/09.
A San Diego County Route S-17 shield was posted prior to the Jamacha Boulevard turnoff; it was gone by 2009. Photo taken 03/23/06.
The next signalized intersection along California 94/Campo Road west is with Junction San Diego County Route S-17/Jamacha Boulevard southwest to Spring Valley and Bonita. Since California 54 has not been constructed between Rancho San Diego and Spring Valley, San Diego County Route S-17 serves as the de facto temporary route. Photo taken 05/07/09.
The left two lanes connect to San Diego County Route S-17/Jamacha Boulevard west to California 54. The right lane connects to a large church situated on the north side of the state highway. Photo taken 05/07/09.
Westbound California 94/Campo Road meets San Diego County Route S-17/Jamacha Boulevard west. Continue straight ahead to follow California 94 west to La Mesa, Lemon Grove, and San Diego. Photo taken 05/07/09.
A recent improvement added the third lane to California 94 and installed this retaining wall to accommodate the new lanes and handle additional traffic generated by the mega-church on the north side of California 94. The construction project was completed by the mid-2000s. Photo taken 05/07/09.
The speed limit is 55 miles per hour along this section of expressway. Only one traffic signal remains until the California 94 freeway begins. Photo taken 05/07/09.
Prior to the Via Mercado intersection, the right lane ends. Another turnoff to the mega-church is the next right. Photo taken 05/07/09.
The final signalized intersection along California 94/Campo Road west is with Via Mercado. True to its name, a shopping center (Rancho San Diego Village) is located just north of California 94. Photo taken 05/07/09.
Westbound California 94/Campo Road meets Via Mercado at this intersection. After this traffic signal, the California 94 freeway begins. Photo taken 05/07/09.
California 94 west
A "BEGIN FREEWAY" sign is posted immediately after the Via Mercado intersection. From here west to downtown San Diego, California 94 is a freeway with increasing traffic volumes. Photo taken 05/07/09.
The first exit along California 94 west is Exit 12, Avocado Boulevard north and Calavo Drive south (next right). Use Avocado Boulevard north to downtown El Cajon. To the south, Calavo Drive leads into residential areas of unincorporated Spring Valley. Photo taken 05/07/09.
This initial section of California 94 freeway features two lanes in each direction with a jersey barrier separation in the median. The segment between Via Mercado and Exit 11 was built on top of old Campo Road. Photo taken 05/07/09.
The speed limit increases to 65 miles per hour. Photo taken 05/07/09.
Westbound California 94 meets Exit 12, Avocado Boulevard and Calavo Drive. Photo taken 05/07/09.
An advance guide sign for the interchange with California 125 (Exits 9B-A) appears after the Exit 12 gore point. California 125 is a major north-south freeway that extends from California 905 near the Otay Mesa Port of Entry (international border with Mexico) to California 52 in Santee near Mission Trails Regional Park. The exit number sign shown from 2006 was proven to be erroneous (Exit 9A when it should be Exits 9B-A), and the replacement sign lacks exit numbers. Photos taken 05/07/09 and 03/23/06.
California 94 passes under Avocado Boulevard and Calavo Drive. Photo taken 05/07/09.
The next exit along California 94 west is Exit 11, Sweetwater Springs Boulevard and Campo Road. Sweetwater Springs Road travels south through residential areas of Spring Valley and eventually connects to San Diego County Route S-17/Jamacha Boulevard (Temporary California 54). Campo Road resumes at this interchange and travels west into the unincorporated community of Casa de Oro. Campo Road is the original path of California 94 through Casa de Oro. The Census Bureau considers the population of Casa de Oro and unincorporated Mount Helix to the north together as one Census Designated Place. The combined population of these two areas as of the 2000 Census was 18,874 people. Photo taken 05/07/09.
Westbound California 94 reaches Exit 11, Sweetwater Springs Boulevard south and Campo Road west. Campo Road travels west on a path parallel to California 94 and eventually changes into Broadway as it enters the city of Lemon Grove. Photo taken 05/07/09.
The next interchange along California 94 west is Exit 10B, Kenwood Drive (0.75 mile). Use Kenwood Drive northeast to Casa de Oro and west to northern Spring Valley. The unincorporated community of Spring Valley is generally located south of California 94, north and west of San Diego County Route S-17, and east of California 125. Spring Valley includes the neighborhood of La Presa, which is located at the California 125 and San Diego County Route S-17 interchange. The population of the community of Spring Valley (including La Presa) was 59,384 as of the 2000 Census. Photos taken 05/07/09 and 03/23/06.
A cut slope shows how California 94 was constructed through this area. The median strip is a bit wider here and has guardrail rather than jersey barrier separating the two directions of traffic. Photo taken 05/07/09.
Westbound California 94 reaches Exit 10B, Kenwood Drive. Photo taken 05/07/09.
The next three exits along California 94 west are Exit 10A, Bancroft Drive; Exit 9C, Spring Street; and Exit 9B, Junction California 125/Helix Freeway north. Use Spring Street north to downtown La Mesa. Photo taken 05/07/09.
Another advance sign for the junction with California 125 is posted shortly thereafter. The massive interchange between California 94 and California 125 includes three exits from California 94 west: Exit 9A, Spring Street; Exit 9B, Junction California 125/Helix Freeway north to La Mesa, El Cajon, and Santee; and Exit 9A, Junction California 125/Sweetwater Freeway south to Spring Valley, Chula Vista, and Otay Mesa. Photos taken 05/07/09 and 03/23/06.
Bancroft Drive travels north along an alignment parallel to California 125/Helix Freeway toward Grossmont Summit. To the south, Bancroft Drive leads into Spring Valley, connecting to Troy Street. Photo taken 05/07/09.
Westbound California 94 reaches Exit 10A, Bancroft Drive. The next exit along westbound is Exit 9C, Junction California 125/Helix Freeway north and Spring Street north to downtown La Mesa. Photo taken 05/07/09.
The next two exits along California 94 west is Exit 9C, Spring Street and Exit 9B, Junction California 125/Helix Freeway north. Photo taken 05/07/09.
A second guide sign for Exit 9C, Spring Street is posted immediately thereafter. Use Spring Street north into downtown La Mesa, the "Jewel of the Hills." Home to 54,749 people as of the 2000 Census, La Mesa was founded in 1869 and incorporated on February 16, 1912. California 94 skirts the southeastern corner of the city of La Mesa when it meets Exits 9C-B, then travels southwest into the city of Lemon Grove. Photo taken 05/07/09.
To California 125 south (Exit 9A), use the left lane of California 94. This is one of two left exits for California 94 west; the other is at the California 15 (Future Interstate 15) interchange in San Diego. Photo taken 05/07/09.
A second roadside guide sign (with exit number) is posted for Exit 9B, Junction California/Helix Freeway north. Stay left to continue west on California 94 or to connect to California 125 south to the International Border with Mexico. This sign was replaced between 2006 and 2009. Photos taken 05/07/09 and 03/23/06.
The right lane of California 94 west becomes exit only for Exits 9C (Spring Street) and 9B (California 125 north). The left three lanes continue west toward Lemon Grove and San Diego. Photo taken 05/07/09.
Westbound California 94 reaches Exit 9C, Spring Street to downtown La Mesa. Immediately thereafter, the right lane departs to Exit 9B, Junction California 125/Helix Freeway north to La Mesa, El Cajon, and Santee (with connections to Interstate 8 and California 52). Photo taken 05/07/09.
Another median sign is posted for the left exit to Exit 9A, Junction california 125 south to Chula Vista and Otay Mesa. The gore point signage for Exit 9B is also visible on the right side of the freeway. Photo taken 05/07/09.
A single sign is posted for Exit 9B, Junction California 125/Helix Freeway north. The portion of California 125 between California 94 and Interstate 8 was originally part of California 67 until the great renumbering of 1964. California 67 was truncated at that time to end in El Cajon as it does today. Photo taken 03/23/06.
To California 125 south (Exit 9A), use the left lane of California 94. Carpools and high occupancy vehicles may use the left lane as well. Photo taken 05/07/09.
The left lane becomes exit only for Exit 9A, Junction California 125/Sweetwater Freeway south; the left lane is also available for through carpools and high occupancy vehicles too. Photo taken 05/07/09.
Westbound California 94 reaches Exit 9A, Junction California 125/Sweetwater Freeway south. The carpools (high occupancy vehicle) lane continues for the upcoming metering lights. Watch for slowing traffic when the metering lights are on. Photo taken 05/07/09.
Looking at the gore point for Exit 9A, connecting traffic slip from California 94 west to California 125 south and immediately ascends a massive ramp that climbs over the ramp between California 125 south to California 94 west. Since the connection between California 125 south and California 94 west is the original freeway and carries the most traffic, approaching traffic (including the mainline of California 94 west) must pass through metering lights. Work on this interchange wrapped up in the mid-2000s. Photo taken 05/07/09.
Carpools and high occupancy vehicles receive priority at the metering lights, which operate during morning commute hours. All traffic should anticipate stopping here during meter light hours of operation. Photo taken 05/07/09.
After the metering lights, westbound California 94 briefly has two through lanes again as the freeway passes under the massive ramp connecting to California 125 south. Ahead, California 94 merges with traffic from California 125 south to form the Martin Luther King, Jr. Freeway. Photos taken 05/07/09.
California 94/Martin Luther King, Jr. Freeway west
Now fully merged with traffic from California 125, westbound California 94/Martin Luther King, Jr. Freeway carries four lanes into the city of Lemon Grove, the "Best Climate on Earth." Lemon Grove had a population of 24,918 people as of the 2000 Census. Founded in 1869, the city incorporated on July 1, 1977. Downtown Lemon Grove is located along Broadway, which is old California 94 south of the freeway. The best route to downtown from the freeway is via Exit 8, Lemon Grove Avenue south. The ramp overhead connects California 125 north with California 94 west. Photo taken 05/07/09.
For the remainder of its journey west to downtown San Diego, California 94 is known as the Martin Luther King, Jr. Freeway in honor of the slain civil rights leader. Typically referred to as the King Freeway by traffic reporters, this eight-mile stretch of California 94 is among the few freeways in San Diego perhaps better known by its name as opposed to its number ... although many also call this freeway "the 94" in typical Southern California parlance. Photo taken 03/23/06.
The next three exits along California 94/Martin Luther King, Jr. Freeway west are Exit 8, Lemon Grove Avenue; Exit 7, Massachusetts Avenue; and Exit 6B, College Avenue. Photo taken 05/07/09.
A roadside exit number guide sign is posted prior to Exit 8. Generally speaking, each exit along westbound California 94/Martin Luther King, Jr. Freeway has at least one exit number sign prior to the gore point exit. Photo taken 05/07/09.
Shortly thereafter is the first reassurance shield for California 94 west along the Martin Luther King, Jr. Freeway. Photo taken 05/07/09.
Grove Street and the San Diego Trolley cross over the freeway. The San Diego Trolley currently extends from downtown San Diego to Santee via southeastern San Diego, Lemon Grove, La Mesa, El Cajon, and Santee. Photo taken 05/07/09.
Westbound California 94/Martin Luther King, Jr. Freeway reaches Exit 8, Lemon Grove Avenue. Photo taken 05/07/09.
The next exit along California 94/Martin Luther King, Jr. Freeway west is Exit 7, Massachusetts Avenue, one-half mile. Photo taken 05/07/09.
This mileage sign provides the distance to the next three exits along California 94/Martin Luther King, Jr. Freeway west: Exit 7, Massachusetts Avenue; Exit 6B, College Avenue; and Exit 6A, College Grove Way. Photo taken 05/07/09.
A roadside guide sign for Exit 7, Massachusetts Avenue includes the exit number. Massachusetts Avenue travels north into La Mesa and connects with 70th Street via a short detour on University Avenue. Photo taken 05/07/09.
Westbound California 94/Martin Luther King, Jr. Freeway reaches Exit 7, Massachusetts Avenue. The next exit is Exit 6B, College Avenue. Photo taken 05/07/09.
This mileage sign provides the distance to the next three exits along California 94/Martin Luther King, Jr. Freeway west: Exit 6B, College Avenue; Exit 6A, College Grove Way; and Exit 5, Federal Boulevard and Kelton Road. Photo taken 05/07/09.
College Avenue travels north from California 94 toward San Diego State University and the San Diego communities of Rolando, College Area, and Del Cerro. Photo taken 05/07/09.
Westbound California 94/Martin Luther King, Jr. Freeway reaches Exit 6B, College Avenue. The next exit is Exit 6A, College Grove Way, which connects to the College Grove shopping center. Photo taken 05/07/09.
The onramp from Broadway (Old California 94) joins the freeway from the left. Photo taken 03/23/06.
The next two exits along California 94/Martin Luther King, Jr. Freeway west are Exit 6A, College Grove Way and Exit 5, Federal Boulevard and Kelton Road. Photo taken 05/07/09.
A roadside sign along California 94/Martin Luther King, Jr. Freeway west is posted for Exit 6A, College Grove Way. Exit 6A (College Grove Way) has only an exit along westbound and an onramp to westbound. There are no direct connections to eastbound. Photo taken 05/07/09.
Westbound California 94/Martin Luther King, Jr. Freeway reaches Exit 6A, College Grove Way. For the next mile, California 94 parallels the old Chollas landfill to the right (north) of the freeway. Photo taken 06/05/11.
California 94/Martin Luther King, Jr. Freeway enters the city of San Diego. Home to 1,223,400 people as of the 2000 Census, San Diego is the seventh-largest city in the United States and is second only to Los Angeles in size within the state of California. According to the official site, the total land area is 219,000 acres, of which 30,600 acres are roads or freeways. Incorporated on March 27, 1850, San Diego is patchwork of a wide variety of communities and neighborhoods that extend from the beaches and bay to the interior valleys and mesas. California 94 passes through the San Diego communities of Oak Park, Encanto, Emerald Hills, Webster, Southeastern San Diego, Chollas View, Mount Hope, Stockton, Grant Hill, Golden Hill, Sherman Heights, and downtown. Photo taken 06/05/11.
The old Chollas landfill is located on the north side of California 94. Photo taken 06/05/11.
The next exit along California 94/Martin Luther King, Jr. Freeway west is Exit 5, Federal Boulevard and Kelton Road (one-half mile). Use Kelton Road south to Emerald Hills, Federal Boulevard west to Webster, and Bayview Heights Drive north to Oak Park. Photo taken 06/05/11.
An exit number guide sign for Exit 5 (Federal Boulevard and Kelton Road) is posted shortly thereafter. Photo taken 06/05/11.
Westbound California 94/Martin Luther King, Jr. Freeway reaches Exit 5, Federal Boulevard and Kelton Road. Photo taken 06/05/11.
The next exit along California 94/Martin Luther King, Jr. Freeway west is Exit 4, Euclid Avenue (one-half mile). Photo taken 05/07/09.
Westbound California 94/Martin Luther King, Jr. Freeway reaches Exit 4, Euclid Avenue. Photo taken 06/05/11.
The gore point signage for Euclid Avenue contains the exit number. Use Euclid Avenue north to City Heights and south to Southeastern San Diego and National City. Photo taken 05/07/09.
Passing under Euclid Avenue bridge, this mileage sign provides the distance to the next three exits along California 94/Martin Luther King, Jr. Freeway west: Exit 3, Junction Interstate 805/Jacob Dekema (Inland) Freeway north (to California 15 north); Exit 2, Junction California 15 south; and Exit 1D, 30th Street. Photo taken 05/07/09.
Since there is no direct access from California 94/Martin Luther King, Jr. Freeway west to California 15/Escondido Freeway north, motorists en route to points north via Interstate 15 should use Exit 3, Junction Interstate 805/Jacob Dekema (Inland) Freeway north to California 15/Escondido Freeway north. California 15 becomes Interstate 15 after crossing Interstate 8 near Mission Gorge Road. Photo taken 05/07/09.
Passing under 47th Street, the right two lanes of California 94/Martin Luther King, Jr. Freeway west connect to Exit 3, Junction Interstate 805/Jacob Dekema (Inland) Freeway north. Photo taken 06/05/11.
Westbound California 94/Martin Luther King, Jr. Freeway reaches Exit 3, Junction Interstate 805 north to Los Angeles and south to the International Border with Mexico. Photo taken 06/05/11.
The gore point is marked as "RAMP 3" rather than "EXIT 3." This sign probably used to say "RAMP," since most freeway-to-freeway connections in Caltrans District 11 (including San Diego County) used a gore point sign that says "RAMP" rather than the more typical "EXIT." With the advent of exit numbering, this is one of the rare examples of combining the word "RAMP" with the exit number as a freeway-to-freeway exchange. Photo taken 06/05/11.
This view shows the transition ramp from California 94/Martin Luther King, Jr. Freeway to Exit 3, Junction Interstate 805. Once on the ramp, the left lane connects to Interstate 805 south to National City and Chula Vista, and the right lane connects to Interstate 805 north to the San Diego communities of North Park, Mission Valley, Clairemont Mesa, and University City. Photo taken 03/23/06.
This mileage sign along California 94/Martin Luther King, Jr. Freeway west provides the distance to Exit 2, Junction California 15/Escondido Freeway south (left exit); Exit 1D, 30th Street; and Exit 1C, 28th Street. The sign is posted in the middle of the Interstate 805 interchange, with flyover ramps passing overhead to connect Interstate 805 north to California 94 west. Photo taken 05/07/09.
California 94 passes over Interstate 805. A pair of transition ramps pass over California 94, including the connection from California 94 east to Interstate 805 north and from Interstate 805 north to California 94 west. The merge point brings that traffic onto westbound California 94. Photos taken 06/05/11.
The next exit along California 94/Martin Luther King, Jr. Freeway west is Exit 2, Junction California 15 south to National City. This interchange hosts one of the few left exits in the city of San Diego (aside from the Barnett Avenue left exit from northbound Pacific Highway and the Interstate 5 and Interstate 805 split near Sorrento Valley). Photo taken 05/07/09.
The left two lanes of California 94/Martin Luther King, Jr. Freeway west connect to Exit 2, California 15/Escondido Freeway south. Photos taken 06/05/11 and 05/07/09.
To safely navigate the transition from California 94/Martin Luther King, Jr. Freeway west to California 15/Escondido Freeway (Archie Moore Highway) south, motorists should slow to 30 miles per hour for the sharp turn and watch for traffic incoming from blind spots. Plans call for the eventual revision of this interchange as funds become available. Photos taken 06/05/11 and 05/07/09.
Westbound California 94/Martin Luther King, Jr. Freeway meets Exit 2, California 15/Escondido (Archie Moore) Freeway south to National City and Chula Vista. The left exit is sharp, so exiting traffic should slow down. Photo taken 06/05/11.
The next exit along California 94/Martin Luther King, Jr. Freeway west is Exit 1D, 30th Street, 32nd Street, and Broadway. This exit leads to the San Diego communities of Southeastern San Diego and Golden Hill. Photo taken 06/05/11.
Westbound California 94/Martin Luther King, Jr. Freeway reaches Exit 1D. Upon exiting, turn left at the bottom of the ramp for 32nd Street south or turn right on Broadway west to 30th Street north. This exit would ideally include all three streets in the overhead guide sign: Exit 1D, 32nd Street south and Broadway west to 30th Street. Photo taken 06/05/11.
This mileage sign along California 94/Martin Luther King, Jr. Freeway shows the distance to the next three exits, including Exit 1C, 28th Street; Exit 1B, 25th Street; and Exit 1A, Junction Interstate 5/San Diego Freeway north. After Exit 1A, California 94 becomes F Street as it enters downtown San Diego. To Interstate 5/Montgomery Freeway south to the International Border with Mexico, follow F Street west. Photo taken 06/05/11.
A roadside exit number sign is posted for Exit 1C, 28th Street. Use 28th Street north to Golden Hill and south to Sherman Heights. Photo taken 06/05/11.
A final California 94 reassurance shield is posted on westbound prior to the 30th Street bridge. Photo taken 06/05/11.
Westbound California 94/Martin Luther King, Jr. Freeway reaches Exit 1C, 28th Street. The signs were removed due to work on the overpass. Photos taken 06/05/11 and 03/23/06.
A final mileage sign advises of the final two exits from California 94/Martin Luther King, Jr. Freeway west (Exit 1B, 25th Street and Exit 1A, Junction Interstate 5 north). The freeway ends in 0.75 mile. Photo taken 06/05/11.
A roadside exit number sign is posted for Exit 1B, 25th Street. Photo taken 06/05/11.
Westbound California 94/Martin Luther King, Jr. Freeway reaches Exit 1B, 25th Street. Photo taken 06/05/11.
The next exit along California 94/Martin Luther King, Jr. Freeway west is Exit 1A, Junction Interstate 5. Photo taken 06/05/11.
The left three lanes of westbound California 94/Martin Luther King, Jr. Freeway will lead into downtown San Diego as California 94 west transitions directly onto F Street west. Access to Balboa Park is via F Street west to Park Boulevard (12th Avenue) north. is Exit 1A, Junction Interstate 5. Photo taken 06/05/11.
Westbound California 94/Martin Luther King, Jr. Freeway reaches Exit 1A, Junction Interstate 5/San Diego Freeway north; the next "exit" is for Interstate 5/Montgomery Freeway south to National City and Chula Vista, but that connection is made via the downtown street grid. To Interstate 5 south, follow F Street west to 16th Street north, then turn east on E Street to the onramp to Interstate 5 south. An END California 94/Martin Luther King, Jr. Freeway assembly is posted on the overhead pull-through sign, but no mention is made of F Street as the continuation for through traffic. The destinations of downtown and Balboa Park are used instead. Photo taken 06/05/11.
The freeway-to-freeway ramp from California 94 west to Interstate 5 north was signed as Exit 1A in 2006, then changed to "RAMP" by 2011. It will likely change again. Photos taken 03/23/06 and 06/05/11.
This view follows the transition ramp from California 94 west to Interstate 5 north. The two-lane ramp prepares to merge onto Interstate 5 north after passing under the Broadway bridge. Stay right for the connection to California 163/Cabrillo Freeway north. Photos taken 03/05/09.
Back on the mainline, after traffic splits to Interstate 5 north, the freeway continues for only another quarter mile. Photo taken 05/07/09.
To PETCO Park (home of Major League Baseball's San Diego Padres), follow F Street west to 10th Avenue. Take 10th Avenue south to the ballpark, which has ample parking facilities located north and east of the stadium. Photo taken 05/07/09.
The next traffic signal is with 16th Street. To San Diego City College, use 16th Street north. Photo taken 05/07/09.
This bridge carries westbound traffic over Interstate 5. The speed limit reduces to 25 miles per hour as the freeway ends and all traffic transition onto F Street. Photo taken 05/07/09.
F Street west
Westbound F Street meets 16th Street. Turn right (north) on 16th Street to the ramp to Interstate 5 south. Photos taken 05/07/09 and 02/19/05.
This view looks west along F Street toward downtown San Diego. F Street will continue until Fourth Avenue, where it connects with the main parking garage for Horton Plaza. Photo taken 01/26/09.
16th Street north
To access Interstate 5 south, follow 16th Street north one block, then turn right on E Street. A wayfinder sign is posted on the mast arm. Photo taken 01/26/09.
E Street east
A freeway entrance shield is posted for Interstate 5 south. Upon turning, E Street narrows to one lane and makes the transition onto the freeway south. Photos taken 01/26/09.
A bridge with old style concrete bridge rail carries 17th Street over the onramp from E Street onto Interstate 5 south. The ramp curves south after passing under 17th Street, then joins the freeway southbound. Photo taken 02/19/05.
