Interstate 405 North - Orange County #2


Interstate 405 (San Diego Freeway) north
The next exit along Interstate 405 (San Diego Freeway) north is Exit 14, Brookhurst Street to Fountain Valley. Photo taken 07/13/09.
Brookhurst Street serves the city of Fountain Valley. Traveling south, Brookhurst Street leads to Huntington Beach and north to Westminster and Garden Grove. Photos taken 07/13/09 and 11/25/04.
Rather than place a tab above an existing sign, a separate standalone sign that reads "Exit 14 Next Right" was erected on the roadside. The same effort was used for Exit 15 (see below). Photo taken 04/21/07.
Northbound Interstate 405 (San Diego Freeway) reaches Exit 14, Brookhurst Street to Fountain Valley. An exit number was added to this sign between 2005 and 2008. Photos taken 02/02/08 and 11/25/04.
Once on the off-ramp from Interstate 405 north, the ramp divides with the first right connecting to Brookhurst Street north followed by a loop ramp to Brookhurst Street south. Exit 14 is a modified cloverleaf. Photo taken 11/25/04.
Passing under the Brookhurst Street overpass, this mileage sign along Interstate 405 north provides the distance to the next two exits: Exit 15, Magnolia Street and Warner Avenue and Exit 16, California 39 (Beach Boulevard). Photo taken 11/25/04.
Looking back at the Brookhurst Street collector distributor lanes is this view of the loop ramp onto Brookhurst Street south. Photo taken 09/25/05.
An Interstate 405 north reassurance shield is posted after the collector distributor lanes from the Brookhurst Street interchange return to the mainline freeway. Photo taken 07/10/10.
The next exit along Interstate 405 (San Diego Freeway) north is Exit 15, Magnolia Street and Warner Avenue. This interchange also serves Fountain Valley. Photo taken 09/25/05.
An Exit 15 next right sign is posted on Interstate 405 (San Diego Freeway) north prior to the off-ramp to Exit 15, Magnolia Street and Warner Avenue. Photo taken 04/21/07.
Northbound Interstate 405 (San Diego Freeway) reaches Exit 15, Magnolia Street and Warner Avenue. Use Magnolia Street north to Little Saigon within the city of Westminster. Photo taken 11/25/04.

Now on the off-ramp to Exit 15, the first ramp connects to Warner Avenue west and Magnolia Street south (loop ramp). The second ramp will link to Magnolia Street north. The interchange for Exit 15 (Magnolia Street and Warner Avenue) is rather complicated. Photo taken 04/21/07.
The off-ramp to Exit 15 becomes a collector distributor lane arrangement as traffic from Warner Avenue joins the c-d lane. Here is the ramp to Magnolia Street north. Photo taken 04/21/07.
Still on the collector distributor lane, the next exit along Interstate 405 north is Exit 16, California 39 (Beach Boulevard) (one mile). Photos taken 09/25/05 and 04/21/07.
Interstate 405 nips the edge of Huntington Beach, "Surf City USA." Huntington Beach had a population of 192,620 as of the 2000 Census and was incorporated on February 17, 1909. Photo taken 04/21/07.
Before the c-d lane merges back into Interstate 405, we enter the city of Westminster ("Where Business Succeeds in the OC"). Westminster had a population of 88,207 as of the 2000 Census and was incorporated on March 27, 1957. According to the city's webpage, this area was originally "founded as a temperance colony by the Presbyterian Reverend, Lemuel P. Webber in 1870 upon his purchase of some 6,000 acres of the Stearns Rancho. ... The town was named for the Westminster Assembly of 1643 which prescribed the basic tenets of the Presbyterian Church." Photos taken 05/02/10 and 04/21/07.
An Interstate 405 north reassurance shield is posted after the c-d lanes rejoin the main lanes. Photo taken 04/21/07.
The next exit along northbound Interstate 405 (San Diego Freeway) is Exit 16, California 39 (Beach Boulevard) to Westminster and Huntington Beach. The right lane will become exit only to California 39 (Beach Boulevard) north/south. Interstate 405 briefly clips the northeastern corner of Huntington Beach as the freeway leaves Fountain Valley and approaches the city of Westminster. Photo taken 05/02/10.
California 39 follows Beach Boulevard north into Westminster and south into Huntington Beach. This state route generally stays on Beach B oulevard as it progresses north through Orange County, ending near the junction with California 72 in La Habra. A second, disconnecting section of California 39 is posted north of Interstate 10 in West Covina along Azusa Avenue. Photo taken 11/25/04.
Use California 39 south to Huntington Beach. The original sign was all-capital letters, while the newer sign is mixed case. Photos taken 07/10/10 and 04/21/07.
A roadside sign again notes the next exit is for California 39 (Beach Boulevard). Interstate 405 will flirt with the borders of Newport Beach and Westminster, moving back into each one more time. Photo taken 07/10/10.
Northbound Interstate 405 (San Diego Freeway) reaches Exit 16, California 39 (Beach Boulevard). The overhead guide sign here was replaced between 2005 and 2008. Photos taken 05/02/10, 02/02/08, and 11/25/04.
Now on the off-ramp to Exit 16, the right lane connects to California 39 north to Westminster. The left lane of the off-ramp will connect to California 39 south to Huntington Beach. Photo taken 07/10/10.
These overhead signs are posted on the collector distributor lanes for Exit 16, California 39 (Beach Boulevard). Exit at the first right for California 39 (Beach Boulevard) north to Westminster or the second right to follow California 39 (Beach Boulevard) south to Huntington Beach. Beach Boulevard is a major thoroughfare here, with six lanes of near-expressway connecting the coast/Huntington Beach with central Orange County. Photos taken 07/10/10 and 11/25/04.
When original freeway plans were developed for Los Angeles and Orange Counties, plans called for a freeway alignment along what is now California 39 (Beach Boulevard). The modified cloverleaf interchange was constructed to provide relatively high-speed connections between Interstate 405 and California 39. However, California 39 was not built to freeway standards, and today it functions as a major arterial with six lanes. Photo taken 07/10/10.
Over on the main lanes, this mileage sign provides the distance to the next two exits along Interstate 405 (San Diego Freeway) north: Exit 18, Golden West Street and Bolsa Avenue and Exit 19, Westminster Boulevard. Photo taken 07/13/09.
Back on the c-d lanes, the second right connects to California 39 (Beach Boulevard) south to Huntington Beach. Through traffic may merge left to rejoin the freeway. Photo taken 02/13/11.
This Interstate 405 north reassurance shield is posted after the on-ramp from Exit 16 (California 39 (Beach Boulevard)). Photo taken 02/02/08.
An exit number was affixed to this porcelain enamel, button copy guide sign for Exit 18, Golden West Street and Bolsa Avenue. Around this point, Interstate 405 again leaves Huntington Beach and reenters Westminster. Photo taken 02/02/08.
Use Bolsa Avenue west to Westminster Mall and Boeing or east to Westminster Memorial Park Cemetery, Midway City, and Little Saigon. Bolsa Avenue changes into First Street upon entering the city of Santa Ana east of Westminster. Use Golden West Street north to Westminster and south to Golden West College and Huntington Beach. Photo taken 02/02/08.
Northbound Interstate 405 (San Diego Freeway) reaches Exit 18, Golden West Street and Bolsa Avenue. This is another complicated interchange configuration that offers a ramp to Bolsa Avenue. Use Bolsa Avenue west to Golden West Street. The exit sign was replaced between 2005 and 2008. Photos taken 02/02/08 and 09/25/05.
This mileage sign provides the distance to the next three exits along Interstate 405 (San Diego Freeway) north: Exit 19, Westminster Boulevard; Exit 21, Valley View Street; and Exit 22, Seal Beach Boulevard. Interstate 405 will continue to aim northwest until Valley View Street, then turn west along with California 22 toward Long Beach. Photo taken 11/25/04.
An Interstate 405 north reassurance shield is posted after the on-ramp from Golden West Street and Bolsa Avenue. Photo taken 11/25/04.
The next exit along Interstate 405 (San Diego Freeway) north is Exit 19, Westminster Boulevard. Use Westminster Boulevard east into Westminster or west to Seal Beach and Long Beach (Naples and Belmont Shore neighborhoods). Photos taken 02/02/08 and 11/25/04.
Northbound Interstate 405 (San Diego Freeway) reaches Exit 19, Westminster Boulevard. Photos taken 02/02/08 and 09/25/05.
Departing the freeway at Exit 19, the right lane connects to Westminster Boulevard east, while the left lane will loop onto Westminster Boulevard west. Photo taken 04/21/07.
An Interstate 405 north reassurance shield is posted after the on-ramp from Westminster Boulevard. Photo taken 04/21/07.
This mileage sign along Interstate 405 (San Diego Freeway) north provides the distance to the next three exits: Exit 21, Valley View Street to California 22 (Garden Grove Freeway) east; Exit 22, Seal Beach Boulevard; and Exit 23, California 22 (Seventh Street). Photo taken 09/25/05.
A roadside sign for Exit 21, Valley View Street to California 22 (Garden Grove Freeway) east was retrofitted with an exit number tab. Photo taken 04/21/07.
Since a direct connection between Interstate 405 northwest and California 22 east is illogical, one must use the Valley View Street off-ramp, stop at the Valley View Street signalized intersection, then proceed straight onto the eastbound on-ramp to the Garden Grove Freeway. California 22 travels east between the city limits of Garden Grove and Westminster, then proceeds through Garden Grove, Santa Ana, and Orange. The freeway ends at California 55 in Orange. Photo taken 09/25/05.
Northbound Interstate 405 (San Diego Freeway) reaches Exit 21, Valley View Street. This exit also leads to eastbound California 22 (Garden Grove Freeway); traffic must stop at one stoplight before proceeding onto the ramp to the Garden Grove Freeway. California 22 west merges onto northbound Interstate 405, and they are cosigned into Long Beach. Interstate 405 now turns west toward Long Beach. Photo taken 02/02/08.
Interstate 405 passes under the Valley View Street bridge. Photo taken 02/13/11.
Shortly thereafter, the ramp connecting Interstate 405 south to California 22 west passes over the Interstate 405 mainline. Photo taken 02/13/11.
The next exit along Interstate 405 (San Diego Freeway) north is Exit 22, Seal Beach Boulevard and Los Alamitos Boulevard. After this sign, traffic from California 22 west merges onto Interstate 405 north. The freeway curves west, and the two routes remain merged until Exit 23, where California 22 continues west into Long Beach via Seventh Street. Photo taken 09/25/05.
Interstate 405 (San Diego Freeway) north and California 22 west
This mileage sign along northbound Interstate 405 and westbound California 22 provides the distance to Exit 22, Seal Beach Boulevard and Los Alamitos Boulevard; Exit 23, California 22 (Seventh Street) west to Long Beach; and Exit 24, Interstate 605 (San Gabriel River Freeway) north to Duarte. Closely spaced street lights were added along Interstate 405 and California 22's shared alignment. Photos taken 07/13/09 and 09/25/05.
Interstate 405 is the San Diego Freeway. Occasional signs such as this one reaffirm not only the route number and cardinal direction but also the freeway name. Photos taken 07/13/09 and 05/02/10.
The next exit along Interstate 405 north and California 22 west is Exit 22, Seal Beach Boulevard and Los Alamitos Boulevard. Interstate 405 now passes through the city of Seal Beach (population 24,157 as of 2000 Census; incorporated on October 25, 1915). Photos taken 07/13/09 and 09/25/05.
Seal Beach Boulevard leads south to Seal Beach, Seal Beach Naval Weapons Station, and California 1 (Pacific Coast Highway). North of Interstate 405 and California 22, Seal Beach Boulevard changes into Los Alamitos Boulevard, which heads north into Los Alamitos. Photos taken 03/15/08 and 09/25/05.
Northbound Interstate 405 (San Diego Freeway) and westbound California 22 meet Exit 22, Seal Beach Boulevard and Los Alamitos Boulevard. Photos taken 05/02/10 and 09/25/05.
The next exit along Interstate 405 north and California 22 west is Exit 23. The exit number is initially signed here, one-half mile prior to the split. Photos taken 05/02/10 and 03/15/08.
This mileage sign along northbound Interstate 405 and westbound California 22 provides the distance to the next three exits along Interstate 405 north: Exit 23, California 22 (Seventh Street) west; Exit 24, Interstate 605 (San Gabriel River Freeway) north to Duarte; and Exit 25, Palo Verde Avenue. Photo taken 07/13/09.
The left four lanes continue north on Interstate 405 (San Diego Freeway), while the right three lanes connect to Exit 23, California 22 (Seventh Street) west and Exit 24, Interstate 605 (San Gabriel River Freeway) north. Photo taken 02/02/08 and 11/25/04.
Northbound Interstate 405 (San Diego Freeway) reaches Exit 23, California 22 (Seventh Street) west to Long Beach. California 22 only continues a short distance along Seventh Street before terminating at its junction with California 1 (Pacific Coast Highway) in Long Beach. Photos taken 02/02/08 and 09/25/05.
Interstate 405 (San Diego Freeway) north
Interstate 405 passes under the transition ramp that connects to California 22 west. Photo taken 02/02/08.
The next exit along Interstate 405 (San Diego Freeway) north Exit 24, Interstate 605 (San Gabriel River Freeway) north to Duarte. Photo taken 09/25/05.
Northbound Interstate 405 (San Diego Freeway) meets Exit 24, Interstate 605 (San Gabriel River Freeway). The exit sign for Interstate 605 was replaced to include an exit number. The Orange-Los Angeles County Line lies ahead. Photos taken 02/02/08 and 11/25/04.
This mileage sign along northbound Interstate 405 provides the distance to the next three exits along Interstate 405 north: Exit 25, Palo Verde Avenue; Exit 26A, Woodruff Avenue; and Exit 26B, Bellflower Boulevard. Photo taken 07/13/09.
Interstate 405 (San Diego Freeway) leaves Orange County and Seal Beach and enters Los Angeles County and the city of Long Beach. Photos taken 07/13/09 and 11/25/04.


Continue north to Long Beach  Return to the Interstate 405 Guide  Return to the California Gateway

Page Updated February 17, 2011.

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