Interstate 405 - North - Los Angeles County #1


Interstate 405 north
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.
Between the California 22 and Interstate 605 interchanges, Interstate 405 turns due north, then turns northwest until Exit 26A (Woodruff Avenue). This sign again notes Interstate 405 is the San Diego Freeway, and it is the second one seen after the one after the California 22 (Garden Grove Freeway) merge. This sign is posted after the county line, which also serves as the boundary between Caltrans Districts 12 (Orange County) and 7 (Los Angeles/Ventura County). Photo taken 02/02/08.
The next exit along Interstate 405 (San Diego Freeway) is Exit 25, Palo Verde Avenue (0.75 mile). Photo taken 07/13/09.
Use Palo Verde Avenue south to the California State University at Long Beach. Photo taken 02/02/08.
The next nine exits from Interstate 405 (San Diego Freeway) serve the city of Long Beach: Exit 25, Palo Verde Avenue; Exit 26A, Woodruff Avenue; Exit 26B, Bellflower Boulevard; Exit 27, California 19 (Lakewood Boulevard); Exit 29A, Cherry Avenue south; Exit 29B, Cherry Avenue north; Exit 29C, Orange Avenue; Exit 30A, Atlantic Avenue (Former California 15); and Exit 30B, Wardlow Road and Long Beach Boulevard. Photo taken 02/02/08.
Northbound Interstate 405 (San Diego Freeway) reaches Exit 25, Palo Verde Avenue. The next exit is Exit 26A, Woodruff Avenue. Interstate 405 will again take a westerly trajectory as it passes through Long Beach. Photo taken 07/13/09.
This mileage sign along Interstate 405 (San Diego Freeway) north provides the distance to Exit 26A, Woodruff Avenue; Exit 26B, Bellflower Boulevard; and Exit 27, California 19 (Lakewood Boulevard). Photo taken 11/25/04.
Northbound Interstate 405 reaches Exit 26A, Woodruff Avenue. Photo taken 02/02/08.
This mileage sign along Interstate 405 (San Diego Freeway) north provides the distance to Exit 26B, Bellflower Boulevard; Exit 27, California 19 (Lakewood Boulevard); and Exit 29A, Cherry Avenue south. Photo taken 09/25/05.
To Long Beach Airport, use Exit 27, California 19 (Lakewood Boulevard) north. Photo taken 02/02/08.
Northbound Interstate 405 (San Diego Freeway) reaches Exit 26B, Bellflower Boulevard. The next exit is Exit 27, California 19 (Lakewood Boulevard). Photo taken 09/25/05.
This mileage sign along northbound Interstate 405 (San Diego Freeway) provides the distance to the next three exits: Exit 27, California 19 (Lakewood Boulevard); Exit 29A, Cherry Avenue south; and Exit 29B, Cherry Avenue north. Photo taken 07/13/09.
California 19 is a major arterial that travels north-south through the Los Angeles Basin. To the north, it serves the Long Beach Airport; to the south, it connects up with the Pacific Coast Highway. Photo taken 02/02/08.

The right lane of Interstate 405 (San Diego Freeway) north becomes exit only for Exit 27, California 19 (Lakewood Boulevard). Photo taken 09/25/05.
Northbound Interstate 405 (San Diego Freeway) reaches Exit 27, California 19 (Lakewood Boulevard). Photos taken 07/13/09 and 02/02/08.
The next two exits along Interstate 405 (San Diego Freeway) are Exit 29A, Cherry Avenue south and Exit 29B, Cheery Avenue north. Use Cherry Avenue south to the enclave of Signal Hill. This city, which is entirely surrounded by the city of Long Beach, was incorporated on April 22, 1924, had a population of 9,333 as of the 2000 Census. Photo taken 02/02/08.
This mileage sign along northbound Interstate 405 (San Diego Freeway) provides the distance to the next three exits: Exit 29A, Cherry Avenue south; Exit 29B, Cherry Avenue north; and Exit 29C, Orange Avenue. Photo taken 09/25/05.
The right lane of Interstate 405 (San Diego Freeway) connects to Exit 29A, Cherry Avenue south to Signal Hill. Photo taken 07/13/09.
Northbound Interstate 405 meets Exit 29A, Cherry Avenue South, which leads into Signal Hill, a community nestled between Lakewood and Long Beach. Photo taken 06/15/03.
The next three exits along Interstate 405 north are Exit 29B, Cherry Avenue north (reflective sign for exit only has been in place since around 2004); Exit 29C, Orange Avenue; and Exit 30A, Atlantic Avenue (former California 15). Photo taken 07/13/09.
Traffic connecting to Exit 29B, Cherry Avenue north moves onto a collector distributor lane. Next to the gore point exit for Exit 29B, another interchange sequence sign is posted in the median along this busy stretch of Interstate 405. Photo taken 11/25/04.
This view looks at the off-ramp signage for Exit 29B (Cherry Avenue north) looking at the collector distributor lanes as seen from the main lanes. The signs were replaced sometime between 2005 and 2008, with the pull-through sign changing from "Freeway" to "Interstate 405 North." Photos taken 02/02/08, 03/25/07, and 09/25/05.
Northbound Interstate 405 meets Exit 29C, Orange Avenue. The next exit is Exit 30A, Atlantic Avenue (see the southbound notes for information about the significance of Atlantic Avenue). Photo taken 07/13/09.
This mileage sign along northbound Interstate 405 (San Diego Freeway) provides the distance to the next four exits: Exit 30A, Atlantic Avenue (Former California 15); Exit 30B, Wardlow Road and Long Beach Boulevard; Exit 32A, Interstate 710 (Long Beach Freeway) north to Pasadena; and Exit 32B, Interstate 710 (Long Beach Freeway) south to downtown Long Beach and the Port of Long Beach. Photo taken 07/13/09.
As the collector distributor lanes that served Exits 29A-B-C return to the mainline freeway, merging traffic sees this Interstate 405 north reassurance shield. The off-ramp seen to the right in this photo leads to Exit 29C. Photo taken 02/02/08.
At this point, Interstate 405 briefly leaves Long Beach and enters the city of Signal Hill. This city, which is entirely surrounded by the city of Long Beach and thus is considered an "enclave," was incorporated on April 22, 1924, had a population of 9,333 as of the 2000 Census. Photo taken 02/02/08.
Northbound Interstate 405 (San Diego Freeway) reaches Exit 30A, Atlantic Avenue (Former California 15). The off-ramp here once again connects to a collector distributor lane arrangement, meaning that through traffic may also exit here and still return to the freeway. Photo taken 11/25/04.
Immediately after exiting onto the collector distributor lanes, traffic may exit left to get back onto Interstate 405's main lanes or exit right to the ramps for Atlantic Avenue north and south. Photo taken 03/25/07.
Back on the mainline, this mileage sign along northbound Interstate 405 (San Diego Freeway) provides the distance to four of the next five exits: Exit 30B, Wardlow Road and Long Beach Boulevard; Exit 32A, Interstate 710 (Long Beach Freeway) north to Pasadena; Exit 32B, Interstate 710 (Long Beach Freeway) south to downtown Long Beach and the Port of Long Beach; (Exit 32C, Santa Fe Avenue;) and Exit 33A, California 47 (Alameda Street). Photo taken 11/25/04.
A north-south arterial street, Atlantic Avenue has a place as an historic route of significance for the greater Los Angeles Area. Atlantic Avenue was once California 15, and its intersection with the Pacific Coast Highway (then-U.S. 101 Alternate) was the previous end points for U.S. 6 west and U.S. 91 south until 1964. Photos taken 09/25/05 and 04/21/07.
Northbound Interstate 405 meets Exit 30B, Long Beach Boulevard. Note the use of collector distributor lanes for the Atlantic Avenue south exit. Photos taken 09/25/05 and 04/21/07.
The collector distributor lanes next meet the off-ramp to Long Beach Boulevard, and then through traffic may merge back onto Interstate 405's northbound main lanes. Photos taken 02/02/08 and 03/25/07.
This mileage sign along northbound Interstate 405 (San Diego Freeway) provides the distance to the next four exits: Exit 32A, Interstate 710 (Long Beach Freeway) north to Pasadena; Exit 32B, Interstate 710 (Long Beach Freeway) south to downtown Long Beach and the Port of Long Beach; Exit 32C, Santa Fe Avenue; and Exit 33A, California 47 (Alameda Street) The Santa Fe Avenue off-ramp (Exit 32C) is joined with the southbound Interstate 710 transition ramp (Exit 32B). Photo taken 06/15/03.
Interstate 405 keeps its left five lanes for northbound traffic, while the two right lanes lead to Interstate 710 (Exits 32A-B). These signs have faded a bit over the course of four years. Photos taken 07/13/09 and 11/25/04.
Northbound Interstate 405 (San Diego Freeway) reaches Exit 32A, Interstate 710 (Long Beach Freeway) north. Although signed to Pasadena, Interstate 710 remains unconstructed between Interstate 10 and Interstate 210, thus negating direct access to its intended northern destination. Photos taken 07/13/09 and 11/25/04.
The next off-ramp connects Interstate 405 (San Diego Freeway) to a collector distributor lane that leads to Exit 32B, Interstate 710 (Long Beach Freeway) south and Exit 32C, Santa Fe Avenue. Photo taken 11/14/04.
Northbound Interstate 405 (San Diego Freeway) reaches Exit 32B, Interstate 710 (Long Beach Freeway) south to downtown Long Beach and Exit 32C, Santa Fe Avenue. Through traffic may use this exit and return to Interstate 405 north. Interstate 710 south leads to the ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles, as well as downtown Long Beach, the Queen Mary, cruise ship terminal, and aquarium. Photo taken 07/13/09.
Now on the collector distributor lanes, an overhead sign provides the lane allocation for the connection to Interstate 710 south (Exit 32B). Stay left to return to northbound Interstate 405 or to depart the freeway at Exit 32C, Santa Fe Avenue. These reflective signs have been in place since at least 2004. Photos taken 07/13/09 and 11/25/04.
Returning to the main lanes, the next exit from Interstate 405 north will be Exit 33A, California 47 (Alameda Street). Visible in the collector distributor lanes is the approaching off-ramp to Exit 32C, Santa Fe Avenue. Photo taken 11/25/04.
Looking at the collector distributor lanes, northbound Interstate 405 (San Diego Freeway) reaches Exit 32C, Santa Fe Avenue. Through traffic may return to Interstate 405 north. Incoming traffic from Interstate 710 also uses the c-d lanes to return to the Interstate 405 main lanes. Photo taken 11/25/04.
The next three exits from Interstate 405 north are: Exit 33A, California 47 (Alameda Street); Exit 33B, Wilmington Avenue; and Exit 34, Carson Street and Avalon Boulevard south. Photo taken 11/25/04.
The next five exits along Interstate 405 north serve the city of Carson: Exit 33A, California 47 (Alameda Street); Exit 33B, Wilmington Avenue; Exit 34, Carson Street and Avalon Boulevard south; Exit 35, Avalon Boulevard north; and Exit 36, Main Street. Interstate 405 leaves Long Beach and enters the city of Carson ("Future Unlimited," population 89,730 as of the 2000 Census, and incorporated on February 20, 1968). Photo taken 03/25/07.
California 47 follows Alameda Street along the Alameda Corridor, which is an approximately 20-mile long freight rail corridor owned by the Alameda Corridor Transportation Authority and part of Congressional High Priority Corridor 22. As part of the project to upgrade the freight rail corridor by removing at-grade railroad crossings and creating the Mid-Corridor Trench (a ten-mile section of railroad with triple track below grade opened on April 15, 2002), nearby Alameda Street was upgraded to expressway characteristics between Henry Ford Avenue and California 91. This segment of expressway was designated and signed as part of California 47 in 2002, but it is not (as of August 2010) state maintained. Currently, the signs for Alameda Street at the Interstate 405 and California 91 interchanges do not reference the California 47 designation. On Alameda Street itself, reassurance markers for California 47 are posted as far north as the California 91 freeway. Photo taken 03/25/07.
Northbound Interstate 405 (San Diego Freeway) reaches Exit 33A, California 47 (Alameda Street) in the city of Carson. The second exit is Exit 33B, Wilmington Avenue. Photo taken 03/25/07.
The right lane along Interstate 405 (San Diego Freeway) north becomes exit only for Exit 33B, Wilmington Avenue. Photo taken 11/25/04.
This mileage sign provides the distance to the next three exits along Interstate 405 north: Exit 33B, Wilmington Avenue; Exit 34, Carson Street and Avalon Boulevard south; and Exit 35, Avalon Boulevard north. Photo taken 03/25/07.
Northbound Interstate 405 (San Diego Freeway) reaches Exit 33B, Wilmington Avenue. A construction project in 2007 modified this off-ramp to an exit only configuration. When this happened, the overhead guide sign was replaced with a new exit number sign. Photos taken 03/15/08 and 11/25/04.
This mileage sign provides the distance to the next three exits along Interstate 405 north: Exit 34, Carson Street and Avalon Boulevard south; Exit 35, Avalon Boulevard north; and Exit 36, Main Street. After Exit 36 is another major freeway-to-freeway interchange: Exit 37, Interstate 110 (Harbor Freeway) north to downtown Los Angeles and south to the Port of Los Angeles and San Pedro. Photo taken 03/15/08.
The next exit along Interstate 405 north is Exit 34, Carson Street and Avalon Boulevard south. Photo taken 03/25/07.
Interstate 405 curves toward the northwest prior to Exit 34. Photo taken 03/25/07.
Use Exit 34 to Avalon Boulevard south. Photo taken 03/25/07.
Northbound Interstate 405 (San Diego Freeway) reaches Exit 34, Carson Street and Avalon Boulevard south. Photo taken 03/25/07.
The next two exits along Interstate 405 (San Diego Freeway) north are Exit 35, Avalon Boulevard north and Exit 35B, Weigh Station (Truck Scales). Photo taken 03/25/07.
This mileage sign provides the distance to the next three exits along Interstate 405 north: Exit 35, Avalon Boulevard north; Exit 36, Main Street; and Exit 37, Interstate 110 (Harbor Freeway) north to downtown Los Angeles and south to the Port of Los Angeles and San Pedro. Photo taken 03/25/07.
Use Avalon Boulevard north to California State University-Dominguez Hills and the South Bay Pavilion at Carson. Photo taken 03/25/07.
In addition, use Avalon Boulevard north to Victoria Community Regional Park (originally known as Laguna-Dominguez Regional Park). This park features a pool, athletic fields, tennis courts, and golf course. Photo taken 03/25/07.
Northbound Interstate 405 (San Diego Freeway) reaches Exit 35, Avalon Boulevard north. Photo taken 03/25/07.
This mileage sign provides the distance to the next three exits along Interstate 405 north: Exit 36, Main Street; Exit 37, Interstate 110 (Harbor Freeway); and Exit 38A, Normandie Avenue. Photo taken 11/14/04.
An Interstate 405 north reassurance shield is posted next to the next advance sign for the Weigh Station. Photo taken 11/14/04.
Northbound Interstate 405 reaches Exit 35B, Weigh Station. Photo taken 11/14/04.
The Weigh Station is open only during select hours. Photo taken 03/25/07.
The next two exits along Interstate 405 (San Diego Freeway) north are Exit 36, Main Street and Exit 37, Interstate 110 (Harbor Freeway). Main Street is the final exit to serve the city of Carson. The Harbor Freeway, which was constructed as U.S. 6 and California 11 in the late 1950s and early 1960s, became designated exclusively as California 11 after U.S. 6 was decommissioned through much of California in 1964. In 1981, signs for California 11 were replaced with signs for Interstate 110 along the Harbor Freeway south of Interstate 10 (north of there, California 11 became California 110). Photos taken 03/25/07 and 11/25/04.
Northbound Interstate 405 (San Diego Freeway) reaches Exit 36, Main Street. Stay left to continue north on Interstate 405 or merge right to connect to Interstate 110 north/south. Photo taken 11/14/04.
Immediately thereafter, northbound Interstate 405 (San Diego Freeway) meets Exit 37, Interstate 110 (Harbor Freeway). The right two lanes connect to Interstate 110 north/south, while the left four lanes (including the carpool lane) continue north on Interstate 405. Interstate 110 travels north to downtown Los Angeles as the Harbor Freeway, then changes into the Arroyo Seco Parkway (Pasadena Freeway) upon passing through the Four-Level Interchange (U.S. 101 and California 110). California 110 travels northeast from the Four-Level, ending near downtown Pasadena after passing through that historic corridor. To the south, Interstate 110 connects to California 47 east to the commercial Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach and connects to Gaffey Street en route to San Pedro, a community of Los Angeles. A busy north-south freeway, Interstate 110 includes the Transitway for buses and high occupancy vehicles leading north toward downtown Los Angeles. Photo taken 11/14/04.
Looking at the transition ramp from Interstate 405 (San Diego Freeway) north to Interstate 110 (Harbor Freeway), the right lane allows trucks to merge onto the right side of Interstate 110 north. The middle lanes connect to Interstate 110 north on the left side. The left lane of the transition ramp will connect onto Interstate 110 south. Photos taken 11/14/04 and 11/25/04.
This mileage sign provides the distance to the next three exits along Interstate 405 north: Exit 38A, Normandie Avenue; Exit 38B, California 213/Western Avenue; and Exit 39, Crenshaw Boulevard. Photo taken 07/10/10.
Interstate 405 crosses over the top of the Interstate 110 interchange, with connecting ramps below the San Diego Freeway. Photo taken 03/25/07.
The next exit along Interstate 405 north is Exit 38A, Normandie Avenue. Photo taken 03/25/07.
Between Interstate 110 and Normandie Avenue, Interstate 405 turns due west again and passes through a sliver of the city of Los Angeles. Photo taken 07/10/10.
An Interstate 405 north reassurance shield is posted after the on-ramp from Interstate 110 and prior to the off-ramp to Normandie Avenue. Photo taken 07/10/10.
Another Interstate 405 north reassurance shield is posted after the on-ramp from Vermont Street, which closely parallels the Harbor Freeway. Photo taken 03/25/07.
Northbound Interstate 405 (San Diego Freeway) reaches Exit 38A, Normandie Avenue. The next exit along Interstate 405 north is Exit 38B, California 213/Western Avenue. Photo taken 03/25/07.
This mileage sign provides the distance to the next three exits along Interstate 405 north: Exit 38B, California 213/Western Avenue; Exit 39, Crenshaw Boulevard; and Exit 40, California 91 (Artesia Boulevard) and Redondo Beach Boulevard. Photo taken 03/25/07.
These three exits (Exit 38B, California 213/Western Avenue; Exit 39, Crenshaw Boulevard; and Exit 40, California 91 (Artesia Boulevard) and Redondo Beach Boulevard) all serve the city of Torrance ("The City with a Hometown Feel," population 137,946 as of 2000 Census, and incorporated on May 12, 1921). Photo taken 07/10/10.
Northbound Interstate 405 (San Diego Freeway) reaches Exit 38B, California 213/Western Avenue. Photo taken 03/25/07.
Use Crenshaw Avenue (Exit 39) south to Torrance Municipal Airport (Zamperini Field). Photo taken 07/10/10.
The next exit along northbound Interstate 405 (San Diego Freeway) is Exit 39, Crenshaw Avenue. This guide sign was replaced to include the exit number between 2004 and 2008. Photos taken 03/15/08 and 11/14/04.
This mileage sign provides the distance to the next three exits along Interstate 405 north: Exit 39, Crenshaw Boulevard; Exit 40, California 91 (Artesia Boulevard) and Redondo Beach Boulevard; and Exit 42A, California 107 (Hawthorne Boulevard). Photo taken 03/25/07.
The next exit along northbound Interstate 405 (San Diego Freeway) is Exit 39, Crenshaw Avenue. This guide sign was replaced to include the exit number between 2004 and 2008. Photos taken 02/02/08 and 11/14/04.
The next exit along Interstate 405 north is Exit 40, California 91 (Artesia Boulevard). Use Exit 40 to the Torrance Cultural Arts Center. Photo taken 03/25/07.
This mileage sign provides the distance to the next three exits along Interstate 405 north: Exit 40, California 91 (Artesia Boulevard) and Redondo Beach Boulevard; Exit 42A, California 107 (Hawthorne Boulevard); and Exit 42B, Inglewood Avenue. Photo taken 03/25/07 and 03/15/08.
Despite the numerical designation, at no time did U.S. 91 extend this far west. What is now California 91 was designated as California 14 until 1964, when many state routes and U.S. routes were renumbered in California. Historically, U.S. 91 deviated from California 91 in Anaheim and took Center Street and Carson Street west to Lakewood Boulevard, Lakewood Boulevard south to former U.S. 101A (today's California 1 (Pacific Coast Highway)), and California 1 (PCH) northwest to Atlantic Avenue. At the PCH/Atlantic Avenue traffic signal, U.S. 91 arrived at its southern terminus, and U.S. 6 began its northerly journey toward downtown (and ultimately its easterly journey toward Massachusetts). U.S. 6 and U.S. 91 would meet again in Central Utah. Photo taken 03/25/07.
Use Exit 40 to California 91 west to Redondo Beach and Hermosa Beach or east to Torrance and Gardena. The exit also connects to Prairie Avenue north to Lawndale, El Camino Village, and Hawthorne and south into western Torrance. Photos taken 03/25/07.
Northbound Interstate 405 (San Diego Freeway) reaches Exit 40, California 91 (Artesia Boulevard) west to Redondo Beach and Hermosa Beach or east to Torrance and Gardena. The exit also connects to Prairie Avenue north. Note that in the 2007 picture, the California 91 route marker overlay likely covers up an original California 14 shield. The replacement sign (from 2008) incorrectly shows the exit number as Exit 40A; it should be just Exit 40. The next exit is Exit 42A, California 107 (Hawthorne Boulevard). Photos taken 03/15/08 and 03/25/07.


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Page Updated September 1, 2010.

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