Interstate 405 - North - Los Angeles County #3


Interstate 405 (San Diego Freeway) north
The next exit along Interstate 405 (San Diego Freeway) north is Exit 55B, Wilshire Boulevard (0.75 mile). Photo taken 02/02/08.
Use Wilshire Boulevard east to the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) and Beverly Hills. To the west, Wilshire Boulevard passes through Westwood Park en route to Santa Monica. Photo taken 11/14/04.
This mileage sign along northbound Interstate 405 (San Diego Freeway) provides the distance to the next three exits: Exit 55B, Wilshire Boulevard; Exit 56, Montana Avenue; and Exit 57A, Sunset Boulevard. The sign was replaced and moved from the center median to an overhead guide closer to the right side of the freeway. Photos taken 02/02/08 and 03/18/06.
The right lane becomes exit only for Exit 55B, Wilshire Boulevard. Photo taken 11/14/04.
Upon exiting, the first ramp connects to Wilshire Boulevard east to UCLA, while the second right connects to Wilshire Boulevard west to Santa Monica. Photo taken 11/14/04.
Northbound Interstate 405 (San Diego Freeway) reaches Exit 55B, Wilshire Boulevard. This interchange basically functions as a modified cloverleaf, which means exiting traffic may rejoin Interstate 405 north via a collector distributor lane arrangement. Photo taken 11/14/04.
Once on the collector distributor lanes, the first ramp leads to Wilshire Boulevard east, and the second ramp connects to Wilshire Boulevard west. A bridge identification sign shows that Wilshire Boulevard passes underneath the San Diego Freeway. Photo taken 03/15/08.
Stay right for Wilshire Boulevard west or stay left to return to northbound Interstate 405 (San Diego Freeway). Photo taken 03/15/08.
Old bridge railing, which likely dates back to the construction of the Wilshire-Interstate 405 interchange, lines the ramp from Interstate 405 north to Wilshire Boulevard west. Below this ramp is Sepulveda Boulevard, which is old California 7. Photo taken 03/15/08.
Back on the mainline, this mileage sign along northbound Interstate 405 (San Diego Freeway) provides the distance to Exit 56, Montana Avenue; Exit 57A, Sunset Boulevard; and Exit 57B, Moraga Drive. Photo taken 03/15/08.
Use Montana Avenue east to Los Angeles National Cemetery. Photo taken 03/15/08.
Northbound Interstate 405 (San Diego Freeway) reaches Exit 56, Montana Avenue, approaches Sunset Boulevard (Exit 57A). The clarity of these older, procelain enamel signs is diminished as compared to the newer reflective sign in the previous photo, but these signs have graced this freeway for over 30 years and are still in service. Photo taken 11/14/04.
This interchange sequence sign along Interstate 405 (San Diego Freeway) north provides the distance to Exit 57A, Sunset Boulevard; Exit 57B, Moraga Drive; and Exit 59, Getty Center Drive and Sepulveda Boulevard (former California 7). Photo taken 03/15/08.
Use Sunset Boulevard west to Bundy Drive north to Mt. St. Mary's College (Chalon Campus). To the east, Sunset Boulevard skirts the northern edge of UCLA. Photo taken 11/14/04.

Northbound Interstate 405 meets Exit 57A, Sunset Boulevard, which roughly parallels Santa Monica Boulevard (California 2) between California 1 (Pacific Coast Highway) and U.S. 101 (Hollywood Freeway). It is well-known as the "Sunset Strip" as it passes through Hollywood (part of the city of Los Angeles). The next exit along Interstate 405 (San Diego Freeway) north is Exit 57B, Moraga Boulevard. Photos taken 03/15/08 and 11/14/04.
This interchange sequence sign along Interstate 405 (San Diego Freeway) north provides the distance to Exit 57B, Moraga Drive; Exit 59, Getty Center Drive and Sepulveda Boulevard (former California 7); and Exit 61, Mulholland Drive and Skirball Center Drive. Photo taken 03/18/06.
An Interstate 405 north reassurance shield is posted after the on-ramp from Sunset Boulevard. From here, Interstate 405 begins to climb into Sepulveda Canyon. Old California 7/Sepulveda Boulevard will parallel the freeway through the canyon, with a tunnel at the top of the grade on the old road. Photo taken 03/18/06.
Northbound Interstate 405 (San Diego Freeway) reaches Exit 57B, Moraga Boulevard. Even though both signs are button copy, the sign on the right is porcelain enamel and thus much older (California ceased using porcelain enamel signs around 1973). The next exit (Exit 59) is Getty Center Drive. Photo taken 11/14/04.
Signs of urbanization diminish as we ascend into Sepulveda Canyon. A tram carries visitors uphill to the Getty Center. Photo taken 03/15/08.
The Getty Center is a large museum that sits on the southern edge of the Santa Monica Mountains looking south toward the urban areas of Los Angeles, including the districts of Brentwood and Westwood Village. Operated by the J. Paul Getty Trust, the museum is free of charge, although parking costs $15 per vehicle. The museum hosts a wide variety of Western art from the Middle Ages through current times, and it often hosts special exhibitions. The Getty Center opened on December 16, 1997, and the highway signs were changed to reflect the new name at that time. Photo taken 11/14/04.
This interchange sequence sign along Interstate 405 (San Diego Freeway) north provides the distance to Exit 59, Getty Center Drive and Sepulveda Boulevard (former California 7); Exit 61, Mulholland Drive and Skirball Center Drive; and Exit 63A, Ventura Boulevard (former U.S. 101 Business). Photo taken 03/18/06.
Northbound Interstate 405 (San Diego Freeway) reaches Exit 59, Getty Center Drive and Sepulveda Boulevard (former California 7). Upon exiting, the off-ramp connects to Sepulveda Boulevard; turn left to turn north toward the Sepulveda Tunnel or right to travel south to Getty Center Drive and points south. The next exit from Interstate 405 north is Exit 61, Mulholland Drive and Skirball Center Drive. Photo taken 11/14/04.
Passing over the Getty Center Drive interchange, Interstate 405 continues its climb through Sepulveda Canyon to Sepulveda Pass. A widening project began around 2010 to construct high occupancy vehicle (carpool) lanes through the canyon. Photo taken 03/15/08.
This Interstate 405 north reassurance shield is posted after the on-ramp from Getty Center Drive. Photo taken 02/02/08.
This interchange sequence sign along Interstate 405 (San Diego Freeway) north provides the distance to Exit 61, Mulholland Drive and Skirball Center Drive; Exit 63A, Ventura Boulevard (former U.S. 101 Business); and Exit 63B, U.S. 101 (Ventura Freeway). Photos taken 03/15/08 and 11/14/04.
The next exit along Interstate 405 (San Diego Freeway) north is Exit 61, Skirball Center Drive and Mulholland Drive. Between Exits 57 and 63A, Interstate 405 ascends to Sepulveda Pass through the Santa Monica Mountains. This provides a brief respite from the urbanscape that often dominates Interstate 405 in Los Angeles and Orange Counties. Photo taken 11/14/04.
Use Exit 61 to the Skirball Cultural Center. Mulholland Drive is a scenic east-west arterial street that passes along the top of the Santa Monica Mountains and Hollywood Hills in Los Angeles. The road is named for William Mulholland, who led the efforts to bring water to Los Angeles during his leadership of the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (1902-1929). Mulholland is controversially known for bringing water conveyance systems from distant areas (such as Owens Valley in the Eastern Sierra) to Los Angeles to provide urban dwellers with a source of water. He also oversaw construction of the Saint Francis Dam before it collapsed in 1928; this failure effectively ended his career with LADWP. Photo taken 11/14/04.
Northbound Interstate 405 (San Diego Freeway) reaches Exit 61, Skirball Center Drive and Mulholland Drive. An exit number was added between 2006 and 2008. This interchange will be impacted significantly as a result of carpool lane construction through Sepulveda Pass; plans call for removal/replacement of this overpass as part of the improvements. Work began in 2010 as part of Measure R improvements. Photos taken 02/02/08 and 11/14/04.
This interchange sequence sign along Interstate 405 (San Diego Freeway) north provides the distance to Exit 63A, Ventura Boulevard (former U.S. 101 Business); Exit 63B, U.S. 101 (Ventura Freeway); and Exit 64, Burbank Boulevard. Overhead, Mulholland Drive passes high above the freeway. Measure R improvements resulted in removal and replacement of this towering overpass. The "Carmaggedon" event of the weekend of July 16 and 17, 2011, began the process of removing the bridge to allow for freeway widening through Sepulveda Pass. During this weekend, Interstate 405 was closed to all traffic to facilitate removal of the then-50-year-old overpass. Interstate 405 reaches the height of Sepulveda Pass and begins the descent into the San Fernando Valley. Photos taken 11/14/04 and 03/15/08.
The right two lanes of Interstate 405 (San Diego Freeway) north connect to Exit 63A, Ventura Boulevard (formerly U.S. 101 Business) to Sherman Oaks, a community of Los Angeles. Exit numbers were added to this sign between 2006 and 2008. Photos taken 03/15/08 and 11/14/04.
Ventura Boulevard is the former route of U.S. 101 before the Ventura Freeway was built. For a time after freeway construction, the old alignment was signed as U.S. 101 Business. However, those signs were gone by the 1980s. Photo taken 02/02/08.
The next right connects Interstate 405 north to Exit 63A, Ventura Boulevard (U.S. 101 Business). The second exit connects to U.S. 101 north (west) to Ventura and San Francisco and south (east) to Hollywood and Downtown Los Angeles. Photos taken 02/02/08 and 11/14/04.
In 2006, the right lane became exit only to Exit 63A, Ventura Boulevard (U.S. 101 Business). However, that was no longer the case by 2008 as seen in the change in signage. However, don't be fooled into thinking the right lane continues north on Interstate 405. Instead, the right three lanes will connect to Exit 63B (U.S. 101), while the left three lanes continue north on Interstate 405. Watch for stopped and slowing traffic as we descend from Sepulveda Pass and approach the busy U.S. 101 interchange. Photos taken 02/02/08 and 03/18/06.
The San Fernando Valley comes into view in the distance ahead. Interstate 405 descends at a rapid pace toward the U.S. 101 interchange. U.S. 101, a major north-south corridor in the Golden State, travels west to Ventura and Santa Barbara via El Camino Real, then turns north parallel to the coast yet staying inland (in the Salinas River valley). U.S. 101 passes through rural Monterey County before entering the city of Salinas, then proceeds north through Gilroy to San Jose and San Francisco, where it crosses the magnificient Golden Gate Bridge. North of the Golden Gate, U.S. 101 travels north along the Redwood Highway to Santa Rosa, Ukiah, Eureka, and Crescent City before entering the state of Oregon. U.S. 101 is one of the most impressive drives in the state of California. MERGE RIGHT NOW if you are planning to connect to U.S. 101, and watch for traffic ahead. Photo taken 03/15/08.
Northbound Interstate 405 reaches BOTH Exit 63A, Ventura Boulevard (Former U.S. 101 Business) AND Exit 63B, U.S. 101 (Ventura Freeway). This off-ramp was reconfigured for one single off-ramp for both Exits 63B and 63A between 2006 and 2008. In addition to allowing access to Ventura Boulevard, the right three lanes all merge onto U.S. 101, while the left three lanes continue north on Interstate 405. Photos taken 02/02/08 and 11/14/04.
UNDER THE OLD CONFIGURATION ... southbound Interstate 405 met Exit 63B, U.S. 101 (Ventura Freeway). This was the configuration until the Exit 63A "exit-only" lane was eliminated and added to the capacity to the transition ramp to U.S. 101. This sign is now gone. The 2008 picture shows the overhead sign is gone at the gore point for Exit 63B. Photos taken 03/15/08 and 11/14/04.
After the gore point for Exit 63B, a carpool lane begins along Interstate 405 north at the U.S. 101 interchange. A connecting carpool lane between Interstate 10 and U.S. 101 was under construction in 2010 using Measure R funds. Photo taken 03/15/08.
Prior to the reconfiguration of the ramp from Interstate 405 to U.S. 101, the ramp served as a collector distributor lane allowing traffic to merge back onto Interstate 405 north (as there is a single on-ramp from Ventura Boulevard near the Sherman Oaks Galleria). However, this was changed with the interchange revision, and now the ramp only connects to U.S. 101. The first ramp links to U.S. 101 north (east) to Hollywood and Downtown Los Angeles. The 2008 picture was taken within the transition lanes, while the 2004 picture was taken from the main lanes. Photos taken 02/02/08 and 11/14/04.
The transition ramp prepares to split, with the left lanes connecting to U.S. 101 north (west) and the right lanes aiming east (south) on U.S. 101. These overhead signs have been modified several times through the 2000s. Photos taken 11/14/04, 03/18/06, and 02/02/08.
The ramp from Interstate 405 north to U.S. 101 splits, with the left two lanes linking to U.S. 101 north (west) and the right two lanes linking to U.S. 101 south (east). Photo taken 02/02/08.
This series of pictures follows the transition from Interstate 405 north to U.S. 101 west. Traffic merges onto the left side of U.S. 101 west, and it is kept separated from mainline traffic initially so that no one can exit from these lanes to Haskell Avenue. Photos taken 03/18/06 and 02/02/08.
This interchange sequence sign along Interstate 405 (San Diego Freeway) provides the distance to the next four exits: Exit 64, Burbank Boulevard; Exit 65, Victory Boulevard; and Exits 66A-B, Sherman Way. The replacement sign was installed on the right side of the freeway and moved a bit further upstream. Photos taken 11/14/04 and 03/15/08.
Interstate 405 passes under the U.S. 101 freeway. Photos taken 11/14/04 and 03/15/08.
The right lane of Interstate 405 north becomes exit only for Exit 64, Burbank Boulevard. Photos taken 03/15/08 and 11/14/04.
In 2004, the carpool lane used to begin right after the Exit 64 interchange. However, by 2008, the carpool lane began back by the U.S. 101 interchange. So, this sign is now gone. Photo taken 11/14/04.
Northbound Interstate 405 reaches Exit 64, Burbank Boulevard. This sign has since been replaced with one that has an exit number (as of March 2008). Photo taken 11/14/04.
The next exit along Interstate 405 (San Diego Freeway) north is Exit 65, Victory Boulevard (one and one-quarter miles). Photo taken 11/14/04.
Use Victory Boulevard to the San Fernando Valley Government Center. Photo taken 04/30/06.
This interchange sequence sign along Interstate 405 (San Diego Freeway) provides the distance to the next four exits: Exit 65, Victory Boulevard; Exits 66A-B, Sherman Way; and Exit 68, Roscoe Boulevard. Photo taken 03/15/08.
Interstate 405 (San Diego Freeway) approaches Exit 65, Victory Boulevard. Photo taken 11/14/04.
Northbound Interstate 405 reaches Exit 65, Victory Boulevard. Photo taken 11/14/04.
This Interstate 405 north reassurance shield is posted after the on-ramp from Victory Boulevard. Photo taken 11/14/04.
This interchange sequence sign along Interstate 405 (San Diego Freeway) provides the distance to the next four exits: Exits 66A-B, Sherman Way; Exit 68, Roscoe Boulevard; and Exit 69, Nordhoff Street. Photo taken 03/15/08.
Northbound Interstate 405 (San Diego Freeway) reaches Exit 66A, Sherman Way east. The next exit is Exit 66B, Sherman Way west. Sherman Way travels east to Van Nuys and west to Reseda. Van Nuys Airport is located west of Interstate 405; a tunnel carries Sherman Way under the runway. Photo taken 11/14/04.
Immediately thereafter, northbound Interstate 405 (San Diego Freeway) reaches Exit 66B, Sherman Way west. Photo taken 11/14/04.
This interchange sequence sign along Interstate 405 (San Diego Freeway) provides the distance to the next three exits: Exit 68, Roscoe Boulevard; Exit 69, Nordhoff Street; and Exit 70, Devonshire Street. Photo taken 03/15/08.
The next exit along Interstate 405 (San Diego Freeway) north is Exit 68, Roscoe Boulevard to Panorama City (part of Los Angeles). Photo taken 11/14/04.
Northbound Interstate 405 (San Diego Freeway) reaches Exit 68, Roscoe Boulevard. Photo taken 11/14/04.
The next exit along Interstate 405 (San Diego Freeway) north is Exit 69, Nordhoff Street. This exit serves the community of North Hills, which is also a part of the city of Los Angeles. Photo taken 04/30/06.
A destination mileage sign along Interstate 405 (San Diego Freeway) north provides the distance to Santa Clarita (13 miles), Bakersfield (92 miles), and Sacramento (368 miles). These destinations all require the use of Interstate 5, with the connection to Bakersfield via California 99 in the Central Valley. Photo taken 03/15/08.
Northbound Interstate 405 (San Diego Freeway) approaches Exit 69, Nordhoff Street (one-half mile). Photo taken 11/14/04.
This interchange sequence sign provides the distance to the next three exits along Interstate 405 (San Diego Freeway) north: Exit 69, Nordhoff Street to North Hills; Exit 70, Devonshire Street; and Exit 71A, California 118 (Ronald Reagan [Simi Valley] Freeway). Photo taken 03/15/08.
Northbound Interstate 405 (San Diego Freeway) reaches Exit 69, Nordhoff Street. Photo taken 11/14/04.
A carpool lane entrance/exit is located after the Exit 69 off-ramp. Depart the carpool lanes for the connection to Exit 70, Devonshire Street and Exit 71, California 118 (Simi Valley / Ronald Reagan Freeway). Photo taken 03/15/08.
This Interstate 405 north reassurance shield is posted after the on-ramp from Nordhoff Street. Photo taken 11/14/04.
A set of overhead signs post the lane allocations for Interstate 405 north (left five lanes) and California 118 (Simi Valley / Ronald Reagan Freeway) (Exit 71A). Not mentioned is Exit 70, Devonshire Street. Photo taken 11/14/04.
Use Exit 70 to the communities of Granada Hills (west of Interstate 405) and Mission Hills (east of Interstate 405). Photo taken 11/14/04.
This mileage sign along northbound Interstate 405 provides the distance to the next three exits: Exit 70, Devonshire Street (one-half mile); Exit 71A, California 118 (Ronald Reagan Freeway)/Simi Valley Freeway (one mile); and Exit 71B, San Fernando Mission Boulevard. Photo taken 11/14/04.
Northbound Interstate 405 (San Diego Freeway) reaches Exit 70, Devonshire Street. The next exit along northbound Interstate 405 is Exit 71A, California 118 (Simi Valley / Ronald Reagan Freeway). Photo taken 11/14/04.
Immediately thereafter, northbound Interstate 405 (San Diego Freeway) reaches Exit 71A, California 118 (Ronald Reagan Freeway) (also known as the Simi Valley Freeway). Along the northbound side of Interstate 405, the interchange with California 118 is not the last exit before the merge with Interstate 5, as there is a half interchange with San Fernando Mission Boulevard and a full interchange with Rinaldi Street. Photos taken 03/15/08 and 11/14/04.
Upon departing Interstate 405, stay left for California 118 (Ronald Reagan [Simi Valley] Freeway) west to Simi Valley or right for California 118 east to Interstate 210. Photos taken 04/30/06 and 06/02/02.
We next follow the transition ramp from northbound Interstate 405 onto westbound California 118 toward Simi Valley and points west. Photo taken 06/02/02.
Back on the mainline, the next exit along Interstate 405 (San Diego Freeway) north is Exit 71B, San Fernando Mission Boulevard (one-half mile). Photo taken 11/14/04.
Interstate 405 (San Diego Freeway) passes through the California 118 interchange, with high flyovers crossing over the freeway. Mainline California 118 passes under the Interstate 405 freeway. Photo taken 03/15/08.
This Interstate 405 north reassurance shield is posted prior to the off-ramp to Exit 71B, San Fernando Mission Boulevard. Photo taken 11/14/04.
Northbound Interstate 405 (San Diego Freeway) reaches Exit 71B, San Fernando Mission Boulevard. Photo taken 11/14/04.
This mileage sign along northbound Interstate 405 provides the distance to four of the next six exits: Exit 72, Rinaldi Street; Exit 73, Interstate 5 (Golden State Freeway) north; Exits 159A-B, Roxford Street; Exit 161A, Truck Bypass; and Exit 161B, Interstate 210 (Foothill Freeway) east to San Fernando and Pasadena. Omitted from this list of exits is Exit 73 to Interstate 5 north (as all northbound Interstate 405 traffic must merge onto Interstate 5 north) and the truck bypass at Exit 161A. Photo taken 03/15/08.
The next exit along northbound Interstate 405 is Exit 72, Rinaldi Street. Use Exit 72 to the North Valley Occupational Center; this exit also serves a hospital. Photo taken 11/14/04.
Green hills dominate the view in late winter as northbound Interstate 405 (San Diego Freeway) approaches Exit 72, Rinaldi Street. Photo taken 03/15/08.
Northbound Interstate 405 reaches Exit 72, Rinaldi Street. This is the final standalone exit along Interstate 405 north. Traffic from northbound Sepulveda Boulevard (former California 7) will merge back onto the freeway ahead. Photo taken 11/14/04.
As traffic merges onto northbound Interstate 405 from Sepulveda Boulevard, the freeway narrows somewhat for the final distance to the Interstate 5 merge. Photo taken 08/26/07.
Three double-circuit 230kV power lines cross over Interstate 405 as the freeway passes through a cut before the merge with Interstate 5. Photo taken 04/30/06.
Interstate 405 approaches its end. The carpool lanes will end in about a quarter mile. Photo taken 03/15/08.
Northbound Interstate 405 passes under the truck bypass lanes for Interstate 5 southbound traffic. Photo taken 08/26/07.
The carpool lane ends as Interstate 405 passes under the Interstate 5 main lanes. Ahead, Interstate 405 will merge in with the Interstate 5 north truck lanes. Photos taken 04/30/06, 11/14/04, and 08/26/07.
Northbound Interstate 405 uses a tunnel to pass underneath the Interstate 5 main lanes. This kind of freeway transition is more common than you might think when driving around Los Angeles' freeway system. Photo taken 11/14/04.
After passing through the tunnel, Interstate 405 prepares to merge onto the northbound Interstate 5 Truck Bypass. An end shield assembly is present here, with an obvious replacement in route markers (and position of the end placard) between 2004 and 2007 and again in 2012. Photos taken 11/14/04, 08/26/07, and 07/27/12.
Northbound Interstate 405 next merges with the truck bypass and then merges onto the main lanes of Interstate 5 north. This marks the northern terminus of a very long and busy three-digit Interstate route. Note the difference in weather conditions between the 2006 and 2007 pictures. A haze in 2006 made the mountains ahead very difficult to see, while they were very visible in the 2007 picture. Photos taken 04/30/06 and 08/26/07.


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Page Updated July 30, 2012.

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