Interstate 405 South - Los Angeles County #1


Interstate 405 (San Diego Freeway) south
A Interstate 405 (San Diego Freeway) south guide sign is posted after the split from Interstate 5 (Golden State Freeway) in the Sylmar community of the city of Los Angeles. These "Interstate 405 San Diego Freeway" signs are posted occasionally along the route through Los Angeles and Orange Counties. Photo taken 07/19/09.
The first exit along Interstate 405 (San Diego Freeway) south is Exit 72, Sepulveda Boulevard (Former California 7) and Rinaldi Street to the Mission Hills community of the city of Los Angeles. Sepulveda Boulevard parallels Interstate 405 between Sylmar and Long Beach, ending at Willow Street near the north end of the Terminal Island Freeway (California 103). California 7 used to follow Sepulveda Boulevard until portions of the San Diego Freeway was built; today, Sepulveda Boulevard serves as the alternative to Interstate 405. Photo taken 07/19/09.
Southbound Interstate 405 (San Diego Freeway) approaches Exit 72, Sepulveda Boulevard (Former California 7) and Rinaldi Street. Photo taken 07/19/09.
The first reassurance shield for Interstate 405 south is posted shortly prior to the off-ramp to Exit 72. Photo taken 04/13/09.
Southbound Interstate 405 (San Diego Freeway) reaches Exit 72, Sepulveda Boulevard (Former California 7) south and Rinaldi Street east and west. Photo taken 04/13/09.

The next exit along southbound Interstate 405 (San Diego Freeway) is Exit 71, California 118 (Ronald Reagan [Simi Valley] Freeway) west to Simi Valley. Photo taken 07/19/09.
An Interstate 405 south reassurance shield is posted after the on-ramp from Rinaldi Street. Photo taken 04/13/09.
The left five lanes follow Interstate 405 (San Diego Freeway) south to Santa Monica, Los Angeles International Airport, Long Beach, Irvine, and San Diego. The right lane connects to Exit 71, California 118 (Ronald Reagan [Simi Valley] Freeway) west to Simi Valley. Photo taken 07/19/09.
Southbound Interstate 405 (San Diego Freeway) reaches Exit 71, California 118 (Ronald Reagan [Simi Valley] Freeway) west. Originally built as the Simi Valley Freeway and now known as the Ronald Reagan Freeway (as of 1994), California 118 is a freeway between Interstate 210 and California 23 at Moorpark. West of Moorpark, California 118 is a rural highway that follows Los Angeles Avenue west to California 126 near Ventura. Photo taken 07/19/09.
Shortly thereafter, southbound Interstate 405 (San Diego Freeway) meets Exit 70, Devonshire Avenue. A long off-ramp carries exiting traffic to Devonshire Street, which travels east to Mission Hills and west to Granada Hills (part of Los Angeles). To California 118 (Ronald Reagan [Simi Valley] Freeway) east, follow Devonshire Street east to Sepulveda Boulevard north. Photo taken 07/19/09.
The interchange California 118 (Ronald Reagan [Simi Valley] Freeway) is a three-level stack, with the link between California 118 west and Interstate 405 south forming the second level and the link from Interstate 405 north to California 118 west forming the top level. Photo taken 07/19/09.
The next exit along southbound Interstate 405 (San Diego Freeway) is Exit 69, Nordhoff Street, which travels west to North Hills and Northridge and east to Panorama City. Photo taken 04/13/09.
This interchange sequence sign provides the distance to the next three exits along southbound Interstate 405 (San Diego Freeway): Exit 69, Nordhoff Street; Exit 68, Roscoe Boulevard; and Exit 66, Sherman Way. Photo taken 07/19/09.
The next exit along southbound Interstate 405 (San Diego Freeway) is Exit 69, Nordhoff Street to North Hills and Panorama City, both communities of the city of Los Angeles. Photo taken 07/19/09.
Southbound Interstate 405 (San Diego Freeway) approaches Exit 69, Nordhoff Street (next right). Photo taken 07/19/09.
Southbound Interstate 405 (San Diego Freeway) reaches Exit 69, Nordhoff Street. The next exit along southbound is Exit 68, Roscoe Boulevard, which also serves Panorama City. Photo taken 07/19/09.
This interchange sequence sign provides the distance to the next three exits along southbound Interstate 405 (San Diego Freeway): Exit 68, Roscoe Boulevard; Exit 66, Sherman Way; and Exit 65, Victory Boulevard. Photo taken 07/19/09.
Southbound Interstate 405 (San Diego Freeway) reaches Exit 68, Roscoe Boulevard west to North Hills and Northridge and east to Panorama City. Photo taken 07/19/09.
The next three exits along southbound Interstate 405 (San Diego Freeway) serve the community of Van Nuys (part of Los Angeles): Exit 66, Sherman Way; Exit 65, Victory Boulevard; and Exit 64, Burbank Boulevard. Photo taken 04/13/09.
The next exit along southbound Interstate 405 (San Diego Freeway) is Exit 66, Sherman Way, which 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 07/19/09.
This mileage sign provides the distance to the next three exits along southbound Interstate 405 (San Diego Freeway): Exit 66, Sherman Way; Exit 65, Victory Boulevard; and Exit 64, Burbank Boulevard. Photo taken 07/19/09.
Southbound Interstate 405 (San Diego Freeway) reaches Exit 66, Sherman Way to Van Nuys and Reseda. Photo taken 07/19/09.
The next exit along southbound Interstate 405 (San Diego Freeway) is Exit 65, Victory Boulevard (0.75 mile). Photo taken 04/13/09.
This mileage sign provides the distance to the next three exits along southbound Interstate 405 (San Diego Freeway): Exit 65, Victory Boulevard; Exit 64, Burbank Boulevard; and Exit 63B, U.S. 101 (Ventura Freeway). Photo taken 04/13/09.
Southbound Interstate 405 (San Diego Freeway) reaches Exit 65, Victory Boulevard. The next exit along southbound is Exit 64, Burbank Boulevard. Photo taken 07/19/09.
Immediately after the off-ramp to Victory Boulevard, a sign for the carpool (high occupancy vehicle) lane is posted, along with a secondary sign advising carpool lane users to depart from the carpool lane for access to Exit 64, Burbank Boulevard or Exit 63B, U.S. 101 (Ventura Freeway). Photo taken 04/13/09.
This mileage sign provides the distance to the next three exits along southbound Interstate 405 (San Diego Freeway): Exit 64, Burbank Boulevard; Exit 63B, U.S. 101 (Ventura Freeway); and Exit 63A, Valley Vista Boulevard and Sepulveda Boulevard (former California 7). Photo taken 07/19/09.
Approaching the major interchange with U.S. 101, a pull-through sign advises that Interstate 405 proceeds south to Santa Monica and Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). Interstate 405 then proceeds south to Long Beach, Irvine, and San Diego. U.S. 101 travels north (west) to Thousand Oaks and Ventura, while U.S. 101 travels south (east) to Hollywood and downtown Los Angeles. Photo taken 07/19/09.
Southbound Interstate 405 (San Diego Freeway) reaches Exit 64, Burbank Boulevard west to Sepulveda Dam Recreation Area and east to Van Nuys. Ahead is a major freeway-to-freeway interchange between Interstate 405 and U.S. 101. Photo taken 07/19/09.
Passing under the Burbank Boulevard overpass, the next exit along southbound Interstate 405 (San Diego Freeway) is Exit 63B, U.S. 101 (Ventura Freeway). 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. Photo taken 07/19/09.
This mileage sign provides the distance to the next two exits along southbound Interstate 405 (San Diego Freeway): Exit 63B, U.S. 101 (Ventura Freeway) and Exit 63A, Valley Vista Boulevard and Sepulveda Boulevard (former California 7). The right two lanes become exit only for Exit 63B, U.S. 101. Photo taken 07/19/09.
The right lane transitions directly to U.S. 101 north (west). Photo taken 07/19/09.
Southbound Interstate 405 (San Diego Freeway) reaches Exit 63B, U.S. 101 (Ventura Freeway). Photo taken 07/19/09.
Interstate 405 passes under U.S. 101 and the connecting transition ramps. Photo taken 04/13/09.
The HOV (carpool) lane continues south of U.S. 101. Interstate 405 begins to climb to Sepulveda Pass. Photo taken 04/13/09.
This mileage sign provides the distance to the next two exits along southbound Interstate 405 (San Diego Freeway): Exit 63A, Valley Vista Boulevard and Sepulveda Boulevard (former California 7) and Exit 61, Mulholland Drive and Skirball Center Drive. Two new lanes join the freeway on the right side; an exit to Ventura Boulevard (former U.S. 101 Business) is offered solely from these lanes, not from the main lanes for through traffic. Photo taken 07/19/09.
A second, newer mileage sign also provides the distance to the next two exits along southbound Interstate 405 (San Diego Freeway): Exit 63A, Valley Vista Boulevard and Sepulveda Boulevard (former California 7) and Exit 61, Mulholland Drive and Skirball Center Drive. Photo taken 07/19/09.
For those wishing to drive through Sepulveda Tunnel at Sepulveda Pass, use Exit 63A to take Sepulveda Boulevard (former California 7) south. The tunnel is worth seeing, as it is older and formed part of the journey on the highway that predates Interstate 405, one of the busiest freeways in the Southland. Photo taken 07/19/09.
Southbound Interstate 405 (San Diego Freeway) meets Exit 63A, Valley Vista Boulevard and Sepulveda Boulevard (former California 7). Valley Vista Boulevard travels east into the Sherman Oaks community of Los Angeles. Use this exit to Ventura Boulevard (former U.S. 101 Business) west to Encino or east to Sherman Oaks and Studio City. Photo taken 07/19/09.
The next exit along Interstate 405 (San Diego Freeway) south is Exit 61, Mulholland Drive and Skirball Center Drive (1.75 miles). Photo taken 07/19/09.
This mileage sign provides the distance to the next three exits along southbound Interstate 405 (San Diego Freeway): Exit 61, Mulholland Drive and Skirball Center Drive; Exit 59, Getty Center Drive and Sepulveda Boulevard (California 7), and Exit 57, Sunset Boulevard. Photo taken 07/19/09.
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 07/19/09.
High above the freeway, Mulholland Drive crosses over Interstate 405. Photo taken 04/13/09.
Southbound Interstate 405 (San Diego Freeway) reaches Exit 61, Skirball Center Drive to Mulholland Drive. Use Exit 61 to the Skirball Cultural Center. Photo taken 07/19/09.
The next exit along Interstate 405 (San Diego Freeway) south is Exit 59, Getty Center Drive and Sepulveda Boulevard (California 7). Photo taken 07/19/09.
An Interstate 405 south reassurance shield is posted after the on-ramp from Skirball Center Drive. Photo taken 07/19/09.
An entrance/exit point for the high occupancy vehicle (HOV) carpool lanes is located between Skirball Center Drive and Getty Center Drive. Photo taken 07/19/09.
Getty Center Drive connects to the Getty Center, a museum and campus located on a hillside in the Los Angeles community of Brentwood. The center opened on December 16, 1997, and it is home to the popular Getty Museum, Getty Research Institute (GRI), and Central Garden. Views from the center include downtown Los Angeles, the Pacific Ocean, and points south along the 405 corridor. Photo taken 07/19/09.
This mileage sign provides the distance to the next four exits along southbound Interstate 405 (San Diego Freeway): Exit 59, Getty Center Drive and Sepulveda Boulevard (California 7); Exit 57, Sunset Boulevard and Church Lane; and Exits 55C-B, Wilshire Boulevard. Photo taken 04/13/09.
Southbound Interstate 405 (San Diego Freeway) reaches Exit 59, Getty Center Drive to Sepulveda Boulevard (California 7). The next exit along southbound is Exit 57, Sunset Boulevard and Church Lane. Photo taken 04/13/09.
After the interchange with Getty Center Drive, this mileage sign provides the distance to the next four exits along southbound Interstate 405 (San Diego Freeway): Exit 57, Sunset Boulevard and Church Lane; Exits 55C-B, Wilshire Boulevard; and Exit 55A, California 2 and U.S. 66/Santa Monica Boulevard. Use Exit 57 (Sunset Boulevard) to the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA). Photo taken 04/13/09.
A carpool (HOV) lane entrance/exit is located between the Getty Center Drive and Sunset Boulevard interchanges. Photo taken 07/19/09.
Use Sunset Boulevard east to UCLA and the community of Holmby Hills and west to the communities of Brentwood and Pacific Palisades. Sunset Boulevard ends at California 1 (Pacific Coast Highway). Photo taken 07/19/09.
Southbound Interstate 405 (San Diego Freeway) reaches Exit 57, Sunset Boulevard and Church Lane. The exit departs onto Church Lane, a frontage road on the west side of the freeway. To Sunset Boulevard, follow Church Lane south. Photo taken 07/19/09.
Passing under the Sunset Boulevard bridge, a mileage sign provides the distance to the next three exits along Interstate 405 (San Diego Freeway) south: Exit 55C, Wilshire Boulevard west; Exit 55B, Wilshire Boulevard east; and Exit 55A, California 2 and U.S. 66/Santa Monica Boulevard. Photo taken 04/13/09.
A carpool lane entrance/exit point allows for access to Exits 55C-B for Wilshire Boulevard and Exit 55A, California 2 and U.S. 66/Santa Monica Boulevard. Photo taken 04/13/09.
Use Sunset Boulevard (Exit 55C) west to the communities of Brentwood and Sawtelle before entering the city of Santa Monica. Photo taken 04/13/09.
The right lane of Interstate 405 (San Diego Freeway) south becomes exit only for Exit 55C, Wilshire Boulevard west. The following off-ramp connects to Exit 55B, Wilshire Boulevard east. Photo taken 04/13/09.
Southbound Interstate 405 (San Diego Freeway) reaches Exit 55C, Wilshire Boulevard west; the next off-ramp connects southbound San Diego Freeway to Exit 55B, Wilshire Boulevard east. This area was reconstructed in 2008-2009 and features additional auxiliary lanes and a new carpool lane. Photo taken 04/13/09.
Immediately thereafter, southbound Interstate 405 (San Diego Freeway) reaches Exit 55B, Wilshire Boulevard east to the community of Westwood and city of Beverly Hills. Photo taken 04/13/09.
Continuing south, Interstate 405 next approaches Exit 55A, U.S. 66 and California 2 (Santa Monica Boulevard). To the Santa Monica Municipal Airport, use Exit 53, Interstate 10 (Santa Monica Freeway) west to Exit 2B, Bundy Drive south (which in this case is the "third right"). This would be a good sign for using exit numbers or an Interstate 10 shield. Photo taken 04/13/09.
This mileage sign provides the distance to the next three exits along Interstate 405 (San Diego Freeway) south: Exit 55A, California 2 and U.S. 66/Santa Monica Boulevard; Exit 54, Olympic Boulevard (former California 26) and Pico Boulevard with connections to Tennessee Avenue and Sawtelle Boulevard; and Exit 53, Interstate 10 (Santa Monica Freeway) east to downtown Los Angeles and west to Santa Monica. California 2 is a state highway that begins in Santa Monica at the intersection of Lincoln Boulevard and Olympic Boulevard and extends northeast through West Los Angeles, Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, Hollywood, Echo Park, and Glendale. After passing the Interstate 210 interchange, California 2 leaves the metropolitan area via the Angeles Crest Highway into the San Gabriel Mountains. Photo taken 07/19/09.
Southbound Interstate 405 (San Diego Freeway) meets Exit 55A, California 2 and U.S. 66/Santa Monica Boulevard. In addition to California 2, Santa Monica Boulevard also carries Historic U.S. 66, which also originates at the intersection of Lincoln Boulevard and Olympic Boulevard and follows California 2 (Santa Monica Boulevard) east to Sunset Boulevard in Silver Lake. U.S. 66 then takes Sunset Boulevard southeast to Downtown Los Angeles, then aims northeast toward Pasadena via Figueroa Street or California 110 (Arroyo Seco Parkway / Pasadena Freeway). The Mother Road then travels east along Colorado Boulevard. U.S. 66 eventually reaches San Bernardino, then climbs into the Mojave Desert via Cajon Pass. U.S. 66 winds its way through several states before ending in Chicago, Illinois. Photo taken 07/19/09.
Another mileage sign provides the distance to the next two exits along Interstate 405 (San Diego Freeway) south: Exit 54, Olympic Boulevard (former California 26) and Pico Boulevard and Exit 53, Interstate 10 (Santa Monica Freeway) east to downtown Los Angeles and west to Santa Monica. Photo taken 07/19/09.
Use Exit 53, Interstate 10 west to Bundy Drive south to Santa Monica Municipal Airport. Photo taken 04/13/09.
The right lane of Interstate 405 (San Diego Freeway) south becomes exit only for Exit 54, Olympic Boulevard (former California 26) and Pico Boulevard. The off-ramp to Exit 54 connects to Tennessee Avenue and Sawtelle Boulevard. Upon exiting, continue straight ahead for Tennessee Avenue or turn left/right for Sawtelle Boulevard south/north. Use Sawtelle Boulevard north to Former California 26/Olympic Boulevard or south to Pico Boulevard. Photo taken 07/19/09.
Southbound Interstate 405 (San Diego Freeway) reaches Exit 54, Olympic Boulevard (former California 26) and Pico Boulevard. Until 1964, Olympic Boulevard between Lincoln Boulevard (U.S. 66, California 1, and California 2) and Interstate 5 (Santa Ana Freeway) near Telegraph Road was part of the state highway system as California 26. The highway designation California 26 was relocated to Northern California, and Olumpic Boulevard is now maintained by the cities of Santa Monica and Los Angeles. Photo taken 07/19/09.
Three lanes part ways with I-405 (San Diego Freeway) south for Interstate 10 (Santa Monica Freeway) at Exit 53. A coast to coast route from Santa Monica to Jacksonville, Florida, Interstate 10 is one the busiest freeways in Southern California. Photo taken 07/19/09.
Looking at the off-ramp to Interstate 10, the left two lanes connect to Interstate 10 east to Los Angeles and the right lane connects to Interstate 10 west. Interstate 405, meanwhile, continues south toward Los Angeles International Airport, Long Beach, Irvine, and San Diego. Photo taken 07/19/09.
Often congested even on weekends, Interstate 405 passes through the Interstate 10 symmetrical stack interchange. Even with the high-speed transition ramps, the link between Interstate 10 and Interstate 405 in West Los Angeles can be clogged with traffic. Photo taken 04/13/09.


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Page Updated July 7, 2010.

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