A uniform numbering system has been adopted to uniquely identify county routes across the state of California. Within this system, each route designation has a letter and number combination. The first digit is a letter, and the second and third digits are numbers. The lower letters are generally to the north of the state, and the higher numbers are generally located in the southern part of the state. The lowest route is Lassen County Route A-1, and the highest route is Imperial County Route S-80.
County Route Group S -- along with Groups N, P, and R -- are in the Southern California group of counties: Imperial, Inyo, Los Angeles, Mono, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, Santa Barbara, and Ventura. The letters O and Q are omitted, and county routes in Group P have not been assigned.
Northbound San Diego County Route S-1 leaves Old Highway 80 (former U.S. 80) east of Pine Valley and prepares to ascend the Laguna Mountains via Sunrise Highway. Here County Route S-1 crosses over Interstate 8. Photo taken 06/22/04.
Almost immediately, San Diego County Route S-1/Sunrise Highway begins its ascent into the Laguna Mountains. Photo taken 06/22/04.
The highway hugs the cliffs tightly as it ascends; the road was built onto a shelf on the side of the mountain overlooking Pine Valley to the west. Photo taken 06/22/04.
Sunrise Highway originally skirted around each undulation on the ascent to the Laguna Mountains, but some of these curves were straightened out through cuts such as this one along northbound. Photo taken 06/22/04.
Northbound San Diego County Route S-1 at Milepost 17. Note that most of the plant material is sagebrush and chaparral; more trees become common at higher elevations. Photo taken 06/22/04.
Sure enough, the forests of the Laguna Mountains (part of Cleveland National Forest) rise as the Sunrise Highway gains elevation. Photo taken 06/22/04.
The county uses its own variation of elevation sign; here at 5,000 feet, the Sunrise Highway reaches a meadow amidst the trees. Unlike the burned areas of Cuyamaca Rancho State Park to the west, most of these areas south of Laguna Mountain have not seen fire since the 1971 Laguna Fire. Photo taken 06/22/04.
San Diego County Route S-1 continues to pass through the meadow before entering another section of forest. Photo taken 06/22/04.
San Diego County Route S-1/Sunrise Highway enters the Laguna Mountain Recreation Area of the Cleveland National Forest. Photo taken 06/22/04.
Sunrise Highway is a National Forest Scenic Byway, as indicated by this shield (found along northbound after entering the recreation area). Photo taken 06/22/04.
Tall pine trees amidst sagebrush dot the skyline. Parking is permitted on the side of the road through this area, as a trailhead and information kiosk is located on the right (east) side of Sunrise Highway. A National Forest Adventure Pass ($5 per day) is required for parking; a pass may be obtained in Pine Valley or Laguna Mountain. Photo taken 06/22/04.
Northbound San Diego County Route S-1 approaches the county road station in the Mount Laguna community. Photo taken 07/24/02.
Southbound San Diego County Route S-1 at the Burnt Rancheria Campground on Mount Laguna in the Cleveland National Forest. Photo taken 07/24/02.
After passing through the community of Laguna Mountain (not photographed), the Sunrise Highway begins to enter the fire damaged areas from the October 2003 Cedar Fire. Photo taken 06/22/04.
Through this section (between Laguna Mountain and Kwaaymii Road), most of the trees burned and died. Only a few sticks remain to demonstrate the awesome power of fire. Photo taken 06/22/04.
Northbound San Diego County Route S-1 approaches its northern terminus at its junction with California 79. California 79 north leads to Julian; California 79 south leads to Lake Cuyamaca. Photo taken 07/24/02.
End Northbound San Diego County Route S-1 as it approaches its junction with California 79 north of Rancho Cuyamaca State Park and Mount Laguna. San Diego County typically signs the ends of its county routes with END banners. Photo taken 07/24/02.
Mileage sign for north and south California 79 as seen from the northern terminus of San Diego County Route S-1 at its junction with California 79 north of Rancho Cuyamaca State Park. Photo taken 07/24/02.
San Diego County Route S-1/Sunrise Highway south
San Diego County uses green mileposts on its county routes, unlike the state highway department (Caltrans) or most other local highway departments. This picture shows Milepost 23 along southbound San Diego County Route S-1 on Mount Laguna, 23 miles north of the southern terminus of San Diego County Route S-1 on California 94. Photo taken 07/24/02.
Scenes Pertaining to San Diego County Route S-1/Sunrise Highway
This sign is located in central Pine Valley, along the connector road between Interstate 8 (Pine Valley exit) and Old Highway 80. A right turn on Old Highway 80 leads to Junction San Diego County Route S-1 and the Sunrise Highway, which leads to the Laguna Mountains. A left turn leads to Guatay and Descanso as well as Junction California 79, which leads north to Julian (25 miles). Photo taken 11/11/00.
This warning sign, located across from the Mount Laguna general store and restaurant along San Diego County Route S-1, indicates that it is against the law to throw snowballs at people or cars passing by. During the winter, snow can fall during storms. Photo taken 07/24/02.
Signage for Cleveland National Forest access roads near San Diego County Route S-1/Sunrise Highway on Mount Laguna. Photo taken 07/24/02.
This view, found from an overlook near the NORAD weather radar, demonstrates how Sunrise Highway got its name. Vast views of the morning sun, rising over the Imperial Valley and Laguna Mountain Foothills, provides a dramatic vista on any morning. Photo taken 06/22/04.
The brown, stark desert contrasts with the green trees found in the Laguna Mountains. This view is seen from the desert view turnoff from County Route S-1. Photo taken 06/22/04.
This view of the desert floor is seen from the Kwaaymii Road vista point. Photo taken 06/22/04.
Another view of the desert floor as seen from Kwaaymii Road. Photo taken 06/22/04.
Scenes Pertaining to San Diego County Route S-1: Abandoned Section Near Kwaaymii Point
For a time, plans called for the Sunrise Highway to skirt along the edge of the cliffs leading down to the desert via Kwaaymii Road. This idea was abandoned due to the narrow right of way and extensive rocks that fell from the cliffs above. This picture shows the northernmost section of the abandoned Sunrise Highway as seen looking south. Photo taken 06/22/04.
A retaining wall was considered for supporting the proposed highway, and it remains in place even after the highway was no longer present. Photo taken 06/22/04.
View of the abandoned Sunrise Highway as seen from near the retaining wall. This area is now part of a hiking trail that connects with Sunrise Highway southwest of here. Photo taken 06/22/04.
San Diego/Imperial County Route S-2/Imperial Highway north
Imperial County Route S-2 begins at California 98 in western Imperial County. At this diamond interchange, Imperial County Route S-2 north approaches Interstate 8 near Ocotillo. Turn right to Interstate 8 east to El Centro and west to San Diego. Photo taken 04/19/08.
Northbound Imperial County Route S-2 meets the onramp to Interstate 8 east to El Centro near Ocotillo. The next left connects to Interstate 8 west to San Diego. Photo taken 04/19/08.
After passing under Interstate 8's twin bridges, northbound Imperial County Route S-2 meets the onramp to Interstate 8 west to San Diego. The next intersection is with Imperial County Route S-80 (Old U.S. 80)/Evan Hewes Highway east to Plaster City and El Centro. Photo taken 04/19/08.
Immediately thereafter, Imperial County Route S-2/Imperial Highway north approaches Junction Imperial County Route S-80/Evan Hewes Highway (Old U.S. 80) in Ocotillo. Photos taken 04/19/08.
Northbound Imperial County Route S-2/Imperial Highway meets Junction Imperial County Route S-80/Evan Hewes Highway (Old U.S. 80) at this intersection. Turn right to follow Old U.S. 80 east to Plaster City, Seeley, and El Centro. Photo taken 04/19/08.
Northbound Imperial County Route S-2/Imperial County enters the unincorporated community of Ocotillo. Photos taken 04/19/08 and 07/22/03.
Northbound Imperial County Route S-2 enters Anza-Borrego Desert State Park; it will change into a San Diego County route after crossing the county line in the park. Photo taken 07/22/03.
Scenic, desolate beauty is the rule along County Route S-2 in the state park. Photo taken 04/19/08.
Northbound San Diego County Route S-2 meets San Diego County Route S-22. County Route S-22 leads east to Borrego Springs and the Salton Sea in Imperial County. Photo taken 05/29/02.
End Northbound San Diego County Route S-2 at its junction with California 79 northwest of Borrego Springs. California 79 leads north to Warner Springs and Temecula; southbound leads to Santa Ysabel, Ramona (via California 78), Julian, Mount Laguna (via San Diego County Route S-1/Sunrise Highway), Rancho Cuyamaca State Park, and Descanso/Junction Interstate 8. Photos taken 07/27/02.
San Diego/Imperial County Route S-2 - Imperial Highway south
Begin Southbound San Diego County Route S-2 after its junction with California 79. During the winter, snow can fall during storms. Photo taken 07/24/02.
Southbound San Diego County Route S-2 passes through a few small communities in remote eastern San Diego County, including San Felipe. Photo taken 07/24/02.
Scenic, desolate beauty is the rule along County Route S-2 in Anza-Borrego Desert State Park. Photo taken 04/19/08.
Southbound Imperial County Route S-2 leaves San Diego County and enters Imperial County. Photo taken 07/22/03.
After the intersection with Imperial County Route S-80, northbound Imperial County Route S-2 approaches Interstate 8 west to San Diego (right turn) and then Interstate 8 east to El Centro and Yuma (left turn). Photo taken 04/19/08.
This Imperial County Route S-2 reassurance shield is posted after the Interstate 8 interchange and is the last one before the county route ends at California 98 in western Imperial County. Photo taken 04/19/08.
Scenes Pertaining to San Diego and Imperial County Route S-2/Imperial Highway
San Diego County Route S-2 passes through the Anza Borrego Desert State Park, offering incredible views of the desert far below the heights of Mount Laguna and the Cuyamacas. This series of pictures shows some of these desert vistas. Photos taken 07/27/02.
Desert views along northbound San Diego County Route S-2. Photos taken 07/22/03.
San Diego County Route S-3/Yaqui Pass Road and Borrego Springs Road
Photo of a San Diego County Route S-3 shield taken at Christmas Circle in the center of the community of Borrego Springs near Anza Borrego State Park. Photo taken 05/29/02.
San Diego County Route S-4/Poway Road
San Diego County Route S-4 is one of a handful of remaining signed county routes within the city limits of San Diego. This shield is located along eastbound Poway Road, just north of the Cara Knott Bridge and just east of its junction with Interstate 15. Photos taken 06/22/02.
San Diego County Route S-5 - Espola Road, Rancho Bernardo Road, and Pomerado Road
