Site Navigation Baja California California Colorado Idaho Hawaii Nevada New Mexico Oregon Utah Washington Wyoming     California "S" County Routes Group Four: S-24 to S-80 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. Index to "S" Series County Routes: Group One: S-1 to S-5 Group Two: S-6 to S-10 Group Three: S-11 to S-21 Group Four: S-24 to S-80 Imperial County Route S-24 - Winterhaven Drive (Overlap with U.S. 80 and Business Loop I-8), Picacho Road, Ross Road, Bard Road, Colby Road, York Road, Mehring Road, and Imperial Road Leaving the Business Loop I-8 four-way stop sign intersection just east of downtown Winterhaven, Imperial County Route S-24 travels east briefly on Picacho Road. The county highway will transition onto several local roads as it makes its way to Bard and ultimately the Imperial Dam. Photo taken 01/15/07. A mileage sign posted shortly thereafter provides the distance to Bard (four miles), Laguna Dam (13 miles), and Imperial Dam (15 miles). At Imperial Dam, Imperial County Route S-24 crosses the Colorado River and becomes Imperial Dam Road in Arizona, with no numerical designation. Photo taken 01/15/07. Shortly thereafter, Imperial County Route S-24/Picacho Road crosses the Yuma Main Canal, which brings water from All American Canal to Yuma. The old bridge likely dates to the 1930s. Photos taken 01/15/07. After crossing the Yuma Main Canal, Imperial County Route S-24 and Picacho Road turn north. Continue straight ahead to the Quechan Indian Reservation casino and the Ocean-to-Ocean Highway Bridge, which carried Old U.S. 80 over the Colorado River. Photo taken 01/15/07. Immediately after making the turn, the county road dives under the Union Pacific Railroad via this subway. Photo taken 01/15/07. Another Yuma Project sign is posted after the railroad subway. Imperial County Route S-24 enters the Quechan (or Fort Yuma) Indian Reservation, which features the casino at the south end of the reservation but also has a strong agricultural presence. Much of Imperial County Route S-24 over the next several miles to Bard will feature farming landscape, all made possible by irrigated water. Photo taken 01/15/07. Imperial County Route S-24 makes one of its many turns at this towering tree. Photo taken 01/15/07. A reassurance shield for Imperial County Route S-24 is posted along northbound Picacho Road. Note the farms located on both sides of the highway. Photo taken 01/15/07. A towering palm tree sways in the winter winds as Picacho Road approaches Indian Rock Road in the Quechan Indian Reservation. Several of these intersecting roads are signed as Indian Roads, complete with black and white arrowhead shield. Photo taken 01/15/07. Northbound Imperial County Route S-24/Picacho Road meets Indian Rock Road at this interchange. A high voltage transmission line passes overhead. Photo taken 01/15/07. Picacho Road and Imperial County Route S-24 divide ahead. Picacho Road continues due north into the desert, eventually connecting with Picacho State Recreation Area along the Colorado River via miles of unpaved road. Imperial County Route S-24, meanwhile, makes a hard turn to the east along Ross Road. Photo taken 01/15/07. A trailblazer for the continuation of Imperial County Route S-24 is posted on northbound Picacho Road at the intersection with Ross Road. Photo taken 01/15/07. An old bridge carries Imperial County Route S-24/Ross Road over an irrigation canal. Photo taken 01/15/07. At Perez Road, another Imperial County Route S-24 reassurance shield is posted. The county road continues east for another couple of miles to Bard. Photo taken 01/15/07. The county route is well signed along Ross Road. Photo taken 01/15/07. Near a palm farm, Imperial County Route S-24 turns north from Ross Road onto Bard Road. The town of Bard is located just north of here. Photo taken 01/15/07. Now traveling north again, Imperial County Route S-24/Bard Road approaches the small town of Bard. The Little Picacho Peak Wilderness lies ahead. Photo taken 01/15/07. Hay bales line the east side of Bard Road as Imperial County Route S-24 enters Bard. A few houses line both sides of the highway. Photo taken 01/15/07. Imperial County Route S-24 prepares to turn from Bard Road onto Colby Road heading east again. This is another in a series of sharp turns along this county road. Photo taken 01/15/07. For a short distance, Imperial County Route S-24 follows Colby Road east. The next 90-degree turn can be seen ahead near the palm tree farms. Photo taken 01/15/07. At this turn, Imperial County Route S-24 turns from eastbound Colby Road to northbound York Road. Photo taken 01/15/07. Again traveling north, Imperial County Route S-24 follows York Road through more agricultural areas. Photo taken 01/15/07. A reassurance shield is posted near the "Cloud Museum." Photo taken 01/15/07. York Road approaches Mehring Road, where Imperial County Route S-24 turns east again. Photo taken 01/15/07. Imperial County Route S-24 now travels due east along Mehring Road toward the Colorado River. Photo taken 01/15/07. Another reassurance shield is posted shortly thereafter. Mehring Road skirts the edge of the irrigated area, and the desert looms on the north side of the road. Photo taken 01/15/07. A few bridges carry Mehring Road over washes and irrigation ditches. Ahead is the 500kV Southwest Powerlink, which carries power across southern California and Arizona. Photo taken 01/15/07. Upon reaching the Colorado River, Imperial County Route S-24 turns north again on Imperial Road. Photo taken 01/15/07. The Laguna Dam is located ahead. There are no facilities here. Photo taken 01/15/07. Next to the Laguna Dam is the only known saguaro cactus in California. (Just kidding, but there are not many of them in California!) Photo taken 01/15/07. Continuing north, Imperial County Route S-24 passes through riparian, desert vegetation on its way north between Laguna Dam and Imperial Dam. Photo taken 01/15/07. Northbound Imperial County Route S-24/Imperial Road approaches Senator Wash Road. Use Senator Wash Road north to Senator Wash and Squaw Lake recreational areas on Imperial Reservoir. Turn left ahead to Imperial Dam as well. Continue straight ahead to follow Imperial County Route S-24 northeast into Arizona. Photo taken 01/15/07. Imperial County Route S-24 turns northeast toward Arizona at this point. Photo taken 01/15/07. Continuing east, Imperial County Route S-24/Imperial Road crosses over the Colorado River. Here, the river does not serve as the state line. The state line lies ahead, and it is hard to see. Photo taken 01/15/07. Imperial County Route S-24 ends at the Arizona State Line. From here, the road continues as Imperial Dam Road east to Hidden Springs RV Village, the Yuma Proving Grounds, and U.S. 95. Photo taken 01/15/07. Orange County Route S-25 - Chapman Avenue Imperial County Route S-26 - Millar Avenue/Boarts Road/Kalin Road/Rutherford Road Imperial County Route S-27 - Keystone Road/McConnell Road Imperial County Route S-28 - Worthington Road Imperial County Route S-29 - Drew Road Imperial County Route S-30 - Brockman Road/McCabe Road/Forrester Road/Gentry Road/Eddins Road Crossing over Interstate 8 west of El Centro, northbound Imperial County Route S-30/Forrester Road will pass through the predominantly agricultural valley as it treads along a path west of California 86 and avoids the more populated areas along that state route. Imperial County Route S-30 will travel north through unincorporated areas until meeting California 78 and 86 in the city of Westmorland. Photo taken 03/14/09. The next left connects to Interstate 8 west to San Diego. Photo taken 03/14/09. Imperial County Route S-30 has two lanes for most of each journey through the Imperial Valley. Watch for trucks and agricultural vehicles. Continue north on the county route to Naval Air Station El Centro. Photo taken 03/14/09. Northbound Imperial County Route S-30/Forrester Road approaches Ross Road. Photo taken 03/14/09. This Imperial County Route S-30 north reassurance shield is posted along Forrester Road after the Ross Road intersection. Imperial County uses cardinal direction banners on most of its county routes, unlike most other county-signed routes in California. Photo taken 03/14/09. Northbound Imperial County Route S-30/Forrester Road approaches Imperial County Route S-80/Evans Hewes Highway (Historic U.S. 80). Photo taken 03/14/09. This mileage sign provides the distance to Westmorland via Imperial County Route S-30/Forrester Road north (17 miles). Turn left to follow U.S. 80 west to the naval base and state prison. Turn right to follow U.S. 80 east to El Centro (two miles). All motorist services are available east of here in El Centro; very few services are available along U.S. 80 west. Photo taken 03/14/09. An Imperial County Route S-80 trailblazer shield is posted prior to the Evan Hewes Highway intersection. Continue straight ahead to follow Imperial County Route S-30/Forrester Road north to Westmorland. Photo taken 03/14/09. After the Evans Hewes Highway (U.S. 80) intersection, an Imperial County Route S-30 north shield is posted along Forrester Road. Photo taken 03/14/09. Continuing north, Imperial County Route S-30/Forrester Road crosses the railroad tracks that lead west toward Plaster City and San Diego and east toward El Centro. Photo taken 03/14/09. Daytime headlights are required on Imperial County Route S-30/Forrester Road between U.S. 80 and Westmorland. Photo taken 03/14/09. Northbound Imperial County Route S-30/Forrester Road approaches Hackelman Road. Photo taken 03/14/09. Tall power lines briefly follow northbound Imperial County Route S-30/Forrester Road north of Hackelman Road. Photo taken 03/14/09. The next major intersection along northbound Imperial County Route S-30/Forrester Road is with Aten Road. Photo taken 03/14/09. Northbound Imperial County Route S-30/Forrester Road approaches Junction Imperial County Route S-28/Worthington Road east to the city of Imperial and California 86. Photo taken 03/14/09. Imperial County Route S-28 begins at this intersection and travels east through Imperial to cross the valley, ending at California 115. Photo taken 03/14/09. An Imperial County Route S-30 trailblazer is posted along Forrester Road after the Worthington Road intersection. Photo taken 03/14/09. Northbound Imperial County Route S-30/Forrester Road approaches Wienert Road. Photo taken 03/14/09. Prior to crossing the New River and the Larsen Road intersection, a high-voltage power line crosses over Imperial County Route S-30/Forrester Road. This line travels north through the Imperial Valley and around the western shore of the Salton Sea to interconnect with the power grid in the Coachella Valley in Riverside County. Photo taken 03/14/09. Northbound Imperial County Route S-30/Forrester Road approaches Larsen Road. The profile changes as the road abruptly descends into the New River valley. The river cuts through the valley making the area even lower than the surrounding below-sea-level areas. In general, S-30 loses elevation as it travels north. At Mount Signal, S-30 starts at an elevation of 17 feet below sea level, and it lowers to an elevation of 159 feet below sea level in Westmorland. Photo taken 03/14/09. The New River flows north from Mexicali across the border into the United States, then empties into the Salton Sea. Due to urban runoff and agricultural runoff from nearby farms, the river carries a fair share of pollutants and is thus not safe for entry or use. Its condition has exacerbated problems along the southern portion of the Salton Sea. Photo taken 03/14/09. A reassurance shield for Imperial County Route S-30 north is posted after the New River bridge. Photo taken 03/14/09. Northbound Imperial County Route S-30/Forrester Road approaches Junction Imperial County Route S-27/Keystone Road east across the Imperial Valley. This county route connects S-30, California 86, California 111, California 115, S-32, and S-33. Photo taken 03/14/09. An Imperial County Route S-27 trailblazer shield is posted along northbound Forrester Road at the Keystone Road intersection. This intersection marks the western terminus of S-27. Photo taken 03/14/09. S-30 turns a bit to the northwest ahead. When roads were laid out in Imperial County in the early 20th century, roads were generally built in a grid pattern from north to south and from south to north. Due to some hasty construction, the alignments of the north-south arterials was not precise, leaving a few curves in the road such as this one. Photo taken 03/14/09. Northbound Imperial County Route S-30/Forrester Road crosses the Westside Canal, which carries irrigation water through the western section of the Imperial Valley to nearby farms and local users. Photo taken 03/14/09. Northbound Imperial County Route S-30/Forrester Road approaches Imler Road west to the United States Navy Bombing Range. Photo taken 03/14/09. The next major intersection along Imperial County Route S-30/Forrester Road north is Blais Road. The road takes another brief turn to the northeast then turns north again toward Westmorland. Photo taken 03/14/09. Northbound Imperial County Route S-30/Forrester Road approaches Cady Road, which travels due east to merge with California 78 and 86 en route to Brawley. Photo taken 03/14/09. Northbound Imperial County Route S-30/Forrester Road meets Cady Road. Photo taken 03/14/09. Northbound Imperial County Route S-30/Forrester Road approaches Andre Road. Photo taken 03/14/09. An Imperial County Route S-30 reassurance shield is posted after the Andre Road intersection. Photo taken 03/14/09. Northbound Imperial County Route S-30/Forrester Road enters the small city of Westmorland, which had a population of 2,131 as of the 2000 Census. The city sits at an elevation of 159 feet below sea level and consists of only 0.4 square mile. The daytime headlights section ends here. Photo taken 03/14/09. The speed limit reduces to 25 miles per hour once Forrester Road enters the city of Westmorland and passes by Beverlee Way. Note the lack of pavement markings. Photo taken 03/14/09. Northbound Imperial County Route S-30/Forrester Road approaches First Street. Photo taken 03/14/09. Northbound Imperial County Route S-30/Forrester Road approaches Second Street. Photo taken 03/14/09. A trailblazer shield for Imperial County Route S-30 north along Forrester Road is posted prior to the intersection with the California 78 and 86 expressway (locally known as Main Street). Photo taken 03/14/09. Only a California 86 trailblazer shield is posted at the intersection between northbound Imperial County Route S-30/Forrester Road and California 78-86/Main Street in downtown Westmorland. A four-way stop sign governs traffic at this intersection currently. Turn right on California 78-86 east to Brawley or left to California 78 west to Escondido and Oceanside or California 86 north to Indio. Photo taken 03/14/09. This sign is posted along northbound Imperial County Route S-30 for the distance to the Salton Sea National Wildlife Refuge after the intersection with California 78-86. Photo taken 03/14/09. Northbound Imperial County Route S-30 along Forrester Road. County Route S-30 turns right here on Eddins Road, which leads east to Calipatria and Junction California 111 and California 115. Continuing north on Forrester Road leads to the Salton Sea National Wildlife Refuge and a hiking trail. Photo taken 12/19/02. Scenes Pertaining to Imperial County Route S-30 This Imperial County Route S-30 shield is posted along California 78-86 northwest prior to the Forrester Road intersection in Westmorland. Photo taken 03/14/09. At Beverlee Way and Forrester Road in the city of Westmorland is this 1961 button copy, porcelain enamel stop sign. The sign does not have any emblems or indication of the entity that installed the sign (state Division of Highways or Auto Club of Southern California). Photos taken 03/14/09. Imperial County Route S-31 - Dogwood Road Imperial County Route S-31 shield assembly along Dogwood Road. Photo taken 07/14/02. The end of northbound Imperial County Route S-31 is signed with an END shield in Brawley. Photo taken 03/26/06. This parking regulations sign was placed by the Auto Club of Southern California, which dates to the early practice of the Auto Club (along with the California State Automobile Association) signing regulatory and guide signs throughout California. Ahead, California 78 and California 111 travel east-west through Brawley. Use California 78 (Main Street) east to the California 111 expressway south to Interstate 8. Photo taken 03/26/06. Northbound Imperial County Route S-31 transitions onto northbound California 111. Photo taken 03/26/06. Imperial County Route S-32 - Orchard Road/Holt Road/Butters Road Southbound Imperial County Route S-32 approaches its junction with California 115 and Old U.S. 80 in downtown Holtville. Imperial County Route S-32 turns west for two blocks along California 115, then turns south to meet Interstate 8 and California 7 at Exit 125 east of El Centro and northeast of Calexico. Photos taken 03/26/06. Imperial County Route S-33 - Bonesteele Road/Miller Road/Highline Road Imperial County Route S-34 - Ogilby Road Imperial County Route S-34 (Ogilby Road) is the most desolate of its county route system, as it passes through arid desert land that is not irrigated and does not pass through any towns between Interstate 8 and California 78. This is the view of County Route S-34 northbound as seen from the offramp from westbound Interstate 8. Photo taken 11/11/00. End Northbound Imperial County Route S-34 (Ogilby Road) at Junction California 78 just east of Glamis. Glamis is well known by four-wheelers as a mecca for driving off-road, all-terrain vehicles over seemingly endless sand dunes. Some of this activity has been curtailed recently due to environmental considerations, but it is still a popular attraction. Photo taken 11/11/00. Imperial County Route S-80/Old U.S. Highway 80, known as Evan Hewes Highway in Imperial County (For history, guide, and information, see Historic U.S. 80) Page Updated August 1, 2009.