This page showcases extant segments of Historic U.S. Highway 80 in Imperial County and San Diego County traveling westbound. We attempt to show all known old alignments on this page, organized geographically from east to west. Many sections of U.S. 80 remain passable and drivable, including several segments in the Imperial Valley, East County, and urbanized San Diego.
U.S. 80/Ocean to Ocean Highway Bridge west
U.S. 80 leaves Yuma, Arizona, and proceeds into Winterhaven, California. We begin the westbound journey of U.S. 80 by crossing over the Colorado River on its original alignment, the Ocean to Ocean Highway Bridge. This bridge today only one way, so a traffic signal allows alternating directions of traffic to use the bridge. Later iterations of U.S. 80 sent the route along today's Business Loop I-8, and eventually it was subsumed by modern Interstate 8. However, the bridges for all three alignments remain in use today. Photo taken 01/27/06.
This sign advises motorists on how to proceed across the old bridge (alternating directions). Note the (temporary) addition of a replica Historic U.S. 80 shield, which uses historically accurate blue coloring for the westbound direction of U.S. 80 over the bridge. The historical route marker for U.S. 80 is no longer in place. Photos taken 01/27/06 and 01/15/07.
A plaque identifies the people responsible for the refurbishment of the Ocean to Ocean Highway Bridge over the Colorado River. The bridge was built in 1915 (prior to the establishment of U.S. 80 in 1926) and refurbished in 2002. A close-up of the aforementioned U.S. 80 Arizona shield is shown here as well; the plaque is located behind the U.S. 80 shield. Photos taken 01/27/06 and 01/15/07.
These pictures show the side by side view of the Ocean to Ocean Bridge and the railroad bridge. The railroad bridge crosses the Colorado River on the north side of the Ocean to Ocean Highway Bridge. Photos taken 01/27/06.
This plaque identifies the age of the superstructure for the bridge; the superstructure was manufactured in 1914, just prior to the bridge opening in 1915. Photos taken 01/27/06.
The bridge deck is only one lane wide with limited shoulders on either side of the travel lane. Originally, this bridge was built to handle two directions of traffic. Pedestrian pathways line both sides of the bridge. Photo taken 01/27/06.
Bridge walkways were added to both sides of the Ocean to Ocean Highway Bridge in 2002 as part of the refurbishment project. Photos taken 01/27/06.
Now looking into California, the Ocean to Ocean Highway bridge splits, with the right fork (Quechan Drive) crossing over the railroad before descending to the Quechan Indian Reservations. The left fork (Quechan Road) connects to Imperial County Route S-24 (Picacho Road). Photo taken 01/27/06.
U.S. 80/Araz Road west
U.S. 80/Grays Well Road west
To get to the Grays Well Section of Old U.S. 80, use Exit 156 and turn west onto the frontage road that is on the south side of Interstate 8. Old U.S. 80 serves several points of interest: Buttercup Valley Off Road Vehicle Recreation Area, Midway Campground, and the Old Plank Road. The old highway dead ends after the parking area near the Old Plank Road. This view shows westbound U.S. 80/Grays Well Road looking toward the Midway campground. Continue straight ahead along Old U.S. 80 to the Old Plank Road. Photo taken 01/27/06.
U.S. 80/Old Plank Road (1916-1926) west
Looking downhill is this view of the Old Plank Road to the west. Since U.S. 80 was designated in 1926, it is possible yet unlikely that the Plank Road was signposted as U.S. 80. Remnants are fenced off from the adjacent sand dunes in Buttercup Valley. Photo taken 01/27/06.
U.S. 80/Evan Hewes Highway west
Much further west, westbound U.S. 80/Evan Hewes Highway meets California 115 at this intersection southeast of Holtville. This intersection is just north of the southern terminus of California 115 (located at the Interstate 8 interchange). From here, U.S. 80 turns north (right) onto California 115, and they stay merged through the town of Holtville. After Holtville, California 115 turns north toward Calipatria, while U.S. 80 continues west toward El Centro via Imperial County Route S-80 (Evan Hewes Highway). Photo taken 09/00.
U.S. 80/Evan Hewes Highway west and California 115 north
U.S. 80/Evan Hewes Highway west
Northbound Bowker Road ends at Imperial County Route S-80 (Evan Hewes Highway/Historic U.S. 80) at this intersection near El Centro. Photo taken 03/26/06.
Imperial County Route S-80 (Evan Hewes Highway/Historic U.S. 80) meets California 86 and Business Loop I-8 near downtown El Centro. Turn left for California 86 (Historic U.S. 99) south and Business Loop I-8 west to Interstate 8 and Calexico. Turn right for the continuation of Historic U.S. 80 west, Historic U.S. 99 north, Business Loop I-8 west, Imperial County Route S-80 west, and California 86 north into downtown El Centro and points west (Plaster City, Ocotillo, Interstate 8 west) and north (Imperial, Brawley, Salton Sea, Coachella Valley, Interstate 10). Photo taken 11/11/00.
Much further west, Imperial County Route S-80/Evan Hewes Highway (Historic U.S. 80) comes to its end at the intersection with Imperial County Route S-2 is signed with an END shield in Ocotillo. Extant segments of Old U.S. 80 can be driven west of here, but they eventually peter out before the old road is no longer passable due to the presence of Interstate 8. Since the original alignment of U.S. 80 used to pass through In-Ko-Pah Gorge (through which the westbound lanes of Interstate 8 now pass), only certain segments of U.S. 80 remain between here and the Desert View Tower on top of the grade. Most of these segments can be seen by eastbound travelers on Interstate 8, but most are not open for motorist traffic. Some of the old road segments can be completely off-limits to the public as they are on private property. A good place to see some of these segments is the Mountain Springs interchange. Photos taken 04/19/08.
U.S. 80/Old Highway 80 west
Now at the top of the grade and traveling west, a very long drivable segment of old U.S. 80 begins after leaving Desert View Tower parking lot. U.S. 80 passes from Imperial County into San Diego County. At this point, turn left to connect to Interstate 8 west to San Diego. Continue straight ahead to connect to Interstate 8 east to the Imperial Valley and U.S. 80 west to Jacumba. Photo taken 04/19/08.
This freeway entrance shield assembly is posted for the connection from In-Ko-Pah Park Road (U.S. 80) to Interstate 8/Kumeyaay Highway west to San Diego. Photo taken 04/19/08.
After the Interstate 8 west turnoff, U.S. 80 continues briefly, then will turn left to pass under the freeway. Photo taken 04/19/08.
After passing through the interchange with Interstate 8, U.S. 80 turns right (west) toward Jacumba. A left turn connects with Interstate 8 east to Imperial County. Photo taken 04/19/08.
After the Interstate 8 interchange, U.S. 80 follows its original alignment southwest toward the unincorporated community of Jacumba. A historic U.S. 80 brown sign is posted shortly after the Interstate 8 interchange (Exit 77). The Southwest Powerlink, a 500kV power line, generally follows the U.S. 80 corridor through Jacumba. Photo taken 04/19/08.
This mileage sign provides the distance to Guatay and Alpine along westbound Historic U.S. 80 as it leaves Pine Valley. Photo taken 03/22/02.
Westbound Historic U.S. 80 at the connector road from U.S. 80 south to Interstate 8 in Pine Valley, an unincorporated community that is known for its rural lifestyle but acts as a bedroom community and as a gateway to the mountains. This neutered Interstate 8 trailblazer shield was placed by San Diego County. Photo taken 03/22/02.
This Interstate 8 postmile is located old U.S. 80 near milepost 12 east of San Diego County Route S-1 near Kitchen Creek. The postmile marker is a remnant from when the Interstate was temporarily routed onto the old road during construction of the new freeway. Very few (if any) of these old postmile markers remain; in San Diego County, green mileposts are located along county-maintained segments of Old U.S. 80. Photo taken 05/25/03.
U.S. 80/Olde Highway 80 west
U.S. 80/Route 8 Business and Business Loop I-8 west
U.S. 80/Main Street and Business Loop I-8 west
U.S. 80/El Cajon Boulevard and Business Loop I-8 west
Business U.S. 80/La Mesa Boulevard west
Bypass U.S. 80/El Cajon Boulevard and Business Loop I-8 west
The old alignment of U.S. 80 departs from Interstate 8 at the El Cajon Boulevard offramp in La Mesa. Also known as Business Loop I-8, El Cajon Boulevard mostly follows the original routing of U.S. 80 through La Mesa and San Diego, although the initial section of El Cajon Boulevard was built to bypass downtown La Mesa (La Mesa Boulevard follows Old U.S. 80's original route through downtown; it later became Business U.S. 80 and now is designated with Historic U.S. 80 route markers). Photo taken 10/09/10.
A single lane offramp connects Interstate 8 west with El Cajon Boulevard west. Photo taken 10/09/10.
It is implied that Historic U.S. 80 and Business Loop I-8 split left along El Cajon Boulevard. Exit right here for Center Street. Photos taken 10/09/10.
A flyover ramp carries westbound El Cajon Boulevard traffic over Interstate 8. Photos taken 10/09/10.
The ramp continues with two lanes westbound, culminating at the Baltimore Drive traffic signal in La Mesa. Turn left here for Spring Street and downtown La Mesa. Baltimore Drive also eventually connects with University Avenue westbound. Photos taken 10/09/10.
Westbound El Cajon Boulevard meets Baltimore Drive. Photo taken 10/09/10.
After passing by a shopping mall, U.S. 80/El Cajon Boulevard approaches Guava Avenue. Photo taken 10/09/10.
Turn left here for former Business U.S. 80/La Mesa Boulevard east to downtown La Mesa. Continue west on Historic U.S. 80/El Cajon Boulevard ahead for the College Area community of San Diego. At La Mesa Boulevard, the original alignment of U.S. 80 merges onto El Cajon Boulevard west. Once El Cajon Boulevard was constructed as a bypass route toward Grossmont Summit, U.S. 80 was transferred onto El Cajon Boulevard east of here, and La Mesa Boulevard became Business U.S. 80. Photo taken 10/09/10.
U.S. 80/El Cajon Boulevard and Business Loop I-8 west
The first Historic U.S. 80 sign is posted on westbound El Cajon Boulevard after the La Mesa Boulevard intersection in La Mesa. Historic U.S. 80 is also signed along La Mesa Boulevard through downtown La Mesa. Photo taken 10/09/10.
A landscape median lines El Cajon Boulevard between La Mesa Boulevard and Parks Avenue. An effort was made in the 1990s and 2000s to add landscaping to many sections of El Cajon Boulevard median that previously had none. Photo taken 10/09/10.
Westbound U.S. 80/El Cajon Boulevard (Business Loop I-8) meets Parks Avenue. No business loop shields are present anywhere along El Cajon Boulevard within the city limits of La Mesa, and only a few remain in San Diego as of 2010. Photo taken 10/09/10.
Historic U.S. 80 and Business Loop I-8 proceed west on El Cajon Boulevard in La Mesa. Photo taken 10/09/10.
Westbound Historic U.S. 80/El Cajon Boulevard meets Keeney Street. Photo taken 10/09/10.
Entering San Diego, Historic U.S. 80/El Cajon Boulevard approaches 73rd Street. Street names from here west through College Area, City Heights, North Park, and Hillcrest (via Washington Street) will descend numerically (with First Avenue in Hillcrest). Photo taken 10/09/10.
El Cajon Boulevard serves a variety of communities and neighborhoods on its route west. Initially it enters College Area, which is named for its proximity to San Diego State University (via Montezuma Road west). Photo taken 10/09/10.
Westbound El Cajon Boulevard meets 71st Street. Photo taken 10/09/10.
At this traffic signal, westbound El Cajon Boulevard meets 70th Street. Turn right (north) on 70th Street to the San Diego Trolley, Interstate 8, and Lake Murray Boulevard. Turn left (south) on 70th Street to University Avenue and Massachusetts Avenue south to Lemon Grove and California 94. Photo taken 10/09/10.
A few blocks west (after 67th Street), El Cajon Boulevard west meets Montezuma Road. Turn right (west) on Montezuma Road to San Diego State University and Interstate 8 (via the Fairmount Avenue-Mission Gorge Road interchange). Continue west on El Cajon Boulevard toward the College Area Business District, El Cerrito, Talmadge, and City Heights. Photo taken 10/09/10.
Westbound Business Loop I-8 and U.S. 80/El Cajon Boulevard enters the College Area Business District. Photo taken 10/09/10.
A short distance later, westbound Business Loop I-8 and U.S. 80/El Cajon Boulevard approaches Rolando Boulevard. Very few city streets in San Diego have as many billboards as El Cajon Boulevard. While new billboards are very rare in San Diego due to restrictive ordinances, older billboards remain in use and may owe their presence to the age of the boulevard as a major route into San Diego from the east. Photo taken 10/09/10.
This view looks west along Business Loop I-8 and U.S. 80/El Cajon Boulevard between Art Street and 63rd Street. Photo taken 10/09/10.
Westbound Business Loop I-8 and U.S. 80/El Cajon Boulevard meets 63rd Street. Photo taken 10/09/10.
One block west, Business Loop I-8 and U.S. 80/El Cajon Boulevard reaches 62nd Street. Photo taken 10/09/10.
A relatively new landscaped median lines El Cajon Boulevard between 62nd Street and College Avenue. Photo taken 10/09/10.
Westbound El Cajon Boulevard meets College Avenue. Turn left (south) to College Grove and California 94. Turn right (north) to San Diego State University, Interstate 8, and Del Cerro. Photo taken 10/09/10.
As of 2010, the first westbound Business Loop I-8 route marker is posted along westbound El Cajon Boulevard after College Avenue. Most of the shields on El Cajon Boulevard between 73rd Street and College Avenue that were in place in the mid-1990s were gone by 2007. It is likely that this sign will be gone in the coming years and not replaced. Photos taken 10/09/10 and 03/27/05.
Westbound Business Loop I-8 and U.S. 80/El Cajon Boulevard meets 59th Street and enters the neighborhood of El Cerrito. Photo taken 10/09/10.
Cresting after Alice Street, Business Loop I-8 and U.S. 80/El Cajon Boulevard has a nice view looking west. Photo taken 10/09/10.
Westbound Business Loop I-8 and U.S. 80/El Cajon Boulevard meets El Cerrito Drive. Photos taken 03/27/05 and 10/09/10.
Continuing west, Business Loop I-8 and U.S. 80/El Cajon Boulevard meets 56th Street. Photo taken 10/09/10.
Westbound Business Loop I-8 and U.S. 80/El Cajon Boulevard then meets 54th Street. Turn left on 54th Street south to Webster or turn right for 54th Street north to Collwood Boulevard to Montezuma Road and Interstate 8. Photo taken 10/09/10.
Another Business Loop I-8 shield is posted after 54th Street. Photo taken 10/09/10.
And right after the Business Loop I-8 shield is the first Historic U.S. 80 sign to be seen after leaving La Mesa. Photo taken 10/09/10.
Between 54th Street and Park Boulevard, El Cajon Boulevard has a teal (turquoise) color theme for its street lights and streetscape fixtures. From 54th Street and California 15, El Cajon Boulevard separates Colina Park and City Heights on the south from Talmadge and Kensington to the north. Photo taken 10/09/10.
Westbound Business Loop I-8 and U.S. 80/El Cajon Boulevard meets 52nd Street. Photo taken 10/09/10.
This view looks west along El Cajon Boulevard at Altadena Avenue. Photo taken 10/09/10.
Continuing west on U.S. 80/El Cajon Boulevard, we approach 48th Street. Photo taken 10/09/10.
Westbound U.S. 80/El Cajon Boulevard meets Euclid Avenue. Photo taken 10/09/10.
El Cajon Boulevard enters the Little Saigon district. Photo taken 10/09/10.
Westbound El Cajon Boulevard meets Menlo Avenue. A trailblazer sign for Interstate 8 and Interstate 15 is posted on the traffic signal mast arm. Photo taken 10/09/10.
Reaching Highland Avenue, westbound El Cajon Boulevard enters City Heights. North of the boulevard are Kensington (from here west to California 15) and Normal Heights (from there west to Interstate 805). To the south is City Heights. Photo taken 10/09/10.
Shortly thereafter, westbound El Cajon Boulevard meets Fairmount Avenue. This is a pivotal intersection, as Fairmount Avenue to the north of here used to carry U.S. 395 north toward the San Diego Mission and points north via Murphy Canyon. U.S. 395 has had three north-south alignments south of Miramar: originally, U.S. 395 paralleled today's Kearny Villa Road and Linda Vista Road southwest to end at U.S. 101 in the Morena District; later, U.S. 395 traveled south roughly along the Interstate 15 corridor via Murphy Canyon Road, Ward Road, and Fairmount Avenue to El Cajon Boulevard, then turned west on El Cajon Boulevard, south on Park Boulevard, and west on Market Street to end at U.S. 101/Harbor Drive in downtown San Diego; and finally along the Cabrillo Freeway (today's California 163) in its entirety, 10th/11th Avenue couplet, and Market Street. Note Pearson Ford in 2005, which has since closed and was demolished. Photos taken 10/09/10 and 03/27/05.
A Business Loop I-8 west reassurance shield is posted on westbound El Cajon Boulevard after the Fairmount Avenue intersection. Since this section of Fairmount Avenue is one-way northbound, U.S. 395 south will join El Cajon Boulevard at the next intersection (43rd Street). Photo taken 10/09/10.
Westbound El Cajon Boulevard reaches 43rd Street, which is one-way southbound. Ahead, U.S. 80 west and U.S. 395 south proceed toward North Park and Balboa Park. El Cajon Boulevard widens to six lanes (three in each direction) from here west to Park Boulevard in University Heights. Photo taken 10/09/10.
U.S. 80/El Cajon Boulevard and Business Loop I-8 west and U.S. 395 south
Another historic U.S. 80 route marker is posted shortly after 43rd Street next to Van Dyke Avenue. Unfortunately, Historic U.S. 395 is not jointly signed here (especially since El Cajon Boulevard is seen as synonymous with U.S. 80 but is not readily recognized as partially Historic U.S. 395). Photo taken 10/09/10.
The Boulevard Association placed many of the Historic U.S. 80 signs along El Cajon Boulevard, including this one at Van Dyke Avenue. Photo taken 10/09/10.
After passing by Copeland Avenue, westbound El Cajon Boulevard approaches its junction with California 15 (Future Interstate 15). The Boulevard Transit Plaza is situated on the El Cajon Boulevard bridge deck that spans over California 15. Adorned with decorative red arches and benches, the transit plaza will connect to future planned transit along California 15. Photo taken 10/09/10.
The next intersection is with Marlborough Avenue; follow Marlborough Avenue north to Kensington. Photo taken 10/09/10.
The interchange between El Cajon Boulevard and California 15/Escondido Freeway is a diamond interchange. The next right connects to Central Avenue and California 15 north, while the first left after crossing the bridge deck connects to California 15 south. Photo taken 10/09/10.
Red arches span on both sides of the bridge deck as we cross California 15. Stay left for the onramp to California 15 south. Photos taken 10/09/10.
Westbound U.S. 80-395/El Cajon Boulevard meets the onramp to California 15/Escondido Freeway south to Fairmount Park, Mount Hope, and 32nd Street Naval Station San Diego. Photo taken 10/09/10.
Leaving the California 15 interchange, we find another Historic U.S. 80 route marker. Photo taken 10/09/10.
Westbound Business Loop I-8 and U.S. 80-395/El Cajon Boulevard continue past 38th Street toward 37th Street (traffic signal in distance). Photo taken 10/09/10.
El Cajon Boulevard west meets 37th Street. Photo taken 10/09/10.
The Boulevard Business Association also posted teal banners advertising El Cajon Boulevard and welcoming people to "Cruise Historic Highway 80." Photo taken 10/09/10.
At 35th Street is the final westbound reassurance shield for Business Loop I-8, even though the route extends all the way to the California 163 and Washington Street interchange in Hillcrest. It is likely that remaining signs will be removed as they weather and fade without being replaced. Photo taken 10/09/10.
Westbound U.S. 80-395/El Cajon Boulevard meets 33rd Street. Photo taken 10/09/10.
At Interstate 805/Dekema Freeway, westbound U.S. 80-395/El Cajon Boulevard leaves City Heights and Normal Heights and enters North Park. Turn right here for Interstate 805 north to Mission Valley, University City, Sorrento Valley, and points north via Interstate 5. Stay left for the left turn to Interstate 805 south. Photo taken 10/09/10.
Entering North Park, westbound U.S. 80-395/El Cajon Boulevard meets the onramp to Interstate 805 south (left turn) to Southcrest, National City, Chula Vista, Otay Mesa, and San Ysidro. Photo taken 10/09/10.
Tall eucalyptus line both sides of El Cajon Boulevard in North Park. Ahead is the intersection with Illinois Street. Photo taken 10/09/10.
Crossing Ohio Street, the next traffic signal along El Cajon Boulevard westbound is with 30th Street, a major north-south corridor in North Park. The commercial core of North Park is a few blocks south along 30th Street, at its intersection with University Avenue. Photo taken 10/09/10.
After traffic signalized intersections with Utah Street and Oregon Street, El Cajon Boulevard proceeds downhill toward Texas Street, then uphill to Park Boulevard, which is the western terminus of El Cajon Boulevard. Photo taken 10/09/10.
Westbound El Cajon Boulevard meets Texas Street. Turn left for the municipal pool and Morley Field in Balboa Park. Turn right for Texas Street north into Mission Valley, meeting Interstate 8 and Qualcomm Way (Stadium Way). Photo taken 10/09/10.
After the Florida Street signalized intersection, westbound U.S. 80-395/El Cajon Boulevard passes under the Boulevard sign, which was erected in 1989 and welcomes eastbound travelers to the shopping and arts district along El Cajon Boulevard. Photo taken 10/09/10.
At Park Boulevard, El Cajon Boulevard ends. Turn left to follow U.S. 80 west and U.S. 395 south along Park Boulevard to Balboa Park and downtown San Diego. Continue straight ahead to follow Business Loop I-8/Normal Street southwest to Washington Street west to Uptown, which includes Hillcrest and Mission Hills. For a time, U.S. 80 continued west to California 163, then followed the Cabrillo Freeway south through Balboa Park to reach downtown (until the route was relocated to the Mission Valley Freeway, which is now Interstate 8). Turn right to follow Park Boulevard north into the University Heights business district. Photo taken 10/09/10.
U.S. 80 west and U.S. 395/Park Boulevard south
U.S. 80 and U.S. 395 proceed south on Park Boulevard. Initially, Park Boulevard serves as a boundary between North Park/University Heights on the east and Hillcrest on the west. A small business area lines Park Boulevard between El Cajon Boulevard and Robinson Avenue. Photo taken 06/05/11.
Southbound Park Boulevard meets Polk Avenue at this traffic signal. After the traffic signal, turn right for Centre Street. Photo taken 06/05/11.
U.S. 80 and U.S. 395/Park Boulevard approaches Lincoln Avenue (four-way stop). Changes are planned for this segment of Park Boulevard as a result of a proposed bus rapid transit corridor along Park Boulevard and El Cajon Boulevard. Photo taken 06/05/11.
A landscaped median separates the two directions of traffic on this wide section of Park Boulevard. Photo taken 06/05/11.
Southbound Park Boulevard meets University Avenue. For a time around 1926, U.S. 80 was routed along University Avenue rather than El Cajon Boulevard and Park Boulevard. Turn left for University Avenue east to North Park and City Heights. Turn right to Hillcrest and Mission Hills. Photo taken 06/05/11.
Park Boulevard curves toward the southwest at Essex Street. Photo taken 06/05/11.
Southbound Park Boulevard meets Robinson Avenue as it continues to curve toward the southwest. Indiana Street leads due south from this intersection. Photo taken 06/05/11.
Park Boulevard again curves south at this intersection with Pennsylvania Avenue, then intersects Cypress Avenue, Brookes Avenue, Myrtle Avenue, and Upas Street before entering Balboa Park. Photos taken 06/05/11.
The first intersection in Balboa Park along Park Boulevard south is with Zoo Drive (right turn) and Morley Field Drive (left turn). Photo taken 06/05/11.
A turfed (grass) landscape median separates the two directions of traffic along Park Boulevard. Photo taken 06/05/11.
Turn right on Zoo Place to the World Famous San Diego Zoo. Park Boulevard continues south through Balboa Park. Photo taken 06/05/11.
Park Boulevard proceeds south through the heart of Balboa Park, which is maintained by the city of San Diego yet contains multiple leaseholds for the various museums within the park. Some of the museums include the Museum of Man, San Diego Natural History Museum, Reuben H. Fleet Science Center, San Diego Hall of Champions, San Diego Museum of Art, and a host of others. In addition to the museums, the park offers a variety of gardens, fountains, the Spreckels Organ Pavilion, Starlight Bowl, El Prado, and more. Photos taken 06/05/11.
Southbound Park Boulevard (U.S. 80-395) meets Inspiration Point Way; turn left here for the park administration building and Balboa Park Activity Center. Photo taken 06/05/11.
The next intersection along Park Boulevard (U.S. 80-395) south is with Presidents Way. Turn right here to Pan American Way and the Spreckels Organ Pavilion. Photo taken 06/05/11.
Turn right here for parking areas close to most Balboa Park museums. Photo taken 06/05/11.
Southbound Park Boulevard (U.S. 80-395) meets Presidents Way. The next right connects to an onramp to California 163/Cabrillo Freeway north. Photo taken 06/05/11.
Soon thereafter, southbound Park Boulevard (U.S. 80 west and U.S. 395 south) meets the onramp to California 163/Cabrillo Freeway north. Photo taken 04/21/11.
A faded San Diego Scenic Route sign is posted after the California 163 onramp. Leaving Balboa Park, Park Boulevard crosses over Interstate 5 just east of the Downtown Four-Level Interchange (between Interstate 5 and California 163). Photo taken 04/21/11.
Park Boulevard leaves Balboa Park and enters downtown San Diego. Photo taken 06/05/11.
After passing over the Interstate 5 freeway, southbound Park Boulevard (U.S. 80 west and U.S. 395 south) approaches the onramps to Interstate 5. The next right connects Park Boulevard south with Interstate 5/Montgomery Freeway south to Tijuana. Continue south on Park Boulevard to Russ Boulevard for the connection to Interstate 5/San Diego Freeway north to Los Angeles. Photo taken 04/21/11.
Nearing San Diego High School and San Diego City College, southbound Park Boulevard (U.S. 80 west and U.S. 395 south) meets the onramp to Interstate 5/Montgomery Freeway south (loop ramp). Turn right here from Park Boulevard to the ramp onto Interstate 5 south. Photo taken 06/05/11.
The freeway entrance shield assembly is unusual in that the sign is reflective with a dark green color. Photo taken 04/21/11.
After the entrance to Interstate 5/Montgomery Freeway south, a San Diego scenic drive route marker is posted for Park Boulevard south. The 59-mile scenic drive is marked by blue and yellow signs illustrated with a white seagull. Signs such as this are posted every quarter-mile along the route. The scenic drive will continue south on Park Boulevard until B Street, where it will turn west for several blocks and then turn south on Fourth Avenue toward Horton Plaza and the Gaslamp Quarter. Photo taken 04/21/11.
The Vantage Point tower comes into view as we proceed southwest on Park Boulevard past San Diego High School and San Diego City College. Park Boulevard loses elevation as continue into downtown. Photos taken 06/05/11.
Southbound Park Boulevard approaches Russ Boulevard; turn right at Russ Boulevard for access to California 163 north and Interstate 5 north. After that, the next signalized intersection is with A Street. Photos taken 06/05/11.
The San Diego Scenic Drive will turn right (west) on B Street toward the Financial District and Civic Center, while Historic U.S. 80 and U.S. 395 proceed south on Park Boulevard. Photo taken 06/05/11.
Historic U.S. 80 and U.S. 395/Park Boulevard next meet B Street at this traffic signal. Photo taken 06/05/11.
The next traffic signal along southbound Park Boulevard (Historic U.S. 80 and U.S. 395) is with C Street. Turn left on C Street east to Interstate 5, Pershing Drive, Balboa Park Golf Course, and Golden Hill. Photo taken 06/05/11.
The development at the southwestern corner of the intersection between Park Boulevard and C Street is known as the Smart Corner, as it was designed as a transit-friendly work-live space. The San Diego Trolley cuts through the building and includes the City College trolley station. Photo taken 06/05/11.
Smart Corner lines Park Boulevard between C Street and Broadway; this view shows southbound Park Boulevard at Broadway. Smart Corner also represents the point where the San Diego Trolley curves off of C Street and overtakes Park Boulevard. Car traffic is only allowed on one lane of southbound Park Boulevard. A wide pedestrian promenade on the east side of Park Boulevard allows for a dedicated pedestrian path between Balboa Park, the San Diego Padres Ballpark, and San Diego Bay (near the Convention Center). Photo taken 06/05/11.
This view looks south on Park Boulevard south of Broadway, including the pedestrian promenade and sycamore trees. Photo taken 06/05/11.
The next traffic signal along Park Boulevard south is with E Street. Photo taken 06/05/11.
And following that, Park Boulevard meets F Street, which travels one-way westbound (carrying traffic from California 94). Photo taken 06/05/11.
Southbound Park Boulevard meets G Street, which travels one-way eastbound (carrying traffic to California 94/Martin Luther King, Jr. Freeway east toward Lemon Grove, La Mesa, Rancho San Diego, Jamul, and Campo). Photo taken 06/05/11.
Near a trolley station, southbound Park Boulevard meets Market Street. This is the historic intersection of Twelfth Avenue and Market Street; U.S. 80 and U.S. 395 used to turn right (west) onto Market Street toward today's Grand Hyatt. Photo taken 06/05/11.
U.S. 80/Market Street west and U.S. 395 south
One block west, Market Street meets Eleventh Avenue in the East Village, which is part of downtown San Diego. A line of relatively new condominium developments creates a formidable wall of development on the south side of the street (these buildings did not exist 20 years ago; much has changed as a result of redevelopment and favorable housing prices in the early to mid-2000s). Turn right (north) on Eleventh Street to connect to California 163 north (after the last signalized intersection with A Street). Photo taken 06/05/11.
Former U.S. 80-395/Market Street next meets Tenth Avenue, which is one-way southbound. California 163 directly transitions onto Tenth Avenue southbound. Photo taken 06/05/11.
Continue west on Market Street to the Gaslamp Quarter, a national historic district. Market Street will pass through the Gaslamp Quarter between Sixth Avenue and Fourth Avenue. Photo taken 06/05/11.
The next signalized intersection along Market Street west is with Ninth Avenue. Photo taken 06/05/11.
Westbound Market Street (U.S. 80-395) approaches Eighth Avenue. Photo taken 06/05/11.
Continuing west, Market Street meets Seventh Avenue. Photo taken 06/05/11.
Entering the Gaslamp Quarter, westbound Market Street meets Sixth Avenue. Photo taken 06/05/11.
A Historic U.S. Route 80 sign is posted on westbound Market Street between Sixth Avenue and Fifth Avenue in the heart of the Gaslamp Quarter. U.S. 395 does not receive similar treatment here. As of 2011, this is the first Historic Highway 80 sign since leaving El Cajon Boulevard in University Heights. Photo taken 06/05/11.
In the heart of the Gaslamp Quarter, westbound Market Street meets Fifth Avenue. A barely noticeable Historic U.S. 80 sign is posted on the first street light pole after the traffic signal for Fifth Avenue. These historic route signs are about the size of a typical "No Parking" sign, so they are not as large as other historic signs seen elsewhere. Photos taken 06/05/11.
Leaving the Gaslamp Quarter, westbound Market Street meets Fourth Avenue. The historic route continues into the Marina District before ending at Historic U.S. 101/Harbor Drive. Photo taken 06/05/11.
Now in the Marina District, westbound Market Street meets Third Avenue. Photo taken 06/05/11.
One block later, westbound Market Street meets Second Avenue just south of Horton Plaza. Photo taken 06/05/11.
Westbound Market Street meets First Avenue. Turn right here for First Avenue north to the Civic Center, Interstate 5, and Bankers Hill. Photo taken 06/05/11.
Continuing west, Market Street intersects Front Street at this intersection. Turn left here to follow Front Street south to the Convention Center and points south via Harbor Drive. Photo taken 06/05/11.
Reaching Union Street, westbound Market Street only has a few more blocks left before crossing the railroad tracks and ending at U.S. 101/Harbor Drive. At the Harbor Drive intersection, no END shields or other markers indicate the most well-known historic endpoints of U.S. 80 and U.S. 395. When Historic U.S. 80 was first signed in 2006,1 a kick-off celebration was held at Seaport Village, which serves as the honorary western terminus of U.S. 80 and southern terminus of U.S. 395 (especially due to its proximity to the realigned segment of Harbor Drive and Pacific Highway). Seaport Village was also the former terminus of the San Diego-Coronado Ferry, which lost prominence in 1969 with the opening of the Coronado Bridge (California 75). Photo taken 06/05/11.
Business Loop I-8/Normal Street and Historic U.S. 80 (1948-1953) west
Now we return to the intersection of El Cajon Boulevard, Park Boulevard, and Normal Street. After the Park Boulevard intersection, Business Loop I-8 and the 1948-1953 alignment of U.S. 80 continue southwest along Normal Street en route to the Cabrillo Freeway. U.S. 80 and Business Loop I-8 remain on Normal Street for only a few blocks; at Lincoln Avenue, it will turn west onto Washington Street. Photo taken 10/09/10.
A California 163 trailblazer shield is posted on southbound Normal Street as we approach the transition to westbound Washington Street. A Business Loop I-8 trailblazer was mounted above this California 163 until 2003, when many such route markers were removed along El Cajon Boulevard, Normal Street, and Washington Street. In fact, this was the placement for the final westbound route marker for the business route, with the implication that traffic wishing to "loop" back to Interstate 8 would take California 163/Cabrillo Freeway north. Photo taken 10/09/10.
U.S. 80 and Business Loop I-8 curve from Normal Street onto Washington Street at this traffic signal. Washington Street cuts between the neighborhoods of Hillcrest and University Heights. Photo taken 10/09/10.
Business Loop I-8/Washington Street and Historic U.S. 80 (1948-1953) west
Passing south of University Heights and north of Hillcrest, westbound Washington Street (Former Business Loop I-8 and briefly historic U.S. 80) meets Cleveland Avenue at this traffic signal. Ahead is the junction with California 163/Cabrillo Freeway (former U.S. 395); use the right lanes to transition onto either direction of the freeway. Photo taken 08/17/08.
Westbound Washington Street (Former Business Loop I-8 and briefly historic U.S. 80) meets Lincoln Avenue at this traffic signal. Use the right two lanes to connect to California 163. Photo taken 08/17/08.
As the right two lanes split from Washington Street to California 163, the left lanes continue west toward Hillcrest. Photo taken 08/17/08.
The left lane of the transition ramp connects to California 163/Cabrillo Freeway south to downtown San Diego, while the right lane connects to California 163/Cabrillo Freeway north to Mission Valley, Linda Vista, Clairemont, and Kearny Mesa before merging with Interstate 15 near Miramar. Photo taken 08/17/08.
The Vermont Street pedestrian bridge crosses over Washington Street and the transition ramp to California 163. Built in 1995, the Vermont Street Bridge replaced an earlier wooden trestle bridge that was in service from 1916 until 1978 (demolished in 1979 due to rotting conditions). The pedestrian bridge links the neighborhoods of University Heights with Hillcrest. Photo taken 08/17/08.
The two directions of California 163 split at this gore point. While U.S. 80 was still routed along El Cajon Boulevard in the late 1940s and the Cabrillo Freeway was complete, this transition ramp served as part of transcontinental U.S. 80 before the federal highway turned south toward downtown via the freeway. Once U.S. 80 was relocated to the Mission Valley Freeway (now Interstate 8), old U.S. 80 became Business U.S. 80, and that eventually became Business Loop I-8. The business loop remained signed until the early 2000s; signs for the business loop along most of Washington Street and El Cajon Boulevard were removed by 2003. The California 163 interchange with Washington Street marks the western terminus of Business Loop I-8. Photo taken 08/17/08.
