California 4 West - Contra Costa County
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Continuing west, California 4 approaches Exit 11, Morello Avenue, one-half mile. Photo taken 01/18/03. |
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This mileage sign provides the distance to the next two exits along westbound California 4 (John Muir Parkway): Exit 11, Morello Avenue; and Exit 10, Pine Street and Center Avenue. California 4 enters the city of Martinez, the seat of Contra Costa County and home to 35,866 people as of the 2000 Census. Martinez was founded in 1849 and incorporated on April 1, 1876. The city is situated along the California Delta near several oil refineries. Photo taken 07/07/07. |
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Westbound California 4 reaches Exit 11, Morello Avenue. Photo taken 07/07/07. |
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This mileage sign provides the distance to the next two exits along westbound California 4 (John Muir Parkway): Exit 10, Pine Street and Center Avenue; and Exit 9, Alhambra Avenue. Photo taken 07/07/07. |
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Westbound California 4 reaches Exit 10, Pine Street/Center Avenue. Photo taken 07/07/07. |
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The next exit along westbound California 4 is Exit 9, Alhambra Avenue in Martinez. Photo taken 07/07/07. |
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The right lane of California 4 (John Muir Parkway) west becomes exit only for Exit 9, Alhambra Avenue. Photo taken 07/07/07. |
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Westbound California 4 reaches Exit 9, Alhambra Avenue in Martinez. Photo taken 07/07/07. |
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This section of westbound California 4 passes through some rolling hills as it reaches the mouth of the Sacramento River, which flows into San Francisco Bay. On this day, the fog was thick enough to preclude much picture taking until nearly reaching Interstate 80. Even though much of this road is controlled access, there are a couple of minor connecting roads that prevent this segment of California 4 from being a full freeway. Photo taken 07/07/07. |
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This mileage sign along California 4 (John Muir Parkway) west provides the distance to three of the next five exits: Exit 6, McEwen Road; Exit 5, Cummings Skyway to Crockett and Interstate 80 east; (Exit 3, Franklin Canyon; Exit 2, Sycamore Avenue;) and Exit 1C, Willow Avenue and Bayberry Avenue. Photo taken 07/07/07. |
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The next exit along California 4 (John Muir Parkway) west is Exit 6, McEwen Road (1.50 miles). Photo taken 07/07/07. |
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Use Exit 6, McEwen Road to Port Costa. Photo taken 07/07/07. |
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Westbound California 4 (John Muir Parkway) reaches Exit 6, McEwen Road. The next exit is Exit 5, Cummings Skyway to Crockett and Interstate 80 east. Photo taken 07/07/07. |
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This mileage sign along California 4 (John Muir Parkway) west provides the distance to four of the next five exits: Exit 5, Cummings Skyway to Crockett and Interstate 80 east; (Exit 3, Franklin Canyon; Exit 2, Sycamore Avenue;) Exit 1C, Willow Avenue and Bayberry Avenue; and Exit 1B, Interstate 80 (Eastshore Freeway). Photo taken 07/07/07. |
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Westbound California 4 (John Muir Parkway) reaches Exit 5, Cummings Skyway to Crockett and Interstate 80 east. The next exit along westbound is Exit 3, Franklin Canyon. Photo taken 07/07/07. |
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California 4/John Muir Parkway retains its rural feel between Exit 5 and Exit 3. Photo taken 07/07/07. |
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This open space preserve is part of the Carquinez Strait Regional Shoreline Park and north of Briones Regional Park. A railroad parallels California 4 through Franklin Canyon. Photo taken 07/07/07. |
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Westbound California 4 (John Muir Parkway) reaches Exit 3, Franklin Canyon. Photo taken 07/07/07. |
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A major Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) power transmission corridor passes over California 4. These lines travel north to cross over the Carquinez Strait to bring power south to Berkeley and Oakland. Photo taken 07/07/07. |
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An unsigned exit leads from California 4 west to Exit 2, Sycamore Avenue (local access only). Photo taken 07/07/07. |
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The next exit along westbound California 4 is Exit 1C, Willow Avenue and Bayberry Avenue. Photo taken 07/07/07. |
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Westbound California 4 reaches Exit 1C, Willow Avenue and Bayberry Avenue. The next two exits are Exit 1B, Interstate 80 (Eastshore Freeway) and Exit 1A, San Pablo Avenue. Photo taken 07/07/07. |
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The next exit along westbound California 4 is Exit 1B, Interstate 80. The freeway continues straight ahead to end at San Pablo Avenue (Exit 1A). Photo taken 07/07/07. |
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The next exit along westbound California 4 is Exit 1B, Interstate 80. The freeway continues straight ahead to end at U.S. 40/San Pablo Avenue (Exit 1A). Photo taken 01/18/03. |
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Now on the off-ramp, the left lane connects to Interstate 80 west (south) to Oakland, while the right lane connects to Interstate 80 east (north) to Vallejo and Sacramento. Photo taken 07/07/07. |
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A butterfly gantry (overhead sign bridge) serves as the split between Interstate 80 west and east. Photo taken 07/07/07. |
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Back on the mainline, California 4 passes under Interstate 80 on this partial, symmetrical stack interchange. Ahead is the city of Hercules, the "Dynamic City on the Bay." With a population of 19,488 as of the 2000 Census, Hercules is a growing city situated on San Pablo Bay near the Carquinez Strait and several large oil refineries. Its location near the freeway, railroad, and water shipping network makes it a prime location for commercial interests. Originally founded as a company town, Hercules incorporated on December 15, 1900. Photo taken 01/18/03. |
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Finally, westbound California 4 ends at its junction with Historic U.S. 40/San Pablo Avenue at this traffic signal in Hercules. There is no end shield assembly present at this intersection. Photo taken 01/18/03. |


Page Updated October 21, 2009.