California 135


California 135 connects U.S. 101 in Los Alamos with U.S. 101 in Santa Maria, merging briefly with California 1 near Vandenberg Air Force Base. The portion of the route through Santa Maria is also signed as U.S. 101 Business.


California 135 north
Immediately after departing from U.S. 101 at the Main Street exit in Los Alamos, California 135 turns right (north) on Bell Street, which is the original route of U.S. 101 through Los Alamos. Photo taken 03/20/06.
A puddle-strewn turnout provides reflections on a late-day scene along California 135/Bell Street north in Los Alamos. Photo taken 03/20/06.
A Los Alamos welcome sign is posted just north of there, prior to entering downtown. (Now we skip ahead to where California 1 and California 135 merge together.) Photo taken 03/20/06.
California 1 (Cabrillo Highway) and California 135 north
Immediately after merging together, California 1 and California 135 approach Graciosa Road, which provides local and farm access from the expressway. Photo taken 09/29/07.
After the Graciosa Road intersection, California 1 and California 135 gain freeway status. Photo taken 09/29/07.
This section of freeway has a wider median than the California 1 expressway segment closer to Vandenberg Village. Photo taken 09/29/07.
A Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) substation is located east of the California 1 and California 135 freeway. Photo taken 09/29/07.
A pair of PG&E power lines cross over the freeway. Photo taken 09/29/07.
The next exit along California 1 and California 135 north is with Exit 226, California 135 (Orcutt Expressway) north to Orcutt and Santa Maria (one mile). Photo taken 09/29/07.
Use California 1 north to continue along the Juan Bautista de Anza trail. Photo taken 09/29/07.
At Exit 226, California 1 and California 135 will split. Stay right for California 135 and left for California 1. Photo taken 09/29/07.
At Exit 226, California 1 and California 135 split. These porcelain enamed overhead signs show that California 1 (Cabrillo Highway) departs to the northwest to Guadalupe, while California 135 (Orcutt Expressway) departs to the northeast to Orcutt and Santa Maria. Photo taken 02/02/08.
California 135 (Orcutt Expressway) north
The first exit on California 135 (Orcutt Expressway) is Exit 17, Clark Avenue (one mile). The interchange serves the unincorporated community of Orcutt, which is located south of the city of Santa Maria. The Orcutt Expressway passes through the community; while Exit 17 is a full freeway interchange, California 135 downgrades to an expressway configuration for the connection to future Union Valley Parkway and Foster Road. Photo taken 02/02/08.
This view shows the California 135 freeway as it approaches Exit 17 (Clark Avenue to downtown Orcutt). Photo taken 09/30/07.
Northbound California 135 (Orcutt Expressway) reaches Exit 17, Clark Avenue. Again note the use of older, porcelain enamel signs at the off-ramp to Exit 17 similar to those found at the California 1 and California 135 split. No California 135 reassurance shield is posted on the overhead pull-through sign. Photo taken 02/02/08.
After the Clark Avenue interchange, this mileage sign provides the distance to Santa Maria (five miles), San Luis Obispo (36 miles), and the control city of San Francisco (272 miles). Photo taken 09/30/07.
The proposed Union Valley Parkway intersection will be located approximately here once built in 2012. Photo taken 09/30/07.
Northbound California 135 (Orcutt Expressway) approaches Foster Road at this traffic signal. The freeway ends at this point (although the northern end of the freeway may change if an intersection with the Union Valley Parkway is built once the parkway extension is completed in 2012). Photo taken 02/02/08.
An end freeway sign is posted prior to the Foster Road traffic signal. Photo taken 09/30/07.
After Foster Road, California 135 continues as an expressway alignment. Photo taken 09/30/07.
The next traffic signal along California 135 (Orcutt Expressway) north is with Skyway Drive north to the Santa Maria Airport and Lakeview Road east to U.S. 101. Photo taken 09/30/07.
The next traffic signal along California 135 (Orcutt Expressway) north is with Goodwin Road west and Winter Road east. Photo taken 09/30/07.
Northbound California 135 (Orcutt Expressway) approaches Waller Lane. Photo taken 09/30/07.
California 135/Broadway north
California 135 enters Santa Maria and becomes known as Broadway. The city of Santa Maria had a population of 77,423 as of the 2000 Census. Santa Maria is the largest city in Santa Barbara County and is known for its wine country, agriculture, proximity to Vandenburg Air Force Base, and barbecue. Santa Maria consists of 19.7 square miles, and nearby Orcutt, Lompoc, and Guadalupe expand along with the city of Santa Maria. Photo taken 09/30/07.
Northbound California 135/Broadway approaches Miller Street. Broadway retains expressway standards for a little while longer before becoming a conventional city street. Photo taken 09/30/07.
The next intersection along California 135/Broadway north is with U.S. 101 Business/Santa Maria Way south to U.S. 101. Photo taken 09/30/07.
Northbound California 135/Broadway meets U.S. 101 Business/Santa Maria Way at this traffic signal. U.S. 101 Business and California 135 travel north from this point along Broadway toward downtown Santa Maria. Photo taken 09/30/07.
California 135 and U.S. 101 Business (Broadway) north
A U.S. 101 Business reassurance shield is posted along U.S. 101 Business and California 135/Broadway north. California 135 is omitted. Photo taken 09/30/07.
Northbound California 135/Broadway and U.S. 101 Business meet Betteravia Road at this traffic signal. Photo taken 09/30/07.
California 135 ends at U.S. 101 near the northern city limits of Santa Maria.

U.S. 101 Business and California 135/Broadway south
We begin our coverage of California 135 and U.S. 101 Business south on the Broadway bridge over U.S. 101 in the city of Santa Maria. This view is available on the connection from U.S. 101 north and California 166 east (Exit 173) to Broadway southbound. Photo taken 09/29/07.
A ramp joins California 135 and U.S. 101 Business south from U.S. 101 south and California 166 west at the bottom of the overpass. Photo taken 09/29/07.
The first southbound reassurance shield assembly includes shields for California 135 and U.S. 101 Business. With a population of 77,423, Santa Maria is the largest city in Santa Barbara County and is known for its wine country, agriculture, proximity to Vandenburg Air Force Base, and barbecue. Santa Maria consists of 19.7 square miles, and nearby communities (Orcutt, Lompoc, and Guadalupe) are expanding along with the city of Santa Maria. Photo taken 09/29/07.
Southbound California 135 and U.S. 101 Business approach Grant Street at this traffic signal. Photo taken 03/20/06.
Southbound California 135 and U.S. 101 Business approach Williams Street at this traffic signal. Photo taken 03/20/06.
This signalized intersection is found along southbound California 135 and U.S. 101 Business at Donovan Road. Photo taken 03/20/06.
Prior to the Alvin Avenue intersection is this reassurance shield for U.S. 101 Business; California 135 is omitted. Photo taken 03/20/06.
Another U.S. 101 Business reassurance shield is posted after the Fesler Street intersection. Photo taken 03/20/06.
Southbound California 135 and U.S. 101 Business approach California 166 (Main Street) west to Guadalupe and Amtrak train station. To the east, California 166 connects with U.S. 101. Photo taken 03/20/06.
A California 166 shield is posted at the intersection with Main Street. Both U.S. 101 Business and California 135 continue south from this point. Photo taken 03/20/06.
The street blade sign includes a California 166 shield as well as the name Main Street. It is not common to see a state shield within a street blade sign. Photo taken 03/20/06.
Another reassurance shield for California 135 and U.S. 101 Business south is posted after passing the pedestrian overpass. Photos taken 03/20/06.
Broadway crosses over railroad tracks soon thereafter. Photo taken 03/20/06.
Another California 135 shield is posted at Jones Street. Photo taken 03/20/06.
Southbound U.S. 101 Business and California 135 meet Stowell Road at this intersection. Photo taken 03/20/06.
Another pair of California 135 and U.S. 101 Business shields are posted along southbound Broadway after the Stowell Road intersection. Photo taken 03/20/06.
In front of the Stardust Motel is another U.S. 101 Business shield. Photo taken 03/20/06.
Southbound California 135 and U.S. 101 Business meet Betteravia Road at this signalized intersection. Photo taken 03/20/06.
At Santa Maria Way, the routes divide: continue straight along Broadway for the continuation of southbound California 135 or turn left on Santa Maria Way to follow U.S. 101 Business southeast back to U.S. 101 (El Camino Real). Photo taken 03/20/06.
Southbound California 135/Broadway and U.S. 101 Business/Santa Maria Way split at this intersection. Photo taken 03/20/06.
California 135/Broadway south
After U.S. 101 Business splits, this mileage sign provides the distance to Orcutt and Lompoc via California 135 south. Photo taken 03/20/06.
South of U.S. 101 Business/Santa Maria Way, California 135 features expressway standards with no driveways, access limited to signalized intersections, and proper spacing of access points. After Miller Street, California 135 leaves the city of Santa Maria and enters unincorporated Orcutt. Photo taken 03/20/06.
The next signalized intersection along California 135 south is with Waller Lane. Photo taken 03/20/06.
California 135 (Orcutt Expressway) south
Southbound California 135 (Orcutt Expressway) meets Waller Lane at this intersection. Photo taken 03/20/06.
The next intersection along California 135 (Orcutt Expressway) south is with Goodwin Road and Winter Road. Photo taken 03/20/06.
Southbound California 135 (Orcutt Expressway) meets Goodwin Road and Winter Road. Photo taken 03/20/06.
The next intersection along California 135 (Orcutt Expressway) south is with Skyway Drive and Lakeview Road. Photo taken 03/20/06.
The next intersection along California 135 (Orcutt Expressway) south is with Foster Road. Photo taken 03/20/06.
Southbound California 135 (Orcutt Expressway) meets Foster Road at this signalized intersection. After this intersection, the California 135 freeway begins for the rest of the way through Orcutt. Photo taken 03/20/06.
A begin freeway sign is posted after the Foster Road intersection. Photo taken 03/20/06.
The next exit along southbound California 135 (Orcutt Expressway) is Exit 17, Clark Avenue west to downtown Orcutt and east to U.S. 101. The proposed Union Valley Parkway would intersect with California 135 around this point; that road is planned for opening in 2012. Photo taken 03/20/06.
Another advance sign for Clark Avenue is posted shortly thereafter. Photo taken 03/20/06.
Southbound California 135 (Orcutt Expressway) meets Exit 17, Clark Avenue. The pull-through sign for Vandenberg Air Force Base and Lompoc omit the California 135 shield, perhaps because both of these destinations are served by California 1 (Cabrillo Highway) rather than California 135. Photo taken 03/20/06.
Upon exiting California 135 (Orcutt Expressway) south to Exit 17, Clark Avenue, turn right to Orcutt and to California 1 north. Photo taken 09/30/07.
A California 135 reassurance shield is posted after the on-ramp from Clark Avenue in Orcutt. Photo taken 03/20/06.
California 135 retains freeway standards as it proceeds south for its eventual junction with California 1. All traffic must merge with California 1 south at Exit 16; there is no access to California 1 north. Photo taken 03/20/06.
Southbound California 135 passes under the northbound transition lanes for California 1. Photo taken 03/20/06.
A California 1 shield is posted along southbound California 135 prior to their merge. California 1 will merge onto California 135 from the right. Photo taken 03/20/06.
California 1 (Cabrillo Highway) and California 135 south
California 1 and California 135 are cosigned on this shield assembly after the two routes merge together. Photo taken 03/20/06.
This mileage sign along California 1 and California 135 south provides the distance to Vandenberg Air Force Base (10 miles) and Lompoc (15 miles). Omitted is the distance to Los Alamos via California 135 south. Photo taken 03/20/06.
For most of their shared alignment, California 1 and California 135 are up to freeway standards. Photo taken 03/20/06.
Pacific Gas and Electric power lines cross over California 1 and California 135 near a substation south of Orcutt. Most of this area is rural with farms and ranches. Photo taken 03/20/06.
The two state routes (California 1 and California 135) divide just north of the Air Force Base boundary. Use California 1 south to Vandenberg and Lompoc. Photo taken 03/20/06.
The freeway ends prior to the split because of a single at-grade intersection with Graciosa Road, which provides local farm and ranch access. Photo taken 03/20/06.
Southbound California 1 and California 135 approach Graciosa Road prior to their split. Photo taken 03/20/06.
The left two lanes carry California 135 southeast to Los Alamos; the right lanes follow California 1 south to Vandenberg Air Force Base and Lompoc. Photo taken 03/20/06.
Southbound California 1 and California 135 divide at this point. Stay left for California 135 southeast to Los Alamos and U.S. 101; stay right for California 1 (Cabrillo Highway) south to Vandenberg Air Force Base and Lompoc. (An alternate route to Lompoc is available via Harris Grade Road, which is old California 1. To Harris Grade Road, follow California 135 southeast.) Photo taken 03/20/06.
California 135 south
Following California 135, a reassurance shield is posted after the gore point. A bridge ahead carries California 1 north over California 135 so it can merge with California 135 north. Photos taken 03/20/06.
The freeway will soon come to an end as the speed limit drops to 55 miles per hour. Photo taken 03/20/06.
The next intersection is with San Antonio Road. Photo taken 03/20/06.
Southbound California 135 meets San Antonio Road. Use San Antonio Road west to California 1 and Casmalia. Photo taken 03/20/06.
Although California 135 is marked for southbound, the rest of the route along the San Antonio Creek to Los Alamos will travel generally east. This reassurance shield is posted after the San Antonio Road intersection. Photo taken 09/30/07.
The next intersection along California 135 south is with Harris Grade Road (Old California 1) south to Lompoc. Continue straight ahead to Los Alamos. Photo taken 09/30/07.
Another California 135 south reassurance shield is posted after the intersection with Harris Grade Road (Old California 1). Much of the remainder of the route traverses farmers fields and ranches. Photo taken 09/30/07.
California 135 continues east through agricultural areas en route toward Los Alamos, crossing the San Antonio Creek along the way. Photos taken 09/30/07.
Flooding during storm events can occur along this segment of California 135. Photo taken 09/30/07.
After turning southeast at this point, California 135 will lead into Los Alamos. Photo taken 09/30/07.
It is a straight shot southeast along California 135 to Los Alamos. Photo taken 09/30/07.
The speed limit will reduce to 35 miles per hour upon entering the unincorporated community of Los Alamos (population 1,372 as of the 2000 Census). At this point, California 135 meets Bell Street north. South of here, California 135 becomes known as Bell Street, which is the old alignment of U.S. 101 through Los Alamos prior to the completion of the modern freeway bypass. California 135/Bell Street will serve the community center. Photo taken 09/30/07.
California 135 (Old U.S. 101) south
A welcome sign for the community of Los Alamos is posted soon thereafter. The festival listed on this sign was underway was we came through Los Alamos on 09/30/07. Photo taken 03/20/06.
Southbound California 135 enters and passes through downtown Los Alamos. Photos taken 03/20/06.
After passing through downtown Los Alamos, California 135 shifts from Bell Street onto Main Street for the final distance to U.S. 101. This sign assembly is posted only a short distance from the on-ramps to U.S. 101, so California 135 will only spend a short distance on Main Street. Photo taken 03/20/06.
California 135/Main Street south
After turning off Bell Street, California 135 only travels a short distance before ending at the U.S. 101 interchange. An end shield is posted prior to the interchange. Photos taken 09/30/07.
Eastbound California 135/Main Street meets U.S. 101. This standard diamond interchange features ramps to U.S. 101 south to Santa Barbara, Ventura, and Los Angeles as the right turn and to U.S. 101 north to Santa Maria, San Luis Obispo, Salinas, San Jose, and San Francisco as the left turn. Photos taken 09/30/07.
California 135 ends at U.S. 101 in downtown Los Alamos.

U.S. 101 Business/Santa Maria Way north
Now traveling north on U.S. 101 Business/Santa Maria Way, the business route travels through Santa Maria between U.S. 101 Exit 167 and U.S. 101 Exit 173. The route follows Santa Maria Way northwest to Broadway (California 135). Photo taken 09/29/07.
Northbound U.S. 101 Business/Santa Maria Way approaches Bradley Road. Photo taken 09/29/07.
Continue north on U.S. 101 Business/Santa Maria Way to the city of Santa Maria; use Bradley Road south to Lakeview Road west to Skyway Drive en route to Santa Maria Airport. Photo taken 09/29/07.
Northbound U.S. 101 Business/Santa Maria Way approaches Hillview Road. Photo taken 09/29/07.
The next intersection along U.S. 101 Business/Santa Maria Way north is with Holly Oak Lane. Photo taken 09/29/07.
Shortly after the Holly Oak Lane intersection, northbound U.S. 101 Business/Santa Maria Way enters the city of Santa Maria. Photo taken 09/29/07.
The next intersection along U.S. 101 Business/Santa Maria Way north is with Waller Lane. Photo taken 09/29/07.
Northbound U.S. 101 Business/Santa Maria Way meets Sunrise Drive at this traffic signal. Photo taken 09/29/07.
The next signalized intersection along U.S. 101 Business/Santa Maria Way north is with Miller Street. Photo taken 09/29/07.
Northbound U.S. 101 Business/Santa Maria Way approaches California 135/Broadway. Use the right two lanes to follow U.S. 101 Business and California 135/Broadway north into downtown Santa Maria. The left lane connects to California 135 south to Orcutt. Photo taken 09/29/07.
Lane allocations for the U.S. 101 Business and California 135 intersection are posted on this sign prior to the Broadway intersection. Photo taken 09/29/07.
For traffic turning south on California 135, this traffic signal regulates the flow of traffic onto Broadway. A California 135 shield is posted on the mast arm of the traffic signal. Photo taken 09/29/07.

California 135 scenes
At this stop sign, eastbound San Antonio Road meets California 135. Turn left to follow California 135 north to Santa Maria and turn right to follow California 135 east to Los Alamos and U.S. 101. Photos taken 09/30/07.

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Page Updated May 4, 2009.

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