California 217


California 217 is a short freeway spur (Clarence Ward Memorial Boulevard) from U.S. 101 Exit 104B southwest to the University of California at Santa Barbara. A proposed yet unconstructed segment would connect the campus with U.S. 101 on the west side as part of California 217, but there do not appear to be plans to build this section of route.

California 217 west
California 217 is known as Clarence Ward Memorial Boulevard, named after a state senator who served the Santa Barbara area. The freeway spur originates at U.S. 101 Exit 104B (at the Patterson Avenue interchange) and travels southwest toward the Santa Barbara Municipal Airport and the University of California at Santa Barbara (UCSB). A directional ramp connects U.S. 101 to California 217; there is access from U.S. 101 north to California 217 west yet no access from U.S. 101 south to California 217 west. Photo taken 03/18/06.
The first exit along westbound California 217 (Clarence Ward Memorial Boulevard) is Exit 2, Hollister Avenue (old U.S. 101). A second sign in the background shows the split on the on-ramp from Fairview Avenue to either U.S. 101 north or California 217 west. Photo taken 03/18/06.
Use Hollister Avenue (old U.S. 101) west to downtown Goleta. The on-ramp from Patterson Avenue joins westbound California 217. Photo taken 03/18/06.
Passing over U.S. 101, this is the first reassurance shield for California 217 west. Photo taken 03/18/06.
Two lanes carry California 217 westbound traffic over U.S. 101. Photo taken 03/18/06.
Westbound California 217 (Clarence Ward Memorial Boulevard) reaches Exit 2, Hollister Avenue (old U.S. 101) to downtown Goleta. To the west, Hollister Avenue passes through unincorporated Santa Barbara before becoming State Street en route to downtown Santa Barbara. Photo taken 03/18/06.
The next exit along westbound California 217 (Clarence Ward Memorial Boulevard) is Exit 1, Sandspit Road to Santa Barbara Municipal Airport (one mile). Photo taken 03/18/06.
Sandspit Road is a short connector road between California 217 and Moffett Place. Turn north on Moffett Place to the Santa Barbara Municipal Airport terminal building. Photo taken 03/18/06.
Clarence Ward Memorial Boulevard ends at the entrance to the university, so motorists may turn their radio to 1610 AM for parking and visitor information. Photo taken 03/18/06.
The freeway ends in one-half mile, after the Sandspit Road interchange. Photo taken 03/18/06.
Use Exit 1 to Moffett Place south to Goleta Beach County Park and the Goleta Pier. Photo taken 03/18/06.
The right lane of westbound California 217 (Clarence Ward Memorial Boulevard) becomes exit only for Exit 1, Sandspit Road to Santa Barbara Municipal Airport and Goleta Beach County Park. The left lane continues west to UCSB. Photo taken 03/18/06.
The divided highway and freeway end right after the ramp from California 217 (Clarence Ward Memorial Boulevard) to Exit 1, Sandspit Road and Moffett Place. Photo taken 03/18/06.
Westbound California 217 (Clarence Ward Memorial Boulevard) reaches Exit 1, Sandspit Road and Moffett Place to Santa Barbara Municipal Airport and Goleta Beach. Photo taken 03/18/06.
After the off-ramp to Exit 1, Sandspit Road, California 217 reduces to one lane in each direction for the final distance to the university. Photo taken 03/18/06.
With only one lane in each direction, California 217 (Clarence Ward Memorial Boulevard) essentially serves as a Super Two freeway between the Exit 1 off-ramp and the entrance to the university. Photo taken 03/18/06.
Upon entering the university campus, traffic will again separate onto one-way roads. All freeway traffic should slow to 25 miles per hour prior to entering the campus. Photo taken 03/18/06.
California 217 and its freeway end at this point, where the shoulder white striping ends. Photo taken 03/18/06.
Clarence C. Ward Memorial Boulevard west
The speed limit reduces to 25 miles per hour. Photo taken 03/18/06.
Upon entering the campus of UCSB, the roadway splits into separate one-way roads. UCSB takes over maintenance of the roads. Follow the signs to various destinations on the campus. From here, two one-way lanes travel west on Mesa Road, with a traffic signal connection to Lagoon Road and other routes to various parts of the campus. Photo taken 03/18/06.
Clarence C. Ward Memorial Boulevard east
Leaving the campus of the University of California at Santa Barbara (UCSB), eastbound California 217 (Clarence Ward Memorial Boulevard) begins its journey northeast to U.S. 101. Photo taken 03/18/06.
Two lanes carry California 217 for the first half mile of the nascent freeway. Photo taken 03/18/06.
California 217 east
A begin freeway sign is posted at the beginning of Caltrans maintenance of California 217 east. Photo taken 03/18/06.
The first exit along California 217 (Clarence Ward Memorial Boulevard) east is Exit 1, Sandspit Road and Moffett Place to Goleta Beach County Park and Santa Barbara Municipal Airport. Photo taken 03/18/06.
California 217 is designated as the Clarence Ward Memorial Boulevard, named for a state senator of the same name who represented Santa Barbara between 1941 and 1955. Photo taken 03/18/06.
Eastbound California 217 (Clarence Ward Memorial Boulevard) reaches Exit 1, Sandspit Road and Moffett Place to Goleta Beach County Park and Santa Barbara Municipal Airport. This bridge carries California 217 over the Goleta Slough and Moffett Place. Photo taken 03/18/06.
A late sign advises using Exit 1, Sandspit Road and Moffett Place to Goleta Beach County Park. Photo taken 03/18/06.
At the gore point, eastbound California 217 will soon widen to two lanes and gain a median separation from the other direction. Photo taken 03/18/06.
Traffic entering the freeway from Sandspit Road and Moffett Place creates a new right lane for the California 217 freeway. Photo taken 03/18/06.
The first California 217 east reassurance shield is posted after the on-ramp from Sandspit Road and Moffett Place. Photo taken 03/18/06.
The next exit along California 217 (Clarence Ward Memorial Boulevard) east is Exit 2, Hollister Avenue (old U.S. 101) (0.50 mile). Photo taken 03/18/06.
Eastbound California 217 (Clarence Ward Memorial Boulevard) reaches Exit 2A, Hollister Avenue (old U.S. 101). Use Hollister Avenue west to downtown Goleta and east through unincorporated Santa Barbara County toward the city of Santa Barbara. Photo taken 03/18/06.
The final exit along California 217 (Clarence Ward Memorial Boulevard) east is Exit 3, Patterson Avenue, which offers a connection to U.S. 101 north. All through traffic on California 217 east will be defaulted onto U.S. 101 south (east) to Santa Barbara. Photo taken 03/18/06.
The towering Santa Ynez Mountains dominate the view from California 217 as the short freeway nears its northeastern terminus at U.S. 101 near Patterson Avenue. Photo taken 03/18/06.
Use the left lane of California 217 (Clarence Ward Memorial Boulevard) east to U.S. 101 south. Use the right lane to depart the freeway to Exit 3, Patterson Avenue and connect to U.S. 101 north. Photo taken 03/18/06.
The freeway banks east as it crosses the Union Pacific Railroad prior to the U.S. 101 freeway merge. Photo taken 03/18/06.
The final exit along California 217 (Clarence Ward Memorial Boulevard) east is Exit 3, Patterson Avenue, which offers a connection to U.S. 101 north. All through traffic on California 217 east will be defaulted onto U.S. 101 south (east) to Santa Barbara. Photo taken 03/18/06.
The left two lanes of California 217 (Clarence Ward Memorial Boulevard) transition directly onto U.S. 101 south, and the right lane connects to Exit 3, Patterson Avenue. No end shield for California 217 is posted. Photo taken 03/18/06.
Departing the California 217 freeway, the connection from California 217 east to U.S. 101 north is facilitated by making a left turn onto northbound Patterson Avenue. Photo taken 03/18/06.
California 217 scenes
Now on northbound Patterson Avenue, a sign featuring both U.S. 101 and California 217 shields is posted. Upon turning left at the next traffic signal, motorists may choose between California 217 west or U.S. 101 (California 1) north. Photo taken 03/18/06.
Now on the on-ramp to U.S. 101 and California 217 from Patterson Avenue, the left lane connects to California 217 west and the right lane connects to U.S. 101 north. Photo taken 03/18/06.
A diagrammatical split sign posts the left lane to California 217 and the right lane to U.S. 101 from Patterson Avenue. A freeway entrance shield assembly is posted for U.S. 101 north but oddly not for California 217 west. Photo taken 03/18/06.


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Page Updated March 21, 2009.

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