Headlines About California Highways – December 2025

[cahwyguy]

It may be the start of a new year, but it's also the start of a new month. That means: It's time for Highway Headlines for December. Here are your headlines from articles about California's highways published in December 2025.

https://cahighways.org/wordpress/?p=17469

Ready, set, discuss.

[Max Rockatansky]

Mulholland Highway is one of many roadways in the Santa Monica Mountains I intend to knock out this winter.  These rains aren't exactly encouraging considering how much damage they did to CA 2 up on Angeles Crest.

[cahwyguy]

I'm working on the December headlines, and hit the headline: Pescadero Hwy 1 Minor Realignment Informational Meeting ...  (Coastside Buzz). Project Description: ...

Following the link inside, I go to the project page: https://dot.ca.gov/caltrans-near-me/district-4/d4-projects/sr1-pescadero-near-term-realignment . Silly, silly Caltrans. Using an Interstate 1 shield for California 1. You think they would know better, after all.

[Plutonic Panda]

Large scale CA18 construction!? Lollllooooolol

[pderocco]

I'm surprised they're not putting speed bumps on "The Snake".

I know motorcyclists like that short stretch, not just because it's curvy but because it's fairly steep. But CA-23 and Yerba Buena Rd have stretches that seem comparable to me, as a non-biker.

[Plutonic Panda]

Leave the goddamn road alone.

[Max Rockatansky]

I'm surprised they're not putting speed bumps on "The Snake".

I know motorcyclists like that short stretch, not just because it's curvy but because it's fairly steep. But CA-23 and Yerba Buena Rd have stretches that seem comparable to me, as a non-biker.

There are lots of roads in that area that are just as good if not better than Mulholland Highway.  My interest in the area is photo sourcing for our page since most of travels in the Santa Monica Mountains was pre-2010.

[SeriesE]

One thing I don't get is why Caltrans can't leave the parking lots open while they repair the buildings in a rest area.

[Plutonic Panda]

One thing I don't get is why Caltrans can't leave the parking lots open while they repair the buildings in a rest area.

Probably some stupid liability, bullshit.

[cahwyguy]

One thing I don't get is why Caltrans can't leave the parking lots open while they repair the buildings in a rest area.

Probably some stupid liability, bullshit.

More likely, because they would need to provide restrooms, possibly with running water. Porta-potties, over a two-year period, could be a problem, especially in areas subject to extremes of heat or cold. There are also issues of construction interfering with access, especially if they are rebuilding the lots.

[Plutonic Panda]

One thing I don't get is why Caltrans can't leave the parking lots open while they repair the buildings in a rest area.

Probably some stupid liability, bullshit.

More likely, because they would need to provide restrooms, possibly with running water. Porta-potties, over a two-year period, could be a problem, especially in areas subject to extremes of heat or cold. There are also issues of construction interfering with access, especially if they are rebuilding the lots.

Every one of those issues that you pointed out are completely solvable. And with the amount of wealth that exist in California, I'm sure it could be done if there is somewhere that actually cared.

[SeriesE]

One thing I don't get is why Caltrans can't leave the parking lots open while they repair the buildings in a rest area.

Probably some stupid liability, bullshit.

More likely, because they would need to provide restrooms, possibly with running water. Porta-potties, over a two-year period, could be a problem, especially in areas subject to extremes of heat or cold. There are also issues of construction interfering with access, especially if they are rebuilding the lots.

They have vista points that are just parking lots so not providing restroom access could be OK.

[pderocco]

There are lots of roads in that area that are just as good if not better than Mulholland Highway.  My interest in the area is photo sourcing for our page since most of travels in the Santa Monica Mountains was pre-2010.

Make sure you get all the way west to Deer Creek Rd. That gets used in car ads a lot. Saddle Peak Rd is pretty cool too.

[pderocco]

One thing I don't get is why Caltrans can't leave the parking lots open while they repair the buildings in a rest area.

Probably some stupid liability, bullshit.

More likely, because they would need to provide restrooms, possibly with running water. Porta-potties, over a two-year period, could be a problem, especially in areas subject to extremes of heat or cold. There are also issues of construction interfering with access, especially if they are rebuilding the lots.

They have vista points that are just parking lots so not providing restroom access could be OK.

And sometimes you just want to read a map. Or make a phone call. Or look something up online. Or take a nap. Or ... zzzz

[Max Rockatansky]

One thing I don't get is why Caltrans can't leave the parking lots open while they repair the buildings in a rest area.

Probably some stupid liability, bullshit.

More likely, because they would need to provide restrooms, possibly with running water. Porta-potties, over a two-year period, could be a problem, especially in areas subject to extremes of heat or cold. There are also issues of construction interfering with access, especially if they are rebuilding the lots.

They have vista points that are just parking lots so not providing restroom access could be OK.

And sometimes you just want to read a map. Or make a phone call. Or look something up online. Or take a nap. Or ... zzzz

A bush in the back of a parking area is just as good as a dedicated restroom more often than not.

[cahwyguy]

One thing I don't get is why Caltrans can't leave the parking lots open while they repair the buildings in a rest area.

Probably some stupid liability, bullshit.

More likely, because they would need to provide restrooms, possibly with running water. Porta-potties, over a two-year period, could be a problem, especially in areas subject to extremes of heat or cold. There are also issues of construction interfering with access, especially if they are rebuilding the lots.

They have vista points that are just parking lots so not providing restroom access could be OK.

And sometimes you just want to read a map. Or make a phone call. Or look something up online. Or take a nap. Or ... zzzz

The rest areas are too far apart for things like that. You pull off at the next exit, whereever it is, and park in the lot of whatever is nearby. It's not like folks need rest areas for the payphones, and fast food stops are common enough to provide restrooms. Arguably, the primary users of the rest stops are truckers, who don't have space to park at consumer establishments. But, along the roads where the rest stops are, there are often truck stops as well.

I'm sure you can find other things in the headlines to get upset about.

[Quillz]

One thing I don't get is why Caltrans can't leave the parking lots open while they repair the buildings in a rest area.

Probably some stupid liability, bullshit.

More likely, because they would need to provide restrooms, possibly with running water. Porta-potties, over a two-year period, could be a problem, especially in areas subject to extremes of heat or cold. There are also issues of construction interfering with access, especially if they are rebuilding the lots.

Every one of those issues that you pointed out are completely solvable. And with the amount of wealth that exist in California, I'm sure it could be done if there is somewhere that actually cared.

Okay. Go solve it. 

[Plutonic Panda]

One thing I don't get is why Caltrans can't leave the parking lots open while they repair the buildings in a rest area.

Probably some stupid liability, bullshit.

More likely, because they would need to provide restrooms, possibly with running water. Porta-potties, over a two-year period, could be a problem, especially in areas subject to extremes of heat or cold. There are also issues of construction interfering with access, especially if they are rebuilding the lots.

Every one of those issues that you pointed out are completely solvable. And with the amount of wealth that exist in California, I'm sure it could be done if there is somewhere that actually cared.

Okay. Go solve it.

Sure give me $10,000 in a truck and I'll go to Home Depot actually since this is California that'll be $10 million and I'll need a fleet of about 20 semi's

[Quillz]

One thing I don't get is why Caltrans can't leave the parking lots open while they repair the buildings in a rest area.

Probably some stupid liability, bullshit.

More likely, because they would need to provide restrooms, possibly with running water. Porta-potties, over a two-year period, could be a problem, especially in areas subject to extremes of heat or cold. There are also issues of construction interfering with access, especially if they are rebuilding the lots.

Every one of those issues that you pointed out are completely solvable. And with the amount of wealth that exist in California, I'm sure it could be done if there is somewhere that actually cared.

Okay. Go solve it.

Sure give me $10,000 in a truck and I'll go to Home Depot actually since this is California that'll be $10 million and I'll need a fleet of about 20 semi's

You don't seem very serious. If you don't care, why should anyone else?

[Plutonic Panda]

One thing I don't get is why Caltrans can't leave the parking lots open while they repair the buildings in a rest area.

Probably some stupid liability, bullshit.

More likely, because they would need to provide restrooms, possibly with running water. Porta-potties, over a two-year period, could be a problem, especially in areas subject to extremes of heat or cold. There are also issues of construction interfering with access, especially if they are rebuilding the lots.

Every one of those issues that you pointed out are completely solvable. And with the amount of wealth that exist in California, I'm sure it could be done if there is somewhere that actually cared.

Okay. Go solve it.

Sure give me $10,000 in a truck and I'll go to Home Depot actually since this is California that'll be $10 million and I'll need a fleet of about 20 semi's

You don't seem very serious. If you don't care, why should anyone else?

I mean, just because I'm being a little bit humorous with it doesn't mean I'm not serious. They can keep the stops open and functional to some degree without shutting them entirely down.

[pderocco]

One thing I don't get is why Caltrans can't leave the parking lots open while they repair the buildings in a rest area.

Probably some stupid liability, bullshit.

More likely, because they would need to provide restrooms, possibly with running water. Porta-potties, over a two-year period, could be a problem, especially in areas subject to extremes of heat or cold. There are also issues of construction interfering with access, especially if they are rebuilding the lots.

They have vista points that are just parking lots so not providing restroom access could be OK.

And sometimes you just want to read a map. Or make a phone call. Or look something up online. Or take a nap. Or ... zzzz

The rest areas are too far apart for things like that. You pull off at the next exit, whereever it is, and park in the lot of whatever is nearby. It's not like folks need rest areas for the payphones, and fast food stops are common enough to provide restrooms. Arguably, the primary users of the rest stops are truckers, who don't have space to park at consumer establishments. But, along the roads where the rest stops are, there are often truck stops as well.

I'm sure you can find other things in the headlines to get upset about.

I wasn't the "upset" person. In fact, I rarely enter a rest area that isn't also a view point. I prefer finding a Starbucks or a truck stop or something. I'm just agreeing with the idea that it's excessive to completely close a rest area just because they're remodeling the rest rooms.

[FredAkbar]

The question seems to be, would anyone actually use the parking lot just to stop and park, if there is nothing to do and no restrooms? Or are rest stops basically glorified public restrooms so you can't really have one without the other.

"Rest stop" to me seems to me like an antiquated concept, but I guess some people really do need to stop and rest every couple of hours.

[Max Rockatansky]

It depends on where the rest areas are located at.  I use the rest areas past Baker on I-15 so I can just jump out of my car, take a leak and keep driving.  I guess that I could do the same thing on any of the exits.

[SeriesE]

The question seems to be, would anyone actually use the parking lot just to stop and park, if there is nothing to do and no restrooms? Or are rest stops basically glorified public restrooms so you can't really have one without the other.

"Rest stop" to me seems to me like an antiquated concept, but I guess some people really do need to stop and rest every couple of hours.

I rather stop at a rest area if I'm planning to eat my own food. They feel safer and there's no pressure to buy anything (maybe I'm too self conscious lol).

[Plutonic Panda]

The question seems to be, would anyone actually use the parking lot just to stop and park, if there is nothing to do and no restrooms? Or are rest stops basically glorified public restrooms so you can't really have one without the other.

"Rest stop" to me seems to me like an antiquated concept, but I guess some people really do need to stop and rest every couple of hours.

To answer this question seriously, and I'm not an expert in any of these matters at all, but I'll try to address what I can hear.

First off gravel parking lots or temporarily paved lots can be a thing. Regardless of what you hear on TV California is in a deficit one year next year it has $100 billion surplus blah blah blah. This is not a poor state. We can afford to put some pavement or gravel down so people have a place to pull over and rest as studies have shown that driving drowsy is just as bad if not worse as driving impaired.

Regarding porta potties, I hate Porta potties, if there's no one around and I just gotta drain the lizard I love peeing outside. Hell I don't mean to be TMI but popping a squad in the woods is pretty nice too. But yes, in an area where there's other people around you're gonna need some privacy to do your thing. Take a piss take a shit jack off do whatever you wanna do. But the Porta potty issue seems like a non-issue to me because they've had these nasty ass porta potties at Runyon Canyon Park for a decade now. Same thing at the Will Rodger's State Beach. And believe you me I have complained to the Los Angeles Department of harbors and beaches time and time again and I've talked to the Rangers that work the Runyon Canyon Park area. I'm sure they're good people and I'm not trying to slander anyone but they're full of shit. They're in horrible condition absolutely disgusting and there's no reason they couldn't build a permanent facility.

Point being they exist the operate and people use them. I can't stay off of the top of my head. How often if ever I've seen a rest stop facility that has been undergoing maintenance where they've had to close office section and I've parked on gravel, but I've absolutely used rest stops that have been undergoing renovations, and they've been partially open and kept open.

Now this CAHWY guy just seems like he's somebody that works for Caltrans or something in justifies everything. They do sure there's things that he's posted on this website that he's gonna point out that he's disagreed with, but I mean come on man. This is so ridiculous. You don't need to close our rest. Stop because you're doing renovations. And you don't need to feed us the same PR bullshit we've already seen from their social media and their own website. Not trying to talk shit I'm just saying.

Now on another note, I love rest areas. Whether I'm in a recreational vehicle where I can sleep comfortably. Or I'm in a compact car where I'm gonna have to take some substances I'm not gonna admit to on this form to go to sleep. Or if I'm in a bigger car where I can use a memory foam or blowup mattress, I'm good.

Used to be for example, like at the historic El Rancho motel in Gallup you could get a room for like 30 bucks a night. That was before the pandemic. Good luck finding those prices. Still I go there because I love the Navajo people and I want to support them. And for anyone reading this, if you haven't had their breakfast, it's pretty damn good.

But there's a rest area not too far that you can stay there for free and you can walk around the signs. Tell you not to but disregard them go on a little adventure. Don't go too far to where you end up getting lost and don't do anything stupid like going out hiking when it's 110° out.

But just has another example the first rest stop you see when you're traveling I 40 westbound after you cross the Oklahoma border going into Texas. They've got some cool information about some historical stuff that happened in the area. They've got restrooms. Me I'm a man so worst case scenario I can walk or somewhere where there's no one around and bleed the blizzard, but I have not had that issue there. I've talked to people there's picnic tables there there's barbecue sometimes and some of these places. And yes, I'm happy to share. Barbecue have a Modelo. Or not if you don't drink, it really doesn't matter. Sometimes it's just nice sitting back drinking a glass of water looking at the views stretching your legs and just taking the small things in.

That's my opinion on rest areas. They are great assets to have and I wish we had a lot more of them. And it really irritates me when I see DOTs give up on me and abandon them close them or in California's case close them for years for renovations. Dude we don't need a fucking Ritz Carlton. Just build a somewhat decent building that shouldn't take you more than a couple months to build. Include some history about the area as with the case once you cross in the Mexico describes stories about the natives, which is very interesting and the plateau that's often the distance to the south. And a place to piss and shit. And some parking spaces for vehicles of all kinds.

This isn't rocket science.