Official State Maps from CA

[DevalDragon]

I have been trying to complete my collection of Official State Maps, and am having a big hangup on California. Caltrans says they no longer issue a paper map. In fact, I can't find an example of an official state map from California anywhere!

When did CA quit printing maps? Did they ever print maps? I imagine they had to, as it was hard to get around before they started numbering exits.

[TheHighwayMan3561]

Didn't CT stop printing maps too? Or did they only quit making them for out-of-state customers?

[vdeane]

Not every state had a state map.  Many of the northeastern states did not.  NY, for example, has never had one, though these days they re-brand MapWorks as an official touring map.

[NE2]

California used to have one: http://www.cosmos-monitor.com/ca/map1961/index.html

[pctech]

If you stop at a CA visitor center and ask for a road map, how do they respond?

Mark

[Alps]

Not every state had a state map.  Many of the northeastern states did not.  NY, for example, has never had one, though these days they re-brand MapWorks as an official touring map.

I have two different NY state maps, both of which are quasi-official. I definitely have a CT map, though it's a couple of years old now.

[PAHighways]

I have a California map from the 1990s that looks more like a CalTrans planning map than the typical state issued official.

[andy3175]

If you stop at a CA visitor center and ask for a road map, how do they respond?

Mark

They have a tourism map that gets updated every year ... I have copies from 2006 onward, and I know this map was produced going back to the 1980s. This map, which is labeled as an "official map," can be obtained standalone or folded into a California tourism magazine that is also updated every year, is what you'll get at the welcome centers. You can also order the magazine and map directly from http://www.visitcalifornia.com/. One can argue as to the quality and cartography of the map itself: I'd suggest ordering a copy and deciding for yourself.

The "Caltrans official" map (for the most part) only shows existing or proposed state highways and omits most non-state highways. Its use as a navigational aid is therefore limited, but it's cool to see the intended routes of the non-existent, unconstructed/proposed routes. These routes are defined in the state's Street and Highways Code (see http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/cgi-bin/displaycode?section=shc&group=00001-01000&file=300-635 for the current list) and are also discussed on Daniel Faigin's page (http://www.cahighways.org/) and to a lesser extent on AARoads (see https://www.aaroads.com/california/). The Caltrans official map lists all of the legislative routes in text format and also graphically on the map.

Caltrans has produced several updates to its "official" map over the past several decades, but updates are sporadic and not easily obtained. This official map is not available through welcome centers or other similar venues. The "Caltrans official" maps that I've seen in the past 20 years were dated (if I recall correctly) 1994, 1998, and 2003. These maps had to be purchased (I can't remember the exact price, somewhere around $5 each) from the Caltrans library in Sacramento (I have asked for copies of the map at the local district offices and have not yet been successful). In the past ten years (through 2013), I don't think another version has been produced.

The 1966 "Caltrans official" map was widely distributed and is probably the easiest to obtain in antique stores and eBay. This particular map used Gousha cartography, showed non-state routes, and was made generally available because many US routes were eliminated in the prior two years. Some of the earlier "Caltrans official" maps (from the 1930s, 1940s, 1950s, etc.) were actually inserts to the Division of Highway status reports, a small hardback book that was issued to the California Highway Commission. You can find some of these older maps on eBay or in antique stores, but they are harder to find and typically more expensive due to their scarcity. I believe Daniel Faigin has some of these older maps scanned on his California Highways webpage.

Regards,
Andy

[BigMattFromTexas]

I have a California highway map.
Either Washington or Oregon stopped printing paper maps..
BigMatt

[ACSC Collector]

I was in the gold rush region and visited many of the tourist towns there last year. Although the DMV does not print out maps, the travel agency still does so not quite official they are up official standards.