State Route 20 West - Placer / Nevada Counties

Home » Guides » California » State Route 20 West - Placer / Nevada Counties
California State Route 20
California State Route 20 West
California State Route 20 originates from a folded diamond interchange with Interstate 80 at Yuba Pass.

California State Route 20 originates from a folded diamond interchange with Interstate 80 at Yuba Pass.

07/11/18

I-80 diverges southward into Placer County while SR 20 ventures west through Bear Valley to Nevada City and Grass Valley.
2 photos

I-80 diverges southward into Placer County while SR 20 ventures west through Bear Valley to Nevada City and Grass Valley.

07/11/18

SR 20 navigates through a number of S-curves west through the settlement of Camp Spaulding.
2 photos

SR 20 navigates through a number of S-curves west through the settlement of Camp Spaulding.

07/11/18

SR 20 nips northern reaches of Placer County between Camp Spaulding and Bear Valley.
2 photos

SR 20 nips northern reaches of Placer County between Camp Spaulding and Bear Valley.

07/11/18

Bowman Lake Road stems northward from SR 20 to the Sierra Discovery Trail, Clyde Mountain and Bowman Lake.

Bowman Lake Road stems northward from SR 20 to the Sierra Discovery Trail, Clyde Mountain and Bowman Lake.

07/11/18

Continuing beyond Bowman Lake Road, SR 20 curves toward Lowell Hill Ridge through Bear Valley.
2 photos

Continuing beyond Bowman Lake Road, SR 20 curves toward Lowell Hill Ridge through Bear Valley.

07/11/18

Crossing the Bear River, westbound SR 20 reenters Nevada County.

Crossing the Bear River, westbound SR 20 reenters Nevada County.

07/11/18

Ascending out of Bear Valley, SR 20 gains 600 feet in elevation along the south slopes of Lowell Hill Ridge.

Ascending out of Bear Valley, SR 20 gains 600 feet in elevation along the south slopes of Lowell Hill Ridge.

07/11/18

SR 20 west from I-80 to Nevada City is the Yuba Donner Scenic Byway.

SR 20 west from I-80 to Nevada City is the Yuba Donner Scenic Byway.

07/11/18

Rising to 5,200 feet above sea level, SR 20 winds through a series of switchbacks northward across Lowell Hill Ridge.
3 photos

Rising to 5,200 feet above sea level, SR 20 winds through a series of switchbacks northward across Lowell Hill Ridge.

07/11/18

SR 20 straightens out somewhat ahead of the Omega scenic overlook.
2 photos

SR 20 straightens out somewhat ahead of the Omega scenic overlook.

07/11/18

SR 20 navigates through a series of S-curves northwest from Sardine Spring to Skillman Flat.
3 photos

SR 20 navigates through a series of S-curves northwest from Sardine Spring to Skillman Flat.

07/11/18

Skillman Horse Camp lies south of SR 20 on Burlington Ridge.

Skillman Horse Camp lies south of SR 20 on Burlington Ridge.

07/11/18

Washington Road meanders north from SR 20 six miles to the community of Washington along the South Fork of the Yuba River.
2 photos

Washington Road meanders north from SR 20 six miles to the community of Washington along the South Fork of the Yuba River.

07/11/18

The Jefferson Creek Scenic Overlook lies just west of Washington Road on the north side of SR 20.
3 photos

The Jefferson Creek Scenic Overlook lies just west of Washington Road on the north side of SR 20.

07/11/18

Advancing west through Tahoe National Forest, SR 20 traverses areas of Washington Ridge to mile marker 30.00.
2 photos

Advancing west through Tahoe National Forest, SR 20 traverses areas of Washington Ridge to mile marker 30.00.

07/11/18

SR 20 westbound reaches White Cloud Campground.

SR 20 westbound reaches White Cloud Campground.

07/11/18

Continuing west from White Cloud Campground along Washington Ridge.
2 photos

Continuing west from White Cloud Campground along Washington Ridge.

07/11/18

SR 20 lowers to 4,000 feet ahead of the turn off for Conservation Road.

SR 20 lowers to 4,000 feet ahead of the turn off for Conservation Road.

07/11/18

Scotts Flat Road stems south from SR 20 on Harmony Ridge to Scotts Flat Reservoir.

Scotts Flat Road stems south from SR 20 on Harmony Ridge to Scotts Flat Reservoir.

07/11/18

SR 20 gradually decreases in elevation from Harmony Ridge west to Nevada City.
4 photos

SR 20 gradually decreases in elevation from Harmony Ridge west to Nevada City.

07/11/18

Curving south between Sugarloaf Mountain and Eagle Ravine, SR 20 expands to four lanes ahead of SR 49 and the Virginia City line.

Curving south between Sugarloaf Mountain and Eagle Ravine, SR 20 expands to four lanes ahead of SR 49 and the Virginia City line.

07/11/18

An at-grade intersection joins SR 20 west with Uren Street east and SR 49 north toward Downieville.
2 photos

An at-grade intersection joins SR 20 west with Uren Street east and SR 49 north toward Downieville.

07/11/18

SR 49 travels 42 miles south from Downieville to combine with SR 20 west along the Golden Center Freeway through both Virginia City and Grass Valley.

SR 49 travels 42 miles south from Downieville to combine with SR 20 west along the Golden Center Freeway through both Virginia City and Grass Valley.

07/11/18

California State Route 20 West California State Route 49 South
Constructed in the 1960s, the Golden Center Freeway leads SR 20 west & 49 south 5.1 miles to Empire Street in the city of Grass Valley.

Constructed in the 1960s, the Golden Center Freeway leads SR 20 west & 49 south 5.1 miles to Empire Street in the city of Grass Valley.

07/11/18

Leading away from SR 49 (Golden Center Freeway), westbound SR 20 meets Mill Street near the Nevada County Fairgrounds at a folded diamond interchange.
2 photos

Leading away from SR 49 (Golden Center Freeway), westbound SR 20 meets Mill Street near the Nevada County Fairgrounds at a folded diamond interchange.

07/11/18

California State Route 20 West
A grade separation takes Brighton Street across SR 20 west at this confirming marker.

A grade separation takes Brighton Street across SR 20 west at this confirming marker.

07/11/18

Marysville lies 34 miles to the west of Grass Valley via State Route 20.

Marysville lies 34 miles to the west of Grass Valley via State Route 20.

07/11/18

A grade separation takes Ponderosa Way across SR 20 at Deadmans Flat. West from here, SR 20 drops from around 2,300 feet above sea level along a 6% grade into the Central Valley.

A grade separation takes Ponderosa Way across SR 20 at Deadmans Flat. West from here, SR 20 drops from around 2,300 feet above sea level along a 6% grade into the Central Valley.

07/11/18

SR 20 remains an access controlled expressway west to Penn Valley. The state route passes over Rex Reservoir Road here.

SR 20 remains an access controlled expressway west to Penn Valley. The state route passes over Rex Reservoir Road here.

07/11/18

Entering Penn Valley, truckers along SR 20 west are advised of the 6% grade preceding the Yuba County line. The state route drops from 1,400 feet to 900 feet in elevation along the ensuing stretch.

Entering Penn Valley, truckers along SR 20 west are advised of the 6% grade preceding the Yuba County line. The state route drops from 1,400 feet to 900 feet in elevation along the ensuing stretch.

07/11/18

Penn Valley Drive north and Rough and Ready Highway south come together at a signalized intersection with SR 20 outside Penn Valley.
3 photos

Penn Valley Drive north and Rough and Ready Highway south come together at a signalized intersection with SR 20 outside Penn Valley.

07/11/18

SR 20 travels north of the community of Penn Valley along a controlled access bypass.

SR 20 travels north of the community of Penn Valley along a controlled access bypass.

07/11/18

Nevada County mile post R 6.00 stands along SR 20 west near Squirrel Creek.

Nevada County mile post R 6.00 stands along SR 20 west near Squirrel Creek.

07/11/18

Pleasant Valley Road winds north from SR 20 at Penn Valley to the community of Lake Wildwood, Bridgeport on the Yuba River and unincorporated French Corral.

Pleasant Valley Road winds north from SR 20 at Penn Valley to the community of Lake Wildwood, Bridgeport on the Yuba River and unincorporated French Corral.

07/11/18

Pleasant Valley Road links SR 20 with adjacent Penn Valley Drive to the south.

Pleasant Valley Road links SR 20 with adjacent Penn Valley Drive to the south.

07/11/18

The two lane expressway along SR 20 parallels Penn Valley Drive (old SR 20) just to the north. The two roadways converge one mile west of Pleasant Valley Road.

The two lane expressway along SR 20 parallels Penn Valley Drive (old SR 20) just to the north. The two roadways converge one mile west of Pleasant Valley Road.

07/11/18

Marysville lies 27 miles west of Penn Valley. Williams, where SR 20 meets I-5, follows in 63 miles.

Marysville lies 27 miles west of Penn Valley. Williams, where SR 20 meets I-5, follows in 63 miles.

07/11/18

Westbound SR 20 at Poker Flat Road and Nevada County mile marker 3.00.

Westbound SR 20 at Poker Flat Road and Nevada County mile marker 3.00.

07/11/18

A number of S-curves lead SR 20 west through Slacks Ravine. Portions of the former alignment of SR 20 remain for local access, including a segment off of Crescenzi Drive.

A number of S-curves lead SR 20 west through Slacks Ravine. Portions of the former alignment of SR 20 remain for local access, including a segment off of Crescenzi Drive.

07/11/18

Winding west between Riffle Box Ravine and Peardon Hill along SR 20.

Winding west between Riffle Box Ravine and Peardon Hill along SR 20.

07/11/18

State Route 20 crosses the Yuba County line westbound between Mooney Flat Road and Meade Hill.

State Route 20 crosses the Yuba County line westbound between Mooney Flat Road and Meade Hill.

07/11/18

References:

  1. "Dorsey Drive interchange opens." The Union (Nevada County, CA), November 11, 2014.
  2. "Dorsey Drive Interchange named 2014 Outstanding Construction Project of the Year." The Union (Nevada County, CA), February 28, 2015.

Photo Credits:

Connect with:

California State Route 49State Route 49 - Mother Lode Highway
California State Route 174State Route 174

Page Updated Wednesday March 20, 2019.