PICTORIAL GUIDE TO SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA HIGHWAYS

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SR-1

Pacific Coast Highway / Lincoln Blvd / Sepulveda Blvd

Runs from I-5 near Dana Point to US 101 near Leggett in northern California

About State 1

Highway 1 is one of the most famous and infamous highways in California. I say infamous because this is the highway that was proposed to be a freeway offshore and has one of the highest maintenance bills for any State roadway in California. The Big Sur section is closed more than it is open in wet winters, the Malibu section is plagued by slides and has been since opening in the 1920’s. Highway 1 from US 101 at El Rio to Dana Point used to be signed as US 101 Alternate from 1935 until 1964.

Pictorial Guide

Sign designating SR-1 as the Pacific Coast Expressway at the US 101 junction in Oxnard.
Sign designating SR-1 as the Pacific Coast Expressway at the US 101 junction in Oxnard.
Looking north along the old alignment of US 101A (State Route 1) near Hueneme Rd.
Looking north along the old alignment of US 101A (State Route 1) near Hueneme Rd.
Looking south along the pre-freeway alignment of US 101A (State Route 1) near Hueneme Rd.
Looking south along the pre-freeway alignment of US 101A (State Route 1) near Hueneme Rd.
Along the Pacific Coast Freeway, the only long section built. This was constructed about 1957. The other section is essentially a long ramp from I-5 in Dana Point.
Along the Pacific Coast Freeway, the only long section built. This was constructed about 1957. The other section is essentially a long ramp from I-5 in Dana Point.
Greenout for US 101 Alternate.
Greenout for US 101 Alternate.
Heading south towards Pt Mugu.
Heading south towards Pt Mugu.
Just west of central Malibu. This section was widened to four lanes in the 1950’s.
Pacific Coast Highway near Malibu.
Pacific Coast Highway near Malibu.
Typical section with cliffs and a temporary barrier to block rockslides.
Typical section with cliffs and a temporary barrier to block rockslides.
Entering the McLure Tunnel. While considered by most the beginning of I-10, it doesn't begin until Lincoln Blvd, where SR-1 leaves the freeway and heads south.
Entering the McLure Tunnel. While considered by most the beginning of I-10, it doesn’t begin until Lincoln Blvd, where SR-1 leaves the freeway and heads south.
Split between SR-1 and SR-2 at I-10 / Lincoln Blvd. This is one of the few places that two consecutive route numbers meet in California.
Split between SR-1 and SR-2 at I-10 / Lincoln Blvd. This is one of the few places that two consecutive route numbers meet in California. This was also the western terminus of US 66.
Overcrossing at Culver Ave. Courtesy - Caltrans
Overcrossing at Culver Ave. Courtesy – Caltrans
Sign for southbound traffic at the Los Alamitos Traffic Circle.
Sign for southbound traffic at the Los Alamitos Traffic Circle.
1970's proposal for the State 1 and State 55 Interchange (Pacific Coast Freeway and Newport Freeway).
1970’s proposal for the State 1 and State 55 Interchange (Pacific Coast Freeway and Newport Freeway). Courtesy – Caltrans
Old Junction with Hwy 73 at MacArthur Blvd in Corona Del Mar.
Old Junction with Hwy 73 at MacArthur Blvd in Corona Del Mar.
Aliso Creek Bridge in the Laguna Beach area around 1930.
Aliso Creek Bridge in the Laguna Beach area around 1930. Courtesy – Caltrans

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