From the Archives – 1953

1953 aerial view of the Camino Del Rio (later US 80) / US 395 interchange, looking south. Courtesy – Caltrans

San Diego’s Mission Valley has changed quite a bit over the last century. It has gone from farms to condos. Dairys to grocery stores. Dirt roads to major freeways. In 1947, the first iteration of the current State 163 / I-8 interchange was completed as shown here. Left on and offramps were the order of the day. Challenge Dairy’s San Diego headquarters can be seen in the upper left corner of the interchange. Additional changes to the junction took place in 1959, 1978, and 1991. All of these bridges have been replaced but their legacy remains today with the outer ramps on either side of the 8.

Sightseeing Faults in the Southern California

Southern California has many faults, some hidden, some very obvious. One of the more fun aspects of geology is to see where the land moves. To witness the power of what Earth can do can be quite awe inspiring. Some features are easily recognizable, such as the San Gabriel Mountains which have somewhat rapidly risen …

Read more

Featured Image – 10/17/2022

I-805 at State 52

Shown here, I-805 (upper) crosses the 52 freeway (lower) at San Clemente Canyon. Built in 1972, it formed the eastern terminus of the 52 for many years. In 1987, was extended to Convoy St. I-805 also follows the former boundary between the San Diego Mission Lands (east) and San Diego Pueblo Lands (west). This becomes quite evident in the North Park area where Boundary Street runs quite close to the freeway.

Ridge Route Alternate Presentation Video

If you missed my presentation on September 13 on the history of the Ridge Route Alternate, you can see it on YouTube on the Historic Highway 99 Association of California’s channel. Come take a look!

Route Fire – Updated 1730

From the Ridge Route Preservation Organization: Another wildfire has started at the south end of the Ridge Route in Marple Canyon along the 5. This fire, known as the Route Fire, has so far burned 250 acres and is not contained. The fire has burned across the old Ridge Route at the Callahan Line Change …

Read more