Business Loop I-15, Escondido - California Travel Information
Escondido
Northbound Business Loop I-15/Centre City Parkway, Escondido
Begin Northbound Business Loop I-15 along Centre City Parkway in Escondido. The business route is fairly well-signed, with several newer signs placed by the city of Escondido. Photo taken 08/99.
First reassurance marker along northbound Business Loop I-15 in Escondido. Photo taken 08/99.
The major connector from Business Loop I-15 to downtown Escondido is via San Diego County Route S-6, which follows 2nd Avenue east to the city center. A right turn here connects with the California Center for the Arts (via a connection with northbound Escondido Avenue), the civic center, hospital, and visitors information center. Photo taken 04/23/05.
Business Loop I-15 intersects San Diego County Route S-6 twice, since S-6 follows two one-way streets through downtown Escondido. The first intersection is with eastbound San Diego County Route S-6, which follows one-way Second Avenue through downtown Escondido, then travels northeast toward Valley Center, Pala, and ultimately Palomar Mountain. The second intersection on northbound Business Loop I-15 is with Grand Avenue, which serves the downtown shopping and cultural center of Escondido (see below). The third intersection is with Valley Parkway, which carries San Diego County Route S-6 westbound toward Interstate 15 and connects to Del Dios Highway. Photo taken 04/23/05.
The next intersection along northbound Business Loop I-15/Centre City Parkway is with Grand Avenue, which provides a local connection to downtown's strip of shops. Grand Avenue is a four-lane, divided main street that features on-street parking, easy access to shops, and walkable amenities. Grand Avenue is not part of San Diego County Route S-6, even though the tree-lined boulevard is situated between 2nd Avenue and Valley Parkway, which together constitute the east-west county route through downtown Escondido. Photo taken 04/23/05.
Northbound Business Loop I-15 next approaches the intersection with San Diego County Route S-6/Valley Parkway westbound. Taking County Route S-6 west leads to Interstate 15 and Del Dios Highway. County Route S-6 becomes Del Dios Highway as it crosses the hills between Escondido and Del Mar/Solana Beach on a southwesterly trajectory. It ends at Coast Highway 101 (San Diego County Route S-21/Old U.S. 101) just west of the Del Mar Fairgrounds. Photo taken 04/23/05.
Eucalyptus trees were planted at the time the Centre City Parkway was constructed. This was a standard Caltrans landscaping feature of 1950s and 1960s-era expressways and freeways, and those stands of trees that remain today are as tall as these. Since Business Loop I-15 was formerly U.S. 395, plantings of eucalyptus trees along Centre City Parkway still remain, especially here just north of Valley Parkway. Photo taken 04/23/05.
After the three Business Loop I-15 intersections through downtown Escondido -- San Diego County Route S-6 (eastbound via 2nd Avenue), intervening Grand Avenue, and San Diego County Route S-6 (westbound via Valley Parkway) -- this sign advises of the next major interchange, with California 78/Ronald Packard Freeway. Photo taken 12/99.
Continuing north, Business Loop I-15 reaches a freeway interchange with California 78/Ronald Packard Freeway westbound. There is no access from northbound to eastbound California 78, mostly because the California 78 freeway comes to its end just a half mile east of here. Surface streets, such as County Route S-6 (2nd Avenue), may be used to reach California 78 eastbound. Photo taken 12/99.
Northbound Business Loop I-15 mileage sign. This mileage sign is an original from when this route was U.S. 395, and it is located north of California 78. Photo taken 12/99.
Northbound Business Loop I-15 approaching Junction Interstate 15 north of Escondido. The business route is merged back onto the freeway, but traffic may opt for the frontage road, which is known as North Centre City Parkway. Once the frontage road leaves the city of Escondido, its name changes to Old Highway 395, much as Old Highway 80 is memorialized in eastern San Diego County near Interstate 8. Photo taken 08/99.
Northbound Business Loop I-15 at the frontage road offramp. Continuing straight ahead leads to both directions of Interstate 15. Photo taken 12/99.
Northern end of Business Loop I-15 at its junction with Interstate 15. Traffic may head north or south from this interchange. Photo taken 12/99.
Southbound Business Loop I-15/Centre City Parkway, Escondido
Southbound Business Loop I-15 in Escondido approaching Junction California 78. Similar to northbound, there is a direct connection onto the westbound California 78 freeway at this exit ramp, but motorists must enter downtown Escondido to reach eastbound. Photo taken 06/22/02.
Southbound Business Loop I-15 approaching Junction San Diego County Route S-6 (Valley Parkway), which also leads to Interstate 15. Photo taken 06/22/02.
Southbound Business Loop I-15 in Escondido approaching Fifth Avenue. Photo taken 06/22/02.
Southbound Business Loop I-15 in Escondido approaching Felicita Road, which leads west to connect to Interstate 15. Photo taken 06/22/02.
After the last traffic light, Business Loop I-15 becomes a freeway for its last half-mile before reaching Interstate 15. This sign is for the next exit along southbound Interstate 15, Via Rancho Parkway. Photo taken 06/22/02.
Other Scenes Pertaining to Business Loop I-15/Centre City Parkway, Escondido
This sign is mounted in the median of westbound Grand Avenue. Although the 15 shield is green, the sign is referring to Interstate 15, not Business Loop I-15. That is because the sign reads "south San Diego - right lane." To make a right on Centre City Parkway would put you on northbound Business Loop I-15, not southbound. However, to get to Interstate 15 southbound, take Business Loop I-15 north to San Diego County Route S-6/Valley Parkway westbound. Valley Parkway intersects Interstate 15 a mile or so west of Centre City Parkway. Photo taken 04/23/05.
Use northbound Business Loop I-15 to reach California 78/Ronald Packard Freeway west to Vista, San Marcos, and Oceanside. Photo taken 04/23/05.
On westbound San Diego County Route S-6/Valley Parkway, the last downtown Escondido intersection is with Business Loop I-15, which follows the old U.S. 395 expressway around the western edge of downtown. Photo taken 04/23/05.
Along the Old U.S. 395 (Business Loop I-15) expressway in Escondido, old right-of-way fence signage such as this one remind landowners seeking access that the fence marking the right of way may not be removed with prior permit. Signs such as this one may be found on many limited access highways from the 1950s and 1960s. Photo taken 08/99.
