California 12 Westbound

Westbound California 12
	This mileage sign along westbound California 12 provides the distance to Fairfield, 21 miles. Vallejo is also shown on this sign, even though California 12 does not directly serve Vallejo. Photo taken by Trevor Carrier, Summer 2002.
	Westbound California 12 uses the Helen Madere Bridge to cross over the Sacramento River. A similar sign greets eastbound travelers on the other side. Photo taken 01/18/03.

Westbound California 12 passing under the superstructure of the Helen Madere Bridge as it approaches the main lift tower. When the lift bridge is in operation, the delays to use the bridge can be extensive. Photos taken 01/18/03.

	As westbound California 12 comes off the Helen Madere/Sacramento River Bridge, it approaches its junction with Northbound California 84 in Rio Vista. Photo taken 01/18/03.
	Westbound California 12 meets California 84 in Rio Vista. California 84 is not signed from California 12 along westbound, but it is signed along eastbound California 12. There are reassurance shields along California 84 itself, however. From here, California 12 travels west past California 113 to meet Interstate 80 in Fairfield. Photo taken 01/18/03.
	California 12 west merges with Interstate 80, then splits from the freeway at Exit 39A and leads into Jameson Canyon. Although the route carries a great deal of traffic as the primary route from Interstate 80 to Napa, California 12 has only two lanes. Photo taken 05/25/06.
	The first turn off from California 12 west in Jameson Canyon (between Interstate 80 and California 29) is Red Top Road. Photo taken 05/25/06.

Site Navigation

	This mileage sign provides the distance to Napa (11 miles), Sonoma (22 miles), and Santa Rosa (43 miles). Allot at least an hour and a half to travel the distance from Interstate 80 to Santa Rosa due to the winding route California 12 takes through the Valley of the Moon. Photo taken 05/25/06.
	Lush green hills dominate the view in Jameson Canyon as California 12 continues west toward Napa. Photo taken 05/25/06.
	Falling rock and debris can be a problem as the highway passes through small rock cuts such as this one. Photo taken 05/25/06.
	An extra wide painted median is used to dissuade passing on a double yellow. Photo taken 05/25/06.
	Leaving Solano County, westbound California 12 enters Napa County. Photo taken 05/25/06.
	The next traffic signal along westbound California 12 is for Kirkland Ranch Road. Photo taken 05/25/06.
	Old California 29 south of Napa is known as Kelly Road, and it is the next traffic signal found along westbound California 12. Photo taken 05/25/06.

	Westbound California 12 meets California 29 at the next traffic signal. Turn right to follow California 12 west and California 29 north to Napa. The combined highway carries a great deal of traffic, but the route is built to expressway standards and has a traffic signal at its junction with California 221/Soscol Avenue. For more on the shared alignment of the two routes, see California 29. Photo taken 05/25/06.
	After splitting from California 121/Carneros Highway, westbound California 12 follows a two-lane alignment toward Sonoma and the Valley of the Moon. Photo taken 05/25/06.
	California 12 is known as the Valley of the Moon Scenic Route as it passes through Sonoma and travels through the crescent-shaped Valley of the Moon. Photo taken 05/25/06.
	After a 90-degree turn, California 12 travels northwest toward Sonoma. Photo taken 05/25/06.
	Skipping ahead to Santa Rosa and now traveling west on the Hoen Frontage Road, a ramp leads onto westbound California 12. This right of way was slated for a continuation of the California 12 freeway from Hoen Avenue west to Farmers Lane, but as yet, no freeway extension has been constructed. Photo taken 05/25/06.
	The first exit on westbound California 12 freeway is Exit 7C, South E Street to downtown Santa Rosa. The city of Santa Rosa is the seat of Sonoma County. Incorporated in 1868, Santa Rosa was home to Luther Burbank, a world-renowned horticulturist. Burbank introduced hundreds of plants in the region during his 50-year stay in Santa Rosa, until his death in 1926. Luther Burbank's home and gardens are preserved near downtown Santa Rosa, and are a national historic landmark. Photo taken 05/25/06.
	The freeway gains two new lanes as traffic from California 12/Farmers Lane joins the nascent freeway. Photo taken 05/25/06.
	The right lane becomes exit only for Exit 7C, South E Street. The left two lanes continues west on California 12 to U.S. 101 and Sebastopol. Photo taken 05/25/06.
	Westbound California 12 reaches Exit 7C, South E Street. The next exit is Exits 7B-A, Junction U.S. 101/Redwood Highway north and south. Photo taken 05/25/06.
	The right lane of California 12 west is exit only for Exit 7B, Junction U.S. 101/Redwood Highway north to Ukiah and Eureka. The left two lanes continue west on California 12 to Sebastopol; the next exit is Exit 7A, Junction U.S. 101/Redwood Highway south to San Francisco. Photo taken 05/25/06.
	Westbound California 12 reaches Exit 7A, Junction U.S. 101/Redwood Highway south to San Rafael and San Francisco. The next exit on westbound California 12 is Exit 6, Dutton Avenue. Photo taken 05/25/06.
	Entering downtown Sebastopol, westbound California 12 comes to an end at its junction with California 116. Follow California 116 southeast to Petaluma and San Francisco or northwest to Guerneville and Jenner. Photo taken by Trevor Carrier (04/09/07).

Page Updated November 4, 2007.