California 29 starts at Interstate 80 in Vallejo and travels north through the city as Sonoma Boulevard. Upon exiting Vallejo, California 29 travels north toward Napa, gateway to the internationally famous Napa Valley wine country. The highway briefly becomes a freeway as it avoids the city center of Napa, then reverts to a rural highway as it passes through the Napa Valley communities of Yountville, Saint Helena, and Calistoga. Some of the wineries it serves includes Robert Mondavi Winery, Turnbull Winery, Grgich Hills Cellar, V Sattui Winery, Sutter Home Winery, and Beringer Vineyards. Calistoga, home of the nationally famous Calistoga brand mineral water and home to the geyser "Old Faithful of California," marks the northern end of Napa Valley. California 29 ascends an extinct volcano, Mount Saint Helena, to leave Napa County and enter Lake County. Lake County is home to Clear Lake, the largest natural freshwater lake in California (aside from Lake Tahoe, which is shared by Nevada). California 29 passes through Middletown, Lower Lake, Kelseyville, and Lakeport on its way around the southern and western shores of Clear Lake. It even becomes a freeway as it bypasses Lakeport, and plans call for expansion to a four-lane expressway for the two-lane bypass around Kelseyville. California 29 reverts to a two-lane highway north of Lakeport, and it ends at its junction with California 20 near Upper Lake, with most traffic continuing west on California 20 toward Ukiah.
California 29 north
The first shield along northbound California 29 is situated on the transition ramp from eastbound Interstate 80 onto northbound Sonoma Boulevard. Although not noted on the freeway signs, California 29 follows Historic U.S. 40 through Vallejo. Photo taken 04/02/04.
Vallejo, founded in 1844 by a man of the same name, was twice the capitol of California and is the hub of the major ferry systems that cross the bay. Photo taken 04/02/04.
Historic U.S. 40 signs such as this one are sporadically found along Sonoma Avenue south of downtown. Each sign was donated; the name of the donor is listed beneath each sign upon closer inspection. The historic signs are not dually posted with California 29 shields. Photo taken 04/02/04.
Some of Vallejo is industrial, while other parts are primarily residential. With its proximity to Interstates 80, 680, and 780 and the refineries to the east and south along the Delta, the area is a hub of industrial activity for the region. Photo taken 04/02/04.
California 29 approaches downtown Vallejo, home to a variety of antique stores, restaurants, and specialty stores. Photo taken 04/02/04.
Nearing the center of downtown, California 29 reaches Georgia Street. Turning left on Georgia Street takes travelers to Mare Island Way and Wilson Avenue, both of which provide fabulous views of the bay. Photo taken 04/02/04.
These photos show the former configuration of northbound California 29 at its junction with California 37 in Vallejo before the California 37 freeway was finished. Taking California 37 east leads to Six Flags Marine World and Interstate 80. California 37 west leads to Sears Point Race Track (Junction California 121) and the city of Novato (Junction U.S. 101). Although portions of California 37 westbound are freeway, the majority of it is two-lane highway. It is very crowded, and plans are being developed to convert this roadway to an expressway configuration initially, contingent upon funding availability. Photos taken by Trevor Carrier, Summer 2002 and Pete Sison, 08/10/01.
California 29 north and California 12 west
After the California 37 freeway interchange, California 29 continues north through American Canyon, meeting California 12 at Jameson Canyon Road. The two routes merge together at Jameson Canyon Road and travel north together toward Napa. Photo taken 05/26/06.
Northbound California 29 and westbound California 12 approach North Kelly Road, which is an old alignment of California 12-29. Photo taken 05/26/06.
The next exit on northbound California 29 and westbound California 12 is the split with California 221/Soscol Avenue north to Napa. California 12 and California 29 through traffic should use the left two lanes to continue north around the city center and bypass the city en route to Napa Valley. Photo taken 05/26/06.
A lone California 221 junction shield is posted alongside the road; the overhead signs advise local traffic to Napa to exit here via the right two lanes, while the left two lanes prepare to cross the George F. Butler Bridge over the Napa River. Photo taken 05/26/06.
California 29-121 north
Around Napa, California 29 assumes a brief freeway configuration. This photo shows northbound California 121 and California 29 at their split, California 121 northbound in Napa (Exit 16). California 121 travels east along Imola Avenue, then north toward Junction California 128 and Lake Berryessa. Photo taken by Pete Sison, 08/10/01.
California 29 north
California 29 north and California 128 west
Northbound California 29 at California 128 split in Calistoga. From here, California 128 straight along its northwesterly trajectory toward Healdsburg and U.S. 101 before terminating at California 1 at the Pacific coast. California 29, meanwhile, continues north into downtown Calistoga by making a right turn. Note that the control city is now Lakeport, even though California 29 has not yet passed through the city center of Calistoga. Photo taken by Pete Sison, 08/10/01.
California 29 north
California 29 south
Southbound California 29 approaches its junction with California 128 in Calistoga. Calistoga is a quaint town, with Victorian homes, restaurants, and antique stores. In addition, it is famous for its hot springs, mineral baths, mud baths, and mineral water. Photos taken by Pete Sison on 08/10/01.
Southbound California 29 meets California 128 northwest in Calistoga; the two routes merge together for the journey southeast toward Napa. Photo taken by Pete Sison on 08/10/01.
California 29 south and California 128 east
A pair of California 29 south and California 128 east reassurance shields are posted as the routes leave Calistoga. Photo taken by Pete Sison on 08/10/01.
These California 29 and California 128 shields are posted between Yountville and Calistoga in the heart of the famous Napa Valley wine growing region. Photo taken by Trevor Carrier, Summer 2002.
California 29 south and California 128 east divide here in Rutherford. California 128 continues east from here, headed toward Lake Berryessa and Winters (Junction Interstate 505). California 128 is planned to continue to Davis, but that segment remains unconstructed. Meanwhile, California 29 continues south toward Yountville (see previous photo for mileage sign immediately after this intersection). Photo taken by Pete Sison on 08/10/01.
California 29 south
Now entering Yountville, California 29 is close to the heart of Napa Valley. Wineries and vineyards are located on either side of California 29 in and around Yountville. The Napa River closely parallels California 29 throughout the Napa Valley, and the Napa Valley Wine Train is also located parallel to the highway. Photo taken by Pete Sison on 08/10/01.
Southbound California 29 reaches Exit 18A, First Street, which leads into downtown Napa. The next exit is for northbound California 121 (Exit 16). Photo taken by Pete Sison on 08/10/01.
The next exit along southbound California 29 is Exit 16, Junction California 121 north in Napa. California 121 and California 29 continue southbound from here along the freeway. Photo taken by Pete Sison on 08/10/01.
California 29-121 south
Shortly after California 121 south merges onto California 29, an END FREEWAY sign is posted. This is one of the major bottlenecks of the area: the confluence of three state highways (California 12, 29, and 121) governed by a traffic signal in between two segments that have freeway characteristics (Napa bypass to the north and George F. Butler Bridge to the southeast). Photo taken 05/26/06.
A small junction California 12 shield is posted on southbound California 29-121 as the freeway slows down in anticipation of the traffic signal. Photo taken 05/26/06.
Oddly, this sign says "California 121 Sonoma," but California 121 does not go to Sonoma - California 37 does. A more appropriate sign would show California 121 south San Francisco and California 12 west Sonoma/Santa Rosa. Photo taken 05/26/06.
This sign advises that California 12 east is straight ahead and California 12 west is a right turn. It is also designed to inform motorists that the control city for California 29 south is Vallejo. Again, note the placement of a California 121 next to the destination city of Sonoma. Photo taken 05/26/06.
California 29 and California 121 split at this traffic signal; California 12 east and California 29 south continue straight ahead. At this intersection, California 12 leads west along with California 121 south via the Carneros Highway. Meanwhile, eastbound California 12 follows southbound California 29. The routing of California 12, 121, and 29 is intertwined around Napa. Heading southbound, California 29 first picks up California 121 at Exit 16, drops off California 121 at this intersection, picks up California 12 at this intersection, and finally drops off California 12 a few miles south of here. Photo taken 05/26/06.
California 29 south and California 12 east
A reassurance shield for California 29 south and California 12 east is posted after the Carneros Highway intersection. Photo taken 05/26/06.
The line of eucalyptus trees follow an old alignment of highway that might provide a sense of where the approach was to the old Napa River bridge before the current 1977 bridge was installed. Photo taken 05/26/06.
Southbound California 29 and eastbound California 12 use the high-level George F. Butler Bridge to cross the Napa River; the bridge was built in 1977. It is odd to have the single signalized intersection with Carneros Highway and yet have freeway-ready segments on either side of the traffic signal. Photo taken 05/26/06.
The next intersection along southbound California 29 and eastbound California 12 is what would be Exit 12: Junction California 221/Soscol Avenue north to Napa. Use California 221 north to California 121 en route to Lake Berryessa and California 128. Photo taken 05/26/06.
Prior to the California 221 junction is a right turn off to Soscol Ferry Road. A lone California 221 junction shield is posted for the left turn onto California 221 north (see next photo for close-up). Photo taken 05/26/06.
Eastbound California 12 and southbound California 29 approach their junction with California 221 south of Napa. Photo taken by Trevor Carrier, Summer 2002.
Southbound California 29 and eastbound California 12 meet California 221 at this signalized intersection south of Napa. Shortly thereafter, California 29 and California 12 split. Even though these are both major highways, this intersection is also not an interchange. California 12 leads east to connect with Interstate 80 eastbound and Interstate 680 southbound. Photo taken 05/26/06.
California 29 south
After California 12 east departs from California 29 south, one of the next intersections is with Tower Road, followed by South Kelly Road (old alignment) and finally Green Island Road/Paoli Way (shown here). California 29 enters the city of American Canyon. Incorporated in 1992, American Canyon had 9,774 people per the 2000 Census. Photo taken 05/26/06.
Continuing south, California 29 (known as Broadway Street through American Canyon) approaches American Canyon Road. California 29 south serves Vallejo and connects to Interstate 80/Eastshore Freeway en route to Oakland. Photo taken 05/26/06.
After leaving American Canyon, southbound California 29 enters the city of Vallejo. Incorporated in 1867, Vallejo is home to 116,760 (2000 Census) and averages about 60 feet above sea level. Photo taken 05/26/06.
Southbound California 29/Sonoma Boulevard meets Mini Drive at this signalized intersection. Photo taken 05/26/06.
The next traffic signal along southbound California 29 is for Meadows Drive. California 29 has an expressway configuration through this segment. Photo taken 05/26/06.
Southbound California 29 approaches its junction with California 37, the east-west freeway across northern Vallejo. With upgrades completed in 2006, the surface section of California 37 near California 29 is now a freeway. Photo taken 05/26/06.
A small freeway entrance shield for California 37 is posted on the right lane of California 29 south. This ramp leads to California 37 west to Mare Island. Photo taken 05/26/06.
Ramps and bridges carry California 37 over California 29. This interchange can be a high-speed interchange for both routes if California 29 is upgraded to freeway standards north of here. Photo taken 05/26/06.
This ramp departs from northbound California 29 and connects to eastbound California 37, which is also signed as to Interstate 80. Through traffic to Interstate 80 west to Oakland should use this exit rather than following California 29 south through downtown Vallejo. Photo taken 05/26/06.
Former California 37 is now signed as "Old Route 37" as shown on the name plate on this traffic signal mast arm. See the northbound photos to see how this intersection was configured before the freeway was completed. Photo taken 05/26/06.
These trailblazer shields for Interstates 780 and 680 are posted on southbound California 29 in Vallejo at Lemon Street. Lemon Street heads east to meet Curtola Parkway just west of the interchange between Interstate 80 and Interstate 780. Curtola Parkway eastbound becomes Interstate 780 eastbound as the roadway passes under Interstate 80. To reach Interstate 680, use Interstate 780 east toward Benicia. Photo taken 12/30/01.
Close-up view of the trailblazer shields for Interstate 780 and Interstate 680 along southbound California 29 approaching Lemon Street. Photos taken 12/30/01.
Now south of California 37, southbound California 29 reaches Lemon Street south of downtown Vallejo. Photo taken 04/02/04.
After passing by Lemon Street, California 29 approaches its southern terminus. The next major intersection is Magazine Street, which connects California 29 to eastbound Interstate 80; the last turn-off along southbound is the road into the Maritime Academy. Photo taken 04/02/04.
The California Maritime Academy is located on the peninsula to the west of Interstate 80 and east of the Carquinez Strait Lighthouse. Photo taken 04/02/04.
Southbound California 29 at Junction Interstate 80. Southbound Sonoma Boulevard (California 29) leads directly onto the Interstate 80 onramp, marking the southern terminus of California 29. There are no end signs present. Photos taken 12/30/01.
After the Maritime Academy, California 29 south transitions directly onto Interstate 80 west over the Carquinez Bridge. There is no turning back at this point; to make a U-turn and go north over the bridge will cost a toll. Photo taken 04/02/04.
Scenes Pertaining to California 29
The George F. Butler Bridge carries California 29 over the Napa River; it was built in 1977 and carries the freeway high above the flood plain. Photos taken 05/25/06.
