California 74 - California Travel Information

California 74

California 74 connects San Juan Capistrano in coastal Orange County with Palm Springs in desert Riverside County, passing through the southern Inland Empire and Idyllwild on its way.

California 74 East
	Eastbound California 74 warning sign near Pinyon Flat that indicates that trucks are not permitted to use California 74 in another 12 miles. This picture was taken in the San Bernardino National Forest prior to the steep descent and sharp curves that lead into Palm Desert. Photo taken 09/00.
California 74 West
	Westbound California 74 approaches Jay Street as it skirts the north shore of Lake Elsinore. Photo taken 04/18/04.
	The picture shows the traffic signal for Lincoln Street in Lake Elsinore. Photo taken 04/18/04.
	Here, California 74 west turns south along Grand Avenue as it approaches it climb up the mountains. Photo taken 04/18/04.
	At this intersection, Grand Avenue continues south toward Lakeland Village and Wildomar, while California 74 turns west toward the Elsinore Mountains. Photo taken 04/18/04.
	California 74 through the Cleveland National Forest is known as the California Wildland Firefighters Highway. Photo taken 04/18/04.

Site Navigation

	Westbound California 74 as it begins to climb up Cariso Grade. Photo taken 04/18/04.
	California 74 clings to the side of the grade as it winds its way upslope. Photo taken 04/18/04.
	Lake Elsinore lays at the foot of the Cariso Grade, as seen on the switchbacks as westbound California 74 actually heads north briefly. Photo taken 04/18/04.
	At the top of the switchbacks, California 74 approaches Killen Trail/Old Main Divide. From here, California 74 continues west through the forest en route to San Juan Capistrano. Photo taken 04/18/04.
	On the other side of the Cleveland National Forest, California 74 passes by Antonio Parkway (which heads north to Ladera Ranch) and enters San Juan Capistrano. Photo taken 05/31/04.
	Once in San Juan Capistrano, California 74 passes several signalized intersections before it approaches Interstate 5. This particular sign is located just prior to the La Novia Avenue traffic signal. Due to the density of homes here, speed limit laws are strictly enforced. Photo taken 05/31/04.
	Westbound California 74/Ortega Highway reaches Rancho Viejo Road in San Juan Capistrano. Interstate 5 is just ahead. Photo taken 05/31/04.

Scenes Pertaining to California 74
	Many tract homes that look similar from a distance are visible from California 74 at the top of Cariso Grade. Photo taken 04/18/04.
	The city of Lake Elsinore, with its grid street pattern and hundreds of houses, lies at the north shore of the lake as seen from this vantage point from the top of Cariso Grade. Photo taken 04/18/04.
	Southbound Antonio Parkway approaches California 74/Ortega Highway. Photo taken 08/10/04.
	Southbound Antonio Parkway reaches California 74/Ortega Highway. Photo taken 08/10/04.
Monterey Avenue in Palm Desert and Rancho Mirage (Alignment of Unconstructed California 74)
	Although not designated as a state highway north of the California 111/Palm Desert Drive intersection with California 74/Pines to Palms Highway in the city of Palm Desert, Monterey Avenue follows the approximate route of the proposed yet unconstructed section of California 74 between California 111 and Interstate 10. This picture shows a panoramic scene along northbound Monterey Avenue after the Gerald Ford Drive intersection. Development is proceeding at a rapid rate along this corridor. To the east is the city of Palm Desert and to the west is the city of Rancho Mirage. Photo taken 02/25/06.
	Northbound Monterey Avenue approaches Marketplace Way. The shopping center between Marketplace Way and Dinah Shore Way is located within Rancho Mirage, while the Monterey Shore Plaza on the northwest corner of Monterey Avenue and Dinah Shore Way is located within Palm Desert. Photo taken 02/25/06.
	As Monterey Avenue passes Dinah Shore Way and crosses over the Union Pacific Railroad, Monterey Avenue approaches Interstate 10 near the point where California 74 would end if it were extended north from California 111. Photo taken 02/25/06.
	Monterey Avenue crosses the Union Pacific Railroad viaduct. Turn right (east) connect to Interstate 10 eastbound to Indio, Blythe, and Phoenix. Photo taken 02/25/06.
	The next traffic signal provides the connection to Interstate 10 west en route to San Bernardino, Riverside (via California 60), and Los Angeles. Photo taken 02/25/06.
	Now at the intersection with the ramp to westbound Interstate 10, Monterey Avenue continues north into unincorporated Thousand Palms. Photo taken 02/25/06.

Page Updated February 2, 2006.