California 78 - California Travel Information

California 78

California 78 is a major east-west route, starting at Interstate 5 in Oceanside and leading east through the inland valleys of San Diego County, over the Laguna Mountains separating the coastal areas from the desert, and through the vast Imperial Valley. The highway ends at its junction with Interstate 10 in Blythe, just shy of the Arizona State Line. Through the busy corridor between Oceanside and Escondido via Vista, California 78 is a freeway, with its first sections constructed in 1958. It downgrades to a two-lane conventional highway just east of Escondido, serving the communities of Ramona, Santa Ysabel, Julian, and Banner before entering Anza-Borrego Desert State Park. California 78 continues east through here, merging with California 86 (old U.S. 99) before splitting 24 miles further southeast, at Brawley. East of Brawley, California 78 resumes its lonely trek, passing by the famous Glamis Sand Dunes before turning northeast. California 78 is headed nearly due north when it finally reaches its end at Junction Interstate 10; travelers may continue straight ahead onto Business Loop I-10 to reach the services of Blythe.

Eastbound California 78
	Vista Way east transitions from an Oceanside city street into the eastbound California 78 freeway as it crosses over Interstate 5. This interchange with Interstate 5 marks the western terminus of California 78. Vista Way is the original California 78, and the original terminus of the east-west route was at the intersection of Vista Way and Coast Highway (U.S. 101). The endpoint was changed once the Interstate 5 freeway bypass of Oceanside was constructed. Photo taken 07/18/04.
	View of the eastbound California 78 freeway after the Interstate 5 interchange in Oceanside. Photo taken 07/18/04.
	The first exit along eastbound California 78 after its junction with Interstate 5 is Exit 1, Jefferson Street. The freeway is still within the city limits of Oceanside. Photo taken 08/08/04.
	California 78/Packard Freeway serves the cities of Vista, San Marcos, and Escondido after it leaves Oceanside near Exit 4. Photo taken 08/08/04.
	Eastbound California 78/Packard Freeway reaches Exit 1, Jefferson Street. Photo taken 08/08/04.

Site Navigation

	The next three exits along eastbound California 78/Packard Freeway are Exit 2, Junction San Diego County Route S-11/El Camino Real; Exit 3, College Boulevard; and Exit 4A, Plaza Drive. Photo taken 08/08/04.
	San Diego County Route S-11/El Camino Real is the next exit along eastbound. El Camino Real begins at California 76 in the San Luis Rey community of the city of Oceanside, then extends south past California 78 into Carlsbad past Palomar Airport Road (San Diego County Route S-12) and La Costa before entering Encinitas. El Camino Real connects to Interstate 5 via Manchester Road. A noncontinuous section of El Camino Real also exists to the south within the city of San Diego, where El Camino Real extends from Via de la Valle south to Carmel Mountain Road in Torrey Hills. Photo taken 08/08/04.
	Of the entire El Camino Real corridor, only the section between California 78 and Encinitas Boulevard (San Diego County Route S-9) is designated as north-south San Diego County Route S-11. Photo taken 08/08/04.
	Eastbound California 78/Packard Freeway reaches Exit 2, Junction San Diego County Route S-11/El Camino Real. Photo taken 08/08/04.
	After the interchange with San Diego County Route S-11/El Camino Real, there are no exits for 1.75 miles (next exit is Exit 3, College Boulevard). Even so, the exit numbers only increase by one. Photo taken 08/08/04.
	The next three exits along eastbound California 78/Packard Freeway are Exit 3, College Boulevard; Exit 4A, Plaza Drive; and Exit 4B, Emerald Drive. Photo taken 08/08/04.

Westbound California 78
	The "college" accessed by College Boulevard is Mira Costa College. Note the configuration of California 78: three lanes in each direction, with a concrete jersey barrier to separate the directions of traffic. Photo taken 08/08/04.
	The next two exits along eastbound California 78/Packard Freeway are Exit 3, College Boulevard, 0.50 mile and Exit 4A, Plaza Drive, 0.75 mile. Photo taken 08/08/04.
	As noted on this sign, the next exit ramp is for College Boulevard, while the second exit ramp is for Plaza Drive. Exit numbers will help with this type of sign. Photo taken 08/08/04.
	Eastbound California 78/Packard Freeway reaches Exit 3, College Boulevard; the next exit is Exit 4A, Plaza Drive. Photo taken 08/08/04.
	Eastbound California 78/Packard Freeway reaches the next interchange at Exit 4A, Plaza Drive. Photo taken 08/08/04.
	The next three exits along eastbound California 78/Packard Freeway are Exit 4B, Emerald Drive; Exit 6A, Melrose Drive; and Exit 6B, Vista Village Drive. Photo taken 08/08/04.
	Between Exits 4A and 4B, California 78 departs the city of Oceanside and enters the city of Vista. On this day, a monsoonal flow brought clouds and isolated thunderstorms to the mountains in the distance. Photo taken 08/08/04.
	The first exit into Vista is Exit 4B, Emerald Drive, a north-south route through western Vista. Photo taken 08/08/04.
	Eastbound California 78 reaches Exit 4B, Emerald Drive. Photo taken 08/08/04.
	Before passing the Exit 4B/Emerald Drive overpass, this sign advises of the next interchange at Exit 6A, Melrose Drive. Photo taken 08/08/04.
	The next three exits along eastbound California 78/Packard Freeway are Exit 6A, Melrose Drive; Exit 6B, Vista Village Drive; and Exit 7, Escondido Avenue. Photo taken 08/08/04.
	Eastbound California 78/Packard Freeway next approaches Exit 6A, Melrose Drive and Exit 6B, Vista Village Drive. Photo taken 08/08/04.
	Use Exit 6A, Melrose Drive to reach the Vista Court Complex. Other San Diego County Courts are in downtown San Diego and Chula Vista. Photo taken 08/08/04.
	Eastbound California 78/Packard Freeway reaches Exit 6A, Melrose Drive, followed by Exit 6B, Vista Village Drive. Photo taken 08/08/04.
	Use Exit 6B, Vista Village Drive, to enter the downtown area of Vista. From here, California 78 begins to trend southeasterly toward San Marcos and Escondido. Use this exit to reach Vista Way northbound (San Diego County Route S-13) to follow the original alignment of U.S. 395, which used to follow California 76 southeast to Bonsall, County Route S-13 south to California 78, and California 78 back to Escondido. Photo taken 08/08/04.
	The next three exits along eastbound California 78/Packard Freeway are Exit 7, Escondido Avenue; Exit 8, Mar Vista Drive; and Exit 9, Sycamore Avenue. Photo taken 08/08/04.
	Escondido Avenue serves central Vista, connecting to East Vista Way and San Diego County Route S-13 northbound toward Bonsall. Photo taken 08/08/04.
	The right lane (#4 lane) becomes exit only for Exit 7, Escondido Avenue. Photo taken 08/08/04.
	Eastbound California 78/Packard Freeway reaches Exit 7, Escondido Avenue in Vista. Photo taken 08/08/04.
	The next three exits along eastbound California 78/Packard Freeway are Exit 8, Mar Vista Drive; Exit 9, Sycamore Avenue; and Exit 11, Junction San Diego County Route S-10/Rancho Santa Fe Road. Photo taken 08/08/04.
	As California 78 continues southeast, it approaches the next exit for Mar Vista Drive (Exit 8), an east-west road in central Vista. Photo taken 08/08/04.
	Eastbound California 78/Packard Freeway reaches Exit 8, Mar Vista Drive. Photo taken 08/08/04.
	The next three exits along eastbound California 78/Packard Freeway are Exit 9, Sycamore Avenue; Exit 11, Junction San Diego County Route S-10/Rancho Santa Fe Road; and Exit 12, San Marcos Boulevard. Photo taken 08/08/04.
	Sycamore Avenue heads southwest toward Buena Vista Park and northeast toward unincorporated Buena. In this vicinity, California 78 departs Vista and enters unincorporated county. It will enter San Marcos in another mile or so. Photo taken 08/08/04.
	Eastbound California 78/Packard Freeway reaches Exit 9, Sycamore Avenue. Photo taken 08/08/04.
	The next three exits along eastbound California 78/Packard Freeway are Exit 11, Junction San Diego County Route S-10/Rancho Santa Fe Road; Exit 12, San Marcos Boulevard; and Exit 13, Twin Oaks Valley Road. Photo taken 08/08/04.
	San Diego County Route S-10 follows Rancho Santa Fe Road southwest to Lake San Marcos and La Costa in Carlsbad. At Leucadia Boulevard, County Route S-10 branches west to end at San Diego County Route S-11/El Camino Real. Rancho Santa Fe Road then continues south into unincorporated Rancho Santa Fe Road. Photo taken 08/08/04.
	Use Exit 11 to reach San Diego County Route S-10/Rancho Santa Fe Road north to San Diego County Route S-14/Mission Road and south to San Marcos Boulevard/San Diego County Route S-12. Photo taken 08/08/04.
	Eastbound California 78/Packard Freeway reaches Exit 11, Junction San Diego County Route S-10/Rancho Santa Fe Road. Photo taken 08/08/04.
	As eastbound California 78/Packard Freeway passes under San Diego County Route S-10/Rancho Santa Fe Road, it enters the city of San Marcos. Photo taken 08/08/04.
	The next three exits along eastbound California 78/Packard Freeway are Exit 12, San Marcos Boulevard; Exit 13, Twin Oaks Valley Road; and Exit 14, Barham Drive. Photo taken 08/08/04.
	Eastbound California 78/Packard Freeway approaches Exit 12, Junction San Diego County Route S-12/San Marcos Boulevard, one-half mile. Photo taken 08/08/04.
	San Diego County Route S-12/San Marcos Boulevard heads west to Carlsbad (Palomar Airport Road) and east to Mission Road (San Diego County Route S-14). Photo taken 08/08/04.
	Eastbound California 78/Packard Freeway reaches Exit 12, Junction San Diego County Route S-12/San Marcos Boulevard. Photo taken 08/08/04.
	The next three exits along eastbound California 78/Packard Freeway are Exit 13, Twin Oaks Valley Road; Exit 14, Barham Drive; and Exit 15, Nordahl Road. Photo taken 08/08/04.
	The next exit into the city of San Marcos is Exit 13, Twin Oaks Valley Road. The onramp from San Marcos Boulevard becomes the exit-only lane for Twin Oaks Valley Road. Photo taken 08/08/04.
	Use Twin Oaks Valley Road to reach California State University at San Marcos. Photo taken 08/08/04.
	Eastbound California 78/Packard Freeway reaches Exit 13, Twin Oaks Valley Road. Photo taken 08/08/04.
	The next three exits along eastbound California 78/Packard Freeway are Exit 14, Barham Drive; Exit 15, Nordahl Road; and Exits 17A-B, Junction Interstate 15/Avocado Highway. Photo taken 08/08/04.
	Eastbound California 78/Packard Freeway next approaches Exit 14, Barham Drive/Woodland Parkway, one-half mile. Photo taken 08/08/04.
	Eastbound California 78/Packard Freeway reaches Exit 14, Barham Drive/Woodland Parkway. Photo taken 08/08/04.
	This mileage sign is located along eastbound California 78 as it approaches Exit 15, Nordahl Road, one mile. Interstate 15, a major interchange, follows as Exits 17A-B. Photo taken 08/08/04.
	Eastbound California 78 approaches Exit 15, Nordahl Road, one-half mile. Photo taken 08/08/04.
	Another mileage sign follows on eastbound California 78 for Exit 15, Nordahl Road and Exits 16A-B, Junction Interstate 15 north to Riverside and south to San Diego. Photo taken 08/08/04.
	Eastbound California 78 reaches Exit 15, Nordahl Road. On rush hour mornings, back-ups created by Interstate 15 can come this far west on California 78. Photo taken 08/08/04.
	Eastbound California 78 approaches Exits 17A-B, Junction Interstate 15. Interstate 15 leads south into San Diego and north toward Temecula and Riverside. Photo taken 08/08/04.
	The right lane of eastbound California 78 becomes exit only to Exit 17A/Southbound Interstate 15. Photo taken 08/08/04.
	In this interchange, the first exit from eastbound California 78 is Exit 17A to southbound Interstate 15. The second ramp is a loop ramp that connects to Interstate 15 north via Exit 17B. Photo taken 08/08/04.
	Eastbound California 78 reaches Exit 17B, Junction Interstate 15 north to northern San Diego County and Riverside County (the Inland Empire). The next exit is Exit 17C, Junction Business Loop I-15 (Centre City Parkway), and the freeway ends after that exit. Photo taken 08/08/04.
	Eastbound California 78 next approaches Exit 17C, Business Loop I-15/Centre City Parkway. Photo taken 08/08/04.
	This rare Business Loop I-15 button copy shield is pasted on a green sign along eastbound California 78/Packard Freeway as it approaches Exit 17C, Junction Business Loop I-15/Centre City Parkway, immediately after the Interstate 15 overpass. Photo taken 08/08/04.
	Business Loop I-15/Centre City Parkway heads south into downtown Escondido and north toward unincorporated north San Diego County along the old alignment of U.S. 395, the former Main Street of inland North County. Photo taken 08/08/04.
	After Exit 17C, eastbound California 78 changes from a freeway into a surface street at Broadway in the city of Escondido. California 78 will turn right (south) on Broadway as it turns into a surface street. There had been plans to extend the freeway eastward from here, but it is unclear if or when that might happen. Photo taken 08/08/04.
	View of the signage for the Business Loop I-15 interchange. Note the use of a second business loop shield on the gore point signage. Photo taken 08/08/04.
	After Exit 17C, the freeway prepares to end. California 78 reverts into a city street as it approaches Escondido. Photo taken 08/08/04.
	Turn right on Broadway to continue east on California 78 and to reach downtown Escondido. Photo taken 08/08/04.
	At one time, California 78 was proposed to continue as a freeway through Escondido and possibly through San Pasqual Valley to Ramona. However, that is a very unlikely scenario due to local opposition and environmental concerns in the agricultural San Pasqual Valley. Photo taken 08/08/04.
	California 78 turns right onto Broadway in Escondido. Photo taken 08/08/04.
	This is the first reassurance shield along eastbound California 78 after the Broadway traffic signal in Escondido. Photo taken 08/18/04.
	Eastbound California 78 shield in downtown Ramona. Unincorporated Ramona features a theater, antique stores, and many restaurants. Photo taken 10/12/03.
	This image shows California 78 east approaching Magnolia Avenue. Photo taken 10/12/03.
	Eastbound California 78 and Southbound California 79 leaving Santa Ysabel, home of Dudley's Bakery. From here, the highway climbs into the Laguna Mountains toward Julian. Photo taken 08/99.
	Eastbound California 78 and Southbound California 79 through Julian at Washington Street. At this intersection, the roadway is actually facing due north. The tiny white arrows posted on this sign point to various restaurants and shops along the main strip of downtown Julian, which is known for antique stores and apple pie. First photo taken 05/04/02; second photo taken 08/99.

	Eastbound California 78 approaching Banner Grade, which takes motorists on a slow descent from the Laguna Mountains down to the Imperial Valley floor. It takes a good amount of time to travel the seven miles of slow curves on the way down into the valley. This area was scorched by a major wildfire in August 2002. Photo taken 07/21/02.
	Eastbound California 78 approaching Junction California 79 southbound just east of downtown Julian. Note the snow on the ground; snow storms occur in the Laguna Mountains on occasion during the winter. Photo taken 03/15/02.
	Eastbound California 78 at Junction San Diego County Route S-2. County Route S-2 leads northwest from here as San Felipe Road, winding its way to California 79 south of Warner Springs. Photo taken 05/04/02.
	This reassurance shield for eastbound California 78 and southbound California 111 is located after the Imperial County S-31 intersection in downtown Brawley. Photo taken 08/27/04.
	Eastbound California 78 at Junction Interstate 10 in Blythe. This marks the eastern terminus of California 78. Photo taken 11/10/00.
	Eastbound California 78 end shield at Junction Interstate 10. Photo taken 11/10/00.
	First westbound California 78 shield after Junction Interstate 10 in Blythe. Photo taken 11/10/00.
	This suite of pictures shows the Imperial Sand Dunes through which California 78 passes near Glamis. These dunes extend south into Mexico, and Interstate 8 passes through them as well. These dunes are popular with drivers of off-ramp vehicles, and parts of the dunes are open to this sort of recreation. All photos taken 11/10/00.




	Westbound California 78 at Junction California 86. Photo taken 12/15/02.
	Westbound California 78 at Junction California 86 in Brawley. Photo taken 06/99.
	Westbound California 78 approaching Junction California 86. Photo taken 12/15/02.
	Westbound California 78 at the San Diego-Imperial County Line. Photo taken 12/15/02.
	Westbound California 78 approaching Junction San Diego County Route S-2 southbound. For a brief segment, California 78 and County Route S-2 are merged. Photo taken 05/04/02.
	Westbound California 78 at the top of Banner Grade approaching Julian at Sunset. Photos taken 03/15/01.


	Westbound California 78 and Northbound California 79 shields at the same intersection in Julian as the previous photobox. Photo taken 11/10/00.
	Westbound California 78 at Vista Village Drive in Vista. Photo taken 06/30/01.
	Westbound California 78 shield as it approaches Exit 4B, Emerald Drive. Photo taken 06/30/01.
	Westbound California 78 at Exit 4B, Emerald Drive. Photo taken 06/30/01.
	Westbound California 78 approaching Exit 3, College Boulevard, one mile. The next exits are for El Camino Real (San Diego County Route S-11) and Jefferson Street. Photo taken 06/30/01.
	Westbound California 78 approaching Exit 3, College Boulevard, one-half mile. Photo taken 06/30/01.
	Westbound California 78 at Exit 3, College Boulevard. This road leads north through the eastern portion of Oceanside to connect with California 76. Photo taken 06/30/01.
	Westbound California 78 approaching Exit 2, San Diego County Route S-11, El Camino Real, one mile. Photo taken 06/30/01.
	Westbound California 78 approaching Exit 2, San Diego County Route S-11, El Camino Real. The power lines in the distance are the main transmission lines from Orange County, and they connect to the San Onofre nuclear power plant near San Clemente. From here, the power lines connect to the Carlsbad Encina natural gas electricity generation plant, and then split into a variety of transmission lines that serve various locales in San Diego County. The only other transmission line to enter San Diego County roughly parallels Interstate 8 from the Imperial Valley. Photo taken 06/30/01.
	Westbound California 78 approaching Exit 2, San Diego County Route S-11, El Camino Real, one-half mile. Photo taken 06/30/01.
	Westbound California 78 at the top of the El Camino Real exit ramp. Note the San Diego County Route S-11 trailblazer. Unfortunately, San Diego County Route S-11 is poorly shielded for much of its length through Carlsbad. Photo taken 06/30/01.
	After the El Camino Real interchange, the next exit is Exit 1C, Jefferson Street. Photo taken 07/17/04.
	Westbound California 78/Packard Freeway reaches Exit 1C, Jefferson Street. Photo taken 07/17/04.
	The final two exits along westbound California 78 are Exits 1B-A, Junction Interstate 5 north to Orange County/Los Angeles and south to San Diego. Photo taken 07/17/04.
	Westbound California 78 approaches Exit 1B, Junction Interstate 5 north to Los Angeles. The right lane is exit-only. Photo taken 07/17/04.
	This interchange marks the western terminus of California 78. Use the left two lanes for Exit 1A, south Interstate 5; the middle lane connects to Vista Way and downtown Oceanside; and the right lane is Exit 1B for north Interstate 5. Photo taken 07/17/04.
	Westbound California 78 approaches the end of its freeway as it reaches Interstate 5 in Oceanside. Photo taken 07/17/04.
	Westbound California 78 reaches Exit 1A, Junction Southbound Interstate 5 in Oceanside. Photo taken 07/17/04.
	This traffic signal regulates the flow of traffic transitioning from westbound California 78 onto south Interstate 5. Photo taken 07/17/04.

Page Updated April 22, 2006.