California 94 is an east-west route between San Diego and Boulevard via Jamul and Campo. Starting as a freeway near downtown, California 94 is also known as the Martin Luther King Junior Freeway between Interstate 5 and California 125. California 94/Martin Luther King Junior Freeway has arguably more signs bearing the name as well as the number of the freeway than any other in Southern California. This is due to a sign replacement project in 1998-1999. California 94 was one of the first freeways in San Diego to receive reflective signs, because the newer signs meet the new Caltrans signing standard for reflective signage. According to a San Diego Union-Tribune article from April 25, 1999, the freeway was designated as the Martin Luther King Junior Freeway in 1989, but the Senator Waddie Deddeh indicated at the time that private contributions (not tax funds) would cover the cost of any sign installations with the Martin Luther King Junior name. However, in September 1998, the San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) authorized the expenditure of $1.4 million by the city of San Diego from its share of a half-cent, countywide sales tax.
East of San Diego, California 94 changes from a multi-lane freeway into Campo Road, a two- to three-lane rural highway that leads into the Laguna Mountains, then winds its way past Jamul on its way to Tecate. A spur route, California 188, leads south into Tecate and Mexico. California 94 continues east, passing through Campo on its way to meet Interstate 8 in Boulevard, a few miles west of Jacumba. California 94 does not leave San Diego County for its entire journey.
California 94 Eastbound
Eastbound G Street approaching the beginning of the California 94 freeway as it leaves downtown San Diego. Photo taken 07/30/02.
Eastbound G Street transitions onto the California 94 freeway. This is the best route from downtown San Diego to the eastern part of the city and eastern suburbs (Spring Valley, Lemon Grove, La Mesa, El Cajon). Photo taken 07/30/02.
This ramp meter light is activated during the afternoon to control the flow of traffic from eastbound G Street onto the California 94 freeway. Photo taken 07/30/02.
The first exit along eastbound California 94 after the Interstate 5 interchange complex is Exit 1, 28th Street, one-half mile. Photo taken 07/14/02.
This mileage sign along eastbound provides the distance to communities east of San Diego. It is located just prior to Exit 1, 28th Street. Photo taken 07/14/02.
Eastbound California 94 at Exit 1, 28th Street, in San Diego. Photo taken 07/14/02.
The next exit along eastbound California 94 is Exit 2A, Junction Southbound California 15, one-quarter mile. The next exits are for California 15 northbound (Exit 2C) and Home Avenue (Exit 2B). California 15 is Future Interstate 15, contingent upon the reconstruction of the California 15/California 94 into Interstate standards. Such a conversion would include the elimination of the left exits on California 94 and an expansion of through lanes along California 15. Currently, this reconstruction is programmed for 2006 to 2008, contingent upon funding identification. Photo taken 07/14/02.
Eastbound California 94 reaches Exit 2A, Southbound California 15. The left exit for northbound California 15 (Exit 2C) is visible in the distance. Photo taken 07/14/02.
The next exit along eastbound California 94 is Exit 2B, Home Avenue, followed immediately by the left exit for Exit 2C, California 15 northbound. There is no direct exit ramp from eastbound California 94 to Interstate 805 northbound, so traffic must use California 15 to facilitate that connection. Photo taken 07/14/02.
This mileage sign along eastbound California 94 provides the distance to the next three exits. The next exit is Exit 3, Interstate 805, followed by Exit 4A, Euclid Avenue and Exit 4B, Federal Boulevard/Kelton Road. Photo taken 07/14/02.
At Exit 3, eastbound California 94 reaches the ramp to southbound Interstate 805. Hopefully you used Exit 2C/California 15 north to reach Interstate 805 north. Photo taken 07/14/02.
The next exit along eastbound California 94 is Exit 4A, Euclid Avenue, one-half mile. Photo taken 07/14/02.
Eastbound California 94 approaches Exit 4A, Euclid Avenue, next right. Photo taken 07/14/02.
Eastbound California 94 reaches Exit 4A, Euclid Avenue. Photo taken 07/14/02.
The next exit along eastbound California 94 is Exit 4B, Kelton Road, next right. Photo taken 07/14/02.
Eastbound California 94 reaches Exit 4B, Kelton Road/Federal Boulevard. Use Federal Boulevard west to reach the community of Webster (still within the city of San Diego). Kelton Road is a favorite name used by several traffic reporters throughout the San Diego region when describing commute conditions on California 94/MLK Freeway. Photo taken 07/14/02.
The next exit along eastbound California 94/MLK Freeway is Exit 5, Federal Boulevard. Photo taken 07/14/02.
Eastbound California 94 reaches Exit 5, Federal Boulevard. Photo taken 07/14/02.
The next exit along eastbound California 94 is Exit 6A, Broadway/College Avenue, one and one-quarter miles. Broadway roughly parallels California 94 through Lemon Grove, while College Avenue leads north toward San Diego State University. Although this sign is still within the city of San Diego, the city of Lemon Grove is now just south of the freeway. Photo taken 07/14/02.
Eastbound California 94 approaching Exit 6A, Broadway/College Avenue, three-quarters of a mile. The grassy area to the north (right) of the freeway is the old Chollas Landfill, which has long since been decommissioned by the city of San Diego as a refuse disposal location. A newer landfill is located off California 52 near Miramar, and another site is being sought for future refuse disposal needs. Photo taken 07/14/02.
Eastbound California 94 reaches Exit 6A, Broadway/College Avenue. From this point eastward, the city of La Mesa is located north of the freeway and the city of Lemon Grove is located south of the freeway. Photo taken 07/14/02.
The next exit along eastbound California 94 is Exit 7, Massachusetts Avenue. Taking Massachusetts Avenue north through La Mesa will lead to a connection with 70th Street via University Avenue, providing a through route to the 70th Street/Lake Murray Boulevard interchange with Interstate 8. Photo taken 07/14/02.
Eastbound California 94 reaches Exit 7, Massachusetts Avenue. Many shopping facilities, including a Home Depot, are located south of the freeway on either Massachusetts Avenue or Broadway. Photo taken 07/14/02.
The next exit along eastbound California 94 is Exit 8A, Lemon Grove Avenue. Photo taken 07/14/02.
After Lemon Grove Avenue, eastbound California 94 approaches the major interchange with California 125 (Exit 9A). This sign actually treats through traffic on California 94 as an exit. With the interchange reconstruction as a result of the southerly extension of California 125, the signage for this exit will likely change. Photo taken 07/14/02.
Eastbound California 94 approaches Exits 9A-B-C, Junction California 125 and Spring Street. Spring Street (Exit 9C) leads north into downtown La Mesa, and it is reached by taking the California 94 "exit." Note that the San Diego Trolley passes over California 94 at this point. Photo taken 07/14/02.
Eastbound California 94 reaches Exit 9A, southbound California 125, prior to the new interchange. Photo taken 07/14/02.
Eastbound California 94 approaches Exit 9B, southbound California 125. Note that one of the lanes for California 94 is closed, pending completion of the interchange (completed in late 2002/early 2003). Photo taken 07/14/02.
This is the original split between eastbound California 94 and northbound California 125 prior to the completion of the Sweetwater segment of California 125. Photo taken 07/14/02.
This mileage sign is located along eastbound California 94 as it approaches Exit 10A, Bancroft Drive. The next two exits are Kenwood Drive and Sweetwater Springs Boulevard. Photo taken 11/24/02.
Eastbound California 94 approaches its junction with San Diego County Route S-17, Jamacha Boulevard. Turning right (west) on County Route S-17 leads to Spring Valley and Junction California 125. This is the approximate alignment of the missing link of California 54 as a freeway or expressway between Spring Valley and the California 94 junction in Rancho San Diego. Even though this sign indicates that County Route S-17 merges onto California 94 eastbound, there are no more County Route S-17 shields along the way. Photo taken 05/25/01.
These are some views of eastbound California 94 near Jamul, after the California 54 interchange and the Sweetwater River bridge. By this time, the former freeway has narrowed into a conventional, rural highway. Photos taken 05/25/01.
Much farther east, California 94 passes by the Tecate Cutoff (California 188) and San Diego County Route S-1. East of there, the highway approaches the abandoned San Diego and Imperial Valley Railroad bridge. This railroad used to provide railroad access from the Imperial Valley to the San Diego metropolitan area via the Laguna Mountains. The most controversial part of the railroad passes through Mexico, and some local politicians prefer to leave the railroad closed rather than have trains pass through foreign territory. Nevertheless, some have talked of reopening the line, but significant capital improvements will be necessary to make the railroad again viable. Photos taken 06/06/99.
End eastbound California 94 shield at Junction Interstate 8 in Boulevard. By 2004, this end shield was removed. Photo taken 08/99.
California 94 Westbound
Begin westbound California 94 shield after junction Interstate 8 in Boulevard. By 2004, this begin shield was removed. Photo taken 08/99.
Prior to the reconstruction of the California 94/California 125 interchange, traffic connecting from westbound California 94 to northbound California 125 had to use Exit 10A, Bancroft Drive. Now there is a dedicated ramp to connect these two freeways via Exit 9B. This sign along westbound points to Exit 9C, Spring Street and Exit 9B, Northbound California 125. There is a ramp meter on the mainline that is activated during the morning rush hour each weekday. Photo taken 11/24/02.
Westbound California 94 at Exit 9C, Spring Street, which leads into La Mesa. The next exit is Exit 9B, Junction Northbound California 125 toward Grossmont Center and Santee. Photo taken 11/24/02.
Westbound California 94 at Exit 9B, northbound California 125. The covered sign is for the future connection to Exit 9A, southbound California 125, which is not yet open at the time of this picture. Photo taken 11/24/02.
Views of westbound California 94 passing through the interchange complex at Exit 9A, Junction California 125. As noted earlier, these ramps are not yet open to traffic at the time that these pictures were taken. Photos taken 11/24/02.
Westbound California 94 approaching Exit 8, Lemon Grove Avenue. Photo taken 11/24/02.
Westbound California 94 at Exit 8, Lemon Grove Avenue. Photo taken 11/24/02.
Westbound California 94 approaching Exit 7, Massachusetts Avenue, one-half mile. Photo taken 11/24/02.
Westbound California 94 approaching Exit 7, Massachusetts Avenue, one-quarter mile. Photo taken 11/24/02.
Westbound California 94 at Exit 7, Massachusetts Avenue. The next exit is Exit 6B, College Avenue. Photo taken 11/24/02.
Westbound California 94 at Exit 6B, College Avenue. The next exit is Exit 6A, College Grove Way, which leads to the College Grove shopping center. Photo taken 11/24/02.
Westbound California 94 approaching Exit 6A, College Grove Way. This exit only has an exit along westbound and an onramp to westbound. There are no direct connections to eastbound. Photo taken 11/24/02.
Westbound California 94 at Exit 6A, College Grove Way. For the next mile, California 94 parallels the old Chollas landfill to the right (north) of the freeway. Photo taken 11/24/02.
Mileage sign along westbound California 94 for Exit 5, Federal Boulevard and Kelton Road. Photo taken 11/24/02.
Westbound California 94 approaching Exit 5, Federal Boulevard and Kelton Road, one-half mile. Photo taken 11/24/02.
Westbound California 94 at Exit 5, Federal Boulevard and Kelton Road. Photo taken 11/24/02.
Westbound California 94 approaching Exit 4, Euclid Avenue, one-half mile. Photo taken 11/24/02.
Westbound California 94 approaching Exit 3, Junction Interstate 805/Inland (Jacob Dekema) Freeway. To reach northbound California 15, traffic must use northbound Interstate 805. The exit for Interstate 805 is immediately after Exit 4, and it is not as well-signed with advance signs as it should be. Photo taken 11/24/02.
Westbound California 94 approaching Exit 3, Junction Interstate 805/Inland (Jacob Dekema) Freeway, next right. Photo taken 11/24/02.
Westbound California 94 at Exit 3, Interstate 805. Photo taken 11/24/02.
Mileage sign along westbound California 94 approaching Exit 2, California 15 (left exit). This interchange hosts the only two left exits in the city of San Diego (aside from the Barnett Avenue exit from northbound Pacific Highway). Photo taken 11/24/02.
Westbound California 94 approaching Exit 2, California 15. This picture shows the upcoming interchange. Photo taken 11/00.
Westbound California 94 at Exit 2, California 15, next left. Photo taken 11/24/02.
Westbound California 94 approaching Exit 1D, 30th Street. This exit leads to the San Diego communities of Southeastern San Diego and Golden Hill. Photo taken 11/24/02.
Westbound California 94 at Exit 1D, 30th Street. Photo taken 11/24/02.
Mileage sign along westbound California 94 approaching Exit 1C, 28th Street, one-quarter mile. Photo taken 11/24/02.
Westbound California 94 at Exit 1C, 28th Street. Photo taken 11/24/02.
Westbound California 98 approaching Exit 1B, 25th Street, one-quarter mile. Photo taken 11/24/02.
Westbound California 94 at Exit 1B, 25th Street. Photo taken 11/24/02.
Westbound California 94 approaching Exit 1A, Northbound Interstate 5. Photo taken 11/24/02.
Westbound California 94 at Exit 1A, Northbound Interstate 5; the next "exit" is for southbound Interstate 5, but it is not a direct exit. Notice how California 94 and the Martin Luther King are shown to end in the reassurance sign on the left of the sign bridge. Photo taken 11/24/02.
Westbound California 94/Martin Luther King Jr. Freeway becomes F Street as it enters downtown San Diego. These pictures show the transition from freeway to city street. The first right turn is for 17th Street, which connects to a ramp for southbound Interstate 5. Downtown San Diego looms in the distance. Photos taken 11/24/02.
