| The first business route shield is located right at the gore point along northbound. Photo taken 02/15/04.
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| Northbound California 99 at Exit 13, Junction California 223, Bear Mountain Boulevard. California 223 leads east to Arvin and ultimately Junction California 58 near Caliente, and it also heads west to meet Interstate 5 at Exit 239. Photo taken by Pete Sison, 03/07/01.
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| The next exit along northbound is Exit 15, Houghton Road, one mile. Photo taken 01/21/04.
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| Houghton Road leads west to Old River Road and east to Weedpatch/California 184 via Buena Vista Boulevard. Photo taken 01/21/04.
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| Northbound California 99 at Exit 15, Houghton Road. Photo taken 01/21/04.
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| The next exit along northbound is Exit 18, Junction California 119 West, one mile. California 119 is old U.S. 399. U.S. 399 used to follow California 119 west to Taft, then California 33 south to Ventura. Photo taken 01/21/04.
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| California 119 heads west to Taft, while unsigned Panama Road (not to be confused with Panama Lane) leads east to Lamont and junction California 184. Photo taken 01/21/04.
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| Northbound California 99 at Exit 18, Junction California 119, which leads west from here into Pumpkin Center, then southwest to end at Junction California 33 in Taft. Photo taken 01/21/04.
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| This mileage sign provides the distances to the cities of Bakersfield and Fresno as well as the control city of Sacramento. Even though the overhead signs at the split from Interstate 5 listed California 99's control city as Fresno, it becomes Sacramento almost immediately. There is a negligible difference in the distance with either route to Sacramento - both routes are just about 295-300 miles from Wheeler Ridge to Sacramento. Photo taken 01/21/04.
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| The next exit along northbound is Exit 20, Panama Lane. Photo taken 01/21/04.
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| Panama Lane parallels California 119 (Taft Highway/Panama Road), connecting with California 184/Weedpatch Highway to the east and California 43/Interstate 5 in the west. Photo taken 01/21/04.
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| Northbound California 99 at Exit 20, Panama Lane. Photo taken 01/21/04.
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| The next exit along northbound is Exit 21, White Lane, one mile. Photo taken 01/21/04.
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| White Lane leads east, meeting Union Avenue (Business California 99) near its intersection with South Chester Avenue. Photo taken 01/21/04.
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| Northbound California 99 at Exit 21, White Lane. Photo taken 01/21/04.
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| The next exit along northbound is Exit 23, Ming Avenue. Photo taken 01/21/04.
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| Exit 24 is the junction with the California 58 freeway, which leads east to Tehachapi, Mojave, and Barstow. Photo taken 01/21/04.
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| Mileage sign for the next three exits: Exit 23, Ming Avenue; Exit 24, Junction California 58 East; and Exit 25, California Avenue. Photo taken 01/21/04.
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| Northbound California 99 at Exit 23, Ming Avenue. The next exit is Exit 24, Junction California 58 east to Tehachapi, Mojave, and Barstow. Photo taken 01/21/04.
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| Use Exit 24 to reach Stockdale Highway and Brundage Lane. Stockdale Highway heads west from Bakersfield toward Interstate 5, and Brundage Lane heads east, parallel to California 58. Photo taken 01/21/04.
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| Northbound California 99 at Exit 24, Junction California 58 in Bakersfield. Its eastern terminus lies at Interstate 15 in Barstow, and it is the logical westerly continuation of Interstate 40 into the Central Valley. Traffic demands have required assorted upgrades to California 58 to where the entire route from Bakersfield to Barstow will be upgraded to freeway standards by 2010. An east-west freeway connection between California 99 and Interstate 5 is currently being planned in Bakersfield, and once the route is determined, it is likely to carry the California 58 designation. With a continuous freeway from Interstate 5 to Interstate 15 between Bakersfield and Barstow, it is possible that the entire California 58 freeway segment would be considered for submission into the Interstate Highway System. Formerly known as U.S. 466 east of California 99 before 1964, California 58 is a major east-west transportation corridor. From here, California 99 merges with westbound California 58 for the next two and a half miles; California 58 splits west at Exit 26 (Stockdale Highway) to continue its journey to the coast. It passes by Interstate 5 at Buttonwillow, then crosses the Temblor Range and Carrizo Plain on its way to its western terminus at U.S. 101 in Santa Margarita, just north of San Luis Obispo. Photo taken 01/21/04.
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| The next exit along northbound is Exit 25, California Avenue/Civic Center. California Avenue leads east into downtown Bakersfield, passing by Camelot Park, the railroad yards (to the north), and Bakersfield High School before meeting Business California 99 and California 204/Union Avenue. Photo taken 01/21/04.
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| The flyover ramp from southbound California 99 to eastbound California 58 crosses the freeway here. Since the right lane becomes exit-only, trucks are advised to remain in the number three lane. Photo taken 01/21/04.
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| These reassurance markers are located on northbound California 99 and westbound California 58 just after California 58 merges onto the freeway. Note that the California 99 shield is larger than the California 58 shield. Bakersfield, the first major city along northbound California 99, is projected to have 266,800 in 2003, according to the city's official webpage. A freeway beautification project is underway in the city, and annexation of new areas into Bakersfield continues (click on the "annexation" link on the official web page). Photo taken 08/15/03.
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| The next urban exit is Exit 25, California Avenue, one-half mile, followed by Exit 26A, where California 58 splits off to the west. Photo taken 08/15/03.
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| California Avenue (Exit 25) leads east into downtown Bakersfield, serving the Civic Center via northbound Chester Avenue. Most of downtown is situated along Truxtun Avenue between Chester Avenue and California 204/Business California 99/Union Avenue. Photo taken 08/15/03.
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| Northbound California 99 approaching Exit 26A, Junction Westbound California 58 and Eastbound California 178, one mile. This exit is in the northwestern portion of Bakersfield. This marks the western terminus of California 178, the only trans-Sierra Nevada Mountains route between California 58 and California 120. Although other such crossings between Yosemite and Lake Isabella were planned in the heyday of highway construction (for example, see the unconstructed segments of California 168, California 180, and California 190 that would have crossed the high mountains), none were constructed. California 178 continues east into Death Valley National Park (with a route break in the park), and it ultimately converts into Nevada 372. Prior to 1964, Westbound California 58 was known as California 178, but that changed when U.S. 466 was decommissioned. Photo taken 08/15/03.
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| Mileage sign along northbound California 99 approaching Exit 26A, Junction Westbound California 58/Eastbound California 178. The next exit is Exit 26B, Buck Owens Boulevard. Currently, California 58 is a city street and rural road west of here. Traffic demands have indicated that an east-west freeway would be needed between California 99 and Interstate 5. Plans suggest that such a highway would to be constructed along Stockdale Highway rather than existing California 58/Rosedale Highway. Photo taken 08/15/03.
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| Mileage sign along northbound California 99 at Exit 26A, Junction Westbound California 58/Eastbound California 178/Rosedale Highway. California 58 leads west to Fruitdale, Rosedale, and Buttonwillow, with complete services available at its junction with Interstate 5. Photo taken 08/15/03.
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| Northbound California 99 approaching Exit 26B, Buck Owens Boulevard. Buck Owens Boulevard runs north-south, parallel to the freeway. This exit also connects to Sillect Avenue and the Buck Owens Crystal Palace Theater and Museum. Photo taken 08/15/03.
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| Northbound California 99 approaching Exit 27, Airport Drive/Oildale, three-quarters of a mile. This exit provides access to Meadows Field airport and the aptly named Oildale, which is adjacent to several oil fields. Photo taken 08/15/03.
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| Northbound California 99 at Exit 27, Airport Drive/Oildale. Airport Drive connects with Exit 6 of the California 204/Business California 99 freeway, even though there is no direct connection from northbound. The business route and California 204 both transition onto California 99 just north of this interchange. Photo taken 08/15/03.
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| Northbound California 99 at Exit 28, Olive Drive. Photo taken 08/15/03.
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| Northbound California 99 approaching Exit 30, Junction Northbound California 65, one mile. Photo taken 08/15/03.
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| Northbound California 99 approaching Exit 30, Junction Northbound California 65, next right. California 65 is a fairly significant expressway route connecting California 99 with Ducor, Terra Bella, Porterville, and Exeter (Junction California 198). A large gap exists for California 65 between Exeter and Roseville (Junction Interstate 80, northeast of Sacramento). Photo taken 08/15/03.
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| Northbound California 99 at Exit 30, Junction California 65, just north of Bakersfield near the city of Oildale. California 65 is largely unconstructed; currently only its northern and southern segments exist. Known as the Eastside Highway, California 65 is proposed as a superhighway that would alleviate traffic demands on California 99 and Interstate 5. Studies are ongoing to develop a specific route, but construction is not expected until 2020 or later. This highway would basically follow the existing California 65 north to Exeter, then follow a new path roughly parallel to California 99, ultimately linking with the northern California 65 near Roseville. Even with the ongoing conversion of California 99 into an Interstate-standard freeway, it is expected that California 65 will be required to provide relief, in addition to proposed expansion to Interstate 5 and a magnetic levitation train parallel to Interstate 5. Photo taken 08/15/03.
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| Northbound California 99 approaching Exit 31, 7th Standard Road, next right. The 7th Standard Road is a long route across Kern County, connecting to Interstate 5 in the west and Oildale in the east. Photo taken 08/15/03.
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| Northbound California 99 at Exit 31, 7th Standard Road. Photo taken 08/15/03.
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| Northbound California 99 approaching Exit 37, Lerdo Highway, one mile. Lerdo Highway leads east to Cawelo and California 56 and west to Shafter, Interstate 5, and California 33. Photo taken 08/15/03.
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| Northbound California 99 approaching Exit 37, Lerdo Highway, next right. Photo taken 08/15/03.
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| Northbound California 99 at Exit 37, Lerdo Highway. Photo taken 08/15/03.
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| Northbound California 99 approaching Exit 39, Merced Avenue, one mile. Photo taken 08/15/03.
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| Northbound California 99 at Exit 39, Merced Avenue. Merced Avenue leads east to meet California 65 near the Premier Oil Field. Several oil fields are located north of Bakersfield along California 65. Photo taken 08/15/03.
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| Northbound California 99 approaching Exit 41, Kimberlina Road, two miles. Photo taken 08/15/03.
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| Northbound California 99 approaching Exit 41, Kimberlina Road, next right. Note that the median has been replaced with an additional lane of traffic, and a jersey barrier separates the two directions. This is unlike the more rural feel of California 99 north of here, complete with landscaped median. Photo taken 08/15/03.
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| Northbound California 99 at Exit 41, Kimberlina Road. Kimberlina Road leads east to Zerker Road and west to meet California 43 south of Wasco. Photo taken 08/15/03.
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| Northbound California 99 approaching Exit 44, Junction California 46/Famoso Highway, one and a half miles. This major route provides an alternative to California 58 to reach the coast. The next east-west route intersected by California 99 to reach the coast is California 152, some 122 miles north of here. Belying its importance, prior to 1964, California 46 was known as U.S. 466. Photo taken 08/15/03.
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| Northbound California 99 approaching Exit 44, Junction California 46/Famoso Highway. California 46 leads west to the town of Wasco. Unlike most other Central Valley State Routes, California 46 extends all the way to the coast, arriving at California 1 just south of the Hearst Castle near Cambria. Some have considered California 46 as a possible expressway or freeway due to safety concerns along the mostly two-lane passing through the Coast Range between Interstate 5 and U.S. 101, and modest improvements have been enacted around the intersections between California 41 and California 46 (an area that is best known as the area where actor James Dean died in a car accident). Photo taken 08/15/03.
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| Northbound California 99 at Exit 44, Junction Westbound California 46/Famoso Highway east of Wasco. In addition to serving the Central Coast, California 46 crosses the Central Valley, meets Interstate 5 in Lost Hills, then continues across the Cholame Hills before meeting U.S. 101 at Paso Robles. After a brief merge with U.S. 101, California 46 makes the final jog to meet California 1 at the coast. The exit eastbound connects to local Famoso-Woody Road, connecting to California 155 to the northeast at Woody. Photo taken 08/15/03.
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| Northbound California 99 approaching Exit 47, Whisler Road, next right. Photo taken 08/15/03.
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| Northbound California 99 at Exit 47, Whisler Road. Photo taken 08/15/03.
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| Northbound California 99 approaching Exit 49, Sherwood Avenue/McFarland, two miles. It is rare to find an advance sign for more than one mile along California 99. Photo taken 08/15/03.
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| Northbound California 99 approaching Exit 49, Sherwood Avenue/McFarland, next right. McFarland is a small farming community located just off the freeway to the west, and Sherwood Avenue passes through it. Photo taken 08/15/03.
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| Northbound California 99 approaching Exit 50, Perkins Avenue/Elmo Highway, three-quarters of a mile. Photo taken 08/15/03.
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| Northbound California 99 at Exit 50, Perkins Avenue/Elmo Highway. Elmo Highway leads west to Junction California 43/Central Valley Highway and east to Famoso-Porterville Highway. Photo taken 08/15/03.
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| Northbound California 99 approaching Exit 52, Pond Road/Lake Woollomes. Pond Road leads west to the town of Pond (at Junction California 43, the Central Valley Highway) and east to Lake Woollomes and the Famoso-Porterville Highway. Photo taken 08/15/03.
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| Northbound California 99 at Exit 52, Pond Road/Lake Woollomes. Photo taken 08/15/03.
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| The first Delano exit is Exit 54, which follows the original route of U.S. 99 through the city of Delano via Business California 99. Photo taken 08/15/03.
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| Northbound California 99 at Exit 54, Junction Business California 99 in Delano. Photo taken 08/15/03.
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| Mileage sign along northbound California 99 for Exit 55/First Avenue, Exit 56/Junction California 155/Central Delano, and Exit 57/Cecil Avenue. Photo taken 08/15/03.
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| Northbound California 99 approaching Exit 55, First Avenue, next right. Photo taken 08/15/03.
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| Northbound California 99 approaching Exit 56, Junction California 155 in Delano. California 155 leads east toward Lake Isabella via Woody, ending at Junction California 178. Photo taken 08/15/03.
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| Northbound California 99 approaching Exit 56, Junction California 155, next right. Photo taken 08/15/03.
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| Northbound California 99 at Exit 56, Junction California 155 in Delano. California 155 meets the business route in downtown Delano. Photo taken 08/15/03.
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| Northbound California 99 approaching Exit 57, Cecil Avenue, one-quarter mile. After the Cecil Avenue exit, northbound California 99 loses its third lane. Photo taken 08/15/03.
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| Northbound California 99 at Exit 57, Cecil Avenue. The North Kern State Prison is located several miles west of here along Cecil Avenue, about midway between California 43 and California 99. Photo taken 08/15/03.
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| Northbound California 99 at Exit 58, County Line Road. As the name implies, this is the last exit along northbound California 99 in Kern County; the freeway now enters Tulare County. Photo taken 08/15/03.
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| Business California 99/Union Avenue
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| Upon departing from California 99, Business California 99 immediately takes on the characteristics of an old-style expressway, complete with older standard "Maximum Speed 55" signs. Photo taken 02/15/04.
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| The eucalyptus trees in the distance were planted by highway crews, and they shade Union Avenue. The trees also make the road distinct from a distance, as they line the business route for much of its route into Bakersfield. Photo taken 02/15/04.
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| Business California 99 takes on expressway standards of yesterday, with a minimal shoulder and trees that are possibly too close to the edge of the roadway. Nevertheless, this business route gives an excellent example of old U.S. 99 that looks about the same as it did in earlier times. Photo taken 02/15/04.
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| Highway crews used to plant eucalyptus trees as a matter of practice, but they are not native to California. These trees are arguably dangerous in dry, windy climate like California's, especially since they are made flammable by a high oil content within the tree and they can have shallow roots that may not hold during the fiercest wind storms. Photo taken 02/15/04.
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| On occasion, palm trees were planted to break the monotony along the business route, as evidenced by this palm tree in the median along northbound. Photo taken 02/15/04.
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| Business California 99 eventually meets up with the California 58 freeway south of downtown Bakersfield. Photo taken 01/21/04.
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| Upon reaching California 58, Business California 99 gains an additional designation: California 204, because the remainder of old U.S. 99 from here north to California 99 is part of the state highway system. Both routes are consistently signed along Union Avenue and Golden State Avenue north of downtown. Photo taken 01/21/04.
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Page Updated March 21, 2004.
