Northbound California 99 enters Tulare County in advance of Exit 61/Avenue 24. Now leaving the oil-based industry and low-water agriculture of Kern County, the Central Valley rapidly becomes even more agricultural, thanks to imported water and a limited winter rainfall that slowly increases in annual totals as California 99 ascends the Valley. Even this far north, rainfall is anything but plentiful, even though winter conditions may bring weeks of continuous "tule" fog that can hide the sun for extended periods. Photo taken 08/15/03.
Northbound California 99 approaching Exit 61, Avenue 24, next right. In the summer months, the sun is a frequent visitor, with temperatures frequently exceeding 90 degrees in the Central Valley. Photo taken 08/15/03.
Like its neighboring counties, Tulare County is an agrarian region, and it is dependent on imported water as well as annual winter rains to quench the thirst of its various crops. Note the trailer in the background of this picture that states, "Food Grows Where Water Flows." This is a statement related to the constant struggle within the Golden State to allocate water between its urban, suburban, and rural interests, especially as the Southern California mega-metropolis expands. This photo also shows the first Tulare County exit along northbound California 99, Exit 61/Avenue 24. Photo taken 08/15/03.
Northbound California 99 approaching Exit 64, Avenue 48 and Earlimart. Photo taken 08/15/03.
Northbound California 99 approaching Exit 65, Avenue 56. Avenue 56 leads east to Ducor (west of Junction California 43) and west to Alpaugh (at Junction California 65). Unlike the northern part of the Central Valley, there are very few signed county routes in Tulare County. Photo taken 08/15/03.
Northbound California 99 approaching Exit 65, Avenue 56, next right. Photo taken 08/15/03.
Northbound California 99 at Exit 65, Avenue 56. When exit numbers are installed here, this could be a dyslexic-challenged exit sign (because 56 is a transposition of 65) if Avenue 56 is signed rather than "Ducor/Alpaugh." Photo taken 08/15/03.
Northbound California 99 approaching Exit 67, Avenue 72/Avenue 76. This exit is midway between Earlimart and Pixley. Photo taken 08/15/03.
Northbound California 99 at Exit 67, Avenue 72/Avenue 76. Photo taken 08/15/03.
Northbound California 99 approaching Exit 70A, Avenue 96, which serves Pixley and leads to Terra Bella (located east of here, off California 65). Photo taken 08/15/03.
Northbound California 99 at Exit 70A, Avenue 96. Welcome to Pixley! Photo taken 08/15/03.
Northbound California 99 approaching Exit 70B, Court Street, three-quarters of a mile. Photo taken 08/15/03.
Northbound California 99 approaching Exit 70B, next right. California 99 passes through this below-grade segment as it passes through Pixley, much the same Interstate 5 passes through Arbuckle. Photo taken 08/15/03.
Northbound California 99 at Exit 70B, Court Street. Photo taken 08/15/03.
In Tulare County, all county roads are numbered into a grid system. "Roads" run north-south, while "Avenues" run east-west. Since California 99 passes through the area at a northeasterly trajectory, it intersects both Roads and Avenues. This next exit is Exit 71, Road 124. Photo taken 08/15/03.
Northbound California 99 approaching Exit 73, Avenue 120, one mile. Photo taken 08/15/03.
Northbound California 99 at Exit 73, Avenue 120. Avenue 120 leads west to meet California 43 between Angiola and Corcoran. Photo taken 08/15/03.
Northbound California 99 approaching Exit 76, Junction Eastbound California 190. Note the "Accidentes" billboard in the distance. There are several of these Spanish-language signs located along this stretch of California 99, and it betrays the influence of the booming Latino population in the Central Valley. Some Valley communities have a de facto first language of Spanish due to the numerous immigrants from Mexico and other Spanish-speaking countries that have settled in this agricultural region. Photo taken 08/15/03.
Northbound California 99 at Exit 76, Junction California 190. Once anticipated to extend east across the Sierra Nevada, California 190 is now two separate routes, with an eternally hopeful proposed extension across the mountains visible only on paper. Currently, California 190 extends east from here, passing through Poplar and Porterville en route to Camp Nelson in the foothills. Photo taken 08/15/03.
Northbound California 99 approaching Exit 77, Avenue 152, one mile. This exit serves the community of Tipton, the majority of which is located to the east of the freeway. Photo taken 08/15/03.
Northbound California 99 approaching Exit 81, Avenue 184, 0.75 of a mile. Photo taken 08/15/03.
Northbound California 99 at Exit 81, Avenue 184. Note the new exit number sign installed here. Photo taken 08/15/03.
The next seven exits along northbound California 99 serve the city of Tulare. These exits include Exits 83 (Avenue 200), 84 (K Street/business route), 85 (Paige Avenue), 86 (Bardsley Avenue), 87 (California 137), 88 (Prosperity Avenue), and 89 (Cartmill Avenue). Photo taken 08/15/03.
Northbound California 99 approaching Exit 83, Avenue 200, one mile. This is the first exit for the city of Tulare. Tulare, while not the seat of Tulare County, is a fast-growing community along the California 99 corridor. According to the city's official webpage, over 40,000 people reside here as of 2000. Photo taken 08/15/03.
Northbound California 99 at Exit 83, Avenue 200. As seen in the background, the next exit is for K Street, the business route. Photo taken 08/15/03.
The ramp here is for Exit 83/Avenue 200, but the overhead signs are for Exit 84, a left exit to the Tulare business route. This exit was closed at the time this photo was taken, so either Exits 83 or 85 may be used instead. Note the overhead pull through sign for California 99, which is old enough to have the U.S. 99 shield covered in a green overlay panel showing a California 99 shield. Photo taken 08/15/03.
At the time this photo was taken, Exit 84/Business California 99/K Street was closed. This left exit may be getting upgraded, perhaps to meet Interstate standards (which frown upon left-hand exits). Photo taken 08/15/03.
Northbound California 99 approaching Exit 85, Paige Avenue, one-half mile. Paige Avenue is an east-west street that serves the southern part of the city of Tulare, with connections to the International Agri-Center and Museum and Edison Ag-Tac. Photo taken 08/15/03.
Now reaching Paige Avenue at Exit 85, northbound California 99 enters the heart of the city of Tulare. Use Exit 85 and Paige Avenue westbound as an alternative to the K Street/Business California 99 exit. Photo taken 08/15/03.
Northbound California 99 at Exit 86, Bardsley Avenue. Bardsley Avenue leads west into Tulare, meeting Business California 99 near the Tulare County Fairgrounds. The city of Tulare is nearly equidistant from Sacramento, San Francisco, and Los Angeles (approximately 200 miles away from each). Photo taken 08/15/03.
Mileage sign along northbound California 99 for Tulare exits, including Exit 87/Junction California 137 and Exit 88/Hillman Street and Prosperity Avenue. Photo taken 08/15/03.
Northbound California 99 approaching Exit 87, Junction California 137, 0.25 mile. California 137 passes through the central part of the city of Tulare just west of the freeway. To the west, California 137 connects to the southern terminus of California 63 before terminating at California 65 at Cairns Corner. Photo taken 08/15/03.
Northbound California 99 at Exit 87, Junction California 137 in Tulare. California 137 leads west to the city of Corcoran, home of a notorious state prison. It also leads east to meet California 65 near Lindsay. Note the oleander plant present along the shoulders; this flowery bush is quite common along California 99 in the Central Valley. Poisonous to eat, oleander flowers at many times during the year and thrives along freeway rights-of-way. Photo taken 08/15/03.
