Westbound California 152/Leavesley Road meets Murray Avenue at this signalized intersection. Most motorist services (gas, food, lodging) can be found along this stretch of California 152. Photo taken 07/05/06.
The next traffic signal on westbound California 152/Leavesley Road is Forest Street. Photo taken 07/05/06.
The next signalized intersection along westbound California 152/Leavesley Road is the junction with Business U.S. 101/Monterey Road. California 152 turns off Leavesley Road and will briefly merge with Business U.S. 101 south. Photo taken 07/05/06.
The left two lanes of westbound California 152/Leavesley Road will transition onto southbound Monterey Road (Business U.S. 101) after the railroad crossing. Photo taken 07/05/06.
Business U.S. 101 does not appear on the approach signage for California 152 west. Photo taken 07/05/06.
Business U.S. 101/Monterey Road south and California 152 west
Business U.S. 101 south and California 152 west follow Monterey Road through downtown Gilroy. These shields are posted just south of the Leavesley Road intersection. Photo taken 07/05/06.
The two routes remain cosigned for about four blocks. At the First Street traffic signal, California 152 turns west (right), while Business U.S. 101 continues south along Monterey Street. Photo taken 07/05/06.
California 152/First Street west
After splitting from Business U.S. 101/Monterey Street, California 152 follows First Street west out of downtown Gilroy. Photo taken 07/05/06.
This reassurance shield for California 152 west is posted after the Church Street intersection. Photo taken 07/05/06.
Residential areas line First Street as California 152 continues west through Gilroy. Shopping areas also line the street, including at this intersection with Wayland Lane north and Miller Avenue south. Photo taken 07/05/06.
Westbound California 152/First Street meets Wren Avenue at this intersection. Photo taken 07/05/06.
Shortly thereafter, California 152/First Street west meets Westwood Drive at this intersection. Photo taken 07/05/06.
Westbound California 152/First Street meets Santa Teresa Boulevard at this traffic signal. Use Santa Teresa Boulevard south to Eagle Ridge Golf Club and Castro Valley Road east to U.S. 101. To the north, Santa Teresa Boulevard travels parallel to Business U.S. 101/Monterey Street, changing to Sunnyside Avenue in Morgan Hill and ending at Edmundson Avenue. From here, California 152 changes from First Street to Hecker Pass Road. Photo taken 07/05/06.
California 152/Hecker Pass Road west
Now following Hecker Pass Road west of Santa Teresa Boulevard, California 152 narrows to two lanes and takes on a rural feel. Photo taken 07/05/06.
Vineyards, orchards, and ranches line California 152/Hecker Pass Road as we continue west toward Hecker Pass. Photo taken 07/05/06.
Trucks are restricted from driving over Hecker Pass. This is a far cry from the numerous trucks that use Pacheco Pass east of Gilroy. Photo taken 07/05/06.
The next major intersection along westbound California 152 is the junction with Santa Clara County Route G-8/Watsonville Road north to Morgan Hill. Photo taken 07/05/06.
A California 152 reassurance shield is posted shortly after the Santa Clara County Route G-8 intersection. Photo taken 07/05/06.
A 500-kV power transmission line along with a 230-kV power line cross California 152 prior to the ascent to Hecker Pass. This power line carries electricity generated at Moss Landing Power Generating Station northeast to the Metcalf Substation, which is located off U.S. 101 near Morgan Hill. From there, the 500-kV power line continues northeast to the Tesla Substation located southwest of Tracy near the Interstate 580/Interstate 205 interchange. Photo taken 07/05/06.
California 152 begins to climb to Hecker Pass, passing through portions of Mt. Madonna County Park. Photo taken 07/05/06.
After multiple twists and turns, California 152 reaches Hecker Pass (elevation 1,309 feet above sea level) and enters Santa Cruz County. From here, California 152 makes one final descent to the coast and the city of Watsonville. Photo taken 07/05/06.
Westbound California 152/Hecker Pass Road passes Mt. Madonna Inn, then begins its downward journey to the coast. Photo taken 07/05/06.
California 152 is rather narrow as it travels downhill in a southwesterly direction. A logging truck joined the downhill trek in the second photo. Photo taken 07/05/06.
At the bottom of the downgrade, westbound California 152/Hecker Pass Road approaches Cariton Road and Casserly Road. The state highway is generally traveling south or southwest until entering Watsonville. Hecker Pass Road ends, and California 152 follows Lake Avenue into Watsonville. Photo taken 07/05/06.
California 152/Lake Avenue west
Not shown here is the first traffic signal to appear on California 152 west since leaving Gilroy. The signal is with College Road east and Holohan Road west. College Road travels east to Lakeview Road and California 129/Riverside Road. Use this left turn to connect to California 129 east to U.S. 101. A right turn at that intersection connects to Holohan Road west, which changes names to Airport Boulevard at Green Valley Road. Airport Road continues west to meet California 1/Cabrillo Highway at an interchange that is only one exit north of the western terminus of California 152. To Pinto Lake, follow Holohan Road west to Green Valley Road north. This photo shows California 152 west at the Corralitos Creek bridge along with a reassurance shield. Photo taken 07/05/06.
Shortly thereafter, California 152 enters its final destination, the city of Watsonville. Incorporated on March 30, 1868, and chartered in 1903, Watsonville is a regional agricultural and food processing hub and is home to 44,265 people as of the 2000 Census. The infamous Loma Prieta earthquake of October 17, 1989, was centered near Watsonville and caused a great deal of damage. Photo taken 07/05/06.
Westbound California 152/Lake Avenue approaches Martinelli Street. Martinelli Street is named for the same family that brought Martinelli's Sparkling Apple Cider. Photo taken 07/05/06.
Passing by residential areas, California 152 next approaches Tuttle Avenue, which travels northwest to Stanford Avenue. Photo taken 07/05/06.
A California 152 reassurance shield is posted shortly thereafter as Lake Avenue continues southwest past homes. Photo taken 07/05/06.
Upon crossing Lincoln Street, California 152 divides into a one-way couplet. The westbound direction continues along Lake Avenue, while the eastbound direction takes Beach Street. This configuration only continues for four blocks, and then California 152 turns northwest via Main Street. To California 129, turn south on Lincoln Street and proceed south for six blocks. Use Lincoln Street and California 129 west to California 1/Cabrillo Highway south. Photo taken 07/05/06.
Westbound California 152 continues along one-way Lake Avenue. Through traffic on California 152 west should use the right lane in order to turn onto Main Street. Photo taken 07/05/06.
A barely noticeable roadside sign for California 152, California 129, and California 1 is posted on westbound Lake Avenue prior to the Main Street intersection. Downtown Watsonville is just ahead. Photo taken 07/05/06.
Reaching Main Street, California 152 west turns right at this intersection. Photo taken 07/05/06.
Now traveling northwest on Main Street, California 152 leaves downtown Watsonville. Photo taken 07/05/06.
This reassurance shield for California 152 is posted after the Main Street/Lake Avenue intersection. Photo taken 07/05/06.
Westbound California 152/Main Street meets Ford Street and Freedom Boulevard at this traffic signal. Use Freedom Boulevard north to Freedom and Watsonville Municipal Airport. Freedom Boulevard then continues north, then loops back to California 1/Cabrillo Highway near Aptos. Photo taken 07/05/06.
Continuing northwest, California 152/Main Street passes Ramsay Park and approaches Green Valley Road, which travels northeast to Pinto Lake and south to California 1/Cabrillo Highway to Monterey. Photo taken 07/05/06.
The control city for California 1 south (Monterey) is used for Green Valley Road south, while the California 1 north control city of Santa Cruz is used for California 152 west. Photo taken 07/05/06.
This is the final California 152 west shield on northbound Main Street. Before the California 1/Cabrillo Highway freeway bypass was constructed west of Watsonville, Main Street and Salinas Street south of downtown Watsonville served as California 1. The old route of California 1 is not signed as a business route. Photo taken 07/05/06.
California 152 ends as the highway is directly absorbed into northbound California 1/Cabrillo Highway. The freeway travels northwest toward Aptos, Capitola, and Santa Cruz. There is no END California 152 shield assembly present. Photo taken 07/05/06.
