California 209 was decommissioned in May 2001 as part of a statewide shedding of non-freeway, urban surface streets that were previously part of the state highway system. Other routes that suffered the same fate include California 54 (Second Street) in El Cajon, California 274 (Balboa Avenue) in San Diego, and California 2 in Beverly Hills. These routes are no longer within the state highway system and are now locally maintained, usually by the city in which the former route is vacated. California 209 used to include all or parts of Camino del Rio West, Rosecrans Street, Canon Street, Catalina Boulevard, and Cabrillo Memorial Drive as it wound its way southwest from the Interstate 5/Interstate 8 interchange toward Cabrillo National Monument at the tip of Point Loma. As of October 2002, California 209 is still well-signed for its entire length; however, as the city of San Diego takes ownership of the route and makes it city standard, expect the remaining shields and signs that refer to California 209 designation to be removed.
California 209 North
This is the first shield for northbound California 209 as it leaves Cabrillo National Monument. For the first several miles, California 209 passes through the Fort Rosecrans Military Reservation as Cabrillo Memorial Drive. Some of the facilities in this military reservation include communications equipment and a large national cemetery. Due to security requirements, the military imposes a nightly curfew on the segment of California 209 that passes through the military reservation: unauthorized traffic is not allowed after dusk beyond a military checkpoint just south of Mills Street. Situated on the crest of Point Loma, California 209 is subject to strong winds and foggy conditions from the ocean. Photo taken 08/99.
Northbound California 209 along Catalina Boulevard as it approaches a right turn onto Canon Street. Between the military reservation and this point, the highway passes through residential communities, but here it enters more rural setting, even though it is in the middle of the city. True to its name, Canon Street passes through a small canyon as it connects to Rosecrans Street. Photo taken 08/99.
Remaining true to its chameleon-like character, California 209 passes through a large commercial center along Rosecrans Street between Lytton Street and Interstate 5/Interstate 8. Six to eight lanes wide, California 209 passes by a variety of strips malls, grocery stores, and other amenities, including several topless bars and sex shops. This area, locally known as the Midway-Sports Arena area, has several such topless bars due to its proximity to a variety of military installations nearby, such as the U.S. Marine Corps Recruit Depot (MCRD), the Fort Rosecrans Military Reservation on Point Loma, and several other nearby bases. This shield picture was taken within this district along northbound approaching Midway Drive. Photo taken 09/10/00.
California 209 connects to Interstate 5 northbound and Interstate 8 eastbound, as evidenced by these shields along northbound just after the Midway traffic light. Photo taken 09/10/00.
Former California 209 angles northeast off Rosecrans Street on Camino del Rio West. Photo taken 05/22/04.
To reach south Interstate 5, use Rosecrans Street east to Pacific Highway south. Use California 209/Camino del West northeast to access north Interstate 5 and east Interstate 8. Photo taken 05/22/04.
At this intersection, Rosecrans Street turns due east toward Old Town San Diego. Northbound California 209, which leads to Interstates 5 and 8, turns northeast via Camino del Rio West from this point. Most travelers passing through this intersection would not even notice the change in street names. Photo taken 09/10/00.
Northbound California 209/Camino del Rio West at Kurtz Street. Photo taken 05/22/04.
Northbound California 209 (Camino del Rio West) approaching Junction Interstate 8 eastbound and Interstate 5 northbound. This interchange lacks a connection from northbound California 209 to either southbound Interstate 5 or westbound California 209. Photo taken 05/22/04.
Northbound California 209 at the Interstate 5/Interstate 8 interchange. This marks the northern terminus of California 209. Photo taken 05/22/04.
Not many button copy, non-reflective exit gore point signs remain, but this one is an exception. Enjoy it while you can! Photo taken 05/22/04.
This eastbound Interstate 8 shield greets travelers merging onto the freeway from northbound California 209. Photo taken 05/22/04.
A ramp meter guards against freeway congestion as California 209 merges onto Interstate 8. Photo taken 05/22/04.
California 209 South
Southbound California 209 passes through a small canyon as it follows Canon Street through the Peninsula community of San Diego (more commonly, this area is referred to as Point Loma). Photo taken 08/99.
Southbound California 209 passing through the Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery along Cabrillo Memorial Drive. Photos taken 08/99.
End California 209 southbound at the entrance to Cabrillo National Monument within Fort Rosecrans Military Reservation. This shield assembly is located just before the turnoff to the Point Loma Wastewater Treatment Facility located at the bottom of the hill near the water on the ocean side of the point. Traffic continuing straight ahead must pay admission into the park, but on a clear day, the park affords some of the best views of downtown San Diego and Coronado. First photo taken 08/99; second photo taken 10/26/02.
This signage for Cabrillo National Monument is located adjacent to the visitors center at the end of California 209 (which is also the terminus of Historic U.S. 80 in the early 1940s). Photo taken 10/26/02.
Views of downtown San Diego, Coronado, and the North Island Naval Air Station as seen from Cabrillo National Monument. Photos taken 10/26/02.
View of the Point Loma coast as seen looking northward from Cabrillo National Monument. Photo taken 10/26/02.
Views of the lighthouse at Cabrillo National Monument, including the original lens for the lighthouse. This lighthouse used to warn mariners of the rocks at the shore of Point Loma in the late 1800s/early 1900s. The lighthouse and the peninsula are often shrouded in fog. Today the lighthouse is open to the public to show how life was in those days. Photos taken 10/26/02.
