Since Interstate 5 covers some 798 miles on its north-south journey, the roadtrip page is split to accommodate all of the photos along this route. This page covers Interstate 5 in northern San Diego County.
Northbound Interstate 5 from California 56 to Camp Pendleton
This mileage sign provides the distance to the next three exits along northbound: Exit 34, Del Mar Heights Road; Exit 36, Junction San Diego County Route S-6/Via de la Valle; and Exit 37, Junction San Diego County Route S-8/Lomas Santa Fe Drive. The original high occupancy vehicle lanes were placed between Interstate 805 and Del Mar Heights Road; they have since been extended to Via de la Valle in Del Mar/Solana Beach. Photo taken 05/22/04.
The next exit along northbound Interstate 5 after Carmel Valley Road (Exit 33B) is Del Mar Heights Road, Exit 34, next right. Photo taken 05/22/04.
This picture shows northbound Interstate 5 at Del Mar Heights Road, Exit 34. Eastbound Del Mar Heights Road primarily serves the city of San Diego, while westbound Del Mar Heights Road leads into the small city of Del Mar along the coast. Photo taken 05/22/04.
The next exit along northbound Interstate 5 is Via de la Valle, Exit 36, followed by Lomas Santa Fe Drive and Manchester Drive. Via de la Valle means "Way of the Valley," but it is grammatically incorrect Spanish. It should be Via del Valle since "valle" is a masculine word that should be prefaced by the word "el" rather than "la." Photo taken 05/22/04.
Via de la Valle is also San Diego County Route S-6. Due to ongoing construction, the trailblazer sign along northbound was removed. County Route S-6 begins at its junction with Coast Highway 101 (Historic U.S. 101/San Diego County S-21) and leads northeasterly from here via Del Dios Highway to Escondido. The route comes to its end at the entrance to the Mount Palomar Observatory some forty miles away from here. This method of using a single trailblazer shield along the freeway to sign a county route is the unfortunate Caltrans standard. Use Via de la Valle west to reach the Del Mar Racetrack, home to the San Diego County Fair. Photo taken 05/22/04.
As Interstate 5 descends into the San Dieguito River Valley, the freeway approaches its next exit at San Diego County Route S-6, Via de la Valle, Exit 36. The large cleared area to the left (west) of the freeway is the Del Mar Racetrack, home to the San Diego County Fair in June-July and to thoroughbred racing in July-August-September. During these time periods, Interstate 5 can see appreciable increases in traffic as a result of events at the racetrack and fairgrounds. Photo taken 05/22/04.
Northbound Interstate 5 reaches Exit 36, Junction San Diego County Route S-6, Via de la Valle. This large valley was carved out by the San Dieguito River, which created the wetlands on either side of the highway. The bridge over this river, like most river crossings in San Diego County, is unmarked, so only people with maps or locals in the car will know that this river crosses Interstate 5 just south of Via de la Valle. Photo taken 05/22/04.
Use Via de la Valle westbound to the cities of Del Mar and Solana Beach. Photo taken 04/23/06.
The Del Mar Racetrack, which is popular in the early summer for the annual San Diego County Fair and again in late summer for horse racing, is a very popular venue. Turn left onto Via de la Valle westbound to connect to the racetrack and fairgrounds. Photo taken 04/23/06.
This exit used to be Business Loop I-5, but most of the signage for it has been removed, excepting this shield on the offramp from northbound onto Via de la Valle and an "END" shield along eastbound County Route S-6/Via de la Valle as it passes under the freeway. Photo taken 04/23/06.
The next exit along northbound Interstate 5 is Junction San Diego County Route S-8, Lomas Santa Fe Drive, one and a quarter miles. Photo taken 05/22/04.
Northbound Interstate 5 approaches San Diego County Route S-8, Lomas Santa Fe Drive. Taking Lomas Santa Fe Drive east leads to Linea del Cielo, and it merges with San Diego County Route S-6 (Via de la Valle) near the Rancho Santa Fe Golf Club. Photo taken 05/22/04.
Interstate 5 leaves the city of San Diego and enters the city of Solana Beach. Solana Beach has a population of 13,835 as of the 2000 Census. Photo taken 05/22/04.
Solana Beach is the second in a string of coastal cities located along old U.S. 101 between San Diego and Oceanside. From south to north, these cities are Del Mar, Solana Beach, Encinitas, and Carlsbad. Photo taken 05/22/04.
San Diego County Route S-8 follows Lomas Santa Fe Drive east to San Dieguito County Park, then angles northeast along Linea del Cielo before ending at San Diego County Route S-6 in Rancho Santa Fe. Westbound San Diego County Route S-8 follows Lomas Santa Fe Drive into Solana Beach, ending at Coast Highway 101/San Diego County Route S-21. Photo taken 05/22/04.
Northbound Interstate 5 reaches Exit 37, Junction San Diego County Route S-8, Lomas Santa Fe Drive. This is the best route to access downtown Solana Beach, which is located just north of Del Mar. This is also the only freeway interchange located wholly within Solana Beach. Photo taken 05/22/04.
This mileage sign provides the distance to the next three exits along northbound: Exit 39, Manchester Avenue; Exit 40, Birmingham Drive; and Exit 41A, Santa Fe Drive. Photo taken 05/22/04.
Interstate 5 dips into the San Elijo Lagoon before meeting Exit 39/Manchester Avenue in Encinitas. Photo taken 05/22/04.
Prior to crossing the San Elijo Lagoon, Interstate 5 departs Solana Beach and enters the city of Encinitas. Encinitas is located between the Batiquitos Lagoon to the north and the San Elijo Lagoon to the south, and it consists of the communities of Leucadia, Encinitas, and Cardiff along the coast and New Encinitas (along El Camino Real) and Olivenhain west of Interstate 5. The city was incorporated on October 1, 1986, making it one of the younger cities along the coast. As of the 2000 Census, 58,014 people resided in Encinitas. The city consists of 19.4 square miles. Photo taken 05/22/04.
Northbound Interstate 5 reaches Exit 39, Manchester Avenue. Use Manchester Avenue east to reach El Camino Real in Encinitas and west to connect to San Elijo Avenue in Cardiff-by-the-Sea. Manchester Avenue is named after a local developer. Photo taken 05/22/04.
This mileage sign provides the distance to the next three exits along northbound: Exit 40, Birmingham Drive; Exit 41A, Santa Fe Drive; and Exit 41B, Encinitas Boulevard. Photo taken 05/22/04.
This older sign announces that Interstate 5 has entered the Cardiff-by-the-Sea community of Encinitas. It appears that when it was originally placed, population and elevation statistics were provided. However, when the city of Encinitas was formed, those numbers were removed, but the sign was left in place. This is unusual, since most communities that are part of larger cities (such as La Jolla or Clairemont Mesa in San Diego) are not given welcome signs such as this one. Photo taken 05/22/04.
This median sign is the next advance guide sign for Exit 40, Birmingham Drive. Photo taken 05/22/04.
Northbound Interstate 5 approaches Exit 40, Birmingham Drive, one-half mile. This roadside sign was added in July 2003. Photo taken 09/02/03.
Three views of northbound Interstate 5 at Birmingham Drive (Exit 40). Birmingham Drive is the second Encinitas exit, leading east to some local neighborhoods and west to Cardiff-by-the-Sea, the southernmost portion of Encinitas. Photo taken 05/22/04.
This mileage sign provides the distance to the next three exits: Exit 41A, Santa Fe Drive; Exit 41B, Junction San Diego County Route S-9/Encinitas Boulevard; and Exit 43, Leucadia Boulevard. Photo taken 05/22/04.
The next exit along northbound Interstate 5 is Santa Fe Drive, Exit 41A. This is major east-west route leading west into the heart of Encinitas and as far east as El Camino Real. Photo taken 05/22/04.
Northbound Interstate 5 reaches Santa Fe Drive, Exit 41A. Photo taken 05/22/04.
This mileage sign provides the distance to the next three exits: Exit 41B, Junction San Diego County Route S-9/Encinitas Boulevard; Exit 43, Leucadia Boulevard; and Exit 44, La Costa Avenue. Photo taken 05/22/04.
The next exit along northbound Interstate 5 is Exit 41B, Junction San Diego County Route S-9/Encinitas Boulevard. Photo taken 05/22/04.
Northbound Interstate 5 reaches Exit 41B, Junction San Diego County Route S-9/Encinitas Boulevard. Use San Diego County Route S-9 east to reaches Oakcrest Park and a variety of shopping centers at its intersection with El Camino Real (San Diego County Route S-11). From there, San Diego County Route S-9 departs Encinitas and ends at San Diego County Route S-8 in Rancho Santa Fe. Photo taken 05/22/04.
The next exit along northbound Interstate 5 is Leucadia Boulevard, Exit 43, one mile. Prior to the incorporation of Encinitas in the 1980s, Leucadia was a separate, unincorporated community of San Diego, just like Cardiff-by-the-Sea. Photo taken 05/22/04.
This northbound Interstate 5 reassurance shield is up to its neck in colorful plants that turn purple in the springtime. Photo taken 04/23/06.
Leucadia Boulevard is an east-west route that connects the Leucadia beach areas and downtown with El Camino Real (San Diego County Route S-11) and Olivenhain Road/Rancho Santa Fe Road (San Diego County Route S-10) in Carlsbad. Photo taken 05/22/04.
Northbound Interstate 5 reaches Leucadia Boulevard, Exit 43. A vintage stretch of U.S. 101 expressway is located along Coast Highway 101 in Leucadia between Leucadia Boulevard and La Costa Avenue (Batiquitos Lagoon). Photo taken 05/22/04.
This mileage sign along northbound Interstate 5 provides the distance to the next three exits: Exit 44, La Costa Avenue; Exit 45, Aviara Parkway/Poinsettia Lane; and Exit 47, Junction San Diego County Route S-12/Palomar Airport Road. Photo taken 05/22/04.
The next exit along northbound Interstate 5 is Exit 44, La Costa Boulevard. This is the last Encinitas exit. The Batiquitos Lagoon is just beyond this exit, and Carlsbad lies beyond the lagoon. Photo taken 05/22/04.
Northbound Interstate 5 at La Costa Boulevard, Exit 44. La Costa is known nationally in the golfing community as the host of professional golfing tournaments and other events. Photos taken 05/22/04 and 04/23/06.
The next exit along northbound Interstate 5 is Exit 45, Poinsettia Lane/Aviara Parkway, 1.25 miles. Photo taken 05/22/04.
Upon passing Exit 44, Interstate 5 exits the city of Encinitas and enters the city of Carlsbad. This sign is located along northbound as the freeway crosses Batiquitos Lagoon, which generally separates Encinitas from Carlsbad. Home to the famous Carlsbad Flower Fields, Carlsbad was incorporated on July 16, 1952, and it is home to 78,247 people as of the 2000 Census. It is still growing, especially on its eastern side, as it has grown from 7.5 square miles in 1952 to nearly 42 square miles in 2005. Photo taken 05/22/04.
Northbound Interstate 5 approaching Poinsettia Lane/Aviara Parkway, Exit 45, right-lane exit only signage. Poinsettia Lane leads due east to meet San Diego County S-21/Coast Highway 101 in front of the South Carlsbad State Beach from this interchange. Photo taken 05/22/04.
A new dedicated exit-only lane is formed for traffic utilizing the exit Aviara Parkway and Poinsettia Lane. Photo taken 05/22/04.
Northbound Interstate 5 meets the interchange for Poinsettia Lane/Aviara Parkway at Exit 45. In an unusual move, Caltrans has signed Aviara Parkway, even though it is located a little less than a mile east of the Interstate 5/Poinsettia Lane interchange. Aviara Parkway is really a loop route that begins at Palomar Airport Road (County Route S-12) and arcs to the southeast all the way to El Camino Real (County Route S-11). North of Palomar Airport Road, Aviara Parkway becomes College Boulevard, and it loops back toward El Camino Real north of McClellan Palomar Airport. Photos taken 05/22/04 and 04/23/06.
This mileage sign along northbound Interstate 5 provides the distance to the next three exits: Exit 47, Palomar Airport Road (San Diego County Route S-12), followed by Exit 48, Cannon Road and Exit 49, Tamarack Road. Photo taken 05/22/04.
Use Palomar Airport Road/San Diego County Route S-12 west to reach South Carlsbad State Beach along Coast Highway 101. Photo taken 05/22/04.
The next along northbound is Exit 47, Junction San Diego County Route S-12/Palomar Airport Road. Photo taken 05/22/04.
San Diego County Route S-12 begins at Coast Highway 101 (San Diego County Route S-21) and follows Palomar Airport Road east past Interstate 5, McClellan Palomar Airport, El Camino Real/San Diego County Route S-11, Rancho Santa Fe Road/San Diego County Route S-10, and California 78/Ronald Packard Highway before reaching Twin Oaks Drive. At Twin Oaks Drive, San Diego County Route S-12 heads north along Twin Oaks Valley Road and Deer Springs Road, ultimately culminating at Interstate 15 Exit 37. Photo taken 05/22/04.
Northbound Interstate 5 at Palomar Airport Road (San Diego County Route S-12), Exit 47. Per its name, Palomar Airport Road leads to McClellan Palomar Airport in Carlsbad, which is one of the larger airports in the county. It has full-service commercial service to a variety of locales, but it is more expensive for commercial flights than San Diego International Airport in many cases. Photos taken 05/22/04 and 04/23/06.
One of the newer attractions in the San Diego region is Legoland, which is a theme park for children based on the popular toy. To reach Legoland, use Exit 48. Photo taken 05/22/04.
This mileage sign along northbound Interstate 5 provides the distance to Exit 48, Cannon Road; Exit 49, Tamarack Avenue; and Exit 50, Carlsbad Village Road. Photo taken 05/22/04.
Northbound Interstate 5 approaches Cannon Road, next right. The exit only is from the onramp from Palomar Airport Road. Photo taken 05/22/04.
Northbound Interstate 5 reaches Cannon Road in Carlsbad. Heading east, Cannon Road becomes Faraday Avenue and connects with San Diego County Route S-11 (El Camino Real). Heading west, Cannon Road meets Coast Highway 101 near Cannon Park. Photo taken 05/22/04.
Northbound Interstate 5 approaches Tamarack Avenue (Exit 49), one mile. The series of high voltage transmission lines in the distance connect the Carlsbad natural gas electricity generation plant to the San Diego power grid. Photo taken 05/22/04.
Northbound Interstate 5 passes over the Agua Hedionda Lagoon in central Carlsbad, one-quarter mile south of the Tamarack Avenue interchange (Exit 49). Photo taken 05/22/04.
Northbound Interstate 5 reaches Tamarack Avenue (Exit 49) just beyond the Agua Hedionda Lagoon. The next exit is Carlsbad Village Road, the main route into downtown Carlsbad. Photos taken 05/22/04 and 04/23/06.
This mileage sign provides the distance to the next three exits: Exit 50, Carlsbad Village Road; Exit 51A, Las Flores Drive; and Exit 51B, Junction California 78 east to Escondido. Photo taken 05/22/04.
Northbound Interstate 5 approaches Carlsbad Village Road (formerly Elm Avenue), which leads into downtown Carlsbad to the west. Photo taken 05/22/04.
Northbound Interstate 5 reaches Carlsbad Village Road (Exit 50). As noted in the small attachment above the sign, this used to be known as Elm Avenue before it was renamed; however, the 2003 Thomas Guide still lists both names along this stretch of roadway. Photo taken 05/22/04.
The next exit is Exit 51A, Las Flores Avenue followed by Exit 51B, Junction California 78, is a major east-west freeway across northern San Diego County, connecting Oceanside with Escondido. Photo taken 05/22/04.
Northbound Interstate 5 approaches Las Flores Drive (Exit 51A) and Junction California 78 (Exit 51B). Photos taken 05/22/04 and 04/23/06.
Northbound Interstate 5 meets Las Flores Drive at Exit 51A. Photo taken 05/22/04.
Use California 78 east via Exit 51B to reach the San Diego Wild Animal Park. Photo taken 05/22/04.
Northbound Interstate 5 approaches Junction California 78, Exit 51B, one-half mile. The next exit is Vista Way, Exit 51C, three-quarters of a mile. This is the first of seven Oceanside exits. Photos taken 05/22/04 and 04/23/06.
Northbound Interstate 5 approaches Junction California 78/Ronald Packard Parkway, Exit 51B, one-quarter mile. A new sign bridge was erected in front of the overcrossing, and the sign mounted on the bridge was removed. Photo taken 05/22/04.
The ramp from northbound Interstate 5 to eastbound California 78 is tight because the ramp does not go into the lagoon to the east of the freeway here. Photo taken 03/30/03.
The freeway enters the city of Oceanside as it crosses the Buena Vista Lagoon. Oceanside is the last of several communities nestled along the Interstate 5 corridor that form coastal "North County," a reference to their location in the northern part of San Diego County. Oceanside is a 42-square-mile city that was founded on July 3, 1888, and it is home to 173,303 people as of a 2005 estimate (the highway sign says 164,500 people as of the 2000 Census). Photo taken 04/23/06.
Northbound Interstate 5 meets Junction California 78 at Exit 51B. California 78 is also known as the Ronald Packard Parkway. Interstate 5 enters the city of Oceanside upon crossing the Buena Vista Lagoon after Las Flores Drive (Exit 51A). Photo taken 05/22/04.
As part of the same modified cloverleaf, northbound Interstate 5 next meets Exit 51C, Vista Way westbound, which is the original California 78 before it was replaced by the freeway. This route leads into downtown Oceanside, connecting to Coast Highway 101. In Spring 2005, all of signs between California 78 and Camp Pendleton were replaced in both directions, so this picture was taken within a year of when it was removed and replaced. Photos taken 05/22/04 and 04/23/06.
The next exit along northbound Interstate 5 is Exit 52, Oceanside Boulevard, three-quarters of a mile. The missing sign on the empty sign bridge gantry to the right was this was the exit sign for a former exit to California Street. This was one of the original exits dating back to the days when Interstate 5 was the U.S. 101 Bypass around Carlsbad and Oceanside (between Palomar Airport Road and Camp Pendleton). The California Street exit was was removed when the westbound California 78 to northbound Interstate 5 connector was widened. Thanks to Bob Barcikowski for this information. Photo taken 05/22/04.
This mileage sign is located along northbound Interstate 5 as it approaches Oceanside Boulevard (Exit 52), one-quarter of a mile. Photo taken 05/22/04.
Use Exit 54A (Junction California 76 west) to reach a California Welcome Center (two miles ahead). Photo taken 05/22/04.
Northbound Interstate 5 reaches Exit 52, Oceanside Boulevard, as the freeway continues north along the former U.S. 101 Bypass Route around Carlsbad and Oceanside. Photo taken 05/22/04.
The next exit along northbound Interstate 5 is Exit 53, Mission Avenue/Business California 76, one-half of a mile. The next exit (Exit 54A) is for California 76 and southbound Coast Highway 101. Photo taken 05/22/04.
Northbound Interstate 5 approaches Exit 53, Mission Avenue/Business California 76. An official state welcome center is at Exit 54A, not Exit 53. Photo taken 05/22/04.
Business California 76 is well-signed from both direction of Interstate 5 (at least for Caltrans standards) on the approach to the Mission Avenue interchange, but we've not seen any business route signs on Mission Avenue near Interstate 5 or in downtown Oceanside. Photo taken 05/22/04.
Northbound Interstate 5 at Exit 53, Mission Avenue/Business California 76. Mission Avenue is the original alignment of California 76 before it was moved to a new expressway just north of here, and the sign was altered to cover up the original California 76 shield. Photo taken 05/22/04.
View of the distribution lane from northbound Interstate 5 onto east/west Mission Avenue. The lane splits into ramps that connect to each direction of Mission Avenue. Photo taken 05/22/04.
The next exit along northbound Interstate 5 is Exit 54A, southbound San Diego County Route S-21/Coast Highway 101/Historic U.S. 101 and California 76 eastbound, one-half mile. Photo taken 05/22/04.
Use California 76 eastbound to reach Mission San Luis Rey. Photo taken 05/22/04.
Use California 76 westbound to reach the California Welcome Center. Photo taken 08/00.
Northbound Interstate 5 at Exit 54A, southbound Coast Highway 101/Historic U.S. 101 and California 76 eastbound. California 76 leads east from Oceanside toward Fallbrook, Pala, and Palomar Mountain before terminating at Junction California 79 near Lake Henshaw/Morettis, about midway between Warner Springs and Santa Ysabel. Meanwhile, Historic U.S. 101 ends its journey as the Coast Highway (San Diego County Route S-21), and it merges back onto Interstate 5. Although there are plenty of lost sections of old U.S. 101 in Camp Pendleton, not much of it is open to the driving general public. As such, Historic U.S. 101 is not accessible by car again until Orange County. Photo taken 05/22/04.
The next exit along northbound is Exit 54B, the main Camp Pendleton exit. Camp Pendleton is the large Marine base that dominates Interstate 5 for the remainder of its journey in San Diego County. It is the last vestige of how the coast used to look prior to development of the land. Photo taken 05/22/04.
Northbound Interstate 5 approaches the exit for Camp Pendleton (Vandegrift Avenue), Exit 54B and Oceanside Harbor Drive (Exit 54C). In an unusual move, both exits are consolidated onto one sign. Photo taken 05/22/04.
Northbound Interstate 5 reaches Exit 54B, Vandegrift Avenue north to Camp Pendleton. Photo taken 08/00.
Northbound Interstate 5 next reaches Oceanside Harbor, Exit 54C. This is the last exit along northbound until about midway through the Camp Pendleton reserve (Las Pulgas Road). Photo taken 05/22/04.
Northbound Interstate 5 approaching its first northbound rest area, Exit 59, one mile. This is the only rest area between San Diego and Los Angeles, since it is the only area that looks remotely rural in San Diego County along Interstate 5. Photo taken 05/22/04.
Now that the freeway is on the Marine Base, the entire look and feel of Interstate 5 has changed. No longer surrounded by homes, shopping centers, and development, there is much more agriculture and other land uses. Photo taken 05/22/04.
Northbound Interstate 5 reaches its first northbound rest area at Exit 59. Photo taken 05/22/04.
The first regular exit in nearly eight miles along northbound Interstate 5 is Exit 62, Las Pulgas Road, one mile. Photo taken 05/22/04.
Las Pulgas Road provides access to the center of the Camp Pendleton Marine Base. Photo taken 05/22/04.
Northbound Interstate 5 at Las Pulgas Road, Exit 62. La Pulgas Road serves the Marine base, and it connects a staging area for those who wish to bike Old U.S. 101. The original alignment of U.S. 101, although located on Marine property as part of Camp Pendleton, may be bicycled between Las Pulgas Road and San Clemente (via San Onofre). Old U.S. 101 is a fascinating bike ride, as it once served as the primary route between Los Angeles and San Diego. See The Lost Highway for a complete photo journey of Old U.S. 101 in Camp Pendleton. Photo taken 05/22/04.
This welcome to Camp Pendleton sign is located after the Las Pulgas Road interchange. Photo taken 05/22/04.
Northbound Interstate 5 continues through Camp Pendleton after the Las Pulgas Road exit. Much of Camp Pendleton remains in its pristine state, and travelers on Interstate 5 may see some of the last remaining undeveloped coastal land in Southern California as a result. Of course, the oft-congested, eight-lane freeway does despoil the view somewhat. Photo taken 05/22/04.
Around approximately Milepost 67, traffic along northbound Interstate 5 meets the Border Patrol Checkpoint. It is located adjacent to a Caltrans Weigh Station, and it operates on an irregular basis. Traffic is not always required to stop at the checkpoint, but when it is in operation, traffic delays may last for several miles. The checkpoint is in place to prevent illegal immigrants from leaving San Diego County and continuing north into Los Angeles and the Central Valley in search of work. It is unclear exactly what criteria is used by Border Patrol agents in determining which vehicles should be inspected, but the checkpoint has resulted in some drug seizures and the return of undocumented immigrants back to Mexico and other countries of origin. Even when the checkpoint is closed, Border Patrol agents monitor traffic as they pass the inspection station to look for suspicious vehicles or activity. All photos taken 05/22/04.
These yellow signs of the running family are placed in the vicinity of the Border Patrol checkpoint to ensure that motorists are aware that people may be fleeing authorities at the checkpoint. In particular, these signs are located north of the checkpoint just before passing the San Onofre Nuclear Power Plant. The San Onofre Nuclear Power Plant is adjacent to San Onofre State Beach on the west side of the freeway, as seen in this picture along northbound. As one of the few nuclear power plants in California, San Onofre generates a significant share of electricity for Southern California Edison and San Diego Gas and Electric. Electricity transmits to the grid via the wires that cross the freeway ahead. The twin domes that contain the reactors were made famous in the movie Naked Gun when Sergeant Frank Drebbin said, "Everywhere I go, something reminds me of her." Photo taken 05/22/04.
The next exit along northbound Interstate 5 is Gunnery Sergeant John Basilone Road, Exit 71, one mile. This exit is the last one serving Camp Pendleton, and it connects to San Onofre. San Onofre is notable for two things: the state beach and the nuclear power plant. The San Onofre State Beach is known locally as a good surfing location and as a nude beach. The surfing is considered better because of the beach's orientation toward the waves. Since it is a relatively secluded beach (even with the extremely busy Interstate 5 nearby), the southern portion of it has become a documented spot for nudists to congregate. As portrayed in the movie The Naked Gun, the San Onofre nuclear power plant has two large domes that hold the nuclear reactor core. This facility is the only one of its kind in San Diego, and there are not many of them in Southern California. Power lines swarm into this facility, as it is one of the most important substations for both San Diego Gas and Electric (SDG&E) and Southern California Edison. Photo taken 05/22/04.
Northbound Interstate 5 approaches Basilone Road, Exit 71. Gunnery Sergeant John Basilone was hero from World War II. Enlisting in the U.S. Army in 1934, he found himself in the front lines of World War II. On October 25, 1942, Basilone was instrumental in holding off a Japanese assault at Guadalcanal in the Solomon Islands. His heroism and bravery in this battle resulted in his receipt of the Medal of Honor. Although he returned to U.S. soil to receive his award, he returned to battle. Basilone and several of his men were killed in a mortar shell explosion on February 19, 1945, on Iwo Jima. Basilone is memorialized here in Camp Pendleton, both as the name of the Basilone Road and as the name of this stretch of Interstate 5. Photo taken 05/22/04.
Use Basilone Road west to reach San Onofre State Beach. The portion of the beach that extends into the military property is more secluded, and thus several nudists have established themselves along that section of the beach. Photo taken 05/22/04.
Northbound Interstate 5 reaches Exit 71, Basilone Road to north Camp Pendleton, San Onofre Nuclear Power Plant, and San Onofre State Beach. Photo taken 05/22/04.
The final San Diego County exit along northbound is Exit 72, Cristianitos Road. Photo taken 05/22/04.
Northbound Interstate 5 approaches Cristianitos Road, Exit 72. The next six exits (used to be five exits, but the Vista Hermosa exit was added in Summer 2002) serve San Clemente, the southernmost community in Orange County. Photo taken 05/22/04.
Northbound Interstate 5 approaches Cristianitos Road, Exit 72, next right. Photo taken 05/22/04.
The Cristianitos Road exit is also for Business Loop I-5, which is almost completely unsigned aside from this one advance sign along northbound. It is possible that Caltrans District 12 (Orange County) did not tell Caltrans District 11 (San Diego/Imperial Counties) that the business route was decommissioned. The first photo shows the original button copy signage; the second photo shows the new reflective signage. We think that the Business Loop follows El Camino Real/Coast Highway through San Clemente, but who really knows without reassurance or trailblazer signs? First photo taken 08/22/00; second photo taken 03/30/03.
Northbound Interstate 5 at Business Loop I-5/Cristianitos Road, Exit 72. This is the first San Clemente exit and the last one located in San Diego County. Photo taken 05/22/04.
