Interstate 5 - California Travel Information

Interstate 5 in Southern San Diego County

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 Orange County.

Southbound Interstate 5 from California 163 to the International Border
	After passing the gore point for Exit 17 (Front Street), the next advises that Pershing Boulevard (Exit 15A) is the best route to Balboa Park, the museums in the park, and the San Diego Zoo. Photo taken 05/22/04.
	Use Exit 16/Tenth Avenue south to reach PETCO Park, the new home of Major League Baseball's San Diego Padres. Interstate 5 now enters downtown's S-Curve, where Interstate 5 falls below grade to pass under the city's street grid system. Photo taken 05/22/04.
	Southbound Interstate 5 mileage sign just after the Front Street (Exit 17) exit. The next exit is for Junction California 163 and Tenth Avenue, Exit 16, followed by Pershing Drive/B Street (Exit 15A), California 94 (Exit 15B), and Imperial Avenue (Exit 15A). This picture also provides a sense of downtown San Diego, as seen from southbound Interstate 5 on a clear day. Most of these buildings comprise the financial district and civic center of the city. Southbound Interstate 5 approaches Junction California 163 and Tenth Avenue, one-quarter mile. There is not much advance signage for California 163, so motorists are advised to be prepared for this prior to entering the Downtown S Curve. The mileage sign to the left was placed in 1999 when signs along California 94 were replaced to incorporate the Martin Luther King Jr. Freeway name. Photo taken 05/22/04.
	The next exit along southbound Interstate 5 is Exit 16, Junction California 163 and Tenth Avenue, next right. This sign reminds motorists to stay in the far right lane, which was created from the on-ramp from First Avenue. The exit is just ahead. Note the old reassurance shields placed on the Interstate 5 overhead. The next exit is for California 94, but it is not mentioned on this sign assembly. Photo taken 07/20/02.
	Southbound Interstate 5 reaches Exit 16, Junction California 163/Cabrillo Freeway north and Tenth Avenue south to PETCO Park. Photo taken 05/22/04.
	The next exit along southbound Interstate 5 is Exit 15C, Pershing Drive north to Balboa Park and San Diego Zoo and B Street east to Golden Hill and west to downtown. Photo taken 05/22/04.
	Southbound Interstate 5 reaches Exit 15C, Pershing Drive and B Street. Photo taken 05/22/04.

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	Southbound Interstate 5 at California 94/Martin Luther King Jr. Freeway (Exit 15B). California 94 heads east toward Lemon Grove and Spring Valley, with a connection to Interstate 8 via California 125. Photo taken 05/22/04.
	This mileage sign indicates the distance to National City, Chula Vista, and for the first time, the new control destination of "International Border," which is the southern terminus of Interstate 5. Photo taken 05/22/04.
	Another mileage sign provides the distance to the next three exits along southbound: Exit 15A, Imperial Avenue; Exit 14B, Cesar Chavez Parkway (former Crosby Street); and Exit 14A, Junction California 75 south to Coronado. Photo taken 05/22/04.
	Imperial Avenue heads west to PETCO Park and the Imperial Transfer Station (transit facility include trolley and busses). It heads east into Southeastern San Diego. Photo taken 05/22/04.
	Southbound Interstate 5 at Exit 15A, Imperial Avenue. The next exits are Exit 14B, Cesar Chavez Parkway (former Crosby Street) and Exit 14A, Junction California 75 south to Coronado. Photo taken 05/22/04.
	The Coronado Bay Bridge, which was tolled, is now free. There are restrictions for certain types of vehicles and cargo, however. Photo taken 05/22/04.
	Southbound Interstate 5 at Exit 14B, Cesar Chavez Parkway. Cesar Chavez Parkway was renamed in 2002 in honor of the deceased labor leader. It was formerly known as Crosby Street. The next exit is Exit 14A, Junction California 75 south to Coronado. Photo taken 05/22/04.

Related Interstate 5 Pictures
	Rather than an "EXIT 14B" gore point sign in the exit only lane, this directional sign indicates that the far right lane splits, with access to either Cesar Chavez Parkway or California 75 south/Coronado. Photo taken 05/22/04.
	Southbound Interstate 5 at Exit 14A, California 75/Coronado Bridge, immediately after the Cesar Chavez Parkway Exit 14B off-ramp. Note the painted steps on the approach to the pedestrian overcrossing. Photo taken 05/22/04.
	Now entering the interchange complex between Interstate 5 and California 75, this mileage indicates the distance to Exit 13B, 28th Street and Exit 13A, Junction California 15 North. Photo taken 05/22/04.
	Use Exit 13B/28th Street to reach the 32nd Street Naval Station. Photo taken 05/22/04.
	28th Street and National Avenue serve the Barrio Logan community of San Diego as well as the naval station. Photo taken 05/22/04.
	28th Street is a north-south route that meets Interstate 5 because Interstate 5 angled a bit southeast through here. Photo taken 05/22/04.
	Southbound Interstate 5 reaches Exit 13B, 28th Street and National Avenue. The next exit is Exit 13A, Junction California 15 North. Photo taken 05/22/04.
	This mileage sign omits the next exit (Exit 13A, Junction California 15 North) but includes Exit 12, Main Street/National City Boulevard and Exit 11B, 8th Street/National City. Photo taken 05/22/04.
	California 15 is the Escondido Freeway, which heads north from along the old Wabash Boulevard Expressway and 40th Street Corridor to join Interstate 15 at its interchange with Interstate 8. California 15 is not designated as Interstate 15 because of the substandard interchange with California 94/Martin Luther King, Jr. Freeway. Once that interchange is improved to interstate standards, California 15 will become designated as Interstate 15. Photo taken 05/22/04.
	Ice plant, commonly used on San Diego's freeways as a landscaping feature to keep rights of way looking green, appears on both sides of Interstate 5 as it approaches Exit 13A, Junction California 15 north. Photo taken 05/22/04.
	Southbound Interstate 5 at Junction California 15 (Exit 13A). The next exit is for Main Street and National City Boulevard. Photo taken 05/22/04.
	Southbound Interstate 5 at Exit 12, Main Street/National City Boulevard. The next exit is Exit 11B, 8th Street/National City. Photo taken 05/22/04.
	View of the signage on southbound California 15 as it prepares to merge onto southbound Interstate 5 after the exit ramp for Exit 12, Main Street/National City Boulevard. Photo taken 05/22/04.
	Southbound Interstate 5 approaches Eighth Street (Exit 11B). The next exits are Civic Center Drive and then Mile of Cars Way/Bay Marina Drive. Photo taken 06/01.
	The next exit along southbound is Exit 11B, 8th Street/National City. Photo taken 05/22/04.
	Mileage sign along southbound Interstate 5 for the next three exits: Exit 11A, Civic Center Drive; Exit 10, Mile of Cars Way/Bay Marina Drive; and Exit 9, Junction California 54/South Bay Freeway. Photo taken 05/22/04.
	Southbound Interstate 5 at Exit 11A, Civic Center Drive/Harbor Drive. Harbor Drive is former U.S. 101 and was designated a business loop of Interstate 5 through the early 1990s. Photo taken 05/22/04.
	Mileage sign along southbound Interstate 5 for the next three exits: Exit 10, Mile of Cars Way/Bay Marina Drive; Exit 9, Junction California 54/South Bay Drive west; and Exit 8B, E Street/Chula Vista. Photo taken 05/22/04.
	These new, reflective signs for Exit 10, Mile of Cars Way/Bay Marina Drive were placed prior to the installation of exit numbers in California. Photo taken 05/22/04.
	Southbound Interstate 5 at Exit 10, 24th Street (now Mile of Cars Way/Bay Marina Drive). The name of the street was likely changed to increase traffic visiting the Mile of Cars, which is one of the best-known commercial aspects of National City. Old U.S. 101 is now buried under the Mile of Cars to the east of Interstate 5. The next exit is Junction California 54 (Exit 9). Photo taken 05/22/04.
	The next exit is Exit 9, Junction California 54. This interchange was built over the mouth of the Sweetwater River as it drains into a wetland that feeds into the San Diego Bay to the west. As a result of this environmentally sensitive area, only limited areas west of the interchange are developed. Photo taken 05/22/04.
	Southbound Interstate 5 reaches Junction California 54 (Exit 9). Much of this interchange was constructed on wetlands located near the mouth of the Sweetwater River, which empties into the San Diego Bay. The river runs between the east and westbound carriageways of California 54. New signage has been installed to incorporate the exit numbers. The next exit is Exit 8B, Junction San Diego County Route S-17/E Street east. Photo taken 05/22/04.
	San Diego County Route S-17 follows E Street east into Chula Vista, then enters unincorporated areas along Bonita Road and Sweetwater Road before meeting California 54/125 near the Sweetwater Reservoir. Photo taken 05/22/04.
	Southbound Interstate 5 at Exit 8B, Junction San Diego County Route S-17 East/E Street into Chula Vista. Photo taken 05/22/04.
	Interstate 5 enters the city of Chula Vista, the largest suburb of San Diego. Photo taken 05/22/04.
	The next exit along southbound Interstate 5 is Exit 8A, H Street. Photo taken 05/22/04.
	Mileage sign along southbound Interstate 5 for the next three exits: Exit 8A, H Street; Exit 7B, J Street/Marina Parkway; and Exit 7A, L Street. Photo taken 05/22/04.
	Southbound Interstate 5 at H Street in Chula Vista (Exit 8A). Chula Vista has grown tremendously in the past several years, as it has seen previously undeveloped areas becoming new subdivision tracts. However, the portion of Chula Vista between Interstate 5 and Interstate 805 is the older section, and it has not seen the same construction boom as the eastern communities. Photo taken 05/22/04.
	Mileage sign along southbound Interstate 5 for the next three exits: Exit 7B, J Street/Marina Parkway; Exit 7A, L Street; and Exit 6, Palomar Street. Photo taken 05/22/04.
	Use Exit 7B/J Street to reach the Chula Vista Harbor and park areas. Photo taken 05/22/04.
	Southbound Interstate 5 at Exit 7B, J Street/Marina Parkway. Photo taken 05/22/04.
	The next exit along southbound Interstate 5 is Exit 7A, L Street. Photo taken 05/22/04.
	Mileage sign along southbound Interstate 5 for the next three exits: Exit 7A, L Street; Exit 6, Palomar Street; and Exit 5B, Main Street. Photo taken 05/22/04.
	Southbound Interstate 5 at Exit 7A, L Street. Photo taken 05/22/04.
	Mileage sign along southbound Interstate 5 for the next three exits: Exit 6, Palomar Street; Exit 5B, Main Street; and Exit 5A, Junction California 75 North/Palm Avenue. Photo taken 05/22/04.
	Southbound Interstate 5 at Exit 6, Palomar Street. Photo taken 05/22/04.
	The next exit along southbound Interstate 5 is Exit 5B, Main Street. Photo taken 05/22/04.
	Mileage sign along southbound Interstate 5 for the next three exits: Exit 5B, Main Street; Exit 5B, Junction California 75 north/Palm Avenue; and Exit 4, Coronado Avenue. Photo taken 05/22/04.
	Southbound Interstate 5 at Exit 5B, Main Street. Photo taken 05/22/04.
	All trucks entering Mexico must use Exit 3/California 905 eastbound to reach the Otay Mesa Port of Entry. Trucks are not allowed to use Interstate 5/San Ysidro Port of Entry. Photo taken 05/22/04.
	The next exit along southbound is Exit 5A, Junction California 75 north/Palm Avenue west to Imperial Beach, the Silver Strand, and Coronado. In addition, Palm Avenue heads east toward Otay Mesa. Photo taken 05/22/04.
	Mileage sign along southbound Interstate 5 for the next three exits: Exit 5A, Junction California 75 north/Palm Avenue; Exit 4, Coronado Avenue; and Exit 3, Junction California 905 East and Tocayo Avenue. Photo taken 05/22/04.
	California 75 follows Palm Avenue west into Imperial Beach, then turns north along the Silver Strand Highway to enter Coronado from the south. Note the lack of exit numbers on this sign, which was placed in June 2003. Photo taken 05/22/04.
	Southbound Interstate 5 at Exit 5A, Junction California 75 north/Palm Avenue. Photo taken 05/22/04.
	Mileage sign along southbound Interstate 5 for the next three exits: Exit 4, Coronado Avenue; Exit 3, Junction California 905/Tocayo Avenue; and Exit 2, Dairy Mart Road/San Ysidro Boulevard. Photo taken 05/22/04.
	Southbound Interstate 5 at Exit 4, Coronado Avenue; the next exit is Exit 3, Junction California 905/Tocayo Avenue. Note the variable message sign installed here. Photo taken 05/22/04.
	The next exit along southbound Interstate 5 is Exit 3, California 905. This sign reminds commercial vehicles to use California 905 for the truck border crossing. Note that the exit is one-half mile away; the truck crossing is much farther away, at the Otay Port of Entry. Photo taken 05/22/04.
	Mileage sign along southbound Interstate 5 for the next three exits: Exit 3, Junction California 905/Tocayo Avenue; Exit 2, Dairy Mart Road/San Ysidro Boulevard; and Exit 1B, Via de San Ysidro. A tall fence that separates the two directions of traffic now appears in the median from this overpass (Coronado Avenue) south to the border. Photo taken 05/22/04.
	To obtain additional information about traveling into Mexico, tune to 1700 AM on the radio. Photo taken 05/22/04.
	California 905 heads east along the Otay Mesa Freeway from Interstate 5 to the Otay Mesa Port of Entry. The freeway is currently incomplete between Interstate 805 and future California 125; it is planned for completion in 2006, contingent upon funding availability. Once upgraded to Interstate standards, California 905 will be upgraded to Interstate 905. Photo taken 05/22/04.
	Again, Interstate 5 truckers are reminded to use California 905 to reach the border crossing at Otay Mesa. In addition, California 905 connects to Otay Mesa Road, which leads to the Donovan State Prison. Photo taken 05/22/04.
	Southbound Interstate 5 at Exit 3, Junction California 905/Tocayo Avenue. The next exit is Exit 2, Dairy Mart Road/San Ysidro Boulevard. These are new signs, but the exit numbers are missing! Photo taken 05/22/04.
	View of the exit ramp from southbound Interstate 5 onto Exit 3, Eastbound California 905 and Westbound Tocayo Road. Photo taken 05/22/04.
	This mileage sign is the first one along southbound to acknowledge either Tijuana or Ensenada, two cities located in Baja California, Mexico, along Mexico Federal Route 1-D. Photo taken 05/22/04.
	Mileage sign along southbound Interstate 5 for the next three exits: Exit 2, Dairy Mart Road/San Ysidro Boulevard; Exit 1B, Via de San Ysidro; and Exit 1A, Camino de la Plaza. Photo taken 05/22/04.
	Guns and ammunition are illegal in Mexico. Photo taken 05/22/04.
	Southbound Interstate 5 at Exit 2, Dairy Mart Road/San Ysidro Boulevard. Photo taken 05/22/04.
	Mileage sign along southbound Interstate 5 for the next three exits: Exit 2, Dairy Mart Road/San Ysidro Boulevard; Exit 1B, Via de San Ysidro; and Exit 1A, Camino de la Plaza. Photo taken 05/22/04.
	The next exit along southbound is Exit 1B, Via de San Ysidro, followed by Exit 1A, Camino de la Plaza. Photo taken 05/22/04.
	This is the final mileage sign along southbound Interstate 5. It features the distance to the final two exits -- Exit 1B, Via de San Ysidro and Exit 1A, Camino de la Plaza -- and the border crossing. Interstate 5 ends in 1.25 miles. Photo taken 05/22/04.
	Again, motorists are reminded not to bring guns and ammunition into Mexico. This kind of sign (white and yellow) is more typically found at the Arizona border crossings. Photo taken 05/22/04.
	Southbound Interstate 5 at Exit 1B, Via de San Ysidro; the final exit along southbound is Exit 1A, Camino de la Plaza. All other through traffic is defaulted into Mexico. Photo taken 05/22/04.
	Interstate 5 ends in 0.75 mile; if Mexican officials are stopping traffic at the border, delays may occur even as far north as here. Photo taken 05/22/04.
	Southbound Interstate 5 at Exit 1A, Camino de la Plaza. Photo taken 05/22/04.
	Use Exit 1A, Camino de la Plaza, to reach the outlet shops, border shops, transit center, pedestrian walkway into Mexico, and parking areas. All through traffic from here is defaulted into Mexico. With the exception of a U-Turn that must be taken from the far left lane, there is no return access to the United States. The ramp/bridge in the background carries Interstate 805 to its southern terminus as it merges into Interstate 5. Photo taken 05/22/04.
	To declare items to the Mexican authorities, use the right lane. All other lanes are subject to random searches at the request of officials. Photo taken 05/22/04.
	Signage for Interstate 5 and Interstate 805 along Beyer Boulevard in the San Ysidro community of San Diego. The alternate route signage is in place to alleviate traffic on southbound San Ysidro Boulevard; note the use of the bilingual signs. "Ruta Alternativa" means Alternate Route. San Ysidro Boulevard is the original alignment for U.S. 101 just before it crossed into Mexico. With the completion of the freeway, traffic must use Interstate 5 rather than San Ysidro Boulevard to reach the International Border Crossing. Much of this area is under construction, including the area around the southern terminus of the San Diego Trolley. This construction is still ongoing as of April 2003. Photos taken 06/99.

	Along the right-of-way fence, signs such as this one warn pedestrians not to enter the freeway. Posted in Spanish, the signs reads "Expressway: Do Not Expose Your Life; Use the Pedestrian Overpasses." This particular sign is located on the west side of the freeway as seen from Calle Primera (frontage road) near a pedestrian overpass. Photo taken 06/99.
	Interstate 5 and California 905 shields on a southbound Oro Vista Road at Junction Tocayo Avenue in San Diego. Following Tocayo Avenue eastbound (left) from this location will take travelers directly into the Interstate 5/California 905 interchange. Photo taken 06/99.
	Freeway entrance for Interstate 5 northbound from Imperial Avenue. This picture was taken on the way back to the freeway after eating at Sister Pee-Wee's Soul Food restaurant. Photo taken 05/02.

Page Updated May 28, 2004.