U.S. 101 is the longest route in the state of California, starting amidst the chaos of the Los Angeles freeway system, then heading almost due west to leave the metropolitan area, reaching open space west of Thousand Oaks. Coming within sight of the Pacific Ocean, U.S. 101 hugs the coast as it serves Ventura, Santa Barbara, and Goleta. At Gaviota, U.S. 101 leaves the coast, turning due north toward Santa Maria and San Luis Obispo, two major Central California cities.

Beginning its northerly journey officially in downtown Los Angeles, U.S. 101 used to originate in San Diego. The historical alignment of U.S. 101 enters Los Angeles County via California 72 (Whittier Boulevard), then somehow ended up connecting to Ventura Boulevard (Former Business U.S. 101) northwest of downtown. Now that U.S. 101 is on a freeway, it begins right at Interstate 5 just south of downtown, and U.S. 101 is born as a major freeway. In Los Angeles, the routes get confusing. The following map shows not only the routing of U.S. 101 and its exits (Exits 1A-E) but also the former routings of the original Interstates 105 and 110, which were decommissioned several years prior. Interstate 110 used to connect U.S. 101 and eastbound Interstate 10/San Bernardino Freeway via a glorified exit ramp, and Interstate 105 was U.S. 101 between Interstate 5/Santa Ana Freeway and Interstate 110/San Bernardino Freeway. Today, Interstate 110 is part of state route 110, and Interstate 105 is part of U.S. 101.

Leaving downtown, U.S. 101 follows the Santa Ana Freeway north, then turns west along the Ventura Freeway near Universal Studio and Studio City. The Santa Ana Freeway terminates at the Four-Level Interchange; U.S. 101 continues from that point as the Hollywood Freeway. U.S. 101 parallels the coast, leaving the county just before Thousand Oaks.

Northbound U.S. 101 (Interstate 5 to California 170)
	Immediately after the Interstate 5/Santa Ana Freeway and U.S. 101/Hollywood Freeway split, northbound U.S. 101/Santa Ana Freeway approaches Exit 1A, Fourth Street, one and one-quarter miles. Photo taken 12/23/01.
	Northbound U.S. 101/Santa Ana Freeway approaches Exit 1A, Fourth Street, one-quarter mile. The mileage sign also lists the distance to First Street (Exit 1B) and Interstate 10 (Exit 1D). Photo taken 12/23/01.
	The first exit along northbound U.S. 101/Santa Ana Freeway is Exit 1A, Fourth Street, next right. Fourth Street westbound leads to the Little Tokyo District as well as downtown Los Angeles. Photo taken 12/23/01.
	Northbound U.S. 101/Santa Ana Freeway reaches Exit 1A, Fourth Street. Note the use of two signs to indicate the exit. Photo taken 12/23/01.
	This interchange complex is found on northbound U.S. 101 in the vicinity of Exit 1A, Fourth Street. Photo taken 12/23/01.
	The next exit along northbound U.S. 101/Santa Ana Freeway is Exit 1B, First Street, one-quarter mile. The next exits are Exit 1C, Cesar Chavez Avenue and Exit 1D, Eastbound Interstate 10/San Bernardino Freeway. Photo taken 12/23/01.
	Northbound U.S. 101/Santa Ana Freeway reaches Exit 1B, First Street, approaching Exit 1D, Junction Interstate 10/San Bernardino Freeway. Photo taken 12/23/01.
	Northbound U.S. 101/Santa Ana Freeway next reaches Exit 1C, Cesar Chavez Avenue. This exit does not actually directly connect with Cesar Chavez Avenue; motorists must take a connector route to reach east-west Cesar Chavez Avenue. This road is one of several roads named posthumously for the famed farm labor leader; another is Cesar Chavez Parkway in the Barrio Logan community of San Diego. Photo taken 12/23/01.
	Continuing north, U.S. 101/Santa Ana Freeway next reaches Exit 1D, Eastbound Interstate 10/San Bernardino Freeway. Originally, this tiny connector between U.S. 101 and eastbound Interstate 10 was part of an early definition of Interstate 110, and at the same time, the section of U.S. 101 between Interstate 5 and this connector was Interstate 105. Today, neither segment is an Interstate: the connector is part of California 10, and Interstate 105 is now just U.S. 101. Of course, both Interstate 105 and Interstate 110 have been used on other freeways in Los Angeles (see map above for more detail). Photo taken 12/23/01.
	This view of northbound U.S. 101/Santa Ana Freeway shows the freeway as it passes under a subway after Exit 1D. U.S. 101 now enters the Downtown Slot. Photo taken 12/23/01.
	Northbound U.S. 101/Santa Ana Freeway next reaches Exit 2A, Vignes Street. The next exit is Alameda Street and Union Station. Note the control city for northbound U.S. 101 is now "Hollywood," even though Hollywood is technically part of Los Angeles. Photo taken 12/23/01.
	The next exit along northbound U.S. 101/Santa Ana Freeway is Exit 2C, Spring Street. The next exit is Southbound California 110/Harbor Freeway and Northbound California 110/Pasadena Freeway. Photo taken 12/23/01.
	The next exit along northbound U.S. 101 (and the final exit of the Santa Ana Freeway) is Exit 3, Junction California 110 (Harbor Freeway south and Pasadena Freeway north) at the famous four-level interchange. Photo taken 12/23/01.
	California 110 is a major north-south corridor connecting the Port of Los Angeles and San Pedro with the city of Pasadena. The route follows the Harbor Freeway from the port area north to the Four Level Interchange, then transitions directly onto the Pasadena Freeway on its way to Pasadena. The portion northeast of Interstate 5 is part of the historic Arroyo Seco Parkway, which was one of the first freeways built in Los Angeles. Originally designated as part of U.S. 66, the parkway was known as California 11 until it designation was changed to California 110 for consistency with the setion of the Harbor Freeway south of Interstate 10 designated as Interstate 110. Photo taken 12/23/01.
	Northbound U.S. 101/Santa Ana Freeway approaches Exit 3, Junction California 110, next right. This exit is the famous Four-Level interchange, which was the first symmetrical stack interchange constructed in Southern California (opened in 1954; under construction for a few years prior to then). Even with its advanced design, the Four Level Interchange has frequent congestion. This major interchange connects the Santa Ana Freeway with the Hollywood, Pasadena, and Harbor Freeways. The Santa Ana Freeway ends here; northbound U.S. 101 continues north along the Hollywood Freeway. For more photos, see the California 110 page. Photo taken 12/23/01.
	Now past the Four-Level Interchange, U.S. 101 continues its journey toward Hollywood along the Hollywood Freeway. This mileage sign located along northbound U.S. 101 indicates the next three exits: Exit 4A, Glendale Avenue; Exit 4B, Junction California 2 East; and Exit 5A, Rampart Boulevard. Photo taken 02/15/04.
	In spite of the exit number posted on this sign, Glendale Avenue/Echo Park Avenue is Exit 4A. Echo Park, a community northwest of downtown Los Angeles, features its namesake park and Echo Lake. The park is a patch of green space amidst the urban surroundings. Photo taken 02/15/04.
	Northbound U.S. 101/Hollywood Freeway reaches Exit 4A, Glendale Avenue/Echo Park Avenue. Photo taken 02/15/04.
	This mileage sign along northbound U.S. 101 provides the distance to the next three exits: Exit 4B, Junction California 2/Alvarado Avenue East; Exit 5A, Rampart Boulevard; and Exit 5B, Silver Lake Boulevard. Photo taken 02/15/04.
	The next exit along northbound U.S. 101/Hollywood Freeway is Exit 4B, which connects the freeway to Eastbound California 2, Alvarado Avenue. California 2 westbound merges onto the freeway for a couple miles, then resumes its westerly course via Santa Monica Boulevard. There were plans at one time to extend California 2 through Echo Park as a freeway, but those plans have been shelved indefinitely and likely dead. Photo taken 02/15/04.
	This mileage sign along northbound U.S. 101 north and California 2 west provides the distance to the next three exits: Exit 5a, Rampart Boulevard; Exit 5B, Silver Lake Boulevard; and Exit 6A, Vermont Avenue. Photo taken 02/15/04.
	The next exit along northbound U.S. 101/westbound California 2 is Exit 5A, Rampart Boulevard. Photo taken 02/15/04.
	The next exit along northbound is Exit 5B, Silver Lake Boulevard. The main sign on the right indicates the distance to Silver Lake Boulevard, while the sign on the left indicates the distance to the two following exits. Photo taken 02/15/04.
	This mileage sign along northbound U.S. 101/westbound California 2 provides the distance to the next two exits: Exit 6A, Vermont Avenue and Exit 6B, Melrose Avenue/Normandie Avenue. Photo taken 02/15/04.
	U.S. 101 widens out to have a much larger median; this median is in place for the once-proposed but never constructed California 2/Beverly Hills Freeway. As noted earlier, that freeway is very unlikely to ever be constructed. Photo taken 02/15/04.
	Northbound U.S. 101/Westbound California 2 reaches Exit 6A, Vermont Avenue. Vermont Avenue is a major north-south street leading north to Los Feliz and Griffith Park. Heading south, Vermont Avenue bisects Wilshire Center from Westlake, then passes Interstate 10 and the University of Southern California before entering South-Central Los Angeles. The next exit is Exit 6B, Melrose Avenue/Normandie Avenue, 0.25 mile. Photo taken 02/15/04.
	Another view of the extra-wide median that was left in place to accommodate a freeway-to-freeway interchange between U.S. 101 and California 2. Photo taken 02/15/04.
	Northbound U.S. 101/Westbound California 2 (Hollywood Freeway) approaches Exit 6B, Melrose Avenue/Normandie Avenue, one-quarter mile. Note the unusual font used on the last entry on this sign. It is certainly showing its age. Photo taken 02/15/04.
	Normandie Avenue leads south to Wilshire Center, then south into Koreatown. Melrose Avenue leads east to Hoover Street and west into Hollywood, passing by Paramount Studios en route toward Santa Monica. Misha Schutt writes that Melrose Avenue "ends as it runs into the southwest-angled Santa Monica Boulevard in West Hollywood, between Robertson and Doheny, just east of the Beverly Hills city line." Photo taken 02/15/04.
	Northbound U.S. 101/Hollywood Freeway at Exit 6B, Melrose Avenue/Normandie Avenue. The next exit is for westbound California 2. Again, these are some old signs! Photo taken 02/15/04.
	This mileage sign along northbound U.S. 101 and westbound California 2 provides the distance to the next three exits: Exit 7, Junction California 2 west/Santa Monica Boulevard (one variation of Historic U.S. 66); Exit 8A, Sunset Boulevard; and Exit 8B, Hollywood Boulevard. Photo taken 02/15/04.
	Northbound U.S. 101 splits from westbound California 2 here at Exit 7; California 2 meanders to the coast, following old U.S. 66/Santa Monica Boulevard. In addition, Santa Monica Boulevard west leads to Western Avenue, which heads north to Los Feliz Boulevard and south along the western edges of Wilshire Center and Koreatown. Photo taken 02/15/04.
	The next exit along northbound is Exit 8A, Sunset Boulevard, 0.75 mile. Photo taken 02/15/04.
	Welcome to Hollywood, home of many television and movie studios. Northbound U.S. 101/Hollywood Freeway at Exit 8A, Sunset Boulevard. The next exit is for Hollywood Boulevard. Photo taken 02/15/04.
	Mileage sign along northbound U.S. 101 for the next three exits: Exit 8C, Gower Street; Exit 9A, Cahuenga Boulevard; and Exit 9B, Highland Avenue/Hollywood Bowl. Photo taken 02/15/04.
	Northbound U.S. 101 at Exit 9A, Cahuenga Boulevard. Look northeast from here to see the famous Hollywood Sign, which is located within the western edge of Griffith Park in Hollywood Hills (not visible in this picture). Photo taken 02/15/04.
	The next exit along northbound U.S. 101 is Exit 9B, Highland Avenue/Hollywood Bowl. Photo taken 02/15/04.
	Northbound U.S. 101/Hollywood Freeway approaches Exit 9B, Highland Avenue/Hollywood Bowl, next right. Photo taken 12/23/01.
	Northbound U.S. 101/Hollywood Freeway reaches Exit 9B, Highland Avenue/Hollywood Bowl, next right. This area of open space is the far eastern tip of the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area. Photo taken 12/23/01.
	With its old bridges and unique design, U.S. 101 plies through Cahuenga Canyon between Hollywood Hills and Mount Olympus. The freeway is en route to Universal City, home to Universal Studios (via Exit 11B or Exit 12A). Photo taken 02/15/04.
	Continuing northwest, the next exit along northbound U.S. 101/Hollywood Freeway is Exit 11A, Barham Boulevard, 0.75 mile. Photo taken 02/15/04.
	This mileage sign along northbound U.S. 101 provides the distance to the next three exits: Exit 11A, Barham Boulevard; Exit 11B, Universal Studios; and Exit 12A, Lankershim Boulevard. Photo taken 02/15/04.
	The next exit along northbound U.S. 101/Hollywood Freeway is Exit 11A, Barham Boulevard and Burbank, three-quarters of a mile. Photo taken 02/15/04.
	Northbound U.S. 101/Hollywood Freeway reaches Exit 11A, Barham Boulevard and Burbank, three-quarters of a mile. Photo taken 02/15/04.
	This mileage sign along northbound U.S. 101/Hollywood Freeway provides the distance to the next three exits: Exit 11B, Universal Studios; Exit 12A, Lankershim Boulevard; and Exit 12B, Ventura Boulevard/Business U.S. 101. Photo taken 02/15/04.
	The next exit along northbound U.S. 101/Hollywood Freeway is Exit 11B, Universal Center Drive, next right. This exit leads to Universal Studios. Photo taken 02/15/04.
	Northbound U.S. 101/Hollywood Freeway reaches Exit 11B, Universal Center Drive, next right. Photo taken 12/23/01.
	This view shows northbound U.S. 101/Hollywood Freeway after Exit 11B in Los Angeles. Universal City is visible on the bluff to the right and behind the freeway. Photo taken 02/15/04.
	The next exit along northbound U.S. 101/Hollywood Freeway is Exit 12A, Lankershim Boulevard, next right. Photo taken 12/23/01.
	Northbound U.S. 101/Hollywood Freeway reaches Exit 12A, Lankershim Boulevard, which also leads to Universal City. Photo taken 02/15/04.
	Northbound U.S. 101/Hollywood Freeway reaches Exit 12B, Ventura Boulevard. At one time, Ventura Boulevard was Business U.S. 101, but no signage remains on the freeway for this designation. It is unclear if the business route is signed with remnant shields along Ventura Boulevard or not. The next exit is for Vineland Avenue (Exit 12C) and for U.S. 101 to split from the Hollywood Freeway and to turn due west along the Ventura Freeway (Exit 13). Northbound California 170 continues as the Hollywood Freeway. There is no direct access to eastbound California 134/Ventura Freeway - one must use Vineland Avenue. Photo taken 02/15/04.
	Northbound U.S. 101/Hollywood Freeway approaches Exit 12C, Vineland Avenue, one-half mile. Photo taken 02/15/04.
	The next exit along northbound U.S. 101/Hollywood Freeway is Exit 13, northbound California 170/Hollywood Freeway and Exit 12C, Vineland Avenue/To Eastbound California 134. The right lanes are for through traffic along northbound U.S. 101/Ventura Freeway. Photo taken 02/15/04.
	Northbound U.S. 101/Hollywood Freeway approaches Exit 13, Northbound California 170/Hollywood Freeway. Use the right lanes are for northbound U.S. 101/Ventura Freeway and for Exit 12C, To California 134/Vineland Avenue. Photo taken 02/15/04.
	At Exit 13, U.S. 101 splits from the Hollywood Freeway and transitions onto the Ventura Freeway westbound. California 170 continues north on the Hollywood Freeway toward Interstate 5. Photo taken 02/15/04.
	This mileage sign is found along northbound U.S. 101/Hollywood Freeway near the split with northbound California 170/Hollywood Freeway (Exit 13). Photo taken 02/15/04.
	Northbound U.S. 101 splits from California 170/Hollywood Freeway at Exit 13. This is a recently revised interchange, as there are carpool lanes for California 170 and the signs are comparatively new. Photo taken 02/15/04.
	This brief transition ramp carries northbound U.S. 101 from the Hollywood Freeway onto the Ventura Freeway. From here, northbound U.S. 101 will travel due west toward the cities of Ventura and Santa Barbara. This general direction does not resume northbound until Gaviota, which is west of Santa Barbara. Photo taken 12/23/01.

Page Updated October 20, 2006.