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Northbound California 79 leaves San Diego County and enters Riverside County. Photo taken 08/25/07. |
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For the next 14 miles, motorists must use their headlights at all times, even during daylight hours. This enhances safety along this winding and twisting route. Photo taken 08/25/07. |
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California 79 north approaches Aguanga Ranchos Road. Photo taken 08/25/07. |
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Rock outcroppings and boulders continue to dominate the view along California 79. Photo taken 08/25/07. |
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California 79 enters the unincorporated community of Aguanga. Photo taken 08/25/07. |
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Northbound California 79 soon approaches California 371, which travels northeast to Cahuilla, Anza, Palm Desert, and Indio. The latter two cities are reached via a connection on California 74 and California 111. Photo taken 08/25/07. |
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California 371 is a fairly short state route that links California 79 in Aguanga with California 74 in Paradise Valley near the San Jacinto Mountains. At one time, it was part of California 71, which used to extend from here northwest along California 79 to Temecula and Interstate 15 northwest to Corona to meet up with its remaining alignment between Corona and Pomona. Photo taken 08/25/07. |
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A final set of California 371 and California 79 shields is posted at the intersection between the two state routes. California 79 will continue northwest from here toward Temecula. Photo taken 08/25/07. |
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Turn right at the stop sign for California 371 east to Anza or stay straight ahead for California 79 northwest to Temecula. Photo taken 08/25/07. |
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Nearing twilight, California 79 proceeds northwest toward Temecula. Photo taken 08/25/07. |
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Northwestbound California 79 approaches Riverside County R-3 (Sage Road), which travels north toward Hemet and the San Jacinto Valley. Photo taken 08/25/07. |
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CR R-3 follows Sage Road, Cactus Valley Road, and State Street to travel through mostly rural areas to connect to the city of Hemet. The north end of CR R-3 is with California 74 and California 79. Photo taken 08/25/07. |
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Leaving behind the intersection with Riverside County R-3 (Sage Road) by a rock cut, California 79 proceeds northwest toward Temecula. Photo taken 08/25/07. |
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California 79 crosses over Temecula Creek on this 1939 bridge. Ahead, California 79 will see development as the state route shifts into a city arterial parkway. Photo taken 08/25/07. |
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Northbound California 79 enters the city of Temecula (population 100,097 as of the 2010 Census, elevation 1,175 feet, and incorporated on December 1, 1989). From here west to Interstate 15, California 79 (Temecula Parkway) is maintained by the city of Temecula. Major residential development occurred along this corridor through the 1990s and 2000s. Photo taken 08/25/07. |
| California 79 & Historic U.S. 395 north |
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Traveling west along Temecula Parkway, northbound California 79 approaches Interstate 15. Continue straight ahead to follow Historic U.S. 395 into downtown Temecula. Turn right ahead for California 79 north to Hemet; Interstate 15 north to Corona and Las Vegas; and Interstate 215 north to Perris, Riverside, and San Bernardino. The section of Temecula Parkway within the city of Temecula is maintained by the city rather than the state. As such, reassurance markers for California 79 are few and far between. Photo taken 05/05/12. |
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Westbound Temecula Parkway (northbound California 79) meets Interstate 15. Turn right here for California 79 and Interstate 15 north to Interstate 215. Pass under the overpass to connect to Interstate 15 south to Escondido and San Diego. Ahead, Temecula Parkway will follow Historic U.S. 395 to link to Old Town Front Street into historic Old Town Temecula. Photo taken 05/05/12. |
| California 79 north |
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Departing from Interstate 15, northbound California 79 again follows a city of Temecula-maintained street until it leaves the city limits of Temecula. Winchester Road travels northeast from Interstate 15 toward a rendezvous with California 74 east of Perris. Photo taken 08/25/07. |
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Northbound California 79 (Winchester Road) approaches the entrance to West Promenade Mall in Temecula. Photo taken 08/25/07. |
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The next signalized intersection along northbound California 79 (Winchester Road) is with Margarita Meadows Shopping Center /East Promenade Mall . Photo taken 08/25/07. |
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California 79 (Winchester Road) next meets Margarita Road, a winding north-south arterial roadway that provides access to a variety of residential developments. Margarita Road reconnects with California 79 (Temecula Parkway) and Red Hawk Parkway south of here. Photo taken 06/27/09. |
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California 79 (Winchester Road) sees several miles of commercial and residential development as it passes through northern Temecula. On the left is Chaparral High School. The arterial consistently has six lanes, three in each direction until it reaches the northern city limits. The next intersection visible in this picture is with Nicholas Road. Photo taken 06/27/09. |
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Northbound California 79 (Winchester Road) passes over Santa Gertrudis Creek. Photo taken 06/27/09. |
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California 79 (Winchester Road) meets Winchester Creek Avenue and Willows Avenue . Photo taken 06/27/09. |
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Shortly thereafter, California 79 (Winchester Road) north meets Winchester Square Drive. Photo taken 06/27/09. |
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Northbound California 79 (Winchester Road) approaches Murrieta Hot Springs Road. Turn left on Murrieta Hot Springs Road to Interstate 215 and Interstate 15. Photo taken 06/27/09. |
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Northbound California 79 (Winchester Road) meets Robert Trent Jones Parkway and Technology Drive . Photo taken 06/27/09. |
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Near Hunter Road, California 79 (Winchester Road) narrows. A daytime headlight section resumes here. On the east side of the highway is French Valley Airport. Photo taken 06/27/09. |
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Now four lanes, California 79 (Winchester Road) north approaches La Alba Drive and Sparkman Way to French Valley Airport. Photo taken 06/27/09. |
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Northbound California 79 (Winchester Road) meets Via Mira Mosa and Auld Road . Photo taken 06/27/09. |
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Turn right on Benton Road to Lake Skinner, a reservoir constructed in 1973 to enhance the local water supply by storing imported water brought to Southern California via the State Water Project and Colorado River Aqueduct. It is much smaller, however, than nearby Diamond Valley Lake reservoir. Photo taken 06/27/09. |
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Northbound California 79 approaches Max Gillis Boulevard north and Thompson Road east. Use Max Gillis Boulevard to Leon Road. Photo taken 06/27/09. |
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Residential development continues even this far north of Old Town Temecula. It is likely that in coming years, more development will march north along the Winchester Road corridor toward the junction with California 74. Photo taken 06/27/09. |
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Next up along SR 79 north is Jean Nichols Skyview Roads. Photo taken 06/27/09. |
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Continuing north, the ensuing traffic signal along SR 79 is with Pournoy Road. Photo taken 06/27/09. |
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Northbound California 79 approaches Abelia Street (north-south roadway). After this intersection, California 79 leaves the tract housing development areas (at least as of 2009) and resumes a two-lane configuration. Photo taken 06/27/09. |
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California 79 again reverts to a two-lane configuration, but there is plenty of traffic on this busy stretch. This is why 79 is considered to be a safety corridor. Photo taken 06/27/09. |
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Northbound California 79 (Winchester Road) approaches Scott Road west and Washington Street south. Photo taken 06/27/09. |
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Expansive views open up California 79 continues northward. Photo taken 06/27/09. |
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Turn right onto Construction Road (next traffic signal) to visit Diamond Valley Lake reservoir, including the Clayton A. Record, Jr. Viewpoint. Finished in 2003 after four years of construction, the lake holds water from the Colorado River Aqueduct and the State Water Project, primarily to preserve water resources in the event of a drought or emergency. Photo taken 06/27/09. |
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Continuing north, the daytime headlight section ends when California 79 reaches Domenigoni Parkway. Turn left for Domenigoni Parkway west to Interstate 215 (via the Newport Road interchange) or turn right for Domenigoni Parkway east to Riverside County R-3 (State Street) on the east side of Diamond Valley Lake. Photo taken 06/27/09. |
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A California 79 north reassurance shield is posted shortly after the signalized intersection with Domenigoni Parkway. Photo taken 06/27/09. |
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Northbound California 79 approaches a signalized intersection with Simpson Road in the unincorporated community of Winchester. Photo taken 06/27/09. |
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As recently as 2009, the intersection between California 79 and Simpson Road was a four-way stop. Photo taken 06/27/09. |
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Leaving Winchester, California 79 crosses a railroad and proceeds north toward its rendezvous with California 74. Photo taken 06/27/09. |
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North of Winchester, California 79 makes a slight curve to the northeast. Photo taken 06/27/09. |
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California 79 only has a short straight section before connecting with California 74. Photo taken 06/27/09. |
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| Northbound California 79 approaches and reaches its junction with California 74 just north of Winchester. Turn left on California 74 west to Perris. Turn right for California 74 east and California 79 north to Hemet. Photos taken 06/27/09. |
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Leaving the intersection with California 74 (Florida Avenue) in Hemet, northbound California 79 resumes on its own alignment on San Jacinto Street. Plans call for a realignment of California 79 that will create a new freeway/expressway corridor west of Hemet and San Jacinto. If/when that happens, existing California 79 will be turned over for local control. Photo taken 06/27/09. |
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Northbound California 79 (San Jacinto Street) meets Latham Avenue at this traffic signal in Hemet. Use Latham Avenue west to Hemet Valley Medical Center hospital. Photo taken 06/27/09. |
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The next signalized intersection along northbound California 79 (San Jacinto Street) is with Devonshire Avenue to Hemet Adult School. Photo taken 06/27/09. |
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Northbound California 79 (San Jacinto Street) meets Oakland Avenue at this signalized intersection. Photo taken 06/27/09. |
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Meeting Menlo Avenue, California 79 leaves the city of Hemet and enters the city of San Jacinto, which incorporated on April 9, 1888, sits at an elevation of 1,565 feet, and had a population of 44,199 as of the 2010 Census. California 79 (San Jacinto Street) will skim past the eastern edge of the San Jacinto Valley Cemetery. Photo taken 06/27/09. |
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With Mt. San Jacinto dominating the view to the north, California 79 approaches the San Jacinto WalMart (next traffic signal). Photo taken 06/27/09. |
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Northbound California 79 (San Jacinto Street) meets Commonwealth Avenue at this traffic signal. Photo taken 06/27/09. |
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Another major intersection along northbound California 79 in San Jacinto is with Esplanade Avenue. Turn left (west) on Esplanade Avenue to Valley Wide Regional Park and Sanderson Avenue. Turn right (east) to connect to Ramona Expressway. Photo taken 06/27/09. |
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Approaching Seventh Street, California 79 will lose a lane and enter downtown San Jacinto. Photo taken 06/27/09. |
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A seasonal banner mounted over San Jacinto Street (California 79) between Sixth Street and Fifth Street announces upcoming events. The next traffic signal connects San Jacinto Street with Main Street and Ramona Boulevard. California 79 will turn northwest at this five-way intersection. Photo taken 06/27/09. |
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At Fifth Street, a small guide sign advises that through traffic to Riverside and Beaumont must turn northeast onto Ramona Boulevard. It is implied that California 79 turns at this intersection even though a California 79 shield is missing here. The shield was present in January 2000 but gone by June 2009. (The connection to Riverside is achieved via California 79 north, Gilman Springs Road northwest, and California 60 (Moreno Valley Freeway) west.) Photo taken 06/27/09. |
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Northbound California 79 (San Jacinto Street) meets its intersection with Main Street (east-west) and Ramona Boulevard (northeast-southwest). At this traffic signal, turn northwest to follow California 79/Ramona Boulevard toward Riverside and Beaumont. Photo taken 06/27/09. |
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California 79 turns northwest onto Ramona Boulevard. Streetscape improvements underway in 2009 resulted in the creation of a new centerline median. This segment of state highway has been transferred from the state to the city for maintenance. Photo taken 06/27/09. |
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California 79 proceeds northwest along Ramona Boulevard. This segment has been relinquished from the state highway system and is awaiting transfer to a new alignment at the west end of San Jacinto Valley. At that time, the remainder of California 79 along this urban routing will be decommissioned. Photo taken 06/27/09. |
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Flagpoles and monuments line the median strip of California 79/Ramona Boulevard in San Jacinto. Photo taken 06/27/09. |
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California 79 proceeds northwest along Ramona Boulevard between Second Street and First Street. Photo taken 06/27/09. |
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Just past Santa Fe Avenue, northbound Ramona Boulevard passes by San Jacinto Elementary School. Photo taken 06/27/09. |
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Nearing Tiger Lane, northbound California 79/Ramona Boulevard approaches San Jacinto High School. Photo taken 06/27/09. |
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Towering palms and lattice artwork line Ramona Boulevard near the high school. Photo taken 06/27/09. |
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At State Street, California 79 will turn from northwest-bound Ramona Boulevard onto northbound State Street. Note again the lack of a California 79 trailblazer due to the transfer of maintenance responsibility for Ramona Boulevard from the state to the city. Photo taken 06/27/09. |
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Turn right onto State Street north for the continuation of California 79. A trailblazer that was here in January 2000 is now gone as of 2009. Photo taken 06/27/09. |
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California 79 sees a much wider alignment on State Street than it did on Ramona Boulevard. The state route will remain on State Street briefly before shifting onto Ramona Expressway. Photo taken 06/27/09. |
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A large swath of undeveloped land lines California 79 (State Street) just south of Idyllwild Drive. Photo taken 06/27/09. |
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Northbound California 79 (State Street) approaches Idyllwild Drive. Photo taken 06/27/09. |
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California 79 meets Idyllwild Drive and prepares to intersect with Ramona Expressway. Photo taken 06/27/09. |
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The Ramona Expressway is a major, east-west county highway that links the Interstate 215 corridor with San Jacinto and Hemet. The expressway travels northwest toward Sanderson Avenue (California 79), then turns west toward Lake Perris and the freeway. California 79 currently (as of 2009) overlaps Ramona Expressway between State Street and Sanderson Avenue. Through traffic for California 79 north should prepare to turn left (despite the lack of any trailblazer signs). Photo taken 06/27/09. |
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This mileage sign along California 79 (State Street) north at Ramona Expressway betrays an older alignment of California 79. Until 2002, California 79 used to continue north on State Street, then crossed the San Jacinto River to shift onto Gilman Springs Road. California 79 was relocated onto Ramona Expressway and Sanderson Avenue to avoid the Gilman Springs Road alignment and provide a more direct route to Beaumont. However, this sign was not replaced when that change was made. Turn left here for California 79 north, or proceed ahead for the pre-2002 alignment of California 79. Photo taken 06/27/09. |
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California 79 shifts from State Street north to Ramona Expressway northwest. Photo taken 06/27/09. |
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Traffic from Gilman Springs Road merges onto northbound California 79 (Sanderson Avenue). Ahead, Sanderson Avenue changes into Lamb Canyon Road. Photo taken 06/27/09. |
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A California 79 north reassurance shield is posted along northbound Sanderson Avenue after the Gilman Springs Road interchange. Photo taken 06/27/09. |
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Leaving the San Jacinto Valley, northbound California 79 proceeds north along Lamb Canyon Road to make the connection between Hemet-San Jacinto and Beaumont, the latter of which is located on the busy Interstate 10 corridor. Photo taken 06/27/09. |
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| A concrete barrier (K rail) separates the two directions of traffic along California 79 (Lamb Canyon Road). While not a freeway, California 79 carries significant traffic volumes and keeps at least four lanes as it proceeds north toward Beaumont. Major road cuts were made along this segment of California 79 to accommodate the dual lanes. Photos taken 06/27/09. |
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| California 79 proceeds north along Lamb Canyon Road. A left turn connects to the Riverside County Disposal Site (traffic signal). Another California 79 reassurance shield is posted after the disposal site traffic signal. Photos taken 06/27/09. |
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| Proceeding north along Lamb Canyon Road, California 79 approaches and passes under a Southern California Edison 500kV power line. This particular line generally travels east-west, paralleling the Interstate 10 corridor from here east to Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station in Arizona. To the west, this line leads toward the vicinity of Perris (crossing over both Interstate 215 and Interstate 15) before crossing the Santa Ana Mountains to end at the Serrano substation in Villa Park in Orange County near California 241 (Foothill Transportation Corridor). Photos taken 06/27/09. |
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Reentering civilization, northbound California 79 approaches an intersection with California Avenue. Photo taken 06/27/09. |
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A California 79 north reassurance shield is posted along northbound Lamb Canyon Road/Beaumont Avenue as San Gorgonio Pass comes into view. This pass separates Mt. San Jacinto to the south from Mt. San Gorgonio to the north. Interstate 10 and the city of Beaumont lie in the pass only a couple miles ahead. Watch for windy conditions; due to its narrow passage and tall surrounding mountains, San Gorgonio Pass tends to be windy. A wind farm with power turbines is located east of here along Interstate 10 en route to Palm Springs. Photo taken 06/27/09. |
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The state route curves a bit to the north for the final distance to Interstate 10. Photo taken 06/27/09. |
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California 79 enters the city of Beaumont. Situated in the San Gorgonio Pass, Beaumont sits at an elevation of 2,582 feet and had a population of 36,877 as of the 2010 Census. Beaumont was incorporated on November 18, 1912. Photo taken 06/27/09. |
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The next traffic signal along California 79 (Beaumont Avenue) north connects with First Street. Photo taken 06/27/09. |
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Crossing over the railroad, California 79 approaches its final terminus with Interstate 10. Beaumont Avenue will continue north as a city street, linking to old U.S. 60-70-99. Photo taken 06/27/09. |
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Northbound California 79 (Beaumont Avenue) approaches Interstate 10, which travels east to Palm Springs, Indio, Blythe, and Phoenix and west to San Bernardino, Pomona, Los Angeles, and Santa Monica. This interchange is a bit substandard considering the expressway that brought us from the San Jacinto Valley north to the freeway. Photo taken 06/27/09. |
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The next right turn connects northbound California 79 (Beaumont Avenue) to Interstate 10 east to Palm Springs, Indio, Blythe, and Phoenix. This is a diamond interchange. Photo taken 06/27/09. |
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Northbound California 79 (Beaumont Avenue) crosses over Interstate 10. At the next traffic signal, those looking to connect to Interstate 10 west should prepare to turn left. Photo taken 06/27/09. |
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California 79 reaches its northern terminus at the north end of the Interstate 10 interchange. While Beaumont Avenue continues north into Beaumont, state maintenance of the route ceases here at this interchange. There is no end shield assembly for California 79. Photos taken 06/27/09. |
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Leaving the Interstate 10 interchange, Beaumont Avenue proceeds north to meet Sixth Street, which is the old alignment of U.S. 60-70-99. Before the completion of Interstate 10, this intersection was the former northern terminus of California 79. Photo taken 06/27/09. |
| Former California 79 north |
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Prior to its realignment onto Ramona Expressway and Sanderson Avenue, northbound California 79 used to continue north along State Street and Gilman Springs Road. This routing was eliminated in July 2002 when California 79 was rerouted onto Ramona Expressway. Here, former California 79 (State Street) proceeds northeast along State Street past the Village at San Jacinto shopping mall. Photo taken 06/27/09. |
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With Mt. San Jacinto dominating the backdrop, an empty stretch of road opens along SR 79 (State Street) north. Upon reaching the foot of the mountain, State Street will cross the San Jacinto River then curve northwest onto Gilman Springs Road. Photo taken 06/27/09. |
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At this intersection, turn right for access to Mt. San Jacinto College. Photo taken 06/27/09. |
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Leaving the urbanized area of San Jacinto, northbound State Street (former California 79) approaches Quandt Ranch Road. This older guide sign likely dates back to when this section of State Street was a state route. Photo taken 06/27/09. |
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This view looks north at State Street approaches the San Jacinto River. Photo taken 06/27/09. |
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State Street curves a bit before crossing the river. Photo taken 06/27/09. |
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Northbound State Street (former California 79) approaches the turnoff to Soboba Road (0.25 mile/right turn). Ahead is the San Jacinto River crossing. Photo taken 06/27/09. |
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Reaching the San Jacinto River bridge, the white bridge identification marker still implies that State Street is still part of California 79 (note the "79" route number listed on this sign). Photo taken 06/27/09. |
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Still on the San Jacinto River Bridge, northbound State Street approaches Soboba Road. Photo taken 06/27/09. |
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Northbound California 79 (State Street) meets Soboba Road. Ahead, State Street curves northwest and changes names into Gilman Springs Road. Photo taken 06/27/09. |
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Gilman Springs Road curves northwest to parallel the bank of the San Jacinto River. Ahead lies the Church of Scientology's Golden Era Productions, which includes a golf course on the southwest side of the road. Photo taken 06/27/09. |
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| This series of pictures follows Former California 79 (Gilman Springs Road) as it travels northwest through the Church of Scientology's Golden Era Productions. The highway exhibits a rural character not seen since south of Temecula, with minimal traffic, two lanes, and winding curves. California 79 was rerouted off this stretch of highway in July 2002. Photos taken 06/27/09. |
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Continuing northwest along Gilman Springs Road (former California 79), we stay close to the foot of the escarpment from Mt. San Jacinto. Photo taken 06/27/09. |
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Westbound Gilman Springs Road widens out as Gilman Springs Road nears California 79 (Sanderson Avenue). A diamond interchange connects Gilman Springs Road with Sanderson Avenue. Turn right for California 79 (Sanderson Avenue) north to Beaumont or left for California 79 (Sanderson Avenue) south to Hemet. Proceed ahead along Former California 177 (Gilman Springs Road) west to California 60 (Moreno Valley Freeway) en route to Riverside. Photo taken 06/27/09. |
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California 79 (Sanderson Avenue) changes into Lamb Canyon Road and eventually Beaumont Avenue for the final distance into Beaumont. Photo taken 06/27/09. |
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Beaumont lies six miles north of here via California 79 (Sanderson Avenue) and Lamb Canyon Road. Photo taken 06/27/09. |
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| A pair of California 79 entrance shield assemblies flank the on-ramp from Gilman Springs Road west onto California 79 north. Since California 79 is not a freeway, the signs do not have a typical "Freeway Entrance" guide sign to accompany the state route markers. Photos taken 06/27/09. |
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| Gilman Springs Road next passes under the Sanderson Avenue bridge (built in 1997) and meets the left turn on-ramp to California 79 (Sanderson Avenue) south. Once again, the on-ramp signs do not have a typical "Freeway Entrance" guide sign to accompany the state route markers. Gilman Springs Road, which was briefly signed as California 177, proceeds west from here toward its rendezvous with California 60 in Moreno Valley. Photos taken 06/27/09. |
Page Updated January 21, 2013.
