SoCal Road Enthusiasts - Second Meeting
Part 4: Santa Ynez to Santa Barbara
We continued west on CA154, turned west on CA246, and stopped at Solvang. There we took Daniel's young daughter (who was quite patient with us on our journey) to a park where we went over the photos and magazines that were brought along to share with the group, and talked roads.
Photo by Daniel Faigin
L to R: Casey, Mike P., Don, and Mike B. (standing).
We then got some tourist priced ice cream in Solvang and decided to take 246 to its west end in Lompoc. Along this route we noticed at least three different number font styles used on the 246 reassurance markers. CA246 now ends at the western Lompoc city limits at postmile 8.3 (apparently it was truncated here in 1999, as the sign assembly with the END sign was dated 1999).
Photo by Daniel Faigin
From there we went down CA 1 (a nice drive) to 101 towards Gaviota. At the 1/101 interchange we noticed "ghost ramps" that were built with the current interchange in 1967 for what appears to be a planned full freeway interchange. An oddity at this point was that the signs with the exits to 101 had added "TO" signs added on them.
CA1 between Lompoc and Gaviota. Note the divots in the bridge.
CA1 at US101 near Gaviota.
CA1 at US101 interchange, note the ghost ramp to the left.
Close up of the ghost ramp.
From CA1 we got on northbound 101 intending to get off at a truck check station where an old alignment of 101 joins up. Due to construction we had to go to the north end of this old alignment, which serves as an access road to Nojoqui Falls County Park. This section had the original concrete paving (from 1918?) that was surprisingly smooth. We got on 101 south, went through the older tunnel-less side of Gaviota Pass, and exited at a rest stop that was next to the old 1918 Arroyo Hondo bridge, which was open to walk across.
Old US101 Arroyo Hondo bridge, built in 1918.
From the east end.
From the west end.
Rail detail.
Rail end detail.
From here we continued on 101 south to Hollister Avenue (an old alignment of 101) near Goleta. We stopped at the old gas station (shortly after the exit from 101, past the golf course) where some scenes for the 1981 version of The Postman Always Rings Twice were filmed. This was fenced off and had an interesting warning sign out front, saying to beware of golf balls from the adjacent course and whooshes of air or thrown trash from passing cars.
We headed down Hollister Avenue, which turns into State Street in Santa Barbara, and stopped just past the junction with CA154 to see one of what I am told is three remaining white CA route shields in the state (the others are CA 170 at 134, and CA 37). This sign was erected in 1962, and is the type where the reflectors are inserted from the back.
Old shield on State Street.
L-R: Mike Pratt, Casey Cooper, Mike Ballard, Daniel Faigin (only his face shows here), and the back of Don Hagstrom.
Photo by Daniel Faigin
Close up of button copy lettering.
From there we went down State Street, which became very congested in central Santa Barbara, and stopped at a Mexican restaurant for dinner. We finished up at 10 and headed home. Something notable on the way was a big flare burning off in the oil processing station that was up the hill from 101 in the La Conchita area.
© 2001 Mark Furqueron