Descanso, Pine Valley, Guatay, U.S. 80, highway, route, classic, Desert View Tower, Jacumba
Description
Join San Diego's Weekend Driver, Jack Brandais, on a tour of old U.S. 80 from Descanso to the Desert View Tower in eastern San Diego County. A Route 66-vintage road that in many ways is more fun than driving Route 66.
US 80 was a true transcontinental highway, unlike US 66. It ran from San Diego on the Pacific to Savannah on the Atlantic.
Enjoy this drive through the mountains and high desert of San Diego county.
Read more on Old Highway 80.
Leave Interstate 8 at the SR-79/Japitul Valley Road exit. (less) Leave Interstate 8 at the SR-79/Japitul Valley Road exit.
Old Bridge
Los Terranitos Road bridge is an early bridge, dating from 1917. At the time, this was known as the Bankhead Highway or Imperial Highway. It wasn't designated US 80 until 1926. (less) Los Terranitos Road bridge is an early bridge, dating from 1917. At the time, this wa...(more)
Half a freeway
In the 1950s, the plan was to rebuild U.S. 80 in the same location. This substantial bridge was half of the freeway; the other half was never built as Interstate 8 runs to the south. (less) In the 1950s, the plan was to rebuild U.S. 80 in the same location. This substantial ...(more)
Descanso Junction
Turn left here to visit the hamlet of Descanso. Restaurants, the old garage and little shops here were built to support traffic on U.S. 80. They've survived because of the mountain population and traffic using the route to the popular Cuyamaca State Park. (less) Turn left here to visit the hamlet of Descanso. Restaurants, the old garage and littl...(more)
Cuyamaca Highway Turnoff
If you'd like to leave the route and head to the Cuyamaca State Park, turn north here. Otherwise, keep heading east on Old Highway 80. Follow the "Historic Route US 80" signs. (less) If you'd like to leave the route and head to the Cuyamaca State Park, turn north here...(more)
Guatay
A Spanish phonetic spelling of Indian words meaning "ceremonial house" according to Leland Fetzer in his San Diego County Place Names, this small settlement has its remanats of roadside businesses. Newer, tourist outlets, like the Tryyn Spoon Gallery, have sprouted in recent years. (less) A Spanish phonetic spelling of Indian words meaning "ceremonial house" according to L...(more)
Pine Creek Road
Two generations of bridges cross Pine Creek. The current roadway was built in the 1940s. To the south is a bridge that looks to be the same vintage as the 1917 Los Terranitos bridge you crossed at the beginning of your road trip. (less) Two generations of bridges cross Pine Creek. The current roadway was built in the 194...(more)
Pine Valley
Quaint mountain town has a few great road food eateries... the Frosty Burger drive-in, Major's Diner and the Pine Valley House restaurant. The county park is a good picnic spot. (less) Quaint mountain town has a few great road food eateries... the Frosty Burger drive-in...(more)
Laguna Junction
Laguna Junction... to the north is Sunrise Highway and 6,000-foot Mount Laguna. Crossing south of the freeway is another stretch of Old Highway 80. (less) Laguna Junction... to the north is Sunrise Highway and 6,000-foot Mount Laguna. Cross...(more)
Buckman Springs
Follow the old highway as it parrallels Interstate 8, which opened in the early 1970s. (less) Follow the old highway as it parrallels Interstate 8, which opened in the early 1970s.
Boulder Oaks
Continue on old highway 80. (less) Continue on old highway 80.
La Posta Truck Trail
This dirt road heads north to Mount Laguna. Head south on La Posta Road to Highway 94. (less) This dirt road heads north to Mount Laguna. Head south on La Posta Road to Highway 94.
Crestwood Road
Turn right at the Golden Acorn Casino to continue on the old highway. (less) Turn right at the Golden Acorn Casino to continue on the old highway.
Live Oak Springs
Small store and mountain resort are at Live Oak Springs. (less) Small store and mountain resort are at Live Oak Springs.
Boulevard
State route 94 merges with Old Highway 80 in this tiny mountain town. (less) State route 94 merges with Old Highway 80 in this tiny mountain town.
Wisteria Candy Cottage
Stop in at the tiny candy cottage for some fine, homemade chocolates. (less) Stop in at the tiny candy cottage for some fine, homemade chocolates.
Address: 39961 Old Highway 80, Boulevard, CA 91905
Bankhead Springs
The old hotel still stands, but is closed, at this old resort. Named for Sen. John Bankhead, who championed this cross-country highway in the early part of the 20th Century. (less) The old hotel still stands, but is closed, at this old resort. Named for Sen. John Ba...(more)
Railroad crossing
The old highway crosses the San Diego and Arizona Railroad on this bridge from the 1930s. Look for signs of earlier bridges on the west side of the crossing. (less) The old highway crosses the San Diego and Arizona Railroad on this bridge from the 19...(more)
Jacumba
One-time resort town built around the Jacumba Hot Springs. (less) One-time resort town built around the Jacumba Hot Springs.
I-8 Junction
The old highway meets with the new. (less) The old highway meets with the new.
END -- Desert View Tower
Built in the 1920s, this relic of a roadside attraction is still open and worth a visit. The views are to the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park and Colorado Desert.
Return to I-8 when you've finished. (less) Built in the 1920s, this relic of a roadside attraction is still open and worth a vis...(more)
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