Exploring Abandoned Highway 395 in San Diego, California

Pomerado Road in northern San Diego was part of Highway 395 from 1934 to 1949. Even after the highway was moved to the east, and later replaced by Interstate 15, it has remained a major roadway in San Diego County. Now days the road is designated as part of Historic Route 395. In this video we explore a couple of sections of the old road just south of Poway that were abandoned when the road was expanded and straightened in 1980. In our explorations we found a road, that despite being abandoned over 40 years, and nature starting to reclaim it, still is in remarkable condition. The paint on the road is even still bright.

[glennfoster]

As I remember, in the early 1950's driving time between San Diego and Riverside was measured in hours! About 5, 4 4-and- a-half at least. There were few trucks on the road, but so few opportunities for passing were available.

In the summer it was an adventure--no air conditioning, long stretches of slow travel, but we persevered.

[blueprismquivers]

Back in the early to mid 60's I would spend my summer vacation in San Diego with my Aunt. On the day before I would have to start school my Aunt would drive me back to Garden Grove on hwy 395 so we could take our time. We would always find Vin Scully announcing Dodger games on the AM radio (No Padres yet). I hated seeing my summer end but it was such a great drive. Thanks for the update.

[boomtownrat]

Highway 395, my favorite Little Road in all the world! It’s too bad that the Highway 395 designation has been decommissioned in the San Diego county area. Technically it doesn’t begin until you get to Hesperia and then you can travel all the way to the Canadian border at Laurier, Washington. I believe Highway 395 began at 11th and Ash Street in downtown SD. Thank you for highlighting this wonderful Highway.

[matthewmalpass]

Brings back fond memories growing up in Poway in the mid-60s and early 70s.
Thanks. Happier times.

[mercedithcompala]

Thank you so much for sharing Pomerado...i lived at the bottom of the old road. It was our back way into Poway ❤❤❤❤

[sharylcherwa]

I lived in Poway for 58 years. My Niece would always say take the Witch Road Grama...there were so many Eucalyptus Trees you couldn't even see through them. She thought it was scary. I Road a horse from Poway to Miramar on this Road. So Many Great Memories. It was so Windy. Thank you Steve for Sharing this. Brings back Great Memories.

[carols]

In watching this, I'm looking at that road knowing that long ago I rode over this same road with my family. I love this type of abandoned history!

[SanDiegoKid]

There is another section of old 395 North of the pedestrian bridge over Lake Hodges. There are some informative plaques there, and while it is now a part of the San Dieguito Coast to Crest Trail, you can still see center divide paint, mile markers, and guardrails.

[coyotegrad-collectables]

I'm in Riverside. I appreciate you making videos in Southern California, there are some cool places to visit everywhere!

[robertchilders]

😊I have traveled many miles on 395 !! never, ever dreamed I would out live that road! My life has also had many weeds in it! Lived in Escondido.. best memoris of my life. Cannot ever remembering seeing an accident on it! very light traffic!

[lesliecarr]

Oh. I know what I wanted to say. As you go north on I-15, just before you get to Escondido, there's a exit to Center City Parkway going up through Escondido. That section of 395 hasn't changed in 55 years. But as you follow it out of town at the north end, the part you can drive on towards the Lawrence Welk place labeled Old Highway 395 is not the original road. The original road was up on the side of the mountain where Southbound I-15 now is. We used to drive that route to Hemet sometimes to visit my aunt and uncle.

[waynekempton]

Thank you for this post. I had wondered what had happened to Pomerado Road, my wonderful daily commute road from our home in Poway to college, work and church in San Diego. It was a wonderful road for sporty driving and we had a sports coupe (1972 Datsun 240Z) and sports sedan (1971 Datsun 510), so the daily commute was daily fun!

[tommanion]

Greetings from the still in service 395 (Bishop). But I grew up in Corona, where we took CA-71 to Temecula, then 395 to San Diego. Two lane all the way. Thanx for the memories.

[michaelsimpson]

So cool that you have the interest and take the time to document these tiny, unique gems. I’m an old road aficionado, having worked on the non-profit Historic 1915 Ridge Route in the Los Angeles Tehacapis, linking Los Angeles to Bakersfield and Northern California. Historic road history and preservation is deep in my heart. It may not be the “sexiest” thing for our culture but it is important to me to document and retain this information for the few who care to remember how our country and forefathers sought to expand and link commerce and culture across this great land of ours. Thank you for your thoughtful interest, care and concern in bringing this bit of history to our attention. Keep up the good work.

[mrdave]

You do an excellent job. One of my favorites.

[johnnyfreedom]

That whole tree bursting through the road was one of the most amazing sites I've seen. You just can't keep life down on this Green Planet!

[chrisfish]

I use to commute to Torrey Pines on that road when I lived in Poway in 1987.

[johnnyfreedom]

Thanks once again, I love an old abandoned places. When we were kids back in the early seventies there were some abandoned houses we searched. Found newspapers with John Dillinger articles and Amelia Earhart articles stuffed in the walls!!

[CactusAtlas]

That tree certainly wanted to be free. I can't help but wonder what highways we drive on today will appear decades from now. And I do always wonder why they're just left there. But man... the beehives. How absolutely random (and slightly terrifying!

[bouncertime]

Love watching your videos. I learn a lot about the city I grew up in.