Category Archives: Event

California, Event, Snow, Southern California

Road Conditions

3 Comments
Winter over the Ridge Route in Lebec. Courtesy – Caltrans

Important Road Conditions Links:

For local roadways, there are additional resources available on this site on our Southern California Highway Resources page.

Winter in southern California can be quite an adventure at times. Some storms leave few routes open out of the Los Angeles area to points north and northeast. Some of these storms can really hamper travel out of the area.

In late December 2019, a storm closed State 33, I-5, State 14, State 138, I-15 (in two sections), and many other roads in the region. What road is open? When will it open? Are chains required? All of these questions and more can be easily answered through Caltrans, the State Highway department. They have a really good phone app and website – Quickmap – which gives all this information in an easy format. Caltrans Quickmap has numerous layers that can be added such as traffic speeds, CHP Incident Reports (collisions, hazards, fire information), road closures, snowplow locations, lane closures, CMS messages, and more.

In addition to Quickmap, all the Caltrans traffic cameras are available online at Caltrans Video, some of which are streaming live. I strongly recommend these links to get you where you need to go. Another page, also from Caltrans, covers ALL their available data – Caltrans Commercial Wholesale Web Portal . I use Quickmap quite often even just for basic traffic needs.

Castaic, Event, I-5, Los Angeles County, Ridge Route, Ridge Route Preservation Organization, Route Fire, Santa Clarita, US 99, Wildfire

Route Fire – Updated 1730

From the Ridge Route Preservation Organization:

Another wildfire has started at the south end of the Ridge Route in Marple Canyon along the 5. This fire, known as the Route Fire, has so far burned 250 acres and is not contained. The fire has burned across the old Ridge Route at the Callahan Line Change location, about 2 miles north of Castaic. Evacuations are underway as far north as Templin Highway. The fire has burned as far north as Martin’s, south of Templin Highway. It is not known if the structure survived.

At this time, I-5 is closed from State 138 to Castaic. The Ridge Route is also closed to through travel from Castaic to State 138 as the gates are closed. Do not use any portion of the Ridge Route as a bypass for I-5 at any time as it is not built for heavy traffic. Big rigs have attempted this in the past and got stuck, blocking others in.

For further information regarding road closures and detours, we strongly recommend Caltrans Quickmap at https://quickmap.dot.ca.gov/ which has detailed information and updated traffic conditions.

We will post updates, as needed, if the Ridge Route itself or historic structures are damaged or in danger. After the fire is out and things have settled down, we will assess any damage to the roadway and post a report.

Castaic, Event, Highways, Historic Highway 99 Association of California, History, Los Angeles County, Meeting, Old Alignment, Old Bridge, Presentation, Ridge Route, Roads, US 99

Historic US 99 Presentation

On September 13, 2022, I will be giving a Zoom presentation for the Historic Highway 99 Association of California on the Ridge Route Alternate between Castaic and Tejon Pass. Come join the Association for the presentation! See the link below for details and to learn how to sign up.

September 2022 Presentation and Update
Event, San Diego County, Winery

Local San Diego Wine Event

Taste several San Diego County vintners at one place.

Brought to you by the San Diego County Vintners Association (SDCVA), a non-profit trade association that supports the wine making community throughout San Diego County. With about 140 artisan and family-owned wineries and vineyards throughout the county, and a wide range of micro climates allowing for cultivation of a wide variety of grape types, San Diego County wine country is extremely diverse.  The ways to enjoy San Diego wine are diverse, too. From stylish urban wineries, to award-winning tasting rooms and picturesque vineyards, San Diego provides an array of ways to discover artisanal wines.

For more information on individual wineries in San Diego, please visit our wineries page.

Event, Highways, History, Ridge Route, Ridge Route Preservation Organization, Roads, US 99

Upcoming Ridge Route Event

Next weekend, on October 23, 2021, the Ridge Route Preservation Organization will be holding a Clean Up The Ridge Route event. These events are work parties to help repair and preserve the historic Ridge Route. They are open to all, though donations are always welcome. For more information and specific details, please check out their website:

http://www.ridgeroute.org/october-cutrr-event/