SR-23: Grimes Canyon Road / Moorpark Freeway / Decker Canyon Road

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Grimes Canyon Road / Moorpark Freeway / Decker Canyon Road
Runs from SR-126 in Fillmore to SR-1 near Point Mugu

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Highway 23 runs along mostly rugged terrain. In the north, it traverses Grimes Canyon, one of the more treacherous highways in Ventura County. It acts as a commuter link from the Santa Clara River Valley to Moorpark. Owing to the geology of the area, the roadway is subject to rock-slides in summer and mudslides in winter. Plans were made in the past to bypass the worst of the canyon by a freeway, but these never made it past the drawing board.

South of US 101, State 23 follows Decker Canyon Road. This road is quite narrow, a substandard width in fact, in many places from State 1 to near Mulholland Highway east. The center segment is a six lane freeway built mostly in the late 1960’s and early 1970’s.

Route 23 at Mulholland Highway. Note the lack of fog striping. The roadway here ranges from 20' to 18' in width.
Route 23 at Mulholland Highway. Note the lack of fog striping. The roadway here ranges from 20′ to 18′ in width.
The section from Tierra Rejada Road to Olson Road has a desinated bike lane along it.
The section from Tierra Rejada Road to Olson Road has a designated bike lane along it.
View of the freeway between Olson Road and Tierra Rejada Road.
View of the freeway between Olson Road and Tierra Rejada Road before it was widened.

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