Our Favorite City By-Passes

[DonnaR57]

GOING TO NORTH COUNTY SAN DIEGO from the EAST?

From I-8, take the Lake Jennings Road exit (Lakeside/El Cajon) and turn north (right). Continue on Lake Jennings Road until you connect with Rt. 67, then turn north again (right).

Then you have several choices:

1 - A left turn onto Scripps Poway Parkway can take you to I-15 through a lot of businesses and a lot of lights. However, much of it is 4 lane (5 in places), so you won't get stuck behind slow vehicles on the hills.

2 - A left turn onto Poway Road/S-4 can take you to I-15 through a lot of businesses and a lot of lights. Much of this is only 2 lanes, particularly the first 4 miles from the light at 67 down to the light at Espola Road.

3 - Keeping on to Ramona, you can turn west/left onto Rt 78 (AKA 10th Street) which will take you past a few lights before the twisty, winding but scenic road into Escondido. You might find this hairy or exhilarating. If you're going into Escondido and/or the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, it's the more-or-less direct way. This will also take you to I-15.

Any of these three are considered the faster and shorter way to I-15 north from I-8, if you don't plan to stop in El Cajon, La Mesa, Mission or Fashion Valley, and are just on your way to the north county suburbs of Poway, Ramona, Escondido, and even points west of Escondido like San Marcos, Vista, Oceanside and Encinitas.


Donna

[glc]

2 - A left turn onto Poway Road/S-4 can take you to I-15 through a lot of businesses and a lot of lights. Much of this is only 2 lanes, particularly the first 4 miles from the light at 67 down to the light at Espola Road.

If you are heading for I-15 and points north, turn right on Espola Road (S-5), this becomes Rancho Bernardo Road and has an interchange with I-15. I think I prefer this to taking Poway Road through town and it cuts off several miles. Either way, these are not fast roads, they are essentially suburban city streets.

[DonnaR57]

I didn't suggest that because right now there is a LOT of construction on Espola Rd. When they finally get through with the construction (a year???) it may be a great way to go. But right now, it's to be avoided if at all possible.


Donna

[glc]

If that's the case, I think Scripps Poway Parkway would be the least hassle.

Another option is stay on I-8 to CA-67, take that north to CA-52 west. This will take you to I-15. If you want to get to I-5, stay on CA-52 to I-805, take that north to I-5. This keeps you off all city streets, it's freeway all the way.