California State Route 152

{{short description|East-west highway in central California}} {{More citations needed|date=October 2021}} {{Use American English|date=July 2025}} {{Use mdy dates|date=January 2025}} {{Infobox road |state=CA |type=SR |route=152 |map_notes=Map of western California with SR 152 highlighted in red |section=452 |length_mi=104.419 |length_ref=<ref name=trucklist/> |length_round=3 |length_notes=(plus about 1.5 mi (2.5 km) on [[U.S. Route 101 in California|US 101]]) |history=State highway in 1916; SR 152 in 1934 |restrictions=No tractor-trailer combinations over {{convert|45|ft|m}} in length through [[Hecker Pass]]<ref name="truckhistory">{{cite web | url=http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/traffops/engineering/trucks/routes/restrict-hist-152.htm | title=Special Route Restriction History - Route 152 | publisher=Caltrans | access-date=2014-07-25}}</ref> |tourist=[[File:California Scenic State.svg|20px|alt=|link=]] Pacheco Pass Road between the Santa Clara–Merced county line and {{jct|noshield=yes|state=CA|I|5}} near [[Santa Nella, California|Santa Nella]]<ref>{{Caltrans scenic|accessdate=March 27, 2019}}</ref> |direction_a=West |terminus_a={{jct|state=CA|SR|1}} in [[Watsonville, California|Watsonville]] |junction={{plainlist| *{{jct|state=CA|US|101}} in [[Gilroy, California|Gilroy]] *{{jct|state=CA|SR|156}} near [[Hollister, California|Hollister]] *{{jct|state=CA|SR|33}} from near [[Los Banos, California|Los Banos]] to [[Dos Palos Y, California|Dos Palos Y]] *{{jct|state=CA|I|5}} near [[Los Banos, California|Los Banos]] *{{jct|state=CA|SR|165}} in [[Los Banos, California|Los Banos]] *{{jct|state=CA|SR|59}} near [[El Nido, Merced County, California|El Nido]] }} |direction_b=East |terminus_b={{jct|state=CA|SR|99}} near [[Chowchilla, California|Chowchilla]] |counties=[[Santa Cruz County, California|Santa Cruz]], [[Santa Clara County, California|Santa Clara]], [[Merced County, California|Merced]], [[Madera County, California|Madera]] |previous_type=SR |previous_route=151 |next_type=SR |next_route=153 }}

'''State Route 152''' ('''SR 152''') is a [[state highway]] that runs from east to west near the middle of the [[U.S. state]] of [[California]] from [[California State Route 1|State Route 1]] in [[Watsonville, California|Watsonville]] to [[California State Route 99|State Route 99]] southeast of [[Merced, California|Merced]]. Its western portion (which is also known as '''Pacheco Pass Road''' and '''Pacheco Pass Highway''') provides access to and from [[Interstate 5 in California|Interstate 5]] toward [[Southern California]] for motorists in or near [[Gilroy, California|Gilroy]] and [[San Jose, California|San Jose]].

==Route description== [[File:SR 152 at SR 156 near Gilroy and Hollister, California 12-Feb-2010.JPG|thumb|left|Eastbound traffic and signs on SR 152 at its interchange with Route 156.]] [[File:Los Banos windmills from CA-152 southbound.JPG|thumb|left|SR 152 as it crosses O'Neill Forebay, viewed while traveling east]] Route 152 begins near Route 1 as a series of local streets that run through downtown Watsonville: East Lake Avenue carries it to the intersection of Casserly Road. This point marks the start of a winding two-lane highway that crosses the [[Santa Cruz Mountains]] through [[Hecker Pass]] to reach [[Gilroy, California|Gilroy]]. In Gilroy, it is again carried on a series of local streets, then [[Concurrency (road)|overlapped]] onto [[U.S. Route 101 in California|U.S. Route 101]] for a small stretch before it separates again a short distance to the south and returns to heading east/west on more local streets in Gilroy.

After exiting the large commercial developments near U.S. 101, Route 152 consists of a single lane in each direction, with narrow shoulders, [[Arroyo (watercourse)|rain ditches]] on either side of the road, no [[Median strip|center dividers]], and posted speed limit of 55 mph (89 km/h), making it prone to head-on collisions. Headlights are required at all times along this portion. This segment is a significant [[Bottleneck (traffic)|bottleneck]] for traffic traveling along Route 152 between the [[San Francisco Bay Area]] and the [[Central Valley (California)|Central Valley]]. Upon reaching [[California State Route 156|Route 156]] near [[Hollister, California|Hollister]], the road expands to two lanes in each direction, and climbs and curves along the valley of [[Pacheco Creek (San Benito County)|Pacheco Creek]] into the mountains of the [[Diablo Range]], crossing them through the [[Pacheco Pass]] into the [[San Joaquin Valley]].

SR 152 is one of the three major routes that cross the [[Diablo Range]] after [[Interstate 580 (California)|Interstate 580]] and [[California State Route 46|State Route 46]]. Pacheco Pass is higher than [[Altamont Pass]] to the north, but lower than [[Polonio Pass]] to the south.

Route 152 continues as a four-lane divided [[Limited-access road|expressway]], descending along the northern and eastern shore of the massive [[San Luis Reservoir]]. The route passes in between the [[San Luis Dam]] and the O'Neill Forebay. The route continues east and passes a large [[Path 15]] [[substation]] and then meets [[Interstate 5 in California|Interstate 5]] as an expressway. It becomes a speed-limited city street, Pacheco Blvd., while passing through [[Los Banos, California|Los Banos]]. It then returns to an expressway until its eastern terminus at [[California State Route 99|Route 99]]. Here, eastbound 152 traffic merges into southbound 99 a few miles northwest of the city of [[Madera, California|Madera]], and approximately 25 miles (40 km) northwest of [[Fresno, California|Fresno]]. Motorists wishing to travel north on Route 99 are advised to take [[California State Route 233|Route 233]] north through [[Chowchilla, California|Chowchilla]] to connect to northbound 99. Another possible northbound route exists by exiting Route 152 at [[California State Route 59|State Route 59]], and proceeding directly north to the city of [[Merced, California|Merced]], where Route 59 meets Route 99.

The landmarks located on Route 152 include the [[Pacheco Pass]], the [[Gilroy Gardens]], the [[San Luis Reservoir]], the [[Casa de Fruta]] and the [[Merry Cherries]].

SR 152 is part of the [[California Freeway and Expressway System]],<ref name="cafes">{{CAFESystem}}</ref> and east of US 101 is part of the [[National Highway System (United States)|National Highway System]],<ref name=fhwa-nhs>{{FHWA NHS map|region=californianorth|accessdate=September 24, 2017}}</ref> a network of highways that are considered essential to the country's economy, defense, and mobility by the [[Federal Highway Administration]].<ref name=NHS-FHWA>{{FHWA NHS}}</ref> SR 152 is eligible for the [[State Scenic Highway System (California)|State Scenic Highway System]],<ref name="scenic">{{CA scenic}}</ref> and from the Merced–Santa Clara county line to I-5 is officially designated as a scenic highway by the [[California Department of Transportation]],<ref name="caltransscenic">{{Caltrans scenic|accessdate=September 24, 2017}}</ref> meaning that it is a substantial section of highway passing through a "memorable landscape" with no "visual intrusions", where the potential designation has gained popular favor with the community.<ref>{{Caltrans scenic info}}</ref>

==History== {{Infobox NRHP | name = Highway 152 Tree Row | nrhp_type = | image = Highway 152 Tree Row.jpg | caption = | nearest_city= [[Gilroy, California|Gilroy]], [[California]] | locmapin= | area = | built =1930-1931 | architect= | added =July 3, 2007 | governing_body = | refnum=07000635<ref name="nris">{{NRISref |2009a |mdy |accessdate= July 26, 2012}}</ref> }} [[File:Francisco_Pérez_Pacheco_(Barbieri,_1852).jpg|thumb|left|[[Pacheco Pass]] is named after Don [[Francisco Pérez Pacheco]], a noted [[Californio]] ranchero whose lands were situated on the pass.]] [[File:CA Route 152 Realignment 1939.png|thumb|left|1939 map of Route 152 alignments between Bell Station and Pacheco Pass.<ref name="cahwy_sep_1939" />]] [[File:CA Route 152 Realignment 1963.png|thumb|1963 map of Route 152 alignments at San Luis Reservoir.<ref name="cahwy_marapr_1963" />]]

The road became popular as a route east during the [[California Gold Rush]]. The [[Butterfield Overland Mail]] ran along this route from 1858 to 1861. A portion of Route 152 from [[Bell Station, California|Bell Station]] to [[Pacheco Pass]] was a [[toll road]] from 1857 until 1878. In that year, [[Merced County, California|Merced County]] and [[Santa Clara County, California|Santa Clara County]] purchased the toll road and replaced it with a new road built as a public highway, part of which is now a segment of Whiskey Flat Trail in [[Pacheco State Park]]. In 1915, the road became part of the state highway system, and in 1923, the state completed the third road through the pass.<ref name=PPH1923>{{cite news|title=New Pacheco Pass Road and Scenic Pinnacles Make Delightful Trip|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/86855701/new-pacheco-pass-road-of-1923/|newspaper=The Fresno Morning Republican (Fresno, California)|date=September 30, 1923|page=37|via = [[Newspapers.com]]|accessdate = October 10, 2021 }} {{free access}}</ref> Historic references say the portion of the route west of [[California State Route 33|SR 33]] was named ''Legislative Route 32'' before being designated State Route 152.<ref name="myer1">Myer, Chuck, report: ''Pacheco Past: A History of the Gateway to Santa Clara County'', (San Jose, California: [[California Pioneers of Santa Clara County|Pioneers of Santa Clara County]], 1992), page 9.</ref><ref>{{cite book| last = Shumate | first = Albert | title = Francisco Pacheco of Pacheco Pass | location = Stockton, CA | publisher = University of the Pacific | date = 1977 |isbn=0931156076}} This information is repeated in other sources.</ref>{{Page needed|date=September 2024}}<ref name="cahwy_marapr_1951">{{cite journal |last=Levier|first=G.|date=March–April 1951|title=Pacheco Pass, Portions of Historic Road Realigned To Meet Important Industrial Needs|url=http://libraryarchives.metro.net/DPGTL/Californiahighways/chpw_1951_marapr.pdf|journal=California Highways and Public Works|volume=30|issue=3,4|pages=34–37|location=Sacramento, California, United States|publisher=Department of Public Works, State of California|access-date=April 26, 2014}}</ref>

The 1923 state route over the pass had numerous curves and steep grades. In 1934, 3.3 miles of the road eastward from the summit was realigned and widened.<ref name=PPH1934>{{cite news|title=Pacheco Grade Work to be Big Improvement|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/86853733/1934-pacheco-pass-highway-realignment-ea/|newspaper=The West Side Index (Newman, California)|date=May 17, 1934|page=6|via = [[Newspapers.com]]|accessdate = October 10, 2021 }} {{free access}}</ref> In 1939, a realignment of 2.6 miles of highway was completed eastward from the [[Pacheco Reservoir]] area (starting about a mile east of Bell Station). In 1950, the first four-lane expressway segment was constructed from the 1939 alignment to near the Merced County line, a distance of 3.26 miles.<ref name="cahwy_sep_1939">{{cite journal|last=Payson|first=H.|date=September 1939|title=Pacheco Pass Realignment Job Completed Abolishing 31 Curves|url=http://libraryarchives.metro.net/DPGTL/Californiahighways/chpw_1939_sep.pdf|journal=California Highways and Public Works|volume=17|issue=9|pages=6–7|location=Sacramento, California, United States|publisher=Department of Public Works, State of California|access-date=April 26, 2014}}</ref><ref name="cahwy_marapr_1951" /><ref name="cahwy_feb_1939">{{cite journal |last=Skeggs|first=Jno.|date=February 1939|title=Pacheco Pass Realignment Deletes 31 Curves, Steep Grades|url=http://libraryarchives.metro.net/DPGTL/Californiahighways/chpw_1939_feb.pdf|journal=California Highways and Public Works|volume=17|issue=2|pages=10–12|location=Sacramento, California, United States|publisher=Department of Public Works, State of California|access-date=April 26, 2014}}</ref> The 1934 alignment is now Dinosaur Point Road, while the 1939 and 1950 alignments continue to be in use today as part of SR 152.

In 1963-1965, a new 12-mile four-lane expressway, with climbing lanes for trucks, was built from the Merced County line eastward, to bypass the [[San Luis Reservoir]] which was then under construction.<ref name="cahwy_marapr_1963">{{cite journal |last=Kroeck|first=Louis|date=March–April 1963|title=Pacheco Pass, Highway Relocation Includes 11,400,000-cubic-yard Fill|url=http://libraryarchives.metro.net/DPGTL/Californiahighways/chpw_1963_marapr.pdf|journal=California Highways and Public Works|volume=42|issue=3–4|pages=45–49|location=Sacramento, California, United States|publisher=Department of Public Works, State of California|access-date=April 26, 2014}}</ref><ref name="cahwy_julaug_1965">{{cite journal|last=Weavern|first=R.|date=July–August 1965|title=Pacheco Pass, Route 152 Now Skirts San Luis Reservoir Site|url=http://libraryarchives.metro.net/DPGTL/Californiahighways/chpw_1965_julaug.pdf|journal=California Highways and Public Works|volume=44|issue=7–8|pages=2–7|location=Sacramento, California, United States|publisher=Department of Public Works, State of California|access-date=April 26, 2014}}</ref> A three-mile stretch of the bypassed road continues to be in use as Dinosaur Point Road, providing access to a boat launch ramp at the reservoir.

Between 1982 and 1992, the road was widened in two phases from two to four lanes, with some realignments, on a 10.5-mile segment from the four-lane section completed in 1950 to just east of the junction with [[California State Route 156]]. The first phase, from the 1950 segment west to Bell Station, was completed in 1984.<ref name="myer2">Myer, Chuck, report: ''Pacheco Past: A History of the Gateway to Santa Clara County'', (San Jose, California: Pioneers of Santa Clara County, 1992), pages 20-21.</ref> The second phase, from Bell Station to Route 156, was constructed from 1990 to 1992, with an interchange built at [[Casa de Fruta]].<ref name="myer2"/> In 2008, a T-junction and stop sign at the intersection with Route 156 on the remaining two-lane section of the highway west of Casa de Fruta was replaced with a flyover, greatly easing congestion there.<ref>{{citation|title=Pacheco Pass unplugged: Relief on the way at 152-156 interchange|date=November 10, 2007|newspaper=[[San Jose Mercury-News]]|first=Gary|last=Richards|url=http://www.mercurynews.com/mr-roadshow/ci_7425683}}.</ref>

A segment of Route 152 west of Gilroy, between the Uvas Creek Bridge and Santa Teresa Blvd, was added to the [[National Register of Historic Places]] in 2007.<ref name="nris"/> This segment of the road, serving as a western gateway into Gilroy, is lined with deodar cedar trees that were planted on consecutive [[Arbor Day]]s in 1930 and 1931. {{Clear}}

==Major intersections== {{CAinttop|post_ref= <ref name=trucklist /><ref name=bridgelog>{{Caltrans bridgelog|date=July 2007}}</ref><ref>[[California Department of Transportation]], [http://traffic-counts.dot.ca.gov/2006all.htm All Traffic Volumes on CSHS] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721033203/http://traffic-counts.dot.ca.gov/2006all.htm |date=July 21, 2011 }}, 2006</ref> }} {{CAint |county=Santa Cruz |cspan=7 |county_note=SCR T0.31-8.29 |location=Watsonville |lspan=5 |type=incomplete |postmile=T0.31 |road={{jct|state=CA|SR|1|dir1=north|city1=Santa Cruz}} |notes=Interchange; westbound exit and eastbound entrance; west end of SR 152; SR 1 south exit 426 }} {{CAint |postmile=T0.67 |road=Green Valley Road (to [[California State Route 1|SR 1]] south) – [[Monterey, California|Monterey]], [[Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds|Fairgrounds]], Pinto Lake |notes= }} {{CAint |postmile=T2.50 |road=Freedom Boulevard – [[Freedom, California|Freedom]] |notes= }} {{CAint |postmile=T2.929L |postmile2=T2.929R |road={{jct|state=CA|road|West Beach Street, Main Street|to2=yes|SR|129|city1=Salinas|city2=Monterey}} |notes=West end of [[one-way pair]] where eastbound traffic heads onto East Beach Street then Lincoln Street, and westbound traffic joins from East Lake Avenue }} {{CAint |postmile=0.26 |postmile2=0.38 |road=Lincoln Street |notes=East end of one-way pair where westbound traffic stays on East Lake Avenue, and eastbound traffic joins from Lincoln Street }} {{CAint |location=Interlaken |lspan=2 |postmile=R1.99 |road=Holohan Road, College Road – [[Freedom, California|Freedom]], Pinto Lake, [[Santa Cruz, California|Santa Cruz]] |notes= }} {{CAint |postmile=3.69 |road=Carlton Road, Casserly Road |notes=Trucks over {{convert|45|ft|m}} in length are instructed to instead use Carlton Road to [[California State Route 129|SR 129]]<ref>{{cite web | title=No trucks over 45 feet long sign along eastbound SR 152 at Carlton Road | url=https://www.google.com/maps/@36.9544242,-121.7291358,3a,75y,74.3h,85t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sPnA_vZLNxh_f3igspGF9tw!2e0!7i16384!8i8192 | work=Google Street View | access-date=July 23, 2022}}</ref> }} {{CAint |county=Santa Cruz |county2=Santa Clara |postmile=8.29 |postmile2=0.00 |line=yes |location=Llagas-Uvas |lspan=2 |place=[[Hecker Pass]] }} {{CAint |county=Santa Clara |cspan=13 |county_note=SCL 0.00-R35.16 |postmile=5.03 |road={{jct|state=CA|CR|G8|county1=Santa Clara|name1=Watsonville Road|city1=Morgan Hill|city2=San Jose}} |notes=Southern terminus of CR G8 }} {{CAint |location=Gilroy |lspan=7 |postmile=7.93 |road=Santa Teresa Boulevard |notes=Serves [[Gavilan College]] }} {{CAint |type=concur |postmile=M9.43 |road={{jct|state=CA|US-Bus|101|dab1=Gilroy|dir1=south|name1=Monterey Street}} |notes=West end of US 101 Bus. overlap }} {{CAint |type=concur |postmile=M9.78 |road={{jct|state=CA|US-Bus|101|dab1=Gilroy|dir1=north|name1=Monterey Street|road|Welburn Avenue}} |notes=East end of US 101 Bus. overlap }} {{CAint |type=concur |postmile=M10.28 |line=yes |postmile2=R7.53<ref group="N" name="US 101">Indicates that the postmile represents the distance along [[U.S. Route 101 in California|US 101]] rather than SR 152.</ref> |pmspan=2 |road={{jct|state=CA|US|101|dir1=north|name1=[[South Valley Freeway]]|city1=San Jose|CR|G9|county2=Santa Clara|name2=Leavesley Road|extra=hospital}} |notes=Interchange; west end of US 101 overlap; western terminus of CR G9; US 101 south exit 357; serves [[List of hospitals in California#Santa Clara County|Saint Louise Regional Hospital]] (via San Ysidro Avenue); trucks over 7 tons prohibited on CR G9 }} {{Jctplace |state=CA |mile=none |place=West end of freeway on US 101 }} {{Jctplace |state=CA |postmile=R6.08<ref group="N" name="US 101"/> |line=yes |postmile2=R9.91 |pmspan=2 |place=East end of freeway on US 101 }} {{CAint |type=concur |mile=none |road={{jct|state=CA|US|101|dir1=south|city1=Los Angeles|name1=[[South Valley Freeway]]|road|10th Street}} |notes=Interchange; east end of US 101 overlap; US 101 north exit 356 }} {{CAint |location=none |postmile=12.81 |road={{jct|state=CA|CR|G9|county1=Santa Clara|name1=Ferguson Road}} |notes=Eastern terminus of CR G9; trucks over 7 tons prohibited }} {{CAint |location=none |postmile=14.89 |road={{jct|state=CA|CR|G7|county1=Santa Clara|name1=Bloomfield Avenue}} |notes=Eastern terminus of CR G7 }} {{CAint |type=incomplete |location=none |postmile=R21.98 |road={{jct|state=CA|SR|156|dir1=west|city1=Hollister}} |notes=Interchange; eastern terminus of SR 156; no westbound entrance }} {{CAint |location=none |postmile=R23.41 |road=Casa de Fruta Parkway |notes=Interchange; serves [[Casa de Fruta]] }} {{Jctint |state=CA |location_special=[[Pacheco Pass]] |postmile=R34.87 |road=Dinosaur Point Road – [[Pacheco State Park]], [[San Luis Reservoir]] |notes= }} {{CAint |county=Merced |cspan=5 |county_note=MER R0.00-R40.95 |location=none |type=concur |postmile=11.27 |road={{jct|state=CA|SR|33|to2=to|I|5|dir2=north|dir1=north|city1=Santa Nella|city2=Gustine}} |notes=Interchange; west end of SR 33 overlap; signed as exit 60 }} {{CAint |location=none |postmile=13.85 |road={{jct|state=CA|I|5|name1=West Side Freeway|city1=Sacramento|city2=San Francisco|city3=Los Angeles}} |notes=Interchange; I-5 exits 403A-B }} {{CAint |location=Los Banos |lspan=2 |postmile=19.62 |road={{jct|state=CA|extra=hospital|road|West I Street}} |notes=Serves [[Sutter Health]] – [[List of hospitals in California#Merced County|Memorial Hospital Los Banos]] }} {{CAint |postmile=21.27 |road={{jct|state=CA|SR|165|to2=to|I|5|dir2=south|name1=Mercey Springs Road|city1=Turlock}} |notes= }} {{CAint |location=Dos Palos Y |type=concur |postmile=R32.37 |road={{jct|state=CA|SR|33|dir1=south|name1=Elgin Avenue|city1=Dos Palos|city2=Mendota}} |notes=Interchange; east end of SR 33 overlap }} {{CAint |county1=Merced |county2=Madera |location=none |postmile=R40.77 |postmile2=R0.06 |road={{jct|state=CA|SR|59|dir1=north|city1=Merced}} |notes=Interchange; southern terminus of SR 59 }} {{CAint |county=Madera |cspan=2 |county_note=MAD R0.00-15.63 |location=none |postmile=10.80 |road={{jct|state=CA|SR|233|dir1=north|to2=2|SR|99|dir2=north|name1=Robertson Boulevard|city1=Chowchilla}} |notes=Interchange; southern terminus of SR 233 }} {{CAint |location=Califa |postmile=15.63 |road={{jct|state=CA|SR|99|dir1=south|city1=Madera|city2=Fresno}} |notes=Interchange; eastbound exit and westbound entrance; east end of SR 152; former [[U.S. Route 99|US 99]]; SR 99 exit 166 }} {{Jctbtm|keys=concur,incomplete}} {{reflist|group="N"}}

==See also== *{{portal-inline|California Roads}} *{{portal-inline|Monterey Bay Area}} *{{portal-inline|San Francisco Bay Area}} *{{portal-inline|National Register of Historic Places}}

==References== {{Reflist}}

==External links== {{Attached KML|display=inline,title}} {{commons category}} {{CASR external links|SR|152}} *[http://www.cahighways.org/145-152.html#152 California Highways: SR 152] *[http://www.aaroads.com/california/ca-152.html California @ AARoads.com - State Route 152]

[[Category:State highways in California|152]] [[Category:State Scenic Highway System (California)|152]] [[Category:Roads in Madera County, California|State Route 152]] [[Category:Roads in Merced County, California|State Route 152]] [[Category:Roads in Santa Clara County, California|State Route 152]] [[Category:Roads in Santa Cruz County, California|State Route 152]] [[Category:Los Banos, California]] [[Category:Butterfield Overland Mail in California]] [[Category:History of the American West]] [[Category:Roads on the National Register of Historic Places in California]] [[Category:National Register of Historic Places in Santa Clara County, California]]