California State Route 33
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State Route 33 is a California State Highway that travels in a north-south direction between central and southern California. CA-33 replaced part of U.S. Highway 399 in 1964 during the "great renumbering" of routes.
Route summary
Beginning in Ventura as a short freeway (the "Ojai Freeway"), it continues north as an undivided surface road through Ojai, crosses the Santa Ynez Mountains, and then continues across the western side of the San Joaquin Valley. Between Taft and Avenal it roughly parallels Interstate 5. Northwest of Avenal, it turns due west to enter Coalinga, then turns northeast and soon becomes concurrent with I-5 for 13 miles. Thereafter, it departs due north near Cantua Creek, turns northwest at Mendota, and meets California State Highway 152 in Dos Palos, with which it runs concurrently for approximately ten miles. It departs again to the northwest near Los Banos, turns north at Santa Nella (where it has an interchange with I-5), and roughly parallels I-5 and the San Joaquin River until its final terminus at I-5 near Vernalis.When passing through the Avenal/Coalinga area travelers pass through a series of prisons and government facilities. They include: Avenal State Prison, Pleasent valley State Prison, and the new Coalinga Mental Hospital.
In the Kern County portions of its route, CA-33 passes through one of the United States' largest petroleum extraction fields, with hundreds of nodding oil pumps along the highway.
Most of CA-33's route is through sparsely populated, relatively desolate portions of the San Joaquin Valley. Travelers along it should use caution, since emergency services are typically dozens of miles away. Carrying extra water and coolant is especially advised, since temperatures in the area routinely surpass 100°F (39°C).
Before the decommissioning of US-399 in 1964, CA-33 also followed CA-166 east from Maricopa to US-99 at Wheeler Ridge, and followed the old US highway from Taft to Maricopa. Today, only CA-166 remains on that roadway.
State law
Legal Definition of Route 33: [California Streets and Highways Code, Chapter 2, Article 3, Section 333]
| Route 33 is part of the [Freeway and Expressway System], as stated by section 253.3 of the California State Highway Code. |
| Route 33 is part of the [Scenic Highway System], as stated by section 263.3 of the California State Highway Code. |
External links
- [Highway 33 on Pashnit.com]
- [WestCoast Roads- California 33]
- [Caltrans: Route 33 highway conditions]
- [California Highways: CA-33]
- [Western Exit Guide - California 33]
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