Am I weird because I like CA-99? (Fresno, Sacramento: shopping center, rail)

[Need4Camaro]

I just love this route for some reason, maybe because its very long but not an actual interstate yet seems very much like one. I also love how it follows the railroad for nearly its entire route and how it crosses the tracks with overpasses in multiple locations.. I know this all pretty seems normal to you all but I am super fascinated with this highway.

[Astoriahoney]

It does but once you hit Gridley it falls apart. The Yuba also delays you from arriving in sacramento.

[evening sun]

I like it too, but we mostly use it for a few miles to get to a shopping center or some other event.

[KC6ZLV]

If you have the time I suggest retracing the original route of US 99 through the cities and towns. In the San Joaquin Valley most of the original route is called Golden State Rd/Blvd, or something similar. North of Sacramento the highway split into US99W, which runs adjacent to I-5, and US99E, which starts as Hwy 160 out of Downtown Sacramento, then shared the same pavement with US 40 (Auburn Blvd most of the way), to Roseville, then north to Marysville to Yuba City, then north to Chico (Midway/Park Ave/Esplanade) and merging with US99W in Red Bluff, then up through Oregon and Washington.

[Adriatica]

I love 99. Much preferred over I5. Way more interesting. I've been going up and down 99 all my life and it feels "homey" to me.

[AlongTheI-5]

If my destination is on the 99, I'll go that way. Otherwise, no.

[Count David]

I always drive CA-99 between Bakersfield and Sacramento. I just flat out won't go up or down I-5 in Central CA.

Breaking down in Fresno (as I have) is probably a lot easier than breaking down "somewhere between Coalinga and Los Banos" too.

[sacreole]

SR-99 is the workhorse and "Main Street" of the Central Valley, particularly the San Joaquin Valley. About 14 years ago, I served on the Highway 99 Task Force moderated by the Great Valley Center in Modesto. The purpose of the task force was to brainstorm ways to beautify and improve the corridor. Some of the ideas included distinctive monument signs and gateways at the entrances to cities, towns and counties along the highway as well as interpretive signs for the crops grown along the highway.

There was also a movement to designate and upgrade SR-99 to an interstate. I believe it would be designated Interstate 7 or 9. Caltrans and the local regional transportation planning agencies have been gradually making improvements by eliminating at-grade crossings and converting those sections to 6-lane freeway, such as between Merced and Chowchilla. A portion of SR-99 is being realigned in Fresno to make way for the high-speed rail project. I generally prefer SR-99 to I-5 if I'm traveling to towns in the South Valley such as Hanford, Visalia and Fresno. I-5 is fine for trips down to So Cal or the Central Coast.

[Adriatica]

Originally Posted by sacreole

About 14 years ago, I served on the Highway 99 Task Force moderated by the Great Valley Center in Modesto.

I did, too! Small world.

[nobodysbusiness]

Yes. You are very weird.