Where is the grapevine in Southern California?
"The Grapevine" in Southern California Often, Angelenos refer to the 40-mile stretch from just north of Castaic to the bottom of the grade where the I-5 enters the San Joaquin Valley as “the Grapevine” (the orange and yellow portion of the I-5 in the map below).
What is the history of the Grapevine?
The top of the Grapevine is registered as California Historical Landmark #283, where Don Pedro Fages passed through in 1772 during his explorations through California.
What months do grapes grow in California?
Today, 99 percent of U.S. table grapes are produced in California's warm, dry climate that is ideal for grape growing. With more than 90 grape varieties grown, California grapes come in three colors—green, red and black—and are in season from May through January.
What is the elevation of grapevine AZ?
The small village is directly adjacent to Interstate 5 and consists mainly of travelers' and roadside services. At an elevation of 1,499 feet (457 m), the community is located at the foot of a grade known as the Grapevine that lies in Grapevine Canyon through the Tejon Pass .
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Where does the Grapevine in California start and end?
"The Grapevine" in Southern California It is along the fastest highway route between Los Angeles and San Francisco. The fact is, though, that the Grapevine is actually only a six-mile portion of Interstate 5 in Kern County, between Fort Tejon and the bottom of the grade (the yellow portion of the I-5) to the north.
Where exactly is the Grapevine in California?
Kern CountyGrapevine is an unincorporated community in Kern County, California, at the southern end of the San Joaquin Valley. The small village is directly adjacent to Interstate 5 and consists mainly of travelers' and roadside services.
Where is the top of the Grapevine in California?
Tejon Summit is located on Interstate 5 approximately 70 miles north of Los Angeles, California. Tejon pass is often called the Grapevine, however, the Grapevine more correctly references the steep 5 1/2 mile grade section at the northern end of this pass.
Why do they call it the Grapevine in California?
Grapevine sits at the foot of a steep grade known as “the Grapevine” that lies in the Grapevine Canyon through Tejon Pass. The small village and steep grade are named for the canyon in which the trail passes through and after wild grapes that grow along the original road.
Is it hard to drive over the Grapevine?
And the stretch through the Grapevine is one of the most challenging -- according to the California Highway Patrol's Fort Tejon office. Those officers said more than 100,000 drivers travel the Grapevine daily. And in the last 12 months 14 people have lost their life on the Grapevine.
How long is the drive over the Grapevine?
40-mileThe mountain pass called the Grapevine is a 40-mile stretch where there is a five-mile, five percent grade. This pass is necessary to the trucks hauling cargo from the ports in Oakland, Los Angeles, and Long Beach; three of the busiest port in the world.
What is the steepest highway in California?
Old Priest Grade Road is the name of a very hairy ride located in the County of Tuolumne, in the U.S. state of California. It's brutally steep hitting a 20% through some of the ramps. Passenger vehicles only.
What is the highest pass in California?
Tioga PassIt is the highest elevation highway pass in California and in the Sierra Nevada at an elevation of 9,945 ft (3,031 m)....Tioga PassElevation9,945 ft (3,031 m)Traversed bySR 120LocationMono / Tuolumne counties, California, United StatesRangeSierra Nevada4 more rows
How steep is the Grapevine in California?
This route isn't without its steep grade -- the Cuesta Grade is 7%! -- but it's mercifully short. During the few short moments descending it, our ever rising voices and bad communication affirmed that our decision to avoid the Grapevine at this time was the right call.
What is the 5 freeway called?
I-5 is known colloquially as "the 5" to Southern California residents and "5" to Northern California residents due to varieties in California English. The highway connects to the Mexican Federal Highway 1 (Fed. 1) in the south....Interstate 5 in California.Interstate 5ExistedJuly 1, 1964–presentHistoryCompleted October 12, 197918 more rows
Are chains required on the Grapevine?
The snow sticks to the road, and freezes. This causes fast drivers to go out of control and crash at the pump of a brake. Wheel chains are not required through the Grapevine, and officials said it would be nearly impossible to regulate them.
What is the highest elevation on the Grapevine?
1,499′Grapevine / Elevation
How steep is the Grapevine in California?
This route isn't without its steep grade -- the Cuesta Grade is 7%! -- but it's mercifully short. During the few short moments descending it, our ever rising voices and bad communication affirmed that our decision to avoid the Grapevine at this time was the right call.
What does it mean to hear through the Grapevine?
To hear rumors(idiomatic) To hear rumors; to learn through friends of friends. quotations ▼ I heard through the grapevine that she likes him.
How high is the Grapevine pass?
4,160′Tejon Pass / Elevation
What is the San Joaquin Valley known for?
Today the San Joaquin Valley is the backbone of California's modern and highly technological agricultural industry. California ranks as the largest agricultural producing state in the nation, producing 11 percent of the total U.S. agricultural value.
What is the top of the grapevine?
The top of the Grapevine is registered as California Historical Landmark #283, where Don Pedro Fages passed through in 1772 during his explorations through California.
How high is the town of Grapevine?
The small village is directly adjacent to Interstate 5 and consists mainly of travelers' and roadside services. At an elevation of 1,499 feet (457 m), the community is located at the foot of a grade known as the Grapevine that lies in Grapevine Canyon through the Tejon Pass .
Why is the Grapevine closed?
The stretch of I-5 through the Grapevine and the Tejon Pass is sometimes closed by the California Highway Patrol, generally because of the icy conditions combined with the steep grade of the pass, and the high volume of traffic during the winter holidays. Occasionally, heavy rains will cause mud and rockslides, closing the freeway. The Highway Patrol is also concerned, especially with the large number of big-rigs that pass through, that just one accident in the icy or snowy conditions might force traffic to slow down or come to a complete stop, leaving hundreds of vehicles stalled at once. Whenever there is such a closure, traffic must either wait for it to reopen, or endure a slow multi-hour detour.
Where are table grapes grown?
Today, 99 percent of U.S. table grapes are produced in California 's warm, dry climate that is ideal for grape growing. With 82 grape varieties grown, California grapes come in three colors—green, red, and black—and are in season from May through January. Explore California.
How do grapes grow?
Growth is slow at first. As the mean temperature rises, growth and shoot elongation accelerate. After three or four weeks, the period of most rapid growth begins – where shoots can grow an average of one inch or more per day. As the days warm up, flowers bloom, then shatter to make way for the tiny green grapes that will eventually ripen into clusters. Berry size increases rapidly. Sunlight and warm temperatures are vital to the physiological functions of the grapevine (such as photosynthesis).
Why do grape growers prune?
Pruning and training of the vine are two of the most important aspects for quality grape production – growers decide how much and which parts of the previous season’s growth to remove in order to regulate vegetative growth (shoots and leaves) and crop load (grape clusters) to produce quality grapes and optimum yield.
How long does it take for a grape to ripen?
View the annual grapevine cycle of a red table grape vineyard, from dormancy to harvest-ready, in just 60 seconds. If playback doesn't begin shortly, try restarting your device.
Why are grape berries so hard to grow?
Initial period of growth is rapid, due to cell division and cell enlargement. The grape berries are green and hard to the touch and enlarge rapidly. They have very little sugar and are high in organic acids.
What department is responsible for determining when grapes are ripe?
Determining when grapes are ripe is a real science and both the U.S. Department of Agriculture and California Department of Food and Agriculture are involved in setting and monitoring grape production standards.
What happens to the grape flower after it blooms?
It is shed entirely, as a cap. Immediately after blooming, the pollen sacs open and release pollen and pollination occurs.
What are the ramps in Grapevine?
These ramps in the Grapevine, construct ed for emergency escapes for large vehicles with brake problems, or a Prius if necessary, should never get used as picture taking opportunities , or a rest break. Even when you have a mandatory 30-minute break after eight hours of driving, or you need to check cargo, find another area to stop. Using these ramps for other than their intended purpose could cause horrific accidents, and it will undoubtedly get you a ticket if CHPs comes along.
Does the grapevine have snow?
Contrary to popular belief, it does “…Rain in Southern California” and snow, but that’s actually another misnomer because the Grapevine lies in Central California, not Southern California. The weather up there at 4100 feet changes quite rapidly. The spring and early summer in the Tehachapi mountain area are as beautiful as any other natural world-wonder with wildflowers dotting the green slopes.
Where is the Grapevine on I-5?
From Caltrans, "Most travelers think the portion of I-5 called the Grapevine begins at the north end of Castaic in the Santa Clarita Valley where the freeway begins a northerly climb at Parker Road -- and where the California Highway Patrol closes the freeway when snow or icy conditions northward prohibit safe travel.
How high is the Templin Highway?
After the five mile grade, comes Templin Highway at about the 3,000-feet level. Proceeding north one encounters 22.5 more miles north on a rolling, meandering drive by Frazier Mountain through the Gorman area and the highest point of the drive at an altitude of 4,183 feet, and the summit of this famous drive.
Is the Santa Clara River dry?
For many of us who have lived "east of California," we expect to see water in the area marked as the Santa Clara River on our local maps. However, the river is dry for most of the year. But beware, as heavy rains can make the usually dry riverbed a raging river very quickly. SigAlert.
Is Santa Clarita sunny in winter?
Locals' Tip: If snow is predicted over 3,000 feet, using Hwy 101 will avoid this area. Keep in mind, it can be sunny in Santa Clarita, while The Grapevine is experiencing a blizzard.
What is the grapevine?
The Grapevine is the name given to a section of one of California’s most important sections of the 5 Freeway, traversing the Transverse Ranges to connect the San Joaquin Valley to Los Angeles County.
What freeways are used to travel around Grapevine?
The 58 and 14 freeways through the Mojave Desert can also be used as a detour around the Grapevine.
How high is the 14 freeway in California?
This detour involves the 14 Freeway through the Mojave Desert and the Soledad Pass, at an elevation of 3,255 feet, and the 58 Freeway through the Tehachapi Pass, at an elevation of 3,793 feet. Forecasters have warned both routes may see snow.
Why is the Mojave Desert not advised for this storm?
The other possible detour, through the Mojave Desert, is not advised for this storm because the weather service is forecasting snow falling in the Antelope Valley foothills, with a chance “there could even be accumulating snow on the valley floor.”.
Is the 101 freeway in California too high?
(California Highway Patrol / Google Maps) Because the 101 in California never gets too high in elevation, it generally doesn’t get the amount ...
Overview
Grapevine is an unincorporated community in Kern County, California, at the southern end of the San Joaquin Valley. The small village is directly adjacent to Interstate 5 and consists mainly of travelers' and roadside services. At an elevation of 1,499 feet (457 m), the community is located at the foot of a grade known as the Grapevine that lies in Grapevine Canyon through the Tejon Pass.
Etymology
The village and grade are named for the canyon the trail passed through, after the wild grapes that grow along the original road. Its Spanish name is La Cañada de las Uvas, that is, Grapevine Ravine.
Geography
The ZIP Code is 93243, and the community is inside area code 661. A post office operated at Grapevine from 1923 to 1960. The community of Wheeler Ridge lies three miles north of Grapevine on Interstate 5, with Lebec nine miles south.
Before the road was straightened and widened during 1933–34 by the three-lane Ridge Route Alternate (US 99), the Grapevine was infamous for its high acciden…
Landmark
The top of the Grapevine is registered as California Historical Landmark #283, where Don Pedro Fages passed through in 1772 during his explorations through California.
Future development
The Tejon Ranch Company is planning further development in the area, which it identified as at "the northern base of the Interstate 5 grapevine, starting at the foothills in the southernmost portion of the San Joaquin Valley, extending parallel to the Tejon Ranch Commerce Center along I-5". A company spokesman said the development would result in 12,000 to 14,000 homes and 5.1 million square feet of commercial development. In addition, the company has identified seven th…
See also
• Ridge Route, the former route currently bypassed by Interstate 5
• California Historical Landmarks in Kern County
• California Historical Landmark
External links
• The Mountain Enterprise - local newspaper serving readers of Grapevine and some other small communities.
Additional reading
• Paul Duginski, "The Grapevine Is the Heart of California's Freeway System; It's Also Vulnerable," Los Angeles Times, December 28, 2019