The San Juan Grade is a former segment of US Route 101 which once connected the community of Salinas north to San Juan Bautista over the Gabilan Range. The San Juan Grade was completed as a First State Highway Bond Act project during 1915 and was a replacement for Old Stage Road. The San Juan Grade was ultimately paved in Portland Cement which was common to the First through Third State Highway Bond Acts. US Route 101 was shifted west to the Prunedale Cutoff during 1932 which led to the San Juan Grade being retained as a spur of Legislative Route Number 2. The San Juan Grade was relinquished from the State Highway System during 1935 upon the completion of Legislative Route Number 22 west from San Juan Bautista to San Juan Bautista Y. The San Juan Grade today remains one of the best examples left in California of a First State Highway Bond Act road. Part 1; the history of the San Juan Grade The Gabilan Range between what is now San Juan Bautista and Sa...
Because every road has a story.