CA Swaps Welcome Signs for Giant Photo-Worthy Monuments
Road trippers entering California from Oregon have a brand-new welcome.
Caltrans has unveiled two giant gateway monuments along southbound U.S. 101 and U.S. 199 in Del Norte County, replacing the classic blue-and-yellow “Welcome to California” signs that had greeted visitors for decades.
Instead of simple roadside signs, the new monuments are designed as photo-worthy landmarks celebrating Northern California’s landscapes and wildlife. The U.S. 101 monument features a towering elk, salmon and coastal scenery framed by the outline of California, while the U.S. 199 monument showcases a mother bear and cub surrounded by California poppies.
The designs were inspired by ideas submitted by local residents and include subtle nods to the original welcome signs, including the familiar yellow poppies.
Caltrans says the monuments have already become popular roadside photo stops, drawing enough visitors that officials are evaluating whether additional pedestrian safety improvements are needed near the Highway 101 location.
Built as part of Governor Gavin Newsom’s Clean California initiative, the concrete monuments are coated with anti-graffiti and UV-resistant finishes and are expected to last 30 to 40 years.
If you’re planning a Redwood Coast road trip, you may want to add one more stop before officially crossing into the Golden State.
h/t SF Gate
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