page_title: California State Route 68
section_title: Route description
hierarchical_section_title: California State Route 68 / Route description
caption_attribution_description: English: CA State Route 68 approaching the Monterey Peninsula.
context_page_description: State Route 68 is a state highway in the U.S. state of California, located entirely in Monterey County. It runs from Asilomar State Beach in Pacific Grove to U.S. Route 101 in Salinas. The approximately 20-mile long highway serves as a major route between the Monterey Peninsula and Salinas.
context_section_description: SR 68 begins as Asilomar Avenue in the city of Pacific Grove at an intersection with Lighthouse Avenue, near the Point Pinos Lighthouse. The highway continues south to an intersection with Sunset Drive, turning east on Sunset Drive before continuing south after roughly half a mile onto Forest Avenue. Soon after entering Monterey and passing by the Presidio of Monterey, SR 68 becomes the W.R. Holman Highway until its junction with SR 1 at the terminus of the 17 Mile Drive.
  SR 68 is concurrent with SR 1 for 2.5 miles (4.0 km) until nearing the Monterey County Fairgrounds. At this point, SR 68 exits SR 1 onto the Monterey-Salinas Highway, which is a freeway for the first half mile. The freeway becomes a highway and passes by the Monterey Regional Airport, intersecting SR 218 at Del Rey Oaks, continuing for 17 miles (27 km) towards Salinas. The route goes past Pasadera, WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, Laureles Grade, Corral De Tierra, San Benancio, Toro Park and Spreckels, becoming a freeway for the last 3 miles (4.8 km) before Salinas, eventually turning north. At the city limits, SR 68 becomes South Main Street and continues to downtown. SR 68 makes a right off of Main and follows John Street to its terminus at U.S. Route 101.
  Highway 68 is heavily traveled.  The road has a design capacity of 16,000 vehicles per day.  As of 2006, it carries about 26,000 vehicles per day.  This figure is projected to increase as residential development in and around Salinas continues, and the Monterey Peninsula's tourism economy continues to expand. The Monterey-Salinas Highway is the main connector between Monterey and Salinas.  The Holman Highway is the main connector between Pacific Grove and Carmel. Highway 68 and the "68" road symbol have become iconic in Pacific Grove skating culture.  This association developed after the opening of the skate shop "68 Skate".
  SR 68 is part of the California Freeway and Expressway System, and east of SR 1 is part of the National Highway System, a network of highways that are considered essential to the country's economy, defense, and mobility by the Federal Highway Administration. SR 68 is eligible for the State Scenic Highway System; however, only the part from SR 1 to the Salinas River is designated by Caltrans as a scenic highway. The Monterey-Salinas Highway is a California Scenic Route because of its views of the chaparral and springtime lupin for 14 miles (23 km) between State Route 1 in Monterey to the Salinas River. State Route 68 is part of the Juan De Anza Trail.
caption: SR 68 eastbound approaching the Monterey Peninsula
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