The Conejo Grade is a 7% grade incline on a section of US 101 (the Ventura Freeway). Also known as the Camarillo Grade,[1] it links Thousand Oaks and cities of the Conejo Valley, with Camarillo and the cities on the Oxnard Plain. With a summit elevation of 841.1 feet (256.4 m), California Highway Patrol inspection stations for trucks are situated on both sides of the highway at the upper terminus of the grade.[2]
The Conejo Mountain has functioned as a barrier by separating Ventura County into East County and West County.[3] Historically, the mountain was known for its many jackrabbits and prickly pear cacti. The surrounding area was formed by volcanic eruptions millions of years ago, a rare geological formation in Southern California. Within the traditional lands of the Chumash people, they had a trading trail through the pass, and it later served as a trading route for farmers and their wagons down the Conejo Grade to the Hueneme wharf. The grade experienced improvements by the newly established State Highway Department in 1912, when the road measured six miles (9.7 km) long and had 49 curves. Traffic kept increasing and the road was straightened and relocated in 1935. The new road was a mile shorter and only had twelve curves.[4]
- ^ "Wildfire cuts swath from Camarillo grade, threatens upscale Newbury Park community". Simi Valley Acorn. Retrieved January 28, 2020.
- ^ "CHP Conejo Inspection Facility". Retrieved August 4, 2021.
- ^ "Making the Grade". Research Library. Museum of Ventura County. Retrieved March 5, 2019.
- ^ Brant, Cherie (2006). Keys to the County: Touring Historic Ventura County. Ventura County Museum. Pages 133-134. ISBN 978-0972936149.