State Route 38

Click here for a key to the symbols used. An explanation of acronyms may be found at the bottom of the page.

Routing

1. From Route 10 near Redlands to Route 18 near Baldwin Lake via Barton Flats.

   Post 1964 Signage History

   This segment remains as defined in 1963.

   Pre 1964 Signage History

   Route 38 was not included in the set of state signed routes initially defined in 1934. It first shows up on the state highway map in 1961, although the highway itself was under construction since the 1940s. It was LRN 190, defined in 1933.

   A detailed history of this section prior to the adoption and construction as a state highway can be found in Tom Fearer's Gribblenation Blog “California State Route 38”, published in May 2022.

   During 1910, San Bernardino County purchased all of the franchise toll roads to Bear Valley and improved them. By 1915, San Bernardino County completed work on what was known as the "Rim of the World Highway." The Rim of the World Highway ascended from San Bernardino via Waterman Canyon to Bear Valley via Lake Arrowhead. From Bear Valley the Rim of the World Highway descended via what was the Bear Valley & Redlands Toll Road to Redlands.
   (Source: Gribblenation Blog (Tom Fearer), “California State Route 38”, May 2022)

   In 1933, Chapter 767 added the routes from "[LRN 9] near San Dimas to [LRN 26] near Redlands via Highland Avenue" and "[LRN 26] near Redlands to [LRN 43] near Big Bear Lake via Barton Flats" to the highway system. In 1935, these were added to the highway code as LRN 190, with the route:

   1. [LRN 9] near San Dimas to [LRN 26] near Redlands via Highland Avenue
   2. [LRN 26] near Redlands to [LRN 43] near Big Bear Lake via Barton Flats

   Segment 2 of this route is what became Route 38.

   As of 1935, LRN 190 appears to follow an interim routing via Mountain Home Creek Road between Mountain Home Village and Camp Angelus. From Camp Angelus, LRN 190 appears to be aligned through Barton Flats towards Cienega Seca Creek. The interim highway from Camp Angelus to Big Bear Lake follows Clark's Grade to the vicinity of Pine Knot Lodge. The older alignment of the Bear Valley & Redlands Toll Road through the Santa Ana River Canyon displayed on the 1917 California State Automobile Association Map existed but with a gap approaching Clark's Grade near Deer Creek.
   (Source: Gribblenation Blog (Tom Fearer), “California State Route 38”, May 2022)

   Gaps in the routing remained until the 1950s. For example, LRN 190 between Camp Angelus and Bear Valley appeared as a proposed highway with a determined routing on the 1958 Division of Highways Map. By 1961, LRN 190 was complete between US 99/US 70/LRN 26 in Redlands and Route 30/LRN 43 near Big Bear Lake. This is also when the the newly designated Route 38 starts appearing. Opening ceremonies for the completion of Route 38/LRN 190 were held on August 12, 1961, at Onyx Summit.
   (Source: Gribblenation Blog (Tom Fearer), “California State Route 38”, May 2022)

   In 1958, the CHC adopted a freeway routing for the portion of Route 38 between Barton Flats and Big Bear. It generally followed the existing route.
   (Source: Redland Daily Facts, 6/20/1957 via Joel Windmiller, 1/27/2023)

   Note that LRN 190 (future Sign Route 38) was not the main route into Big Bear. That routing was along Sign Route 18, which was LRN 43. LRN 43 was defined in 1917 "...beginning at a point in Waterman Cyn at the termination of the pavement of the San Bernardino County highway system, thence following the meanderings of the road known as the "Crest Drive" into Bear Valley, ending at a point directly opposite the most easterly point of Bear Lake." The 1919 Third Bond Issue extended the route from Deep Creek to Metcalf Creek, specifically "Deep Creek easterly via Bear Valley Dam to the county road at Metcalf Creek in the Angeles National Forest (Arrowbear to the Eastern End of Big Bear Lake)." In 1931, LRN 43 was extended further to the S, down Waterman Canyon via Santa Ana Canyon to Newport Beach. Lastly, in 1933, the route was extended further, from [LRN 31] from Victorville to [LRN 43] near Big Bear Lake via Baldwin Lake. It was also extended to complete the circle around Big Bear Lake. Portions of LRN 43 up the canyon were cosigned as Sign Route 30/Sign Route 18, and the Sign Route 30 designation was also given to the S side of the lake. In 1964, the cosigning was eliminated, the S side of the lake became Route 18, and the N side of the lake became Route 38. The former Sign Route 30 N of Highland was renumbered as Route 330, which ends where it meets Route 18.

   Status

   Thurman Flats (~ SBD R10.304) to Glass Road (~ SBD 26.522)

   In October 2020, it was reported that Caltrans has initiated a $3.5 million director’s order to begin an emergency project to repair damages to Route 38 as the result of El Dorado wildfire. The project limits are from Thurman Flats to Glass Road. The project has been awarded to Riverside Construction Company, Inc. and started on Friday, Oct. 2, 2020. The work will stabilize slopes, remove debris and hazardous/burned trees, excavate and clear culverts and inlet basins (post-fire debris flow basins), replace debris racks and include rock slope scaling. The schedule is 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, and it will require traffic control until the project is complete. The project is expected to be complete by late spring 2021, contingent on weather and any further damage to the facility.
   (Source: Highland Community News, 10/8/2020)

   In September 2025, it was reported that on Sept. 18, a major storm ripped through Southern California, triggering floods and mudslides in the San Bernardino Mountains. The storm closed over 30 miles of Route 38 due to excessive mud and debris while washing out a significant portion of the highway. According to Caltrans, the highway will remain closed indefinitely. The closure extends from Mill Creek Road near Angelus Oaks to Lakewood Road near Big Bear. Drone footage of Route 38 showed a massive portion of the roadway had collapsed down the mountainside as crewmembers evaluated the situation. Ten people traveling in six to seven cars got stranded amid the mud and debris along Route 38.
   (Source: SF Gate, 9/24/2025; KTLA 9/23/2025; Daily Mail, 9/2025)

   In October 2025, it was reported that in the wake of Tropical Storm Mario, Caltrans launched a $9.7 million emergency project to restore Route 38, a vital mountain route through the San Bernardino National Forest. Crews are working around the clock to clear massive debris flows and repair damaged infrastructure caused by the storm’s impact. Phase One targets critical cleanup at several postmile locations. That includes removing burn scar debris from culverts and basins, restoring slope stability, and reestablishing drainage systems. Immediate threats have been identified at postmiles 21.12, 23.90, and 24.30, with major work underway at Hathaway Bridge to restore vertical clearance. Phase Two focuses on rebuilding the washed-out roadway at postmile 23.90 using geosynthetic reinforced embankments and installing new culvert systems. Crews will also stabilize slopes with shotcrete and erosion control mats, requiring over 30,000 cubic yards of fill material at each major site. Officials estimate a nine-month timeline for reopening, but warn that weather and terrain could cause delays. With over 45,000 year-round residents relying on this corridor, the urgency is high.
   (Source: KBHR, 10/13/2025)

   In December 2025, the CTC was informed about the following emergency G11 allocation: #35. $12,900,000. 08-SBd-38 14.9/44.2. PPNO 08-3026Z; ProjID 0826000040; EA 1T330. Route 38 Near Angelus Oaks and Erwin Lake, from 0.1 mile west of Forest Home Boulevard to Lakewood Drive. On September 18, 2025, a series of intense storms caused washouts, flooding, debris flow, and full road closure within the El Dorado Fire burn scar. A segment of Route 38 experienced a complete roadway washout. This project will remove debris and hazardous trees, clean drainage basins, reconstruct roadway, repair drainage systems, guardrail, embankments, debris barriers, roadway signs, and cable railings, stabilize slopes, and provide slope scaling operations and traffic control. Construction funds allocated: Initial G-11 Allocation 10/07/2025: $12,900,000. Additional funds allocated: R/W Cap: $300,000. Breakdown: CON ENG $3,200,000 CONST $9,700,000.
   (Source: December 2025 CTC Agenda, Agenda Item 2.5f.(1) #35)

   In March 2026, the CTC was informed of the following Emergency G-11 Allocation: $18,400,000. 08-SBd-38 14.9/44.2. PPNO 08-3026Z; ProjID 0826000040; EA 1T330. Route 38 Near Angelus Oaks and Erwin Lake, from 0.1 mile west of Forest Home Boulevard to Lakewood Drive. On September 18, 2025, a series of intense storms caused washouts, flooding, debris flow, and full road closure within the El Dorado Fire burn scar. A segment of Route 38 experienced a complete roadway washout. This project will remove debris and hazardous trees, clean drainage basins, reconstruct roadway, repair drainage systems, guardrail, embankments, debris barriers, roadway signs, and cable railings, stabilize slopes, and provide slope scaling operations and traffic control. This supplemental is necessary because debris removal and infrastructure damage has exceeded original estimates, to the extent that debris flow depths exceeded 40 feet, clogged the drainage system, overtopped the highway, and altered the creek's historic flow path. This project will provide additional repair including work to restore embankment with rock buttress walls, construct new drainage systems, redirect runoff flow paths, and increase working levels to a seven-day multiple shift per day work week to reopen the road as originally scheduled. Construction funds allocated: (1) Initial G-11 Allocation 10/07/2025: $12,900,000. (2) Supplemental G-11 Allocation 01/07/2026: $18,400,000. (3) Revised Allocation: $31,300,000. (4) Additional supplemental funds allocated: R/W Sup: $100,000; R/W Cap: $200,000. Breakdown: CON ENG $1,600,000; CONST $16,800,000 .
   (Source: March 2026 CTC Agenda, Agenda Item 2.5f.(1) #28)

   Naming

   The portion of Route 38 between the Mill Creek Bridge № 54-0346 (SBD 9.601) and the Mt. Home Creek Bridge № 54-1046 (SBD R12.279) near the community of Mentone in the County of San Bernardino as the United States Forest Service Firefighter Brent Michael Witham Memorial Highway. It was named in memory of United States Forest Service Firefighter Brent Michael Witham, who lost his life in the line of duty when he was struck and killed by a falling tree on Wednesday, August 2, 2017, while working on the Lolo Peak Fire in western Montana. Brent Michael Witham was born in July 1988, in Redlands, California. He was a member of the Vista Grande Hotshot crew based in the San Bernardino National Forest of California. Hotshot crews are firefighters trained specifically for wildfire suppression. Brent loved the challenges of being part of this elite group of firefighters, and looked forward to going to work every day and worked hard to be a good role model, leader, and firefighter. Brent was a member of one of 113 hotshot crews in the United States tasked with the serious job of either hiking or being airdropped to remote areas of the wilderness to fight fires, usually with just the equipment they can carry. Brent began his firefighting career in 2011 as a member of the Tahquitz Handcrew based in Riverside, California, and was assigned to Station 56 near Mountain Center, California, in the San Jacinto Mountains in 2013. At the time of his passing, Brent had served six years as a hardworking professional who was eager to learn and be the best that he could be, according to Jody Noiron, San Bernardino National Forest Supervisor. Named by Senate Concurrent Resolution 32 (SCR 32), Resolution Chapter 138, 8/28/19)
   (Image source: Highland News)

   The portion of Route 38 between PM SBD 24.00 to PM SBD 29.00, inclusive, in San Bernardino County is officially named the "Detective Jeremiah MacKay Memorial Highway." It was named on 09/27/13 by ACR 68, Res. Chapter 142, Statutes of 2013. It was named in memory of Detective Jeremiah MacKay. MacKay was born in June 1977 in San Bernardino. Mr. MacKay grew up with his younger sister in Lake Arrowhead, where he developed a passion for mountain recreation. At the age of four he climbed the highest peak in southern California, 11,503-foot Mount San Gorgonio. Mr. MacKay attended Calvary Chapel Christian School in Twin Peaks, and Mary P. Jenck Intermediate School and Rim of the World High School, both in Lake Arrowhead. Throughout his adolescence, Mr. MacKay enjoyed being part of a youth group at Church of the Woods in Lake Arrowhead, and loved participating in sports, including football, tennis, and skiing. Mr. MacKay continued to spend time in the mountains as a young man, working as a ski and snowboard instructor at the Snow Valley Ski Resort in Running Springs, and as lake patrol for the Arrowhead Lake Association in Lake Arrowhead. Mr. MacKay began his career in public service when he joined the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department as a member of Academy Class 131. He graduated from the program and became a Deputy Sheriff on June 4, 1998, his 21^st birthday. As a deputy, Mr. MacKay was assigned to the Central Detention Center, Central Station, and Sheriff Training Facility, all in San Bernardino, and Twin Peaks station, in Twin Peaks. He was promoted to the rank of detective and served in that capacity at stations in Twin Peaks, Big Bear, and Yucaipa, with the radio call sign of 14.D.2. As part of the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department, Detective MacKay earned five California Highway Patrol 10851 Awards and three Commander’s Awards. Detective MacKay was chosen to be a member of the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department Honor Guard, and lived by the three cardinal principles of the Sheriff’s Department: honor, pride, and tradition. Detective MacKay married in November 2011. Detective MacKay took pride in his Scottish heritage and enjoyed playing the bagpipes. He was a member of the Inland Empire Emerald Society for six years, and ultimately became the organization’s sergeant at arms. On February 12, 2013, at the age of 35, Detective MacKay was shot and killed by Christopher Dorner during the manhunt for the rogue ex-Los Angeles Police Department officer. To honor Detective MacKay’s memory, the 14.D.2 Prayer Project has been established to encourage prayer for the safety of first responders.
   (Image sources: ABC7; Officer Down Memorial Page)

   Freeway

   [SHC 253.3] Entire portion. Added to the Freeway and Expressway system in 1959.

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2. From Route 18 near Baldwin Lake along the north side of Big Bear Lake to Route 18 near the west end of Big Bear Lake.

   Post 1964 Signage History

   This segment remains as defined in 1963.

   Note that a big numbering switch occurred in 1964. Prior to 1964, Route 18 ran N from San Bernardino. At Running Springs, it joined with Sign Route 30 (now Route 330) up from Highland, and continued cosigned Sign Route 18/Sign Route 30 to the W end of Big Bear Lake. At this point, Sign Route 30 ran along the S edge of the lake, and Sign Route 18 ran along the N end. In 1964, Route 18 was rerouted to the S side of Big Bear Lake (replacing what had been Sign Route 30). The cosigning that existed between the W end of Big Bear Lake and Sign Route 30 (now Route 330)/Route 18 junction was eliminated, and the route was just signed as Route 18. The Sign Route 18 routing on the N side of the lake was signed as Route 38.

   Pre 1964 Signage History

   The current Route 38 routing was originally part of Sign Route 18 (from the west end of Big Bear Lake to Big Bear City), and was LRN 43. The route that would become LRN 43 was first defined in 1917 by Chapter 697, which called for inclusion in the state highway system of the route "...beginning at a point in Waterman Cyn at the termination of the pavement of the San Bernardino County highway system, thence following the meanderings of the road known as the "Crest Drive" into Bear Valley, ending at a point directly opposite the most easterly point of Bear Lake." The 1919 Third Bond Issue extended the route from Deep Creek to Metcalf Creek, specifically "Deep Creek easterly via Bear Valley Dam to the county road at Metcalf Creek in the Angeles National Forest (Arrowbear to the Eastern End of Big Bear Lake)." This ran along the N side of the lake, and was Sign Route 18.

   In 1933, the route was extended further, from [LRN 31] from Victorville to [LRN 43] near Big Bear Lake via Baldwin Lake. It was also extended to complete the circle around Big Bear Lake. Thus, the route was codified in the 1935 highway code as: "Newport Beach to [LRN 31] near Victorville, via Santa Ana Canyon, San Bernardino, Waterman Canyon, "Crest Drive" into Bear Valley, Big Bear Lake and Baldwin Lake. [LRN 43] includes a highway around Big Bear Lake."

   In 1964, some route renumbering and simplification occurred, and the N side of the lake was resigned as Route 38, with Route 18 being moved to the S side of the lake.

   Naming

   The portion of Route 38 between PM SBD 49.530 and SBD 59.396 in San Bernardino County is named the "Lieutenant Jared M. Landaker Memorial Highway" This segment was named in memory of USMC Lieutenant Jared M. Landaker, who made the ultimate sacrifice for his country when, on February 7, 2007, he gave his life while serving in Iraq in the United States Marine Corps. Lieutenant Landaker was born in Madera, California, on May 3, 1981. Due to a possible complication at Lieutenant Landaker's birth, doctors warned his parents that their child might be mentally challenged. The doctors encouraged surgery, an option that Joe and Laura Landaker refused. Although smaller in size than most boys his age, Lieutenant Landaker proved the doctors wrong by excelling in both academics and sports. As a young man, Lieutenant Landaker enjoyed skiing, snowboarding, and playing baseball and football. While attending Big Bear High School, Lieutenant Landaker played varsity baseball, served as the quarterback on the varsity football team, was an all-CIF defensive back, and was inducted into the player hall of fame. The head football coach at Big Bear High School, Dave Griffith, considered Lieutenant Landaker not only a standout football player but also a standout person and a role model to kids. Joe Bradley, a physics teacher and baseball coach at Big Bear High School, also held Lieutenant Landaker in high regard, stating that he had never coached a kid with more heart or courage. In homage to Lieutenant Landaker's athletic legacy at Big Bear High School, his jersey, number 15, was recently retired and an award is to be made in his honor. After graduating from high school, Lieutenant Landaker studied physics at the University of La Verne. Following the events of September 11, 2001, Lieutenant Landaker felt the need to do his part and decided to join the United States Marine Corps. He proceeded to attend Officer Candidate School, The Basic School, and flight school. Ranking in the top 5% during flight training, he was awarded the privilege of selecting an aircraft. Desiring to be a part of the community, he chose the CH-46 Sea Knight helicopter, an aircraft involving some of the most noble assignments in the military. Within just seven months, Lieutenant Landaker achieved the status of Helicopter Aircraft Commander, a status that typically takes at least one year to achieve. Lieutenant Landaker received a commission as second lieutenant on September 7, 2003, followed by a commission of first lieutenant on September 7, 2005. He served as a first lieutenant with the Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 364, nicknamed "the Purple Foxes." As a medevac pilot, he airlifted wounded marines and citizens out of dangerous combat zones in Anbar province in Iraq. On February 7, 2007, just one week before his scheduled return home, Lieutenant Landaker gave his life while flying a CH-46 Sea Knight helicopter that was shot down over Anbar province. In recognition of his service in the military, Lieutenant Landaker received a purple heart, a National Defense Service Medal, an Iraqi Campaign Medal, a Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, a Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, and a Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal. Named by Assembly Concurrent Resolution (ACR) 59, Resolution Chapter 115, on 9/10/2007.
   (Image source: Jolygram, Seven Stars Foundation)

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Scenic Route

Interregional Route

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Statistics

Pre-1964 Legislative Route

Acronyms and Explanations:

• "LRN" refers to the Pre-1964 Legislative Route Number. "US" refers to a US Shield signed route. "I" refers to an Eisenhower Interstate signed route. "Route" usually indicates a state shield signed route, but said route may be signed as US or I.
• Previous Federal Aid (pre-1992) categories: Federal Aid Interstate (FAI); Federal Aid Primary (FAP); Federal Aid Urban (FAU); and Federal Aid Secondary (FAS). Current Functional Classifications (used for aid purposes): Principal Arterial (PA); Minor Arterial (MA); Collector (Col); Rural Minor Collector/Local Road (RMC/LR). Note that ISTEA repealed the previous Federal-Aid System, effective in 1992, and established the functional classification system for all public roads.
• Other frequently used terms: California Transportation Commission (Commission or CTC), California Department of Transportation (Department or Caltrans), Regional Improvement Program (RIP), Interregional Improvement Program (IIP), State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP), State Highway Operation and Protection Program (SHOPP), Traffic Congestion Relief Program (TCRP), Clean Air and Transportation Improvement Act of 1990 (Proposition 116), High Speed Passenger Train Bond Program (Proposition 1A), Highway Safety, Traffic Reduction, Air Quality, and Port Security Bond Act of 2006 (Proposition 1B), Corridor Mobility Improvement Account (CMIA), State Route 99 Bond Program (RTE or SR 99), Local Bridge Seismic Retrofit Account (LBSRA), Trade Corridors Improvement Fund (TCIF), Highway-Railroad Crossing Safety Account (HRCSA), State-Local Partnership Program (SLPP), Environmental Phase (PA&ED), Design Phase (PS&E), Right of Way (R/W), Fiscal Year (FY), Active Transportation Program (ATP), Trade Corridor Enhancement Program (TCEP), Local Partnership Program (LPP), Local Streets and Roads Program (LSRP), Solutions for Congested Corridors Program (SCCP).

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