No. 23: Ortega Highway

No. 23: A Scenic Highway

"I survived Ortega Highway.” A highway named in a bumper sticker is bound to make it on Patch's list of reasons to love San Juan Capistrano.

While we don't love , we do love the views it offers. The 33 miles of winding road takes travellers from San Juan Capistrano to Lake Elsinore. Stopping at The Lookout Roadhouse along the way is a rite of passage.

The idea for the highway dates back to at least 1917, but construction began in 1929 with completion in 1933. Highway 74 has a strong San Juan Capistrano link. It was of who suggested the highway’s name to honor Don Jose Francisco Ortega. Don Jose was a member of the Portola expedition, whose members made the first efforts to establish the mission.