Exploring the Abandoned San Luis Rey Bridge in Bonsall, CA

The San Luis Rey Bridge, also known as the Bonsall Bridge, was built in 1925 and was in use until 1990. It was built to be a part of an inland highway between Vista and Fallbrook, and was part of Route 395 from 1926 until the late 1940s. When CA State Route 76 was created in 1964 it was a part of that route as well, but eventually the amount of traffic became too large for the bridge, leading to lots of accidents. In 1990 it was replaced by the current CA 76 bridges and is no longer used for vehicle traffic.
In the video we mention that human remains were found at the bridge in. 2017. Here is a link to the San Diego Union Tribune's story on that gruesome discovery: www.sandiegouniontribune.com/...
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[@freeandhappy8562]

My father owned a produce stand right at that 90 degree turn onto the bridge. It was called "Dugan's Farmer's Market". I worked there after school and summers and saw many a car wreck on that corner.

[@SidetrackAdventures]

Quite a few comments mentioned the produce stand. Really cool, I never knew about it.

[@patrickwade3150]

I always stopped there. Probably saw you more than once.😉

[@signarstygia8982]

I remember it!

[@Jim-og8uy]

In the 60’s we would stop to buy fruit there .

[@Porsche996driver]

Oh I love that!! Can totally picture that now I’ve to search for some pics ha.

[@elwoodblues9613]

Bridges built before 1950 were not only functional, but also a work of art. The San Luis Rey bridge is a nice example.

[@stirfish]

I think we'd all agree that the same goes for most everything built back then. Even the toasters in the mall appliance store are all 50's retro these days.

[@SuperChodot]

Cos in the old days architects are also artists

[@nunyabidniz2868]

Repeat after me: "Art Deco, baby! America leads the way!"

[@scottielover5415]

Elwood Blues, I agree 100%, I was thinking the exact thing watching this. I've always loved old bridges.

[@rkgsd]

Also built without the aid of CAD like dams and buildings from that era. In many cases, that meant those structures were overbuilt just in case various scenarios occurred.

[@timhays4290]

The large dirt area on the Northeast side of the bridge once upon a time was home to an open air produce market. I lived in the area from 1969 to 1994. It was a great place to live in the 1970s

[@karenjackson8346]

I grew up in Vista in the 1950s and I always loved it when we had a reason to take this route. It was definitely a quieter time with a slower pace. Seeing the bridge and going over it was a bit of excitement. 👵🏻❤️

[@monstermelisssa6127]

I would loooove to see what vista looked like in the 1950s

[@markv2517]

You missed a key part of its history. This bridge played a big role in the movie Attack of the Killer Tomatoes 1978.

[@SidetrackAdventures]

Wow, I haven't seen that movie in years! Totally would have mentioned that had I realized.

[@martyshannon7542]

Never knew that. Thanks.

[@phill3047]

The Bonsall bridge was also used to film an action scene in the movie True Lies with Arnold Schwarzenegger and Jamie Lee Curtis

[@guns2112]

I grew up in Fallbrook in the mid to late 70's and I remember going over that bridge, Where the bridge makes that 90 degree turn was a road side stand where they sold all types of fruits and vegetables.

[@denisehazlett508]

I remember the produce stand.

[@pamdotson4346]

I spent my young childhood days in Fallbrook (1955-59). I remember the fruit stand very well! We would stop on our way back from a day at the beach in Oceanside.

[@patrickwade3150]

Used to stop there all the time on my way home.

[@douglasrykerd6266]

I graduated from San Marcos High School in ‘82, but my dad worked for Vista Water District. I remember driving that route all the time.

[@joezamboni4136]

One of the first videos I’ve watched from you. Simple, direct, not drawn out (to barely get over a certain length). Very nice to listen to you in contrast to other content producers

[@ZenEndurance]

Maybe if people stop referring to other humans as "content producers", that would help.

[@willbib66]

I remember crossing that bridge in the late 80s in a camper heading north while a semi truck w/trailer was coming the other way heading south. I kind of winced as we passed by each other as it was so tight I was sure I was going to lose a mirror! Nice video, thanks for posting it! A shame about the graffiti underneath.

[@sheriffjohn2498]

Driving from Fallbrook to the bridge in the 70’s at night was always an adventure! Not much was built up along the route. My friend and both had British sports cars. Nice twisty country roads, clipping along, poor visibility then wham, 90 degree turn on to the bridge! Slid off the road a few time but never hit the bridge! Barely. Is anyone tired of seeing graffiti?

[@tomrogers9467]

Graffiti is a scourge. It’s nothing short of vandalism on a world wide scale. Yet, when one of these punks shows talent he’s celebrated as some sort of hero. His name is “Banksy”. Go figure!

[@parkerharris1651]

I've grown up by this bridge! It is an awesome place for photos. A interesting fact is that my great grandfather (in the 1930's) actually drove off the bridge and crashed his car in the river bed with his wife. He punctured a lung and passed. Kind of depressing but... LOL This is an awesome place to visit super fun and a good place to take graduation photos. and wedding photos. Thanks for this video I really enjoyed learning about the bridge I see everyday!! :)

[@SidetrackAdventures]

That's crazy about your great grandfather. Lots of accidents happened on and around that bridge. Thank you for watching.

[@charlenemyers1753]

Traveled that bridge many, many times from Oceanside to Bonsall/Fallbrook. When I was a kid (early 1960's) we called it the 'Wishing Bridge' and the driver of the car had to drive as slow as safely possible while the passengers held their breath. It's a beautiful bridge with great memories.

[@OpieDogie]

The original Bonsall bridge was up town bonsall. It crossed the river where the historic school is in the town. If my memory serves me correct, it washed out in 1918 when the San Luis Rey river flooded. Several cossings and bridges were built and washed out at that location since. This bridge has never washed out since it was built

[@matthewgauthier7251]

Makes me feel like a dinosaur. Watching videos of locations I traveled through as a kid. Before the interstates. Thanks for this.

[@sanddabz5635]

I musta driven over this bridge 1000+ times......even in the 80's during commute hours it was a squeeze.

[@chunkadaryl]

Been across that bridge many times. My dad had a grove on the north side of Fallbrook.

[@crazydave951]

I'm 42 and grew up in Vista and I remember crossing the Bonsall Bridge when I was younger.

[@Casiodoro45]

Grew up in Vista in 40's-60's and enjoyed the trips to Fallbrook and Bonsall over that bridge. Has quite a history! Who knew? I didn't! Thank you for posting it!

[@generay6807]

In the 70’s we lived in Vista and went to Fallbrook to see my aunt and got to go over this bridge. Sometimes we’d stop at Hee Haw Valley. Miss those days. Great memories

[@momtabletmomtablet971]

Great video. RIP TO THE PERSON FOUND UNDERNEATH THIS BRIDGE. I pray you have been identified and now RIP. Prayers to your family and loved ones.

[@FilmerOfBobcats]

I love the drone view both above and under! I grew up in Fallbrook. My dad owned McDonald Agriscience and my grandfather Baylis McDonald ran the area’s first avocado nursery. I remember Fallbrook high school driving lessons including drives over the bridge. It got interesting when big trucks came from the opposite direction!

[@ravenfrogsuperk]

I grew up in Fallbrook in the 80s and 90s, I remember the bridge and produce stand fondly. The bridge railing was always broken in one section or another. It was becoming less and less safe for cars to travel on. Towards the end of the bridge being used for cars, there were shirts that said I survived the Bonsall bridge. I was very sad when the produce stand was demolished.

[@tonybino01]

I lived in Fallbrook as a kid and I do remember my father and I driving on this bridge a few times because I was scared of how high the bridge looked to me. Fallbrook was so different in the 1980s nowadays. Fallbrook was mostly rural and I remember the long driveway from the gate to the house where we lived with fruit trees on both sides.

[@bethanyudonome4219]

I believe it used to say MISSION Rd San Luis Rey Obispo Bonsall Bridge. I remember driving this Bridge as a child and my brother was terrified of it. It was most likely the turn before the bridge, and then the sound of being on a bridge when water is high- and indeed, that bridge used to get close to overwhelmed, which is why the replacement bridge is so much higher, and curves to accept the wind and water flow beneath it.

[@Iconoclasher]

FYI. Since you like old abandoned highways, California didn't start using yellow center lines til 1971. That might help you date some of the abandoned roads. It's a Googleable question.

[@socaldualsport2244]

There was an old Vietnam vet who picked up cans on east Vista way. His name was Ken and he lived under that bridge. I bought him a burrito a few times and talked with him many times. I lost track of Ken a few years ago. I wonder if those skeletal remains were Ken's? I think I remember Ken saying he was a Marine. I hope you are still around Ken. Either way, thanks for your service.

[@johncarter1150]

Interesting video, perfect balance of mystery and story, presented in a calm and pleasant way.... Thanks!

[@ericbrooking]

It was so narrow, thrilling when you passed a truck going the opposite direction!

[@Sometimes_Always]

Love these videos about SD.. It's always amazing to actually see the history behind it.

[@richardmoramarco6754]

I used to live in that area for a good many years, I worked for the local fire department we used to use it for rope rescue training after it was closed, I believe they still do repell training from it still today.

[@semipenguin]

I got stationed at Camp Pendleton in 1990. I sometimes would take CA 76 out to I-15 to travel up to the Antelope Valley every weekend. Eventually I stopped going that way, in favor of going through Fallbrook, via the back gate and the Naval Weapons Center.

[@gilbertmershon2560]

In the early to.mid fifties we drove across this bridge in the morning and back again in the afternoon. It was how we got from Carlsbad to Our school...Mission San Luis Rey catholic school attached to the old Mission. What memories!

[@Corgis175]

Bridge definitely in good shape. Glad to know its open to equestrian riding as well as pedestrian.

[@gemmagarcia8714]

Verdaderamente hermoso !! Estoy de paseo y de Murrieta fui a Camp Pendleton y cuando pasé lo vi y me gusto mucho !! Gracias por compartir !!!

[@dieseldirtdude]

used that bridge many times since the sixties when i was young, grand parents lived back in deluz canyon between fallbrook and temecula, parents had sports cars and loved the tight twisty roadways going to visit

[@Nomadcreations]

What a Majestic Bridge! a Work of ART!

[@thepitpatrol]

We have a bridge in our community they are fixing to tear down called the isabell creek bridge. Beautiful old bridge we are going to miss.

[@been2all505]

My fav is the Cabrillo Bridge in Balboa Park.

[@karenjackson8346]

I loved that one too.

[@comfeefort]

Have You been to the Spruce Street Bridge, near Balboa Park?

[@OakvilleLad]

A great watch and history lesson but you helped me remember where I'd taken a photo many years ago! It's a close-up detail of the railing I'd taken, while strolling across taking in the views. Was able to compare it to the architecture of other bridges and this be the one!

[@comfeefort]

Thanks, I have passed it many times on the way to Pala, but, never stopped to walk it. The Spruce Street bridge near Balboa Park is alot of fun, it's a Pedestrian Suspension Bridge erected in the early 1900's

[@50buttfish]

The scenic backroads of California; used to take this road to Oceanside from I-15, coming from the IE to hit the multitude of beaches.

[@Bobby-mg1uj]

Drove this bridge almost daily. There was a fruit and veggie stand nearby that provided welcome respite in my journey. Spectacular scenery throughout the year. Really happy to see this bridge standing strong. Good memories.

[@patrickwade3150]

I commuted over that bridge daily for many years. Lots of crashes and they were always having to restore the railing. There was a big push for a new bridge but it was held up because of a bird that environmentalists claimed would die off. The replacement was finally done and I read that the endangered birdie is alive and well nesting under the new bridge.

[@tjar12]

I remember about the bird issue. I think it was a woodpecker, could be wrong. crossed that bridge many times in the 80's

[@janetyamashige9573]

I remember several attempts by the Army Corps of Engineers to clear the overgrown riverbed was thwarted over concern for this bird as the vegetation there was its nesting area. Unfortunately a lot of that vegetation went up in the Lilac Fire of December 2017

[@kevyNova123]

In today's world, 100k wouldn't even cover the consultant's fees to design the bridge.

[@RogueReplicant]

Maybe, maybe not. $100,000 would cover structural design and architectural design fees if you outsource the job to a top engineering consultant overseas.

[@jllrue]

And prices will double and triple under clueless Biden!

[@emacias1473]

Man so many videos of cool landmarks near my parents house we always pass by but my parents aren't the type to go explore but I am and my boy is now 6 I'm comfortable taking him and very eager to take him to historic and abandoned landmarks hopefully he appreciates the history and beauty of it all

[@Brenda2955]

I love that bridge. Crossed it many times I the 60s and 70s when I lived in Oceanside.

[@natomblin]

I used to drive over that bridge in the early 80s to and from work. Glad it's still there.

[@RetNemmoc555]

I used to hike the San Luis Rey River bed with friends in the early 70s. My recollection is sketchy, but I don't think there were any impassible or people-dangerous parts at the time. In dry weather, we had that river bed to ourselves and hiked for miles, often in the moonlight of the wee hours.

[@paulmkrukovsky8562]

Used to hunt for crawdads their. Never had any problems

[@WayNorthDrones]

Great colour to the area, looks like a good day to fly and explore with the drone. Good job on the flying, we enjoyed your video. Thank you for sharing

[@annenelson5656]

Love that bridge. We road our horses under there a lot. I remember when we still drove on that bridge.

[@johnnichols51]

I used to go over that bridge every Sunday on my way to the San luis Rey mission for Sunday mass when i was a child in the 1950s

[@buddy8225]

This is definitely gonna be a place to check out. Just the drone shots alone convinced me this is a place worth photographing. ❤️😀

[@paulascholtes7412]

Loved it--good memories!! Miss that bridge.

[@Roger-my5in]

I live in Bonsall and I remember riding in the car as a kid traveling up through Vista to Fallbrook over this bridge. I drive past it now almost daily and probably saw you out there videoing this but just figured ‘huh...another sight seer parked on the north end checking out the scenery’

[@Dkthearn]

Awesome bro I live by that bridge and I didn't know somebodys remains was found there

[@RobKMusic]

Enjoyed the video. Nice vibe to all of it. I just wish when you said "we flew our drone underneath for a look around" that we actually got to see more than three seconds of it. 😉

[@rodneyevans2923]

Wow I remember that bridge when i was stationed at Camp Pendleton

[@tinytattoomike7943]

I’m 53 I remember seeing this bridge on the way to the beach going to Oceanside from Hemet back in 86 It was already decommissioned

[@paulgee8253]

Years ago was a beautiful part of lovely road to Palomar and beyond.

[@Lordpeyre]

I think I've seen this bridge! I grew up in Vista and remember seeing an old abandoned bridge sometimes when we were on the highway out east.

[@nutthrower4415]

Very interesting 👍

[@njsongwriter]

In 1975-76 we lived in the Bonsall/Escondido area. I'm sure we crossed this bridge regularly but I have to admit that I don't remember it. At that time I had a storefront window washing route and once a week drove between Bonsall and Oceanside.

[@jeffgalef121]

I remember when the new bridge opened and the old one was closed. It was sad but understandable.

[@davecook8378]

I'm disappointed to find out that The Bridge of San Luis Rey by Thornton Wilder is about a bridge in Peru, not about this bridge.

[@weldorman8495]

Thanks! I was wondering about that.

[@ccbsnyc]

A very interesting book nonetheless. It is unfortunate that Thornton Wilder is not studied today. Do people still read Willa Cather?

[@Porsche996driver]

Wow that is one quaint little bridge! Narrow and low railing geez must’ve been a thrill in an old wobbly produce truck back in the day! Ok man I’m doing a road trip from OC to see this and some of your other spots! 👌🏼

[@bobryan8793]

I used to drive a 24 ft hertz rental truck every Monday across that bridge delivering tropical plants it was an adventure crossing that bridge ill tell ya....

[@hillwalker8741]

oops - I was looking for Thornton Wilder's Bridge of San Luis Rey - didn't know we had one too

[@edwardmiessner6502]

I noticed the new Route 76 is an expressway (freeway in CA). And the old bridge is beautiful! But I think sandstone tan would be a better colour

[@catherinehays8609]

I love this bridge! I used to ride my horse Buck under there all the time!❤

[@ScratchGlass9]

Lived in Vista , would take this bridge all the time going tubing at the reservation on the San Luis River ! We remember the produce stand too ! Would love to see the old razor backs going up to Palomar ! Great channel...subscribed..

[@SidetrackAdventures]

Thank you, we appreciate it.

[@FilmerOfBobcats]

Can you still go tubing? I never knew about that.

[@ScratchGlass9]

@@FilmerOfBobcats ...Hi, I moved east in 95.

[@goldenpeanuts9]

@@FilmerOfBobcats yes when there is water

[@judibarth7999]

Use to travel this bridge before the new one into Fallbrook to work.

[@HobbyTimeSeattle]

Those donuts are from a street bike motorcycle. Not any automobile.

[@SidetrackAdventures]

That's actually good to know. I'm sure a motorcycle does far less damage than a car. Thanks.

[@madisonmaya94]

I was wondering how a car would have enough space to turn donuts on that bridge and I didn't think it was possible

[@darenobrecht6161]

@@SidetrackAdventures how could a few donuts possibly hurt anything?

[@RetNemmoc555]

@@darenobrecht6161 Not much, but stationary burnouts can melt or heat up asphalt. Someone coming along behind that and doing donuts can dislodge bits of it. You might not get an instant pothole, but it can speed up the process.

[@pudster4115]

used to drive it weekly to go surfing taking the old hwy 76 route in the 80's when it passed the mission (San luis Rey?) in Oceanside

[@meowypotter1246]

I was born and raised in Bonsall. This bridge was so narrow that I remember clutching onto the armrest of my dad's truck while crossing it and barely peeking over the dashboard as as it seemed like he would barely brush oncoming traffic! I also remember that "city hall" was an outhouse that used to be located around Olive Hill Rd. and 76, across from what was a little country store where my dad would let us kids get bubble gum, candy and pickles while he got soda and hostess cupcakes (mom never stopped ☹️). I'm sure city hall outhouse was a joke and I wish there were pictures. I can't find any, unfortunately.

[@lissasieja4980]

We lived west of the Bonsall Bridge at the Ed and Betty Zwierstra Dairy on highway 76. We moved the dairy to Dublin Texas in 1990's. We used to chase the cows that got loose before they got into the tomato fields along the riverbed. The riverbed was sandy and you could use parts of it for a make-shift beach. I wonder if people about miss the smells of the dairy-air? Thank you for the walk down memory lane.

[@panticp]

I grew up on an Egg/chicken ranch on the hill above the bridge. Our property goes up to the bridge (still have it) and I spent many days playing underneath the bridge. We had a cow that escaped a couple of times but once it made it your to your dairy. It was an ordeal ushering her back home through the riverbed. I can't remember if it was your dairy or the one across the river on North River road, but we earned twin calves 9 months after our cow made one of her escapes. :)

[@tttyuhbbb9823]

​@@panticp 😂😂🤣😅😅

[@garyschultz7768]

gee the road across the bridge looks better than most of the streets in my LA neighborhood ...

[@schnutchie]

Nice background music

[@patricksanders858]

I used to drive this bridge alot.

[@ACEDIAMOND666]

I have ridden on that bridge on car trips as a kid....

[@johnvaldez6997]

Pure rebar, concrete, Sweat, miles and miles of 16.5 Guage tie wire, gallons upon gallons of form oil. And occasional "HELLO" to A Rattlesnake,

[@LastExile1989]

I remember when you could still drive across that even after it's closure.

[@The35speedster]

You should check out abandoned sections of rte 66 in Illinois, near route 55

[@espinozanovak831]

It was very narrow and scary. I remember people freaking out and slammin on the brakes when a big truck or RV came the other way. It looked like a head on collision coming your way.

[@B9M3]

Great video! What drone do you recommend for a total noob like me?

[@SidetrackAdventures]

The DJI Mavic Mini is great. Inexpensive and easy to use.

[@rollschoiceadhesivepen6427]

Goat Canyon Trestle Bridge would be a good one.

[@PoniesandPaintOfficial]

I haven't found anything related to the identity of the human remains found under the bridge, but that is interesting. Hopefully they figure out who it is eventually.

[@p.ipebomb]

Wish they'd put some classy spanish street lamps and replace the concrete with something nicer. Maybe some cool trails connecting or some kind of interesting promenade for people to have a reason to walk the bridge on cool evenings.

[@OceansideTrenchcoatGuy]

Road over that bridge many times. Never saw an accident while I was on it. There I are several Homeless camps near the bridge so it can be dangerous after sunset.

[@paulcallen6129]

Great video Steve! I used to haul sand from the San Luis Rey River in Oceanside to a concrete plant in Vista and have been over this bridge thousands of times. I was told once that it's original purpose was to be the route to transport the giant lens for the Palomar Observatory in the early 30's. Any truth to that?

[@SidetrackAdventures]

I haven't heard that so I' don't know. It might be just an urban legend, but sometimes those end up true.

[@evanswinford7165]

Looks similar to The Bixby Bridge.

[@titus3264]

I grew up there too, graduated 78. After they made it a footbridge, we went down there a couple of times. Some tweaker lived down there and saw me driving on Vista Way screamed he was gonna kill me. Maybe ask him. Everyone comes from someplace, no regrets.

[@vanishingpoint5248]

Cool video! Where can you park to hike across this bridge?

[@SidetrackAdventures]

You can park right off Old River Road or on the other side off Holly Lane.

[@Reno_Slim]

A friend of mine used to work at the Rawhide Ranch in Bonsall. I wonder if it still exists.

[@davidmoser3535]

It doesnt

[@crackerjack9320]

Looks like the Rainbow Bridge in Folsom CA

[@Atreyu760]

Hey buddy I would like to know how the hwy 395 started do you have a video on it? I drive all over san diego and see hwy 395 signs all over san diego and even to nevada

[@SidetrackAdventures]

We don't have a video on the start of the 395. It started where the 163 hits downtown San Diego.

[@macking104]

"US. Route 395 (US 395) is a U.S. Route in the western United States. The southern terminus of the route is in the Mojave Desert at Interstate 15 near Hesperia. The northern terminus is at the Canada-US border near Laurier, where the road becomes Highway 395 upon entering British Columbia, Canada. Before 1964, the route extended south to San Diego.[1] I-15, I-215, and California State Route 163 replaced the stretch of 395 that ran from San Diego to Hesperia through Riverside and San Bernardino. "Old Highway 395" can be seen along or near I-15 in many locations before it branches off at Hesperia to head north." wikipedia

[@jasons3721]

@@macking104 im afraid wiki did you dirty on that info.

[@johnscamp360]

We use to cross that bridge in our school bus everyday

[@yakk13]

Why did they build the road with that sharp curve just before an expensive bridge?

[@jeffarcher400]

Definitely the same construction as the Poway bridge. Shown from underneath the supporting structure could have been the same crew.

[@RamblinRoadies]

Oh, you don't want to venture under the bridge.

[@gregb6469]

Human remains were found? Then either somebody fell or jumped to his/her death, or a body was dumped. Sad either way.