The Infamous Old Highway 395 Bridge in Poway, California

Tens of thousands of people drive by the Old Highway 395 Bridge in Poway, CA every day, but most never see it. The bridge, which was in use from 1949 to 1967 on Highway 395, before being bypassed by Interstate 15, is only a few feet from the interstate but hidden from view. That lead to tragedy in 1986 when it was the site of the infamous Cara Knott murder, which was committed by an on-duty California Highway Patrolman. In this video we check out the bridge, and the San Diego Crime Victims Oak Park which is located just below it.
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[@bill.godwin-austen]

In a sad irony, the exit from I-15 that Cara Knott drove down to park at the end of the bridge when pulled over by Peyer was Mercy Road.

[@bryanferree10]

Rip Cara while you and your dad knew our family you are never forgotten every time I drive by on the 15 I think of you.

[@peterm1826]

😏

[@raytewell7067]

Amen

[@mikebrady1767]

The bridge was in use until 1977. After being in use as the U.S. 395 bridge on a two lane highway, this bridge became the northbound side of U.S. 395 after it was upgraded to a new 4 lane freeway in 1967 with a new 2 lane southbound bridge next to it which was a higher bridge than the 1949 bridge is. In 1977 the current Interstate 15 bridges were built (I am not sure if the 1967 southbound side of U.S. 395 bridge was widened into the the new northbound I-15 bridge or if it was demolished in favor of the new bridge or not). The old 1949 U.S. 395 bridge was then taken out of service with the opening of the new I-15 bridges in 1977. I remember driving the 1967-1977 U.S. 395 4 lane freeway north out of San Diego which ended just south of Escondido for many years when it had little traffic and few people living along it's corridor. It seemed that after I-15 was built that urban areas sprang up fast!

[@SidetrackAdventures]

Thank you for the additional information on this.

[@milotorres6894]

Nice info share,👍🙏😔✌️

[@coppertop7827]

I can remember at 12 yrs old in 1969 the first time my parents took that bridge to take us to our new home in Poway when we moved from the midwest to CA - I asked if we were going to live in the sticks...coming from a large metro city, Poway area looked terrible to me. I am so thankful now that I grew up and went to school there... it's changed so much now, it's hard to recognize it.

[@mikejohnson7783]

Yep used until 1977 not 1967. Because I remember driving over this old bridge until 1977 and seeing the 15 being built at the time beside this bridge. Wish the narrator got his facts rights. By the way for you freeway fact lovers it took 10 years 1970-1980 to build the 15 from Escondido at El Norte parkway to the border check just outside Temecula. Amazing to push an 8 lane freeway through the mountains. And to push all that dirt from the old 395 exit to the 76 exit to create the arched bridge and the down hill decent platform. The reason I know, I saw it being built as a witness. I did not read it some where so it is a fact.

[@TeddsPicks]

Thank you so very much Steve ❤️ ... I had a High School friend that fell victim to Craig Peyer ... It changed my life forever... This is a great tribute!

[@sueantoniotti8520]

When I lived in San Diego I had heard Mr Knott had set up a memorial for his daughter. I never went to see it. Thanks for sharing.

[@raceboy9517]

Memorial ??

[@milotorres6894]

Heart wrenching story of a families loss of loved one.,🙏😔✌️🙏

[@johnlafever3162]

@@raceboy9517 did you even watch the video?

[@raceboy9517]

@@johnlafever3162 never mind now I've already looked it up...

[@johnlafever3162]

@@raceboy9517 well it’s not like you ask specifics and they did pretty much describe the entire memorial, that it was close by and who it was named after.

[@aryan1313ful]

OMG! We remember when she went missing. In 1986, pretty much nothing was there- a long lonely stretch of highway. Her dad. Omg- he was more than devastated. He died of a broken heart.

[@oldfriend327]

Thank you for this and let me tell you why this video is so special. I have lived in Los Angeles my whole life, all 47 years of it. You don't see this kind of hallow ground and respect for those who have passed even when there is some sort of tribute. L.A. is VERY selfish. There is something magical about San Diego and this memorial to this poor soul Cara Knott who had absolutely no reason to be taken from the world. God bless you Cara and your Dad to be in a much better place than here. Never knew about you, sorry. For more than 15 years no joke I have been trying to figure out how to move down there and just don't have the finances to do it. Thank you for sharing this with us.

[@larrylarry739]

I biked across that bridge many times in high school. Unfortunately I also remember the Cara Knott murder as if it were yesterday. It gripped the entire county. So sad.

[@AbandonedMines11]

Never even knew this bridge was there! And I’ve been living in San Diego for years. Great video! Very nice to see the memorial Oak Grove underneath the bridge and to hear of some of the tragic history associated with the bridge.

[@SidetrackAdventures]

Yeah, it really is hidden away. I was shocked the first time I saw it. Thank you again.

[@AbandonedMines11]

@@SidetrackAdventures Thanks to you, I made it out to the Plank Road yesterday. I’ve driven interstate eight eastbound for years and never knew that was there. Thanks, man!

[@JohnDoe-bf1fw]

SoCalX uses this bridge for repelling practice. I repelled off this and froged back up many time. Its a great place to learn new skills and get current before hitting the mines.

[@markcantemail8018]

You gotta get out More ? It is amazing what you can see so close to home . yes that is a Nice memorial . Stay safe .

[@Okapi.LuckyFeather]

I have visited the sad memorials below the bridge. There is an overwhelming feeling of grief there. Some who have gone at night say they feel the presence of evil or see ghosts. I will never go back.

[@ScratchGlass9]

I remember this vividly... went to the bridge twice, never went below. So horrifying.

[@fogskiss3137]

I've taken the Poway road exit off the 15 countless times but never even knew that was there. Interesting and sad history.

[@scottm8914]

Had no idea about this and have lived in san diego all my life, thanks for the history lesson🙌

[@stankygeorge]

A sad story of a dead bridge and victims of a stolen life! Thank you for sharing this!

[@dfpytwa]

I had a run in with that cop back in the day while temporarily living and doing a contract work in that area off of my 82 Goldwing motorcycle. I beat the bogus ticket he wrote me in court which really pissed him off to the point he went on a rant in court and the judge had him thrown out. A few weeks later while heading back to where I was staying at the time at about the same time of night and place I had been pulled over by him some crazy fuck ran up on me hot with a car and fired a shotgun at me from behind out of the drivers side window. Most of the shot hit my rear cargo carrier which fortunately I carried my tools and spare parts for the bike in since they were heavy and I wanted to maintain my center of gravity. I did catch two pieces of buckshot in my shoulder though. The perp slammed on his brakes and exited the freeway behind me. My cargo container full of tools saved me but I still have one piece of #1 buckshot stuck in my shoulder blade from that. I suspected it might have been him but he had an alibi and the investigation went nowhere. A couple years later while living in Indiana and seeing the story of the murder I knew damn well that had to be him who tried to take me out too. I wonder how many more people he murdered and never got charged for.

[@DSTREETMEDIA]

Wow !!! Imagine how many rogue killer cops throughout the country there were just in the past, not even at the moment! Wow!

[@misryluvsco8169]

This is a really nice video, very thoughtfully done. You do a great job! Thanks. 👍😊

[@SidetrackAdventures]

Thank you too!

[@mr.b3837]

The irony of the name of the road where Cara Knott was murdered can not be over-stated.

[@rodsdmba1571]

I read about this case when I lived in Los Angeles. The article described a remote area with an offramp to nowhere. The horror that a person who we expect to be protecting the public from monsters was the monster (and almost got away with it) left an indelible mark. Years later (1995) we moved to San Diego, Rancho Penasquitos. We'd hike in PQ canyon and north and south of the creek out towards I-15. One day the Knott murder was mentioned on the local news and it hit like a ton of bricks when it became clear that the location was familiar to me. Sam had to fight to get the memorial garden ok'd. I remember seeing him there on a couple of occasions while out riding my mountain bike. That he passed away shortly thereafter while on a visit is just incredibly sad.

[@chunkadaryl]

I remember my dad taking me over this bridge. He had a grove in Fallbrook and love to take people up and down 395. 395 was a scenic drive from San Diego.

[@johnpinckney4979]

This is why, when I was teaching my daughter to drive, to never pull over immediately for "law enforcement". I told her to flash her lights, immediately call 911, and proceed to a public area. I told her that a professional officer would understand. My confidence was confirmed when she saw lights behind her, but the "officer" (in an unmarked Crown Vic) sped away when he saw her on her cell phone.

[@canamrider07]

Growing up in Escondido, before the new freeway, we traveled the bridge when we made a the big trip to San Diego each time. Thanks for the video.

[@50buttfish]

There used to be a lot of signal lights between Riverside and San Diego on the 395. Drive thru downtown Escondido was more peaceful than all the maniac driving going on now.

[@gofast3209]

I love your abandoned roads vids!! Well done!!

[@sdmike1141]

Very cool. Another segment of the 395 story…Thanks!

[@kaylinde2321]

I’ve lived here all my life and pass that bridge probably every day, had no idea it was there. But I’ve heard this story, I was told that’s why they changed the roads name to Mercy Road. So sad about the dad dying there of a heart attack too 🥺

[@MA_808]

Cara Knott RIP

[@wjgraham63]

Wow! I live near Poway and never even knew this existed.

[@MrSquareart]

WOW!! I rode my bike over the bridge to go to poway. Never really knew anything more about the bridge!! thank you for sharing!

[@elizabethbogle3533]

Beautifully done.

[@antonioperez2623]

I've never seen the bridge before. Thanks for sharing.

[@pamelanovelli1239]

Thank you for honoring the Knott family ;) I live here and remember that horrid day when she was murdered:( It also is sad to see an officer fall from grace by becoming EVIL ;( He was supposed to protect this community! I never have been there by Mercy road,though just a quick drive for me! It always broke my heart knowing this story;( I had no idea all this was even here and it brings me great joy to see her soul honored! I am sorry for the Knott family :( May she rest in Christs peace:) thank u for ur video :)

[@jeff7.629]

It looks a lot like the old bridge at 76 and Vista Way.

[@Terrifier1984]

Is same design though and of course part of the same era

[@monsterfrank]

I remember that bridge the southbound lanes were the bridge to the left near the hov lane if i remember correctly and all round that area use to be farms thanks for sharing I miss my home town now i live in mayberry usa andy griffith home town

[@coyotegrad-collectables]

Interesting. Thanks for sharing.

[@PoniesandPaintOfficial]

I live in the area, but I never knew about this bridge or the history behind it. You have got yourself a new sub :)

[@dougmanatt4317]

This bridge, although near the city of Poway, is within the city of San Diego.

[@KW145.]

Correct ✅ He just assumed it’s Poway because of the two exits between Poway Road and Scripps Poway Pkwy.

[@Gypsyboy932]

Well done! Thanks

[@lukepevensie]

I walked from my house in poway all the way to the bridge and made it till sunset and then I had to get back home at around midnight

[@kathydavenport4422]

So sad and beautiful at the same time. Rest in peace all of you guys. May the family's find healing and peace bless anyone. Love sent your way

[@Hey_MikeZeroEcho22P]

Seeing those rocks of painted names..... ran across, if memory serves well.... Enrique 'Kiki' Camarena, DEA. I still remember you 'Kiki'!! R.I.P......Marine! 2021P.

[@scottbayliss3497]

Theres a great documentary on Amazon prime about Kiki .......The last Narc

[@Veetribe.]

I meet sam knotts at a park in Escondido..he would go to al the north county parks and plants trees in remembrance of his daughter..i talked to him for awhile and gave him a hug when we said goodbye..i just remembered the heart of a father for his daughter..so sad

[@dking1602]

I grew up near there in the early to mid 70s. A friend of mine and I would regularly hike there. On one of these hikes, we climbed the bridge and found a ravens nest with three fledgling babies. As I approached the nest, I decided that whichever raven tried to kill me first was coming home with me. We named him Edgar Allen Crow. He was an awesome pet. Loved by all

[@BrianScott-yk7xr]

holy shit!!! Hi Dave, its Brian Scott I think that friend was me. I remember Edgar. I stopped by your mom and dads place you werent there so how is it going.

[@malcolmmoodie6512]

Love your piano playing

[@powayimports4175]

Used to ride my mountain bike through there all the time...never knew the story! Yikes

[@sterlingperkes5880]

We explored the canyon and the old bridge last year, when the water was higher in the creek. It's even more dramatic from the bottom, down by the creek with all the pillars ands arches of both the bridges towering overhead. Farther west, down the canyon are lovely woods with the creek winding through. To the east, past the memorial grove, a narrow, path hugs the steep canyon side, and looks down on dense forest and creek. Under the highway, though there was lots of graffiti, defacing the bridges and even the road. Why do some people seem to want to make everything beautiful ugly? Why? The pics seemed to show that grey paint has been applied in an attempt to cover it up. There was also tons of trash left by homeless encampments. The pics seemed to show there has been been some attempt to clear that away as well.

[@SidetrackAdventures]

Yes, unfortunately graffiti seems to be a problem everywhere, no matter how remote you go.

[@DSTREETMEDIA]

Graffiti can be painted over, it’s not destroyed, in fact graffiti is the oldest form of human art & communication, rock paintings by natives are sacred. Graffiti has been done by generation after generation and it’s as impulsive as going to the bathroom outside. It is a universal language of communication of those who are mostly unheard & invisible. I always look at graffiti like the youth are communicating to each other, it goes through phases too, sometimes more artistic than other times!

[@pamil1923]

Sam Knott died of a broken heart. Poor father.💔

[@Porsche996driver]

Wow never knew that bridge or memorial. Tastefully done brother. 🙏🏼

[@MatthewBrannigan]

I live locally and generally consider this the Poway area, but although close by, strictly speaking, it isn't - it's between Scripps Ranch and Sabre Springs on that side of the freeway and therefore on the San Diego city side of the border.

[@BrianScott-yk7xr]

I consider it penasquitos....

[@johnjaco5544]

I drove the old bridge 1,000 times in the old days Poway USED To be a peaceful little town, Not so much anymore. Good video thanks a lot.

[@FPSxSpartan]

Being a georgia native, living in Poway the past year has been really pleasant, in my opinion it's a nice area comparatively.

[@davidb3271]

Wow my office is right up the hill from there, I pass it almost every day and had no idea that was down there!

[@michaelduszynski4128]

If you go down below the bridge and hike upstream, you come upon a mini never never land of small to medium sized waterfalls and cascades. In 1983 I worked in Carlsbad and lived in Oceanside. Took the 5 freeway home one day, normally I'd use El Camino Real, just after the La Costa Avenue North on ramp, Peyer pulls alongside me on the left after seeing my Ohio plates, gets on his bullhorn, and shouts, "You're following too close, please back off", I waved at him and did so as instructed and he sped away.

[@fredphilippi8388]

So beautiful.

[@celebrityrog]

I immediately knew what bridge this was before you even said anything about Cara's murder. So fucked up and sad.

[@Wiseguy1408]

The TV program "Forensic Files" had show about the Cara Knott murder.

[@CRYTHX]

i went there yesterday for fun i didnt know abt this history. crazy what happened there in 1986

[@hayleecarlson3384]

My boyfriend lives off the poway road exit, I’ve seen a tiny bit of this bridge while driving on the 15 but I’m definitely gonna go check it out

[@donniehill5688]

This Bridge and Cara, Heartbreaking story has meaning to me and my Family, Although I never knew Cara. I grew up in Poway and knew people who did. And shared what a wonderful person she was. I later found out my Grandmother used to Babysit her when she was very young. I also remember many of my friends being afraid (girls) of driving by themselves after what happened. While all of this was going on with the investigation I was filling my fathers van at Texaco on Poway road I saw Graig Peyer filling up his Highway Patrol car not knowing later he would be the Killer. Continued Prayers for the Knott Family.

[@wno1043]

We used to live in Mira Mesa. I remember that murder. We used to go to church in Poway, and I once worked in Escondido, and then some years later, San Marcos. So I've traveled that route many, many times. We now live in Ohio.

[@FPSxSpartan]

I think that's next to exit 18 on the 15 and I drive by it everyday and haven't noticed 😂😅

[@billscott356]

The bridge is in San Diego perhaps as far as two miles from Poway.

[@bigpebble]

When built it was still Poway. It's also was the Poway turn off, so the name is appropriate whether it was annexed or not when Penasquito was grabbed by San Diego.

[@henrywyckoff4301]

You're right. This is unexpectedly sad.

[@ChrisW-17]

I always thought it curious the original Mercy Rd interchange seemed like an exit to nowhere, as it was just long enough to connect the four on/off ramps at the time. Years later, the road (Mercy Road west and Scripps Poway Parkway east) was finally extended in both directions. Cara Knott was killed soon after we moved to Poway in the mid 80s, so this etched itself in my memory for being so close to home.

[@Jason_Voorhees.]

I used to fish off this bridge in the late 90s up the road more towards the Arco station.. used to actually catch nice sized cat fish and tons of blue gill

[@yourefatandlazy]

the real question is how man times did peyer commit those crimes

[@chuckaddison5134]

Drove through Poway almost every day I was stationed in San Diego. Never knew.

[@g.a.c.4139]

There is no pain like the pain experienced by a parent that has lost a child.

[@joeolander4350]

I followed this story in the papers and can say that he never admitted that he did it.......

[@WyomingTraveler]

Sad story

[@danawilkes6174]

Went across this bridge several times in the 1950's & 1960's...

[@opathe2nd973]

OMG. Bit hard to enjoy but thanks for the video. Bless my children!

[@j.r.murray]

I designed and built both bridges.

[@pthomps1954]

1949 and 1977. That is quite a work history.

[@randyalbright7212]

Gratitude for this memorial.

[@stewartteaze9328]

This bridge is actually within the City of San Diego... the Poway City limit is about 2 miles east of this location, on Poway Road... about 1/2 mile west of Pomerado Road intersection. The adjacent Sabre Springs neighborhoods built in the 80's and 90's are all entirely within the City of San Diego.

[@lesliecarr312]

Oops. My mistake. That second bridge I meant isn't the other side of the Glencliff fire. It's actually just east of Guatay as you race down that big steep hill into Pine Valley. Sorry about my little goof ther.

[@vagrante13]

I used that exit extensively for 4 1/2 years and had no idea that bridge existed.

[@SkittlesGirl65]

I remember this story, since @ the time in 1986 I was living in Escondido. I moved to Escondido in 1980. Really sad, and shocking when we all learned it was a CHP officer.

[@KW145.]

It is not in Poway, California. It is still very much in the City of San Diego. It is nearest to the Sabre Springs/Rancho Peñasquitos/Scripps Ranch community. Also technically the road is off is Scripps Poway Parkway. Although back then it was part of Mercy Road.

[@tomwellman1554]

That’s near Poway but not in Poway. It’s in Rancho Peñasquitos which is a community in the City of San Diego.

[@Belenshares]

Actually, Rancho Peñasquitos starts on the West side of the 15. This area immediately East of the 15 is called Sabre Springs.

[@jolly9244]

I go by on the freeway like everyday and i had no clue that was there

[@surfbeetle67]

I enjoy watching your videos but would like to offer a correction to this story. This bridge was in service as part of the highway until 1976, not 67 as you say in the video. Also it is more commonly known as “Los Peñasquitos Creek Arch Bridge”. Wikipedia has more accurate information. I grew up in Rancho Peñasquitos and remember this bridge before the 15 was built.

[@lawrencewilliams8818]

How old is this bridge

[@bkip20002]

Another place that I vested while Geocaching (GC2F36Q & GCNPFE).

[@rkgsd]

Looks like a smaller version of the famous Bixby Creek Bridge on old Highway 1.

[@BrianScott-yk7xr]

There used to be a campground under bixby bridge , we stayed there

[@SanitysVoid]

Friends and I would play capture the flag under that bridge and in the area. Not a single punk band wrote a song about this, blink 182 was from Poway.

[@paulmadkow9143]

I used to live in this area for 29 years. Never knew this existed. Boy do I feel stupid.

[@paulscanter5562]

This bridge is actually not in Poway. It's in San Diego and 3 miles west of the Poway city boundary.

[@tjlee9901]

the bridge looks like it could stand for 1000 k years

[@heatherp4504]

Grew up in poway. Now that bridge is home to all the stoner highschoolers

[@abraxusvolta9070]

holy cow.

[@madog1]

That CHP officer pulled Cara over on the I-15, told her over his P.A. system to continue down off the exit below. He was on the news a couple days later, talking about how to be safe when being pulled over. He had cuts on his face and I think hand(s).

[@ConnorRB]

Ah yes that bridge. I've walked on it at night before and biked it during the day. Its infamies for teens to drive onto and do drugs and graffiti. Also the path to it was a huge dumping ground. And another thing. There are homeless who live under the i15 near the bridge.

[@SidetrackAdventures]

We didn't see any homeless on our visit. We did see some cars out there when we took that far picture but they were gone before we got there.

[@jlr3636]

I live nearby and visit weekly in the summer to photograph butterflies, lots of graffiti however I have never seen homeless campers. Morons dump construction trash .

[@goodguygto]

Actually before the crime happened there (the murder, that happened), that was actually exit off of I-15!! The ex-cop [The Murderer], he would lead them off the I-15 to that area to give them a citation (a ticket)!!!

[@HERKAIPO]

If you go on the western foot path you will come across the horse stables just east of black mountain road.

[@josephgonzales3857]

The TV program forensic files made a episode about this murder

[@Fotosynthesis858]

That’s not in Poway. It’s in Rancho Penasquitos OR Sabre Springs. The Poway marker doesn’t start until a few miles east of the bridge. It’s also the bridge where Sharon Tate was murdered by a police officer. I’ve lived in Penasquitos since 1976 & we would play at that bridge as kids.

[@BrianScott-yk7xr]

I lived there in 1970...there was nothing around really nothing

[@griffhenshaw5631]

Thanks for remembering cara Knott. Pyre was the chp go to guy for news broadcasts. He pulled over young blonde girls in white VW s. Glad no parole for him

[@peggyjenkinson4514]

You sound younger than me.....I have complained to the city-should it be Cal-Trans- There is a sign as you are coming into Hillcrest-that says Historic 163. It's supposed to be 395! I remember all this, I remember the death too.

[@SidetrackAdventures]

I've seen that sign. I've always wondered why they put it up instead of a 395 sign.

[@ShrimpDaddys]

As a kid we used to party there every weekend

[@TheGrinddcore]

I believe the place that she was killed is on the other side of the freeway just off of Mercy Road. there is a Kentucky Fried Chicken down there. It was basically one of those dead end small dead-end roads that was used as a dump

[@williamriley-jones]

Locals to San Diego call this the garden of murdered children

[@lesliecarr312]

The old arch bridges are the most beautiful. In those days, road and bridge builders cared about engineering and anesthetics. Now bridges are just plain ugly, even if they serve a useful purpose. There are at least two bridges along US Highway 80 between the Viejas Casino and Resort and Pine Valley. One is that little old bridge off of CA Highway 79 just north of Interstate 8 that was built I 1917. The other can be seen from Highway 80 as you head east, down the big hill from the Glencliff fire station east of Pine Valley. The two lane concrete road is not the original road. Another skinny concrete road was poured in continua before. Some of this old road was used for the 2-lane road now in use, but there are a few short stretches still visible along the current Highway, and the best piece is at the east end of Boulevard.