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PALOMARES ROAD
Another one of the premier scenic drives in the Bay Area, Palomares Road is just East of Hayward and Union City. It connects Interstate 580 to the north to CA-84. Compared to some others on this list, Palomares Road does not have as many blind corners. This means less white-knuckle driving, but the scenery is just as pretty, making Palomares Road worth the trip.
SCENIC DRIVES IN THE BAY AREA: 13 GREAT ROADS TO TRY
Summer has come which means it is time to get out and enjoy the Bay Area. If you love driving, you already know that we have some of the best scenic drives in the country. It doesn’t matter if you are visiting, new to the area, or have lived here for decades. There has never been a better time than now to get out and explore. Travel new roads or rediscover old favorites. Check out these scenic drives in the Bay Area.
One great perk of the Bay Area is the wide variety of drives. Enjoy the thrill maneuvering your car along mountain backroads. Soak up the sun and breathtaking ocean views from coastal highways. Drive through the region’s great cities or towering forests. The choice is yours and the possibilities are endless. Here are a few of our favorites from Response Motors.
PACIFIC COAST HIGHWAY
HALF MOON BAY
If you want a taste of the PCH but also some more in-land driving, try a lap around Half Moon Bay’s signature drive. This is a 65-mile route that includes parts of Highway 1, 92, 84, and 35. This great drive will include parts of many other routes included on this list. Half Moon Bay will give you a taste of everything the Bay Area has to offer. It is perfect for a leisurely Sunday afternoon.
Through the Redwoods: A Scenic Drive (visithalfmoonbay.org)
PANORAMIC HIGHWAY
This road is for experienced drivers who want a challenge and great scenery. The Panoramic highway runs from the Tamalpais Valley to Stinson Beach. It slithers through the Muir Woods where you can find plenty of great campgrounds and hiking spots. Just make sure you make the journey in a capable car as you will find plenty of hairpin turns. The views, however, are well worth the challenge.
SILVERADO TRAIL
Running from Napa to Calistoga, the Silverado trail is the best way to experience Napa Valley. Head north of the Bay and take in the rolling hills and sun-drenched vineyards. This road is dotted with world-class wineries, giving drivers several fantastic options. If you are showing a wine-lover around Napa, this is the spot to take them. The scenery isn’t half bad either.
HIGHWAY 130
Bridging the gap between the West Side Freeway and San Jose, Highway 130 is a desert mountain road. Along the way, you will come across several parks and landmarks like the San Antonio Valley and Mt. Hamilton. This quiet road is well known among enthusiasts for its twists and turns which make it so much fun to drive.
SKYLINE BLVD
Highway 35, known as Skyline Boulevard, will take drivers through many forest preserves and parks up into San Francisco. Along the way, you can find stunning valley vistas. If you follow this road its entire length, you will leave the wilderness behind and find yourself at the San Francisco Zoo. Forests, mountains, coasts, and urban environments, Skyline Blvd has a bit of everything.
GRIZZLY PEAK AND SURROUNDING AREA
Grizzly Peak in Berkeley overlooks the Bay and the cities of Oakland and San Francisco.. These include Wildcat Canyon Road, Bear Creek Road, and Alhambra Valley Road to name a few.
PALOMARES ROAD
Palomares Road is just East of Hayward and Union City. It connects Interstate 580 to the north to CA-84. Compared to some others on this list, Palomares Road does not have as many blind corners. This means less white-knuckle driving, but the scenery is just as pretty, making Palomares Road worth the trip.
49-MILE SCENIC DRIVE
Established in 1939, 49-Mile Scenic drive hits all of the city’s famous landmarks. Just follow the light blue sights featuring the seagull. They will guide you to the Palace of Fine Arts, Golden Gate Park, City Hall, and much more.
STATE ROUTE 128
Instead of heading into the heart of the city, maybe you want to get away from it entirely. If that sounds like you, consider State Route 128. This route begins in the town of Winters just off the 505. Then, it winds its way through the forests, eventually linking with the 101 briefly. Reach Route 128’s northwest portion and it will take you through the vast Redwood forests of Northern California. At its end, it meets up with the PCH at the Navarro River.
HIGHWAY 9
San Jose to Santa Cruz,
LA HONDA ROAD AND PESCADERO CREEK
A couple of great options to reach the Pacific Ocean Beaches. La Honda Road runs along Highway 84 and leads to San Gregorio State Beach. Alternatively, take the path less traveled just south of La Honda and turn onto Pescadero Creek Road. This will head through Loma Mar and out to Pescadero State Beach
Saratoga Hills
Saratoga is more than its boutiques, gorgeous downtown, and excellent restaurants. As one of the most charming towns in the Bay Area, it makes for an exceptional drive in the hills. Start by navigating towards Garrod Farms and enjoy being taken through the most delightful parts of Saratoga’s hills.
Begin by navigating to Muir Woods. Gaze in wonder as you drive through some enchanting woodlands. While driving through Muir Woods is impossible, we highly recommend parking and hiking through the redwoods. Experiencing the woody smell and ethereal sights as you go.
Mount Diablo North and South Gate roads. This drive takes you to the top of one of highest points in the Bay Area with spectactacular view the entire way.
orites:
- Sir Francis Drake Boulevard. This drive takes you through gorgeous ranchlands, deep redwood forests, and out onto the wild, windswept coast of Point Reyes.
- Mount Diablo North and South Gate roads. This drive takes you to the top of one of highest points in the Bay Area with spectactacular view the entire way.
- San Francisco to Marin. From the Presidio, cross the Golden Gate Bridge. Then, make sure you take Conzelman Road over the Marin Headlands, from which you’ll get unbelievable views of the Golden Gate Bridge and San Francisco. Finally, drive down to the beach at Rodeo Cove.
- State Route 84. This drive is the most scenic route from Silicon Valley to the coast.
- Highway 1 from Pacifica to Santa Cruz. You can’t visit California without driving Highway 1. The best part of it in the Bay Area goes from Pacifica to Santa Cruz. There are scenic beaches you can stop at every few miles. Half Moon Bay and Santa Cruz are excellent, too.
- Skyline Boulevard. Drive along the crest of the Santa Cruz Mountains through towering redwoods and open grasslands.
- Panoramic Highway. Drive from Mill Valley to Stinson Beach. Two essential stops along this route are the Muir Woods redwoods and the summit of Mt Tamalpais.
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