Drives: 997.2 C2S Coupé
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: San Jose, CA
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SF Bay Area - Best driving roads for a Sunday morning blast?
Hi folks,
Following is a compilation of driving roads for an early Sunday morning blast (and a few to possibly avoid) in the SF Bay Area. Recommendations are from either:
.- My personal experience
- Or from various members on either Rennlist, E9x M3 Post, F8x M3/M4 Post or 1addicts
To enjoy many of these roads, you often need to be out there at the crack-of-dawn so as to find them mostly empty. If you leave it to later in the day, you'll frequently be inundated with cyclists/traffic/etc. That's just a fact of life when living in the SF Bay Area...
As regards my personal preferences, I'm partial to roads with:
.- Minimal residential (don't want to attract attention)
- Reasonably good road surface (most of our cars, and certainly mine, don't have long suspension travel)
- High work rate (i.e. plenty of corners-per-mile to keep you busy)
- Decent sightlines (not overly tight or too many blind corners, has space for oncoming traffic)
- You can make and enjoy a decent pace without going crazy/dangerous/go-to-jail fast...
They're grouped by region as follows:
.- North Bay - Marin, Sonoma, Napa and Solano Counties
- East Bay - Contra Costa and Alameda Counties
- South Bay - Santa Clara County
- Santa Cruz Mountains & County - Technically not the Bay Area, but close enough...
- Peninsula - San Mateo and San Francisco Counties
- Points further away - Beyond the SF Bay Area (North, Sierra Nevada Mountains, East and South)
If you've any recommendations of your own that should be added to this list, please post in this thread with sufficient detail so that people know the exact route (e.g. providing a Google Maps link works great).
And for reference, the following was last updated as of: November 25th, 2022
North Bay
- From Bolinas to Mt. Tamalpais via Ridgecrest Blvd. - https://goo.gl/maps/spfWExeSKqS2 (~10 miles)
- From Stinson Beach up to Ridgecrest Blvd. via Panoramic Hwy. - https://goo.gl/maps/aTYt9p8nVT7KgrE57 (~9 miles)
- Recommended by visitador
- Though Kbasa notes "Panoramic is patchy and bumpy down near Stinson"
- Lucas Valley Rd. from 101 over to Nicasio Valley Rd. - https://goo.gl/maps/v1zXytn8DUS2 (~10 miles)
- Recommended by david
- He had specific notes and recommendations, so best to read his post for more details
- To the above (LVR), add the loop of Nicasio Valley Rd / Pt. Reyes Petaluma Rd / Hicks Valley Rd / Willson Hill Rd / Chileno Valley Rd / Tomales Petaluma Rd / Hwy-1 / Sir Francis Drake Blvd... and back to Nicasio Valley Rd - https://goo.gl/maps/gQCdz86pbJkRYJ1t8 (~61 miles)
- PCA GGR fun run to The Racers Group in May, 2019 - https://goo.gl/maps/qWAkSpSe2wS2 (~67 miles)
- First leg was west along Lucas Valley Rd. to Nicasio Valley Rd., up to Pt. Reyes - Petaluma Rd., west again to Shoreline / Hwy-1, up to the community of Marshall
- Second leg went inland on Marshall-Petaluma Rd. over to Chileno Valley Rd., then up to Tomales Rd., which took us over to Petaluma where The Racers Group is located
- See this post for more details
- Roads leading out to Point Reyes Lighthouse in Marin - https://goo.gl/maps/QBwcx4kcnV62
- From Point Reyes Station out to Limantour Beach - https://goo.gl/maps/YtHLWei8Evn (~9 miles)
- From Point Reyes Station to Sea Ranch (via Hwy-1), and then east to Geyserville - https://goo.gl/maps/yJvGwZtwdHR2 (~122 miles!)
- Recommended by david
- mrjonger also recommends the Tomales to Stinson Beach part of this route
- However niacin has noted (and confirmed by mrjonger as of late-September 2018) that the stretch from south of Valley Ford Road and north of Fallon is down to a single lane with a timed stoplight and is slow to get through: https://goo.gl/maps/jgr7iaxbdtH2
- Lake Sonoma to the coast using Skaggs Springs Rd. - https://goo.gl/maps/TigZHm2J7wR4oZa5A (~35 miles)
- Loop from Cloverdale to Calistoga, west to Jenner via Guerneville, north to Stewarts Point, and back to Cloverdale - https://goo.gl/maps/X8QvAfXWgJyi9sUp8 (~148 miles)
- Bodega Bay to Goat Rock - https://goo.gl/maps/sChe7GoXkC12 (~10 miles)
- Need for Speed movie sequence from Ukiah to the Point Arena Lighthouse - https://goo.gl/maps/NYT7XCLQGeH2 (~48 miles)
- From Suisun Valley Rd. up to Napa Valley:
- keytohwy recommends two options:
- sgt1372 has three recommended variations (with followup comments here):
- Lake Berryessa (east of Napa Valley) - https://goo.gl/maps/kHvxLbkEymt (~49 miles)
- Winters, up around Lake Berryessa to Hwy-29, back down to Angwin - https://goo.gl/maps/AicGhLze7gD2 (~110 miles!)
- Calistoga to Clear Lake via Hwy-29 - https://goo.gl/maps/13JRMjQYF5m (~36 miles)
- Roads to perhaps avoid...
- Marshall Petaluma Rd between Marshall and Hicks Valley Rd - https://goo.gl/maps/Qrdxkxf8r492 (~11 miles)
- mrjonger noted "I would avoid Marshall Petaluma Rd between Marshall and Hicks Valley Rd. It's really rough."
- visitador said it's "...more suited for Cayennes and not for sport cars"
- ducktails added "...better taken in a Macan or a Safari build - if you take it in a low/stiff e.g. GT car, you're gonna have a bad time."
- I drove parts of it in May 2019:
- It's definitely bumpy, but I didn't think it was horrific (in a stock 997.2 C2S)
- But I'd definitely follow the advice of the folks who know it best
- Fairfax-Bolinas Rd to Fairfax - https://goo.gl/maps/i8Ss9aPmUrD2 (~10 miles)
- david says the road is in bad shape
East Bay
- sgt1372 recommends a variety of options heading east out of Antioch...
- Niles Canyon Rd between Fremont and Sunol - https://goo.gl/maps/dsULGvAFQXqp4Srr5 (~7 miles)
- Mines Rd. to Lick Observatory (from Livermore) - https://goo.gl/maps/C1jbWjsEi1n (~43 miles)
- Many people rave about this road
- Recommended by keytohwy and ltcjmramos
- Also refer to the Mt Hamilton Road to Lick Observatory in the South Bay section below...
- Mines Rd, then Del Puerto Canyon Rd out to I-5 - https://goo.gl/maps/BKVVNxYPvAS2 (~52 miles)
- Recommended by 1mang and CheetoNYC
- However, TrickTizzle drove this road in July 2019 and noted the DPCR leg "is pretty deteriorated 10/15 miles from Mines Rd. Rock slide area with lots of pot holes and buckled pavement. Would not recommend."
- Skyline Blvd (Oakland), from Golf Links Rd to Redwood Rd - https://goo.gl/maps/7PitaMKwXRnaL5vA6 (~5 miles)
- Recommended by Two718s noting "it's a fun, albeit short, run, from Golf Links Road to Redwood Road. Maybe 3.5 miles but lots of smooth curves and great views. The only issue are the many driveways leading to the road. But early on a weekend morning, or mid-day on a weekday, it's usually deserted."
- Redwood Rd - https://goo.gl/maps/F8sEXuf7bYs (~11 miles)
- Recommended by derbo
- Two718s notes "A word of caution, even at oh-dark-thirty on weekends it is absolutely jammed with bicycles."
- But wail junkie said "...at around 7 AM and saw just one cyclist the whole time, after doing the full length in both directions"
- YMMV
- Pinehurst Rd - https://goo.gl/maps/Qb16dsU6KWs (~7 miles)
- Recommended by derbo
- Two718s notes it "...is very narrow, rough in spots and the curves are so tight that it's usually hard to go more than 30 mph at best."
- Calaveras Rd - https://goo.gl/maps/VFv7CafxD1p (~16 miles)
- Recommended by derbo, with additional comments here
- Palomares Rd - https://goo.gl/maps/oLnnD4MwbHS2 (~10 miles)
- The Bear Creek / San Pablo Dam loop near Berkeley / Orinda - https://goo.gl/maps/dNfc7GhHS8A2 (~19 miles)
- Alhambra Valley Rd in Martinez - https://goo.gl/maps/aXRgUorUubde4z5g9 (~9 miles)
- Recommended by FireM3
- He notes it can be bumpy and narrow, but he likes it
- It connects to Bear Creek above
- Altamont Pass Rd - https://goo.gl/maps/u8oVjC7oeYk (~8 miles)
- Patterson Pass Rd - https://goo.gl/maps/6si4Hpijfov (~9 miles)
- Through Livermore / San Ramon Valley - https://goo.gl/maps/xrNMybJJ3f45RdkK6 (~19 miles)
- Recommended by sgt1372
- Sometimes the link above doesn't work in Google Apps (through it works in a browser)
- Here's the same route but with a different link as a fallback - https://goo.gl/maps/WeegUa5XMNgm2Re27 (~19 miles)
- Tesla Rd / Corral Hollow Rd - https://goo.gl/maps/wfuJeXuA7d22 (~16 miles)
- Recommended by ylk1
- In April 2020, sgt1372 noted that "humps" (speed bumps w/flat spots on top) have been installed east of Greenville Rd, but once past them it's still enjoyable. Just an FYI...
- Marsh Creek Rd - https://goo.gl/maps/kQAHsHz7uGDcSnHj8 (~15 miles)
- Roads to perhaps avoid...
South Bay / Santa Clara County
- Mt Hamilton Rd to Lick Observatory (starting at Clayton Rd.) - https://goo.gl/maps/5SZtntEdyYy (~16 miles)
- Great hill climb up to the telescopes at Lick Observatory, and has even been referenced in professional articles/features:
- Others think the back-side of Mines Rd. to Lick Observatory (from Livermore) is even better
- See East Bay section above...
- Metcalf Rd. / San Felipe Rd. to Silvercreek - https://goo.gl/maps/yY8MZwY74sR2 (~9 miles)
- Initially it's tight and bumpy as you climb up to the Motorcycle County Park
- But it opens up once you get past that park, especially when you reach San Felipe Rd.
- The only downside is that it's relatively short
- There's a 2-mile detour down where San Felipe Rd. branches to Las Animas Rd., and then down to the old Pratt & Whitney (United Technologies) rocket-motor test site. That short detour dead-ends at: https://goo.gl/maps/jCA1oMcj8jK2
- Drive around Almaden Quicksilver County Park - https://goo.gl/maps/mGvFPLT7g7H2 (~13 miles)
- The north-west section of Hicks Rd. down to the junction at Almaden Quicksilver County Park & Mt. Umunhum Rd is more bumpy that I like, but the road surface improves as you go down around and back up around to New Almaden
- Recommended by loliea
- Almaden Rd. / Alamitos Rd. / Hicks Rd. / Mt. Umunhum Rd. up to Mt. Umunhum - https://goo.gl/maps/zmhgLrDQ8gq (~11 miles)
- Various roads leading to/from Uvas Reservoir - https://goo.gl/maps/DKapg9P7a4w (~67 miles)
- Bailey / McKean / Uvas / Watsonville Rd. to Hwy-152 - https://goo.gl/maps/EfJSBsi9ksL2 (~17 miles)
- Starts near the IBM Research Lab in Almaden, and continues down to the Hecker Pass Hwy (152)
- Road surface is more bumpy than expected (though not terrible), and the work rate (i.e. number of corners) is low
- Upside is that once you get down to Hwy-152, you're near the start of the quite excellent Hecker Pass in Santa Cruz County
- So it's a decent, but not great back road...
- South on Watsonville Rd. out of Morgan Hill, then east on CA-129 (with Carlton Rd. as a connector between the two) - https://goo.gl/maps/y9nUHzuyAua7DCUc9 (~28 miles)
- Roads to perhaps avoid...
- Sierra Rd. to Old Calaveras Rd. - https://goo.gl/maps/4yyMpgfxKWs (~12 miles)
- Crazy tight (some parts single lane) and quite bumpy in places
- Can't recommend this...
Santa Cruz Mountains & County
- Hwy-9 from Saratoga to Boulder Creek (begins as you cross Sanborn Creek) - https://goo.gl/maps/vSH183Lrfxq (~18 miles)
- Beautiful sweeping run down through the Redwoods, doesn't get much better than this
- Matt Farah reviewed an Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio as part of his signature 'One Take' series on this road - YouTube
- Hwy-236 / Big Basin / Boulder Creek - https://goo.gl/maps/N68nmyEFcnN2 (~17 miles)
- Northern-half runs though Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- It's very beautiful/scenic
- And has a great road surface after being recently resurfaced
- However, that northern-half is very narrow
- It's effectively single lane on many stretches
- Thus there's no room for (and you're often blind to) oncoming traffic
- You need to keep your pace way down for reasons of basic safety
- But for a slow paced drive, this section is very pretty
- Southern-half below the park opens up and is similar to Hwy-9 (also close by)
- You can more easily stretch your legs in this section...
- Recommended by SLVRon
- Bear Creek Rd. - https://goo.gl/maps/6sGMphDydcS2 (~13 miles)
- From Hwy-17 to Boulder Creek
- Reasonably okay route
- But I find it overly tight and bumpy in places to really enjoy
- Empire Grade (Lockheed Martin to/from Santa Cruz) - https://goo.gl/maps/gq3metdHYks (~17 miles)
- Bonny Doon Rd - https://goo.gl/maps/uzWYL5o2qBu (~7 miles)
- Soquel San Jose Rd - https://goo.gl/maps/NAPo78oLx6B2 (~10 miles)
- The road itself is quite nice (good surface, nice flowing corners in good few places)
- Downside is that there's more residential along it than I like
- Hecker Pass through Mt. Madonna County Park - https://goo.gl/maps/nmg3VuTR3Vo (~8 miles)
- Short, but a very nice run
- Felton Empire Rd - https://goo.gl/maps/fHcAcU1Wo4y (~3 miles)
- Run up from Hwy-1 to Bonny Doon, over to Felton, up Hwy-9 to Saratoga - https://goo.gl/maps/7RMCUFudtYT2 (~41 miles)
Peninsula / San Mateo County
- Roads orientated around Alice's Restaurant (well known weekend hangout for bikers across the area):
- Skyline Blvd. (Hwy-35) from Hwy-92 down to Black Rd: https://goo.gl/maps/M6XXQkjDHf12 (~32 miles)
- You get a nice down from Hwy-92, past Alice's, and down to Black Rd
- But south of Black Rd, it gets too tight and bumpy for my liking
- Saratoga to Alice's Restaurant (begins as you cross Sanborn Creek) - https://goo.gl/maps/151F12wL1uA2 (~18 miles)
- Great run up from the South Bay
- Woodside to Alice's Restaurant - https://goo.gl/maps/utQnubCn3NJ2 (~4 miles)
- From once you get past Woodside, you climb up to Alice's Restaurant
- That section is great, the only downside is that it's very short
- Alice's Restaurant out to the San Gregorio General Store - https://goo.gl/maps/3VgGrSxpTdF2 (~14 miles)
- Pescadero Creek Rd (at the coast) back up to Alice's Restaurant - https://goo.gl/maps/DUcTuAKrZXt (~22 miles)
- From the coast (Hwy-1), take Pescadero Creek east and rejoin Hwy-84, and then east to Alice's Restaurant
- Pescadero Creek itself is nice, though there's more residents along it than some of the other routes
- Could be part of a loop that includes hitting the San Gregorio General Store on Hwy-84 (see above)
- Recommended by r6elmo
- Loop from Woodside up to Skyline, and back down via Kings Mountain Rd. - https://goo.gl/maps/W1c8QnnneW5qRTT78 (~16 miles)
- Tunitas Creek Rd. - https://goo.gl/maps/hx2mdUe6DiA2 (~9 miles)
- From Hwy-1 on the coast, back up to Skyline Blvd. (Hwy-35)
- It's very bumpy and tight in some places, suspension needs plenty of travel
- Would be fun in a Rally Car...
- Swett Rd / Star Hill Rd to Tunitas Creek - https://goo.gl/maps/axeXoGfqTFL2 (~1 miles)
- Alpine Rd. (from Page Mill side through to Hwy-84) - https://goo.gl/maps/eCPr4CncWpn (~14 miles)
- Recommended by spxxx
- I found it similar in character to Bear Creek Rd. in Santa Cruz County
- Stage Rd / Cloverdale Rd past Butano State Park - https://goo.gl/maps/hhhkczAw8dU2 (~17 miles)
- Lobitos Creek Rd - https://goo.gl/maps/S75AiszFx2p (~4 miles)
- From the Dam bisecting Crystal Springs Reservoir down to Saratoga avoiding the highway - https://goo.gl/maps/GXEHddo64522 (~34 miles)
- Cañada Rd / Mountain Home Rd / Portola Rd / Alpine Rd / Arastradero / Page Mill / Arastradero (again) / Purrisima
- And then surface streets to Foothill Expressway, and then down to Saratoga
- Recommended by jnolan
- Kings Mountain Rd. - https://goo.gl/maps/FWTjvL1qCDs (~4 miles)
Points further away from the SF Bay Area
NorthSierra Nevada Mountains (and foothills) EastSouth
Karl.
PS: Other sites with similar information/recommendations...
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Stock – 997.2 C2S Coupé • Carrara White / Cocoa • Adaptive Sports Seats • PDK w/SC • PSE
Mods – Front 996-GT2 and Rear 997-Turbo Brake Ducts • 3rd (center) Coolant Radiator • 10mm/15mm Spacers
Last edited by wjk_glynn; 11-25-2022 at 04:53 PM..
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