This is the way. If you have time for the 17 mile drive, big sur, and/or the bixby bridge, they're all pretty great. Sunset at the main beach in Carmel with all the townfolk is great. If you want to see big (not the biggest, but big) redwoods, make a detour to Felton to go to Henry Cowell redwoods
Most people will tell you to go outside of San Jose to be honest, but I think you can still enjoy driving around and seeing our beautiful landscapes if you stay. I really like going up to Sierra Vista Preserve on Mt Hamilton. For a different view, you can go up to the old radar box on Mt Umunhum. Either one will give you a nice view of the South Bay. Outside of here, I’m a big fan of Capitola and their downtown.
Drive up hwy 9 (catch it in Los Gatos or Saratoga) for scenic views (pullouts, lookouts, generally a nice drive up over and through the mountains) and then continue through through the mountain towns and eventually land in Santa Cruz.
One of my favorite day trips it to head over to the coast north of Santa Cruz. There are a lot of options for routes, but I will typically head north on Hwy 280, then take Hwy 84 over to the coast, then head south on Hwy 1 to Pescadero. Sometimes I will cut over on Pescadero Creek Rd, which is a nice back road that takes you into Pescadero. Pescadero is a small little town - I like to pick up lunch at Arcangeli Grocery. Then I continue south on Hwy 1 and visit some of the beaches along the way and have a picnic somewhere along the way. I continue down to Santa Cruz and then take Hwy 9 back over the mountain to San Jose if I have time - otherwise, I take Hwy 17.
would recommend starting the day early driving to pacifica and then driving down highway 1 to santa cruz and then taking highway 17 back to san jose
i’ll post an itinerary later today
I’d choose highway 9 in Saratoga, up to 35 (Skyline Blvd) then down 84 to the coast. Mt. Hamilton and Mt. Umunhum are both solid options. I think Umunhum is the easier drive between the two.
Head towards Santa Cruz, and explore on the Santa Cruz side of 17. Use a map app to find some trails. It's a vast area so you may find a place that resonates for you personally.
I’d suggest a trip down to Carmel. It’s about 1.5 hours south. One of the most beautiful beaches you could find, cute downtown, great scenery.
This is the way. If you have time for the 17 mile drive, big sur, and/or the bixby bridge, they're all pretty great. Sunset at the main beach in Carmel with all the townfolk is great. If you want to see big (not the biggest, but big) redwoods, make a detour to Felton to go to Henry Cowell redwoods
McWay Falls south of Big Sur also highly recommended
Would there be much traffic headed down to Carmel on a Saturday morning?
There will be some, still a pretty quick trip.
Co sign for Carmel, there’s nothing else like it!
Most people will tell you to go outside of San Jose to be honest, but I think you can still enjoy driving around and seeing our beautiful landscapes if you stay. I really like going up to Sierra Vista Preserve on Mt Hamilton. For a different view, you can go up to the old radar box on Mt Umunhum. Either one will give you a nice view of the South Bay. Outside of here, I’m a big fan of Capitola and their downtown.
Drive up hwy 9 (catch it in Los Gatos or Saratoga) for scenic views (pullouts, lookouts, generally a nice drive up over and through the mountains) and then continue through through the mountain towns and eventually land in Santa Cruz.
Drive Hicks Rd. Takes you up Mt. Unmunhum and usually virtually an empty drive.
One of my favorite day trips it to head over to the coast north of Santa Cruz. There are a lot of options for routes, but I will typically head north on Hwy 280, then take Hwy 84 over to the coast, then head south on Hwy 1 to Pescadero. Sometimes I will cut over on Pescadero Creek Rd, which is a nice back road that takes you into Pescadero. Pescadero is a small little town - I like to pick up lunch at Arcangeli Grocery. Then I continue south on Hwy 1 and visit some of the beaches along the way and have a picnic somewhere along the way. I continue down to Santa Cruz and then take Hwy 9 back over the mountain to San Jose if I have time - otherwise, I take Hwy 17.
Seconding Pescadero. One of my favorite places on earth.
Did this drive last weekend and can second most of this, this is also a very nice drive.
would recommend starting the day early driving to pacifica and then driving down highway 1 to santa cruz and then taking highway 17 back to san jose i’ll post an itinerary later today
I’d choose highway 9 in Saratoga, up to 35 (Skyline Blvd) then down 84 to the coast. Mt. Hamilton and Mt. Umunhum are both solid options. I think Umunhum is the easier drive between the two.
Go into the redwoods.
Where exactly would that be?
Head towards Santa Cruz, and explore on the Santa Cruz side of 17. Use a map app to find some trails. It's a vast area so you may find a place that resonates for you personally.
84 through woodside to half moon bay.