By Car in San Jose and Silicon Valley

By Car

Public transportation to coastal areas is limited, so it's best to drive. To get to Moss Beach or Half Moon Bay, take Highway 1, also known as the Coast Highway, south along the length of the San Mateo coast. When coastal traffic is heavy, you can also reach Half Moon Bay via Interstate 280, the Junipero Serra Freeway; follow it south as far as Route 92, where you can turn west toward the coast. To get to Pescadero, drive south 16 mi on Highway 1 from Half Moon Bay. For Año Nuevo continue south on Highway 1 another 12 mi.

By car the most pleasant route down the Inland Peninsula to Palo Alto, Woodside, Santa Clara, and San Jose is Interstate 280, which passes along Crystal Springs Reservoir. U.S. 101, also known as the Bayshore Freeway, is more direct but also more congested. To avoid the often-heavy commuter traffic on Highway 101, use Interstate 280 during rush hours.

To reach Saratoga take Interstate 280 south to Highway 85 and follow Highway 85 south toward Gilroy. Exit on Saratoga-Sunnyvale Road, go south, and follow the signs to the Village -- about 2 1/2 mi.

Car Rental

You can rent a car at the San Jose airport from any of the many major agencies. Specialty Rentals offers standard cars and luxury vehicles; it has an office in Palo Alto and will deliver a car to you anywhere on the Peninsula or at the airport.

Local Agencies

Specialty Rentals (650/856-9100 or 800/400-8412).