janisj

Yep -- I definitely wouldn't spend a night in SJ on such a short visit. The worst part of the drive is between SF and SJ -- after that you're home free (well not totally, but close enough)

JCarlinsv

If you stay off 101 and go direct to 280 it is almost never a problem I drive it frequently rush and no. From the Science Academy I stay inside the park on MLKJr to Sunset Blvd, and take Ocean to 19th to 280. Frequently 5 pm.
San Jose is never a destination, but it is a nice rest stop. And I bet nobody here has tried to drive from San Jose to Monterey at 6pm except me. I consider a 9pm arrival a win. I have tried both ways 17 and 101. Neither works.

janisj

You aren't by any chance the old fodorite who pushed San Jose as the answer to every question???

SAB

Hey sf--I think spending a few hours at the aquarium is much more preferable to a day in court!!!!

JC, I have driven from San Jose to Monterey at 6 pm--not my idea of fun.

november_moon

"And I bet nobody here has tried to drive from San Jose to Monterey at 6pm except me."

And you'd lose that bet

There will be traffic, but it isn't terrible - and I'd rather fight a little traffic than spend an unnecesary night enroute. To me it is a worthwhile trade off to wake up where I want to be rather than an hour away. Besides, depending on the day of the week, there could be morning traffic between SJ and Monterey anyway.

hazel1

The drive "over the hill" on Hwy 17 from SJ to Santa Cruz is defitely clotted with evening commute traffic, and it's pretty bad on Hwy 1 in Santa Cruz heading south towards Monterey for several miles, too. I might suggest stopping for dinner in the very cute town of Los Gatos (easy exit from 17 just before you head up the hill) to wait out the worst of it and then get back on the road around 7 PM - you'll get to Monterey then by 8:30>

JCarlinsv

17 and 101 are two of the most beautiful drives in the country, and you all are suggesting driving them at night? Sorry I take them in the morning with the sun at my back whenever I can.

hazel1

I absolutely agree with that - it's much better during the day, but I was only making suggestions because it seemed the intent was to spend a full day in SF first. Frankly, I would try to leave the City by 3:00 at the latest.

november_moon

"17 and 101 are two of the most beautiful drives in the country"

I guess you and I have very different ideas. To each his own, I suppose.

Hwy 17 is scenic - but one of the most beautiful drives in the country? I wouldn't rate it that high. And Hwy 101? Not the stretch we are talking about. Once you get south of Gilroy, the route is pretty to be sure, but again I wouldn't rate it particularly high.

In the end, it all comes down to priorities and the OP will have to decide where his or her priorities lie.

janisj

November_moon is right -- there is nothing terribly scenic about 101. Sure -- it is an OK drive -- but definitely not a top 40 in northern CA let alone in the country. And hwy 17 would maybe just squeeze into the top 40.

iluvroadtrips

Hmm, we'll make a note to try to avoid driving that route during the evening traffic, either by leaving SF earlier, or later, or stopping for dinner. Thank you all for that advice!