J Correa

What's this warning about not taking Hwy 17 or Hwy 1 after nightfall? Do vampires come out of the redwoods or something? Cars have been equiped with headlights for decades now so that they can be driven at night. The 1st time I ever drove over Hwy 17 was at night and I was 16 years old.

Carl

J Correa, Fog on Highway 17 is a frequent occurrence, especially at night and the early morning hours. For someone not used to taking Highway 17, I would not recommend taking it at night with the fog. I have seen too many accidents in my time from drivers who were not expereinced with taking this road at night. J Correa, when you were sixteen, I assume that the traffic was not nearly as bad as it is today.

J Correa

Carl - I'm 27 now, so when I was 16, traffic wasn't much lighter than it is now. "The Hill" was still a heavy commute then.

Most of the accidents that I have seen on 17 are caused by people driving too fast for the conditions. As long as a person takes it slow, then it should be fine - fog or no fog.

Carl

J Correa, In the past 10 yrs. or so I ahve notice a significant increase in traffic over The Hill along with an increase in accidents. Fog is, nonetheless, a major concern. it may not be a concern for ethose of us who know the road well, but for someone fom out of town, Highway 17 at night is not recommended.

santa

Poor Gina! What time of year are you coming out here? That would make a difference as to driving conditions.2 weeks ago on a Thursday we drove to the City in a 1 and1/2 hours. We left SC at 11 and arrived in Golden Gate Park at 12:45. It also depends on if you're going to the park,Golden Gate Bridge or Ocean Beach area. There will be a lot more traffic in the downtown area of SF.

Bay Area Resident

Carl/Bob/Robert, my 80 year-old mother has recently stopped driving over highway 17 at night as well.

J Correa

Carl - of course there is a need for sarcasm. There is always a need for sarcasm when people are being extreme.

I have also driven over Hwy 17 for years and I drive over at night quite often. It's not a big deal. If a person is unfamiliar with the road or there is fog, that person can drive in the slow lane.

Debby

What is with you people suggesting to Gina that 17 is no big deal. As a frequent driver over the "Hill" I still get sweaty palms whenever I get on 17, especially when there is fog and the occasional black ice. even in good weather, 17 is a very challenging road. people drive like maniacs (tailgating and speeding and them salmming on the brakes).

Carl

J Correa, You are experienced at driving 17 at night, Gina is not. Telling someone who is not familiar with the road to get into the slow lane does no good if the drivers around you are not being safe. This is not a freeway in the traditional sense. The lanes are narrow, and there are sharp curves and steep hills.

J Correa

I think what we have here is people with different driving abilities and different perceptions about the world.

Here's the bottom line - Hwy 17 is a curvey 4 lane road over the Santa Cruz mountains. Some people drive fast like it's the Autobahn. Most people drive normally. If you are a competent driver, then you will be fine. Just take it easy and don't try to drive too fast. If you are a nervous driver, the road will intimidate you and it might not be worth the trip over. As for the fog, it rolls in and is occasionally very thick. Generally it is the thin, veil type fog, nothing like the pea soup fog that the central valley gets. It is up to the individual driver to determine if he or she wants to drive Hwy 17.

J Correa

Yes, it is a hot topic isn't it! October is a great month to be in the area. The weather is usually perfect - highs in the mid 70s, little to no fog, and most of the tourists have gone home.

Too Many

I think that J Correa's has basically discredited herself on this forum. Her advice should be looked upon with a grain of salt. She is very opinionated, not to mention the fact that she has to have the last word. She has represented herself on this board as an older woman, now on this post she is 27, and on a New Orleans post she/he was a gay man. What is the real truth?

santa cruzian

I think the coast drive up hwy 1 to san francisco is really beautiful...forget devil's slide- I always cross over at half moon bay at hwy 92. It takes less than 2 hours going at a leisurly pace up the coast from capitola area.
I usually stop at moss beach inn for a break..or davenport...or half moon bay or duarte's ....so many choices have fun.

Ted

Highway 1 north of Santa Cruz is quite a dangerous and slow road. Highway 1 will take you more than 2 hours from Santa Cruz to SF. The inland route (17/280) is much better.