I've read some great posts on driving directions from Carmel/Monterey back to San Francisco, what I want to know is the best (meaning most scenic route) to take. I am on vacation so I am not in any sort of rush to get back I live in Miami so traffic does not scare me and we are coming back on a Saturday so hopefully it will be less hectic. Thank you.
Gina

Hwy 1 is the most scenic route. This will take you down the San Mateo coast, through Santa Cruz, past Watsonville and Castroville with all the strawberry and artichoke fields and onto Monterey. It is a 2 lane road for most of the way. Once you get into SC, you will follow surface streets for awhile (Mission St) and then have freeway until you get south of Watsonville. Then you are back to 2 lanes for awhile until just before Monterey.

You are likely to hit traffic in Santa Cruz if you go through during a commute time or on a sunny weekend.

J-Correa - he/she is going in the other direction - from Monterey to SF.

Stu Dudley

Yes, that was my next question do I use this to get back?

If you've already driven south on this same route, I might take 17 from Santa Cruz to 280 and 280 the rest of the way to SF.

Will not be going to Monterey from San Francisco will be going from Yosemite.

Then, yes, Highway 1 is the most scenic (coastal) route. It's also a lot longer than the other route, but if you're in no hurry... enjoy!

Eh, this darned dyslexia Ok, do my route in reverse - that should turn some heads on the highway.

Catbert,

Taking Hwy 1 all the way only adds 20 miles to the entire trip. I've done it several times to PG. I no longer bother with 17 traffic, and the road can be bad in rainy weather.

Hwy 1 from Santa Cruz to Half Moon Bay is a very fast road - I do 60 on it all the time. I even get passed sometimes.

Stu Dudley

I concur. Highway 1 is a lot more scenic. Although, check to make sure there hasn't been any road problems in the Devil's Slide area.

Hey Stu - that was me passing you. Something about that stretch, my led foot cannot be contained. We'll be driving along and after awhile my husband will pipe up "Any particular reason you are driving so damn fast? I don't think Duarte's is going to run out of pie."

If Devil's slide has had a problem - wintertime rain issues - then you can head over to Hwy 280 at Half Moon Bay or someplace.