What is the best route to take from San Jose to Monterey? i.e. most scenic or fastest or traffic wise?
Thanks

Most of the routes involve taking 101S to or through Gilroy then cutting over to the coast. I like to head West from Gilroy on Rt 152 towards Watsonville because I always like to stop for fresh berries or artichoke products.

The Rt 156 from 101 to 1 from near Salinas is a faster route, and if you like lettuce farms is also quite scenic.

The worst route, in my experience is Highway 17 to Santa Cruz then 1 down the coast. Traffic on 17 can be horrendous in both directions.

What time and day of the week are you going?

We will be going on a Monday morning around 10 or 11 a.m.

101 South to 156 to 1 is the fastest route.

You shouldn't have any problem ith traffic with 101/156/1 or 17/1. Morning traffic goes into SJ and you will be going out and by leaving after 10, you will miss any traffic through Santa Cruz.

101/156/1 is faster, 17/1 is slightly longer and more scenic.

But you should know that for a few miles on Highway 1 in Santa Cruz they are doing major road work, adding merge lanes, etc., and traffic can really back up.

I would suggest the 101/156/1 route, or, depending upon where you leave from in San Jose 85 to Gilroy and then 101/156/1. Do not take 152. It is very winding and has been closed several times recently.

Oh yeah - I forgot about the roadwork on Hwy 1. Better to go around through Gilroy.

Hwy 152 is one of my favorite roads - but depending on peoples' experience with mountain driving, it may or may not be a good idea. It takes longer than 156, but if the day is clear, there are some nice views from the road. It also goes right past Gizdich Ranch, which makes a fun stop.

Thanks for all of your inputs. Just to give you an idea from where we will be coming from, it is Hayes Dolce located on Edenvale Ave. I don't know if this has any bearing as to which routes to take.

You're already pretty far down 101 at Hayes, so you won't be taking 85. They have a killer Sunday brunch at the mansion, if you're there on a Sunday, don't miss it!

We live in the Carmel-Pebble Beach area. From where you're coming, take 101 S to 156 Castroville, to 1 South. Easy and the fastest. To the poster who mentioned the Sunday brunch at Hayes Mansion - I agree. It's really good!

Orlo's restaurant at Hayes Mansion.

There good food they having so much for you! [This purchase is showing as loser for owner of property and is] Still great place for hotel and restaurant. Remodel did best for Mansion. Hayes family history is proud. Fine detail in wood, carpet, marble, the spa, ballroom, original photos, more.

We having company event last year and loving it so we telling you Good CHoice.

AR

Armani - say what???

I think he's trying to say that the City of San Jose is losing money on the Hayes Mansion but it still has really good food and service and it's been restored nicely.

Thanks for the translation Monica - I wasn't quite getting it either.