How long should it take us to drive from Santa Cruz to San Francisco (Buena Vista Motor Inn) on a Wed. afternoon.
We will be leaving Santa Cruz between 3:30 and 4:00pm. Is there a particular route we should take and anything in particular we should stop and see.
Thanks.

You will hit rush hour traffic at that hour. Any chance you could leave earlier? What route are you taking?

At that time of day, your best bet may be to just take 1 all the way, because at least you can enjoy the scenery. Taking 17 to 280 or 101 will put you right into the middle of Silicon Valley rush hour.

Yes, take Highway 1. It's a very pleasant drive.

Hwy 1, and I think it would take 2 hours. Does that sound right, Enzian and SAB?

Not that long, in my recollection---but I was driving late morning with no traffic at all.

Corrrection---you're right; I was thinking fro Half Moon Bay, and the questin is from Santa Cruz. So yes, 2 hours, and definitely Highway 1; 17 is generally a parking lot in both directions that time of day.

Hard for me to say. I haven't driven 1 to Santa Cruz in many years--I take 280 to 17 to 1 because I'm usually in a hurry to get away for the weekend and I'm used to the views, so I drive rather fast. My guestimate would a least 2 1/2 hours.

It will take an hour to get to the city - another half hour to get INTO the city.

I was thinking along Cabo's line, about getting to the city (or at least Pacifica) wouldn't take that long. It's getting into and through the city over to their Inn (Lombard St./ Marina area).

I would say normally two hours, but because of possible traffic.....give an extra hour perhaps? If traffic is very bad, mind you!

I live in Santa Cruz. I would take Highway 1 (because of aforementioned commute traffic on Hwy 17). At Half Moon Bay I would then take Hwy 92 up to the 280 freeway and on into the city. Stay on track towards the Golden Gate Bridge. You will be on 19th Avenue, through Golden Gate Park, then on Park Presidio. After the tunnel, take the right hand exit to Hwy 101 which will lead you to Lombard Street and your motel. It should take about 2 hours to your motel.

From the airs, I can see only the one reason not to take Hiway One all the way. Here I have a map for you to see.

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/object...I6BTG1.DTL&o=3

Devil's Slide Road Closure Highway 1.

Do seek truth in all your travels and you will never be fogged in, slowed down, or blown away.

AR

armani is correct: along Highway 1, Devil's Slide area is closed indefinitely and the road repairs are going slowly. They were still clearing off debris yesterday (see Caltrans updates on Devil's Slide). This is the area between Pacifica and Montara Beach.

If you must go along Highway 1, then jrandolph's route is the best. Cut over from Highway 1 onto Highway 92 to I-280.

Take I-280 into the City where it ends. Stay on the same road and to the left two lanes. These will curve around and you'll be on 19th Avenue which is Highway 1. Continue all the way through all the stop lights to the Park Presidio exit.