fly into San Fran San Jose?

It is much cheaper for us to fly into San Fran. What should we expect from the drive from SF ro Santa Cruz? I hear it is very curvy and through mountains. Is there anyway to get from SF to SC and avoid a curvy, mountain road? (I get kind of anxious).

Also, what should we expect in terms of traffic?

What about visibility--how bad is the fog?

Thanks.

fly into San Fran San Jose?

Whether you fly into SJ or SF, you will probably end up driving on Hwy 17 over the Santa Cruz mountains. Init%26#39;s not really that badof a drive. It%26#39;s too high and too far fomr the coast to get much fog during the days, esp if you%26#39;re coming in summer. In winter, there%26#39;s a greater chance of rain. If you fly into SFO, you may want to 380 to 280 to avoid traffic, but it really depends uponthe time of day you arrive.

SO take the cheaper flight and don%26#39;t worry too much about the drive. If you want more details, let us know when you%26#39;re visitng and the time of day you%26#39;re arriving.

fly into San Fran San Jose?

Agree with MacJack...

a couple of added suggestions..

If you are flying in on the week-end, beach traffic after noon gets a bit heavy on Highway 17....both Saturday and Sunday.

If arrive on the week-end in the afternoon, just be prepared for some stop and go traffic...You%26#39;ll get there but it will take some time.

If during the week, its ok during morning/afternoon.

There is some commute traffic in the evening ...5 to 7/7:30.

If you arrive then then have dinner in San Jose area and drive over the hill to Santa Cruz about 7:30.

Note: San Jose is the closer of the 2 airports....but best is to go with the inexpensive flight and car combinations.

I also agree, and really, going over hwy 17 is not that bad and it is only a small portion of the trip. It is well worth the drive as you will get to see a bit more of the area that way as well!

Have a great trip!

Lori

%26gt;%26gt;I hear it is very curvy and through mountains. Is there anyway to get from SF to SC and avoid a curvy, mountain road? (I get kind of anxious). %26lt;%26lt;

I have a great alternative for you that no one has mentioned. Take 280 south from the airport and then catch Highway 92 to Half Moon Bay. Turn left (south) on Highway 1 (the Pacific Coast Highway). Highway 92 is winding, but it%26#39;s much more relaxed than 17.

Once you%26#39;re on the coast highway, you can stop in Pescadero (a picturesque village that%26#39;s two miles inland). You%26#39;ll see parasailers and kite surfers en route south. Stop at Swanton Berry Farm for some of the best strawberries money can buy (organic, of course, and not poisonous)--they sell strawberry shortcake, chocolate-dipped strawberries, and baskets of berries.

Coastal California is worth a leisurely pace. However, if you choose to make time, it won%26#39;t add significantly to take Highway 92 instead of the white-knuckle Highway 17. 17 is worse than anything I ever encountered in Italy or on the road to Hana on Maui. I think people who think it%26#39;s not that bad must not remember how it felt the first few times you drive it. It took me about ten years of irregular commutes over to get remotely comfortable on Highway 17.

Hope that helps.

The alternative route from San Francisco Airport to Santa Cruz is a nice one to take....

The drive over Highway 17 is exaggerated.....people from Santa Cruz drive it every day to go to work in San Jose...

It can be slow traffic at times.

Of the 2 I would agree that San Francisco Airport to Hal Moon Bay and down the coast to Santa Cruz is the easier route to drive....if you are flying into San Francisco Airport.

If San Jose....just go 17.

I disagree that the perils of the drive over Highway 17 are ';exaggerated.'; The people who drive it every day are used to it. For those who aren%26#39;t used to it, the bad manners (too many yuppies with too much caffeine playing ';Race You to the Hospital'; in their stupid SUVs), tailgaters, sharp curves, and unknown territory are all very stressful--especially to someone who has admitted to being nervous to begin with.

I agree with Tanabutler. Highway 17/880 is no place for someone who gets anxious driving. I commuted it for six years and am comfortable on it now, but I clearly remember the first few times, and it is daunting.

Definitely take Hwy 101 south to Hwy 92 west, as suggested. The trip down Hwy 1 to Santa Cruz is beautiful and not stressfull. Although I wouldn%26#39;t bother getting off Hwy 1 to visit Pescadero, I would stop at the Davenport Cash Store for a great lunch.

Hwy 92 also crosses the coastal mountains like Hwy 17/880, but it%26#39;s a two lane road so everyone just gets in line and drives. Hwy 17 is four lanes and the ';Race You to the Hospital'; description is perfect.

I too, agree about 17 and driving it when you don%26#39;t know the road, are nervous to begin with and yes, all those people with that ';Screw you me first attitude'; Much better to take the scenic route, not that it is much longer, just prettier, and less stressfull, and enjoy it!!

Lori

About Highway 17...let%26#39;s don%26#39;t forget that delightful feeling of being caught between a big rig and the cement barrier on the median, going around strange curves with all the rest of the traffic.

People who would downplay the stress of that road are obviously really comfortable driving it. I%26#39;m trying to help the people who%26#39;ve never been there. Sounds like the Santa Cruz locals agree with what makes a pleasant trip possible.

(Note: Highway 92 is now four lanes in the curviest part, and it%26#39;s a very reasonable speed limit.)

Sweetasaurus, I hope this helps. Please take Highway 92, unless you are less nervous than your post suggests. Many people would be fine with all that business, but I do recommend that most people coming to the central coast do Highway 92 FOR THE PLEASURE.

Isn%26#39;t that what vacations are for?

Hope this helps.