Best drives in the Bay Area

Two routes we’d start with: mountains to the ocean, or a technical climb with a stop at Alice’s.

These guides connect individual driving roads into an outing, with a clear start, finish and optional return to make a loop. Pick the scenery and road character you’re in the mood for.

• Remote mountain crossingSkaggs Springs Road: Lake Sonoma to the coastA long way from anywhere, which is the point. Skaggs Springs runs from the Lake Sonoma dam west over the ridges to the sea, and for most of that distance there is nothing beside the road but hillside.Lake Sonoma, north of Healdsburg → Stewarts Point on Highway 1Explore drive →
• Long backcountry runMines Road to Lick ObservatoryThe back way to Lick. Most people drive up Mount Hamilton from San Jose; coming in from Livermore turns a hill climb into most of a day, through country that feels a long way from either city.Livermore → Lick Observatory, Mount HamiltonExplore drive →
• Coastal mountainMount Tamalpais: Panoramic Highway and RidgecrestA short drive that spends its whole length above the ocean. Panoramic climbs out of Stinson through the trees, and Ridgecrest runs the open spine of Tam with the Pacific on one side and the bay on the other.Stinson Beach → East Peak, Mount TamalpaisExplore drive →
• Ranch country loopLucas Valley and the Nicasio loopThe classic West Marin morning. Lucas Valley gets the attention, but the loop beyond it — Nicasio, the Petaluma road, Chileno Valley — is where most of the distance and most of the quiet is.Highway 101 at Lucas Valley Road → Back where you startedExplore drive →
• Hills above the cityEast Bay ridge run: Skyline, Redwood and PinehurstThree short roads that link into one good hour without leaving the East Bay. Skyline runs the ridge above Oakland, Redwood drops through the regional parks, and Pinehurst threads the redwoods at Canyon.Golf Links Road, Oakland → MoragaExplore drive →
• Remote crossingMines Road and Del Puerto CanyonThe other way off Mines Road. Instead of turning west for Mount Hamilton, carry on east and drop through Del Puerto Canyon to the Central Valley floor.Livermore → Patterson, on Interstate 5Explore drive →
• Mountains & coastHighway 9, Skyline & Pescadero coastal driveA great choice when you want a drive with a bit of everything: a wooded climb out of Saratoga, a stretch along Skyline, a stop at Alice’s, and a winding run through Pescadero to the ocean.Downtown Saratoga → San Gregorio on Highway 1Explore drive →
• Technical climbPage Mill, Skyline & Alice’s driving routeA great Peninsula drive if you enjoy tighter, more involved mountain roads. Page Mill supplies the technical climb, Skyline connects you to Alice’s, and Highway 84 brings you back down toward Woodside.Page Mill Road at I-280 → WoodsideExplore drive →

Explore all roads on the map →