Skyline Drive is a twisty, heavily wooded and breathtakingly scenic road that runs along the crest of the Santa Cruz Mountains that form the spine of the San Francisco peninsula. The road Drive runs parallel to Insterstate 280 between Highway 92 near Half Moon Bay in the North to Springs Road in the South near Saratoga. Skyline Drive is a favorite of local motorcycle riders and sports car drivers. On some stretchs you look out one side and see Silicon Valley and on the other the Pacific Ocean. Even when the fog hampers visability, the ride remains eerily beautiful.
Highway 84 intersects Skyline Drive at its midpoint. At this intersection you can stop off for quick bite to eat and/or some coffee at Alice's (NW corner).
If you are driving between San Francisco and San Jose and you are not pressed for time, I highly recommend this slight detour.
Gretting There:
From San Francisco: - Head south on I280 towards San Jose
- Exit onto Hwy 92 heading west towards Half Moon Bay
- Stay on Hwy 92 for about 2 miles
- Make a left turn onto Hwy 35 heading south. You are now on Skyline Drive.
From San Jose: - Head south (west?) on I880 towards Los Gatos / Santa Cruz
- Exit onto Hwy 85 heading north (east) towards Saratoga / Cupertino
- Exit onto Saratoga Ave (Hwy 9) heading southwest through downtown Saratoga towards the hills
- Saratoga Ave will turn into Springs Road, a windy road heading up the side of the Santa Cruz Mountains to Skyline Drive
- Bear right onto Skyline Drive heading north