Donovan386

Any drivers in the SF bay area looking to go on a spirited drive? I've only lived here about 6 months and am still exploring the area. I go on drives on hwy 84, skyline (hwy 35), hwy 9, etc. almost every weekend but they are all on the peninsula and I'm looking to check out new territory. Very curious as to what kind of roads are on the east bay and south bay. I've been driving up in Napa Valley and it was so-so. We found a couple of fun roads but it wasn't any better than what I have here in my backyard.

Let me know if you guys have any good routes or want to show me around some time!

bobgodd

There is ZERO good driving in the east bay... The highways are in terrible condition. Niles canyon is decent, but eh.

Donovan386

Thanks! That's the kind of info I'd like to know. It's just hard for me to get motivated to check out other roads. Driving down hwy 84 or hwy 9 through the forest/mountains and end up at the coast is surreal for me. I lived in Texas before I moved out here so I had only seen the beach a couple of times in my life, ever. I'm in love with the roads out here...not sure what I'll do if I ever move back!

jdeastbay

Head south on 1 from either 84 or 92. Get out at the crack of dawn. Nothing like sqealing tires on a hanging turn 300 ft above the pacific. And you'll get enought straight aways which our cars are fond of. Paddle shift heaven. Have to go early though, otherwise your stuck behind Euros and midwesterns going 15mph in a 50 while pointing/clicking at the beauty of the coast line. The beauty you'll miss while hanging on for dear life!!

PS. Pack a radar detector, the ca highway patrol likes the view as well.

SLK55R

is hard to beat ... so many cops up there though ...

Donovan386

I hear that- the people sightseeing around here are out of control...Most just stop right in the middle of a 55mph zone for no reason other than to take in the view! Meanwhile, the rest of us behind them are just wanting to drive!

Definitely packing a radar detector- just hardwired my escort last night and am ready to rumble. Hwy 1 sounds fun, I just have to make sure I hit it up on a morning without any fog...othwerwise it would be miserable I'm sure.

zoink

Like other ppl have mentioned...

Niles canyon, skyline, 84.... but yep, cops are everywhere... my favorite is a little bit farther... hwy. 1 south of monterey/carmel. Nice view, nice curves... and out of many times I've been there, never seen any cops. But if you really want to enjoy the drive there, you should've not sold your S2000. E is not made for twisties I like my 535 wagon better than my E over there. For my E, just a little burst from 50 to 130-140 when space allows or when entering a ramp...

Another route to consider is Route 120 near Yosemite.

coolcamden

What else did Texan say about us?

Take a larger Bay Area map and explore. Mt. Hamilton road goes from SJ all the way to Pleasanton, where you can grab some winery hopping at the end of the drive. Hicks/Kennedy road in Los Gatos is nice, from which you can sample lunch in LG before the ride. Do SF or Sausalito/Marin and then take Stinson beach drive and go up US1, etc... You live in the Bay Area, possibly the greatest place on earth. Get out and live.

baldmike73

mines road out in livermore goes all the way to sj and if you take it the other way it takes you all the way to stockton - good roads out there - used to take the HD out there quite a bit.

niles is eh, skyline has too many cops and i have seen too many bikes go down due to the gravel on the road or wet foggy roads!

Necros

Did you try Trinity Road, that goes over the hill between Napa and Sonoma? Man, I love that road. Of course, the last time I drove it, I was in a rental automatic Nissan Sentra, but I still had a blast.