Best driving roads near San Francisco Bay Area
Wedged between the Pacific and the Santa Cruz Mountains, the Bay Area serves up redwood-shaded ridge roads, twisty backcountry climbs, and a coastline that turns every Sunday morning into a driver's playground.
1. Skyline Boulevard (SR-35)
Running the spine of the Santa Cruz Mountains, it threads redwoods and ridge-top straights with views of both the Pacific and the Bay.
2. Highway 1 (San Francisco to Santa Cruz)
Sixty legendary coastal miles with the Pacific out your window the whole way, dotted with beaches and pull-offs.
3. Mines Road
A remote, low-traffic East Bay road from Livermore toward Mount Hamilton, packed with twists through rolling hills and vineyards that enthusiasts adore.
4. Mount Hamilton Road (SR-130)
A narrow, endlessly winding climb to the Lick Observatory summit, rewarding patient drivers with sweeping views across the whole Bay on a clear day.
5. Old La Honda Road
Three miles of narrow, snaking mountain road climbing from the Portola Valley side up to Skyline, a tight and challenging enthusiast favorite with light traffic.
6. Page Mill Road
A twisty 2nd- and 3rd-gear climb through tree-shaded curves up to Skyline Boulevard, a staple of Bay Area spirited driving.
Track your next run near San Francisco Bay Area
Open Road is free on iPhone and Android.
Questions, answered
- What are the best driving roads near San Francisco Bay Area?
- Top picks near San Francisco Bay Area: Skyline Boulevard, Highway 1, Mines Road, Mount Hamilton Road, Old La Honda Road, Page Mill Road. Each is a favorite among drivers for its curves, scenery, or pace.
- What's the best app to track a drive near San Francisco Bay Area?
- Open Road records your run automatically — route replay, distance, top speed, g-force — and saves it to a stat card. Free on iPhone and Android.