The Drive from San Jose to San Fran

When driving from the south bay (San Jose) to the north bay (San Francisco), you pretty much have two main options as far as highways go.

Rt. 101
This major highway is hectic, congested, and flanked by billboards, office complexes and light industrial zones. The highlights visually are Moffet Field and a view of Candlestick park.






Rt. 280
We highly recommend you take this route to the city. The view is spectacular as the highway meanders up, over, and between the mountain range that stretches along the western coast of the penninsula. If you're lucky, the fog, or 'the marine layer' will be cresting over the mountain ridge during your trip. The sight is marvelous and looks like a wall of marshmallow pouring over the rim of a bowl into the glittering lakes and misty tree-tops below.

This drive will add about 20 minutes to your trip, but is well worth it. As you approach the south of the city, keep a look out to your right hand side, where far below you can catch a glimpse of the jumbo jets taking off from SFO. Rt. 280 eventually meets back up with 101, so anywhere you planned to go from 101, you can still get to easily from 280.