Down the bay, up the coast: this scenic drive along San Francisco Bay and the San Mateo coast offers urban and natural treasures

Sunset, June, 2004

* DRIVING DISTANCE: 189mi/309km round trip

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* DURATION: several days

* DON'T MISS: Jack London Square, Tech Museum of Innovation, Roaring Camp Railroads

* DID YOU KNOW: Capitola is California's oldest seaside resort.

SAN FRANCISCO. See Fisherman's Wharf, then head over to PIER 39 to stop at the California Welcome Center for statewide information. Visit the new Ferry Building Marketplace, where you can get everything from artisan cheeses to fresh local fish and meats. Continue east along the Embarcadero and follow the signs to the Bay Bridge and I-80 east, which tunnels through Yerba Buena Island to ...

BERKELEY (13mi/21km). Pamper yourself at the historic Claremont Resort and Spa, indulge your tastebuds at Zachary's Chicago Pizza, or browse specialty shops along fashionable Fourth Street before continuing on I-80 west to I-580 east to ...

OAKLAND (5mi/8km). Stroll around Lake Merritt, home to Children's Fairyland, a bird estuary, and even a few singing gondoliers. Other Oakland attractions include the African American Museum and Library, Jack London Square, and the "island city" of Alameda. Continue on I-880 south past Fremont and Milpitas (home of more than 200 stores at GreatMall) to ...

SAN JOSE (38mi/61km). Northern California's largest city boasts the Tech Museum of Innovation and countless places to dine and shop. South of downtown get wet at Raging Waters, or head west to explore the 160-room Winchester Mystery House. From downtown, drive north on Hwy. 101 to ...

SANTA CLARA (4mi/6km). Two must-sees include the Intel Museum and Paramount's Great America. Depart Santa Clara on Hwy. 17 to reach Campbell; the Campbell Historical Museum commemorates the old cannery days. Continue south on Hwy. 17 past picturesque Los Gatos, then wind your way over the Santa Cruz Mountains to Hwy. 9 north to ...

FELTON (21mi/34km). In the heart of the Santa Cruz Mountains is Roaring Camp Railroads. Narrow-gauge, steam-powered trains take passengers on scenic tours that include some of the steepest rail grades in North America. Adjacent Henry Cowell Redwoods SP features a nature center, mountain biking, and camping. Return to Hwy. 17 and drive south to ...

SANTA CRUZ (7mi/11km). In the summer, enjoy Shakespeare Santa Cruz on the U.C. Santa Cruz campus. To the south are upscale Aptos and charming Capitola. From these beach towns, drive north along Hwy. 1 to ...

DAVENPORT (15mi/24km). This secluded seaside artists' community is home to the Eugene O'Neill National Historic Site, and was recently featured in local rocker Neil Young's latest film, Greendale. Enjoy dramatic views from coastal bluffs as you drive north along Hwy. 1 past Ano Nuevo SR to ...

PESCADERO (23mi/37km). Visit Big Basin Redwoods SP, California's oldest state park, encompassing more than 18,000 acres of old growth and recovering redwood forests. Continue north along Hwy. 1 to ...

HALF MOON BAY (35mi/56km). The coastal town is home to Victorian B & Bs, scenic golf courses, and a historic Main Street. Continue north along Hwy. 1 and the Cabrillo Hwy. to ...

PACIFICA (14mi/23km). Perched in the hills overlooking the Pacific Ocean and San Francisco. Fish or crab off the pier, or hike along protected hillsides. From Pacifica, take the Cabrillo Hwy., I-280, and Hwy. 101 north back to ...

SAN FRANCISCO (14mi/23km).