How is the drive from San Jose (SJC) to Laguna Seca?

[Porchdog]

Monterrey doesn't have many flight choices and they are about twice the price.

How is the drive? Google maps suggests 1-1/2 hours.

We can go direct to SFO but that drive doesn't look like much fun.

Thanks

[Tidybuoy]

The drive is fine, takes about 90 min, not too congested.

I stayed in Redwood City last year during the Monterey Historics and Werks. I couldn't find any hotels in the Monterey area that were reasonable so I stayed at my sister's in Redwood City. I would not recommend going all the way to SF because even though it's close, it could add another hour of travel depending on traffic which is almost always busy.

Should you go to SF, take the back route out - 19th ave South which becomes 280, then merge to 101S, to 1South to Monterey.

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by Porchdog

How is the drive? Google maps suggests 1-1/2 hours.

We can go direct to SFO but that drive doesn't look like much fun.

Thanks

Went to Pebble Beach in 1995. Stayed at the SFO Marriot on my Dad's freebie hotel points for a week and my (car nut - male) pal and I flew on my freebie airline miles.

We took four trips down to Monterey and back in that week. The drive was fine as you start south of the big city. However, having to bail out early knowing you had that long return drive, even with decent traffic, was a bummer.

That's two dudes on the cheap who were car freaks provided a nice opportunity. With a female promised a nice time, ugh, especially if you eat in Monterey with one having to be nearly a tea toddler to handle the ride back may not be "romantic".

[Scott Douglas]

I've 'commuted' from my brother's place, which is Morgan Hill close, a number of times. It's not bad if you're driving a Porsche. We've done it in 'normal' cars too which isn't bad either.

[Porchdog]

Looks like SJC it is.

Thanks Guys!

[LakeCleElum]

I HEAR: On Hwy 17, it's possible to get into some tight curves too HOT ........ A rumor I heard (Ahem)

[john70t]

I'm a bit of an idiot, but I almost got lost the couple times I drove there w/o GPS.
The on-site signage for visitors is a bit confusing, imo.

Hwy 17 through the mountains could be up/dn/start/stop/twisty/hell during rush hour.
The 1 along the coast is a beautiful unique drive but slower.

[wildthing]

It's an hour on a Saturday morning. Landing in SJC is your best bet. Stay in Monterey or something.

[J-Mac]

SJC to Laguna is 75 minutes if you're not in weekday commute traffic.

[WPOZZZ]

Easy peasy! Used to go to Concorso from Cupertino all the time.

[GH85Carrera]

I spent a week in Monterey, Ca and I drove my 911 out there and back home.

The first thing I learned is the name of the town is Monterey, not Monterrey, as that is in Mexico. My wife flew out to San Jose and I had to run up to get her. So I picked her up, and after a week, she flew home. I stuck around one more day and had a DE at Laguna Secca which was a bucket list thing.

Having made a grand total of two round trips I am far from an expert, but I have an opinion! As an non local I was struck by the changes in the type of terrain and the vegetation on the trip up and back. One area is almost a forest, some areas have some curves. It was weird how much it was obvious there was never a full plan to engineer one route. It is a total mash up of multiple roads and highway projects. It is almost like when you change states on long road trips, just totally different styles of highways.

It took me about 1.5 hours each way on all the trips.

[RonDent]

If you are going to Laguna Seca, SJC is always a better choice than SFO. If you are in town for one of the big car events, Rolex Reunion, IMSA, Rennsport, give yourself plenty of time. Hwy 1 can back up fast. As can a number of the other highways into Monterey. I have to be at the track well before most people for track events, but still give myself plenty of time to get there.

[Rtrorkt]

having lived in Mill Valley for a while and done many Laguna Seca events, I can say the late Sunday afternoon run from Seaside on 156 to 101 can be brutal. The nut case lane jumping, stop and go on 101 until you get past Gilroy is beyond annoying. I found 17 to be somewhat better, but not great. Figure a good 2 hours plus to get out of traffic in SJ

[flatbutt]

the last time I went to Laguna for the MotoGP I flew into SJ. EZPZ.

[aigel]

Just don't drive Friday afternoon ...

G

[juanbenae]

Gilroy is a great medium for lodging between the airport & laguna. much cheaper rates than Monterey & san jose/silicon valley rates and you are nearly half way there and south of some of the traffic.

id say stay away from 17 there. hwy one south of Watsonville is one lane and can get hairy traffic wise around moss landing on the weekends.

[rcooled]

Originally Posted by aigel

Just don't drive Friday afternoon ...

Try to time your arrival at SJC so that your drive down to Monterey takes place BEFORE 2:00. That's about when the southbound afternoon commute begins and you'll want to avoid that AT ALL COST! If you plan your flight for a late morning arrival, you'll have an easy drive against the traffic all the way to Monterey. I would suggest taking RT 880 south out of the airport to begin. This turns into Hwy17, which will take you over the coastal mountains to connect with southbound Hwy 1 at Santa Cruz, then on to Monterey. Have a great trip!

[Porchdog]

My son and I are going to Rennsport Reunion. A friend had extra tickets and an extra room. We are supposed to be staying at a nice place in Monterey. (My spell check doesn't like that spelling!).

We will be flying in late Thursday morning and back out early on Monday, so hopefully we can avoid the worst traffic.

Thanks Guys!

[Tobra]

Supposed to rain this weekend

[wildthing]

17 is not the fastest route from SJC. It's 101 south all the way to Salinas. I drove part of this last Sunday except I went to Marina airport.

If you're going to Monterey first it's 101 South then 156 West.