Oh, you know a really great ride? go up 9, over to Page Mill, then drop down to Foothill and back. 9 has a nice and consistent grade where you can get into a groove, then Page Mill is a great, fast, technical downhill that keeps you on your toes. Do that one a few times a year. And I am talking about bicycles

 

That sounds crazy fun, might have to start doing that soon.

 

El Camino is tight!

 

I can attest to that.

 

This is my favorite

 

Top secret, bud

 

who gives a **** what other poeple say they are public roads for anyone to drive so if u dont like it go **** yourself. while driving back roads be safe and dont do anything stupid. its all about the flow

 

btw i love redwood rd and grizzly peak (my backyard)

 

OP needs to know where to look. Unfortunately (for him), he's not willing to drive up to my neighborhood, because the roads I have around here are EPIC. Enjoy the CHP enforcement on Skyline and Highway 9...

 

Roo where are you?

And I seen that! on the popo at Skyline and Hwy9.

 

All of my favorite ones are north of the bridge, but since you are in Walnut Creek, you have Calaveras nearby, and all that stuff near Sunol/Livermore -- going up backside of Mt. Hamilton, etc.

Stan

 

thanks man i'll take a look

 

Not really a secret, so I don't mind saying a Mount Hamilton run is pretty much my favorite bit of driving in the area. I'm in Tracy, so it's pretty easy for me to get over the hill via Tesla Rd. (a nice warmup) then onto Mines Rd. You can go up Del Valle Rd. and bust a U at the park entrance before hitting up Mines Rd., if you want a quick hill climb before hand, but the area can be crowded with picnickers on the weekend.

If you have time during the week to go out there in the morning/afternoon, it tends to be more empty on Mines than on the weekends (not completely empty, just less chance of meetings cars/bikes/bicycles). Some people prefer to go out there at night, but I'd rather have the extra visibility of daylight, and I think some of the critters tend to stay off the road more during the day (yes, watch out for the occasional deer, coyote, and such).

Random notes:

1. Slow down for the "Cattle guards", especially the mid corner ones
2. Slow down for the one lane section on Mines, it's like 11 miles I think (it has two short 2-lane sections in the middle, don't be fooled and think it's done).
3. Careful of the bumps, especially the ones right before tight corners, you will have an issue if you think you can brake late into some of the hairpins and you hit a bump at speed
4. The Patterson exit (at the Junction) heads you East out to I-5, it can be a fun alternate route/exit. But be cautious after crossing the county line, the speed limit drops to a posted 35 (instead of 45) and the road gets narrower (no shoulder), bumpier (with occasional sharp, jutting asphalt), and is more likely to have small to medium stones in the road (near the cliffs).
5. The couple of miles of road near the Junction, heading towards Mt. Hamilton, has a mile or more of legal passing (in multiple sections). In case you happen to be stuck behind someone, you don't have to worry about passing immediately.
6. Try to go when the Lick Observatory is open. It's nice to have a place to stop, stretch your legs, and find a bathroom. Check out the Telescopes while you're at it.

 

Oh, and this isn't a local road/quick drive. But if you want a day trip (like 8-10 hrs of driving), try this: *Closed Winters*

The Long Drive - Route A - Google Maps

 

Alternately you can do the southern loop 108, 395, 120, or vice versa, just drove out there earlier this week on a camping trip to Yosemite.