Scenic Drives from Almaden Valley

The foothills surrounding Almaden Valley provide access to some of the best scenic driving in the Bay Area. Within minutes of leaving the suburban streets along Almaden Expressway, you can be climbing through oak-studded hillsides, winding along ridgelines with panoramic views, or descending through redwood forest toward the coast. Each route offers a different character and can fill anywhere from a couple of hours to a full day.

Mount Hamilton Road to Lick Observatory

Mount Hamilton Road (Highway 130) is the legendary Bay Area driving road. Starting from the eastern edge of San Jose, the route climbs over 4,200 feet to the summit of Mount Hamilton and Lick Observatory with more than 300 turns along the way. The narrow two-lane road winds through grassland and oak woodland with steadily improving views as you gain elevation. On clear days, the panorama from the summit extends across the entire Santa Clara Valley to the Pacific Ocean.

Allow one hour each way from Almaden Valley, though you should budget extra time for slow vehicles on the narrow sections. The observatory grounds are open during daytime hours with displays on the research conducted there and the building’s 1888 history. The drive itself is the main attraction, and combining it with a stargazing stop on the return makes for a memorable evening.

The road is narrow with no guardrails in many sections, sharp dropoffs, and frequent cyclist traffic on weekends. Drive cautiously and use pullouts to let faster traffic pass. The route is occasionally closed during winter storms.

Hicks Road to Mount Umunhum

This route takes you from Camden Avenue in Almaden Valley up Hicks Road through the Santa Cruz Mountain foothills to Mount Umunhum Road and the restored summit of Mount Umunhum at 3,486 feet. The distinctive flat-topped summit, visible from much of Almaden Valley, features the preserved Cold War-era radar tower known as the “Tower of Doom” and a modern viewing platform.

Hicks Road climbs through lush scenery with oak and bay laurel forest, elevation changes, and enough curves to keep the drive interesting without being intimidating. The road is quieter than Mount Hamilton with less cyclist traffic. The final stretch on Mount Umunhum Road is winding and steep. From the summit parking area, a short paved walk leads to the viewing platform where the views on a clear day span from Mount Tam and San Francisco in the north to the Diablo Range in the east and the Monterey Bay coastline to the south.

The summit is managed by the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District as part of the Sierra Azul Preserve. The parking area and viewing platform are open during daylight hours. An alternative approach via Almaden Road past the historic New Almaden community offers a prettier, less technical drive than the Hicks Road route.

McKean Road South

McKean Road south from Almaden Valley passes Calero County Park and continues through ranch country toward the Uvas corridor and Morgan Hill wine country. The landscape shifts from suburban to rural within minutes, with horse properties, working ranches, and valley oak-dotted hillsides. The road is two-lane and lightly trafficked outside of peak commute hours.

Continue south to connect with Uvas Road and the Morgan Hill wine tasting rooms for a wine country day trip, or loop back via Bailey Avenue and Santa Teresa Boulevard for a one-hour circuit. The drive is especially scenic in spring when the surrounding hills are green and wildflowers line the road shoulders.

Highway 9 to the Coast via Redwoods

Take Highway 85 north to Saratoga, then Highway 9 west through the Santa Cruz Mountains. The route descends through towering coast redwood forest, passing Big Basin Redwoods State Park and several small mountain communities. The old-growth redwoods create a cathedral effect over the road, with dappled light filtering through the canopy.

Continue to Highway 1 along the coast for a full loop via Santa Cruz and Highway 17 back to San Jose, creating a three-to-four-hour circuit. Or combine with Skyline Boulevard (Highway 35) along the ridge top for expansive views in both directions. The Highway 9 section is popular with motorcyclists and sports car enthusiasts, so expect company on weekend mornings.

Skyline Boulevard

Highway 35 runs along the crest of the Santa Cruz Mountains with views alternating between the Pacific side and the Bay side. Access from Almaden Valley via Highway 85 north and Highway 9, or via Summit Road from the south. The ridgeline road passes multiple open space preserves with trailhead pullouts for short walks if you want to stretch your legs. Fall afternoons when the fog sits below the ridge create a sea-of-clouds effect that makes this drive particularly dramatic.

Practical Tips

Fill up before leaving Almaden Valley since gas stations are scarce on mountain roads. Carry water and snacks, especially for Mount Hamilton and Mount Umunhum where there are no services at the summit. Weekday mornings offer the lightest traffic on all routes. Sunday mornings are the busiest for recreational drivers and cyclists on Mount Hamilton Road and Highway 9.

Almaden Business is your guide to local businesses, community events, and neighborhood resources in Almaden Valley and South San Jose.