Any sports car enthusiasts who care to share remarkable drives they've taken in or around Atlanta, Dallas, Miami, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago or New York areas?
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Posted on Nov 02, 2010
28 Answers
San Francisco: head north over the Golden Gate bridge on Highway 1 to Tomales Bay and Point Reyes stopping at Muir Woods; south - head down Highway 1 along the San Mateo coast and either return at Half Moon Bay, or further south in Santa Cruz, or if you have time, head to Big Sur.
Posted Nov 14, 2010
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This was going to be my suggestion!
Posted on Nov 22, 2010
Same thoughts as Dave...also in San Francisco area if you want to stop for a drink in Muir Woods...go to Mountain Home Inn. They have a small deck that overlooks the Marin headlands. Also, if you head towards Santa Cruz you should continue south into Carmel and cruise the famous 17 mile drive along the pacific. Another hour south, Big Sur is not to be missed!
Posted on Nov 23, 2010
I second the motion....I do the same drive when I just want to get out of city and the fog. Walk to the car...take out the quarter in my pocket , flip it and if says heads I go north across the GGB and if it says tails I head south along the old great HW1 if Devil's Slide is open. I try to stop in Half Moon Bay for some Sushi on Main and then further south for a walk a long the tidepools. When I am heading back to the city I stop in Pescadero for some yummy artichoke soup/abalone at Duarte's. Great suggestion for the car guy and glad you had the chance to see the beauty of our coastline and the reason why I live in the bay area. Happy Trails!
Posted on Dec 19, 2010
Last year I took a road trip from Miami down to Key West and it was remarkable. It is a very stunning drive with lots of bridges and great food along the way.
Posted Nov 03, 2010
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I agree - I've done this drive a few times and it is beautiful; however, your question includes sports cars and this is not a motorway. It's one lane (most of time) in each direction and can get jammed if any traffic situations happen. That said, well worth it... once you get past Key Largo, the scenery opens up to blue-green waters and bridges including the famous 7-mile bridge. There is a spot called The Tiki Bar on Islamorada which is good spot for a refreshing drink and/or stop... Key West is a great laid-back end to the drive. It's about 3~3.5 hours from MIA to EYW (airport speak).
Posted on Dec 13, 2010
From Chicago you can follow the historic Route 66 route (http://www.historic66.com/) or do the Great Lakes circle tour around Lake Michigan (http://www.great-lakes.net/tourism/circletour/michigan/).
I also recommend Highway 1 from San Fran south to Big Sur - the road's a literal cliffhanger in some spots, and the scenery can't be beat.
Posted Nov 14, 2010
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I second Susan's suggestion of the Great Lakes Circle Tour. Even if you don't have time to do the whole thing, even a nice drive up Lake Shore Drive, through the North Shore, and up to Milwaukee would make for a great weekend.
I'd also recommend putting "Lake Shore Drive" by Aliotta Haynes Jeremiah on your iPod/CD before you leave and play it as you drive along one of the coolest roads in the Midwest!
Posted on Nov 24, 2010
I second Cary's recommendation of the Aliotta Haynes Jeremiah classic!
Posted on Nov 24, 2010
Skyline Drive is a fun, twisty drive that a lot of car enthusiasts like to do. It's a little south of San Francisco. The parts near Palo Alto are a good starting point I think.
Posted Nov 16, 2010
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Nathan, that's a good suggestion. If you like REALLY WINDING ROADS, take Woodside Road down from the Skyline into Palo Alto. Its very hairy. ;-) as in hair-pins.
Posted on Nov 27, 2010
There is also the famous Alice's restaurant on Skyline at 84/La Honda. On a weekend morning you'll find *lots* of motorcycles at the junction for a break. Food is OK but it's a fun parking lot to walk around if you're into bikes.
Posted on Dec 06, 2010
I would do the same. It is a long drive, but it is a drive you will remember for a long long time. I' recommend you drive from Monterey to Morro Bay; take an overnight stop in SLO then head back up.
Posted on Feb 27, 2011
It's not particularly speedy, but Mulholland Drive over the Hollywood Hills/Santa Monica Mountains in L.A. is fun and quite beautiful too.
Posted Nov 24, 2010
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Are you looking to drive fast, is that the idea? Around Dallas, many like to slowly cruise around White Rock Lake to take in the scenery and check out the old mansions. But it wouldn't take advantage of a sports car's engine.
Posted Nov 03, 2010
Add a commentLast year I took a road trip from Miami down to Key West and it was remarkable. It is a very stunning drive with lots of bridges and great food along the way.
Posted on Nov 03, 2010
big sur
Posted on Nov 18, 2010
Agree on the Big Sur. Pretty much from San Francisco down to LA on the 1/101 is one of the most amazing drives you can do in this country. There's the Monterey Bay aquarium, 17 Mile Drive in Carmel, Big Sur, The Hearst Castle, San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbra. All of which is on a crazy windy coastal highway. If you're in a sports car it can either be a blast or a bit frustrating depending on how busy it is and who is in front of you. I would recommend stopping at Nepenthe on the way for lunch or dinner. It an amazing view.
Otherwise if it's just a short drive outside of San Francisco, go over to Stinson Beach on the 1. It's a crazy curvy downhill drive that will test the car for sure.
Posted on Nov 23, 2010
John,
If it's scenery you're after, then Dallas won't have a lot to offer for the sports car enthusiast. However, the highways in the area are wide and straight, so there are opportunities to open up and get some speed.
I-75 north or south of the city are reasonable bets, as are I-35E or W.
If you want someplace to go, head south on I-35 to the town of West, Texas (just south of where I-35E and W merge). Grab some food at the Czech Stop, a market and bakery offering great Czech foods.
I think every so often the Texas Motor Speedway opens its track for people to try, as well as opportunities to take a few laps in a race car.
For more scenic drives in Texas, I would recommend the Texas Hill Country - centered around Fredericksburg (west of Austin). There are some nice drives around the countryside (not much at high speed), plus some nice small towns, wineries and other attractions. I'd suggest staying in one of the local B&Bs.
Posted on Nov 27, 2010
John,
Drive from Atlanta to Helen and near Helen is very scenic and beautiful. It has some tight curves but speed limit might be an issue for sports car enthusiasts.
Posted Nov 03, 2010
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From SF you can drive up or down highway 1 along the entire state - considered the most scenic freeway in the US 1 passes through hundreds of gorgeous coastal towns. If you go south, the beach and environment get more lush and tropical; north will take you up through redwoods.
Posted on Dec 01, 2010
John,
I second the drive from Miami to Key West.. If you do it make sure to build in enough time to stop and visit some of the smaller keys on the way. I am particularly fond of walking on the old bridge that runs parallel to the new 7 mle bridge. You are out over the water and see a lot of sea life including dolphins, sea turltes,and the occasional shark! Another good one to do is the Tamiami Trail out into the Everglades over to Sanibel and Naples area. There are some nice stopping points along the way. North up A1A is more residential and if you are into beach towns it takes you through some nice ones. I really like Delray Beach. Enjoy!
Posted Nov 04, 2010
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Depends on how you would define 'around' Atlanta I suppose. I cant think of any thing really exciting for a sports car right in the city. But a couple hours north in the mountains there is the famous Tail of the Dragon highway. Its considered by many to be one of the top rides in the country for sports cars and motorbikes.
Posted Nov 06, 2010
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Miami has a lot of straight flat roads, no changes in altitude or very twisty roads. Not a very good place for challenging roads.
Posted Nov 09, 2010
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John, I have a few ideas for you.
Atlanta - head due north out of the city on 400 up into the North Georgia mountains. Once the divided highway ends you'll be near Dahlonega and the roads get twisty and fun, and the scenery is pretty nice (but mostly trees). Be sure to take a map or GPS because they can also be confusing. The roads are also very popular with motorcycles, so you'll need to be extra careful if you go on weekends. Driving in Atlanta itself is not so fun.
Los Angeles - I like Sunset from Hollywood Heights to the coast, then north along the Pacific Coast Highway.
San Francisco - head north out of the city on Park Presidio, then across the Golden Gate Bridge. Drive through the Marin Headlands (off to the left) once you get over the bridge, or, to avoid some of the tourists, drive up to Muir Woods, then make your way over to the 1 and drive up the coast. Again, take a map or GPS.
Posted Nov 13, 2010
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HWY 101 from San Diego ALL the way up... make sure to stop long enough to watch a sunset or two!
Posted Nov 22, 2010
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I realized it makes more sense to drive down from SF to San Diego - on CA 1 from SF to Santa Barbara and HWY 101 from LA to San Diego - it's easier to stop anywhere you find a beautiful spot on the coast without having to turn around. When you drive north is indeed the same view, but not so handy to stop, get out of the car, take a picture/walk.... After all parking lots are on beach side.
It's a straight 10hrs drive, but take 2 days to enjoy it.
Posted on Nov 24, 2010
yes highway 1 ROCKS. so do that route one way and then do the return trip on highway 101 - and make a point at stopping at some of the old Spanish missions along the way. Highway 101 follows (generally) the original Spanish El Camino Real with connected Alta California with Baja and Mexico. Some of the missions are right off 101 and some are remote (they're the best for getting a feel for what it must've been like - especially because of the silence). Here's a handy URL: http://missions.bgmm.com/
Mission San Juan Bautista was featured in the famous Hitchcock movie "Vertigo". Hitchcock "added" a bell tower to the mission to assist in the storyline - though as you can see, there isn't actually a bell tower there. Still, it, and the town that grew up around the mission, are one of the few places where you can still imagine what it must've been like living there 150+ years ago.
Here's a handy website to see where they all are: http://missions.bgmm.com/
Posted on Jan 08, 2011
1. PCH 101 from LA to Santa Barbara and beyond!
2. Mulholland Drive start at from Hollywood to Malibu ... start at HIghland work up to the Hollywood Bowl then head west to Mulholland Drive!
3. Sepulveda from Ventura Blv. to Sunset Blvd. then Sunset to PCH!
4. Beverly GLen from Ventura Blv to Sunset Blvd then Sunset to PCH!
Miami = drive A1A from Ft Lauderdale down to South Beach
Posted Nov 23, 2010
Add a commentJohn, SF Bay Area is a top-down two-seater enthusiast's dream. Lived there for many years. Youve had some good suggestions. I prefer either the north on Hwy 1 route (stop at the Pelican Inn on the road to Muir Beach - beautiful beach, great garden restaurant) and go all the way to McClure's beach on the Marin Headlands. Wild and empty country, meadows, cows, cliffs, seals, seagulls, ... its wonderful.
Also, if you can find it, there are some great drives from San Mateo over to Half Moon Bay. Tunitas Creek Road was always my favorite. Watch for the hill when you get near the beach when for a second all you can see is the hood of your car!
Happy Trails
Posted Nov 27, 2010
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John:
I recommend a Muir Woods tour near San Francisco.
Muir Woods is located 17 miles northwest of San Francisco, across the Golden Gate Bridge. You can take in Sausalito directly across the bay from San Francisco to the north.
Enjoy both the woods and the Pacific. It is a great day trip or even a fast half day trip.
Very Happy Travels,
Lance Johnson / Oklahoma City
Posted Nov 29, 2010
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LA to SF on the Pacific Coast Highway! If ever you branch northward, the perimeter of Cape Breton in Nova Scotia (a favorite of bikers - Harley and Trek) and Whidbey Island in the Puget Sound / Washington State.
Posted Nov 29, 2010
Add a commentNot a typical "drive", but you might consider attending a high performance driving school or track day near one of those locations. Near San Francisco we have Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca and Infineon Raceway where you can sign up with local car clubs like the SCCA, BMW CCA or PCA and drive on the track with or without an instructor in your street car. Same thing is available across the country including in Florida, Georgia and so forth.
WARNING: a very thrilling and expensive hobby may result! Ask me how I know...
Posted Dec 06, 2010
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The Blue Ridge Parkway ... but that isn't "near" Atlanta... but if you're in the area. Also, 276 up from Greenville, SC to Brevard, NC is GREAT!
Posted Dec 08, 2010
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Not sure if you want a scenic drive or just a fun road to drive on. I really liked driving on route 71 going from San Jose to Santa Cruz. It's a two lane windy road.
Posted Dec 13, 2010
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love the Pacific Coast Highway from SanFrancisco to Big Sur..... just stunning.. particularly with satellite radio and the top down!!
Posted Dec 15, 2010
Add a commentChicago....Love driving down Lake Shore Drive from I-55 all the way past Fullerton! Used to love driving the old S Curve before they straightened it out.
Tampa...from the Grand Hyatt across the causeway toward St. Pete. Water on both sides is so blue and beautiful!
Posted Dec 16, 2010
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I love I-80 across the bay just before sunrise; stop on the South end and walk around the piers as they fill with fishermen and the mist clears-- the drive and the walk combine for an amazing experience!
Posted Dec 20, 2010
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You can drive from Dallas to the texas hill country down to Bandera. Its really gorgeous! But I recommend going in the spring. If interested let me know and I can tell you some good routes.
You can stop off in Fredricksberg at the wineries.....yum!
Posted Dec 21, 2010
Add a commentDepends on the kind of drive you are looking for. Scenic drive? Lots of corners that you can twist around on? California, not just in the Bay Area, have a lot of those kinds of roads. I suppose, it really depends on what you are looking for.
Posted Jan 07, 2011
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Driving on Pacific Coast Highway from Santa Monica to Carmel Valley was amazing experience.
Posted Mar 07, 2011
Add a commentI am both a motorcyclist and a sports car guy. There are more damn roads in California that will make you drool than anywhere in the world. Many are within one hour of Los Angeles or S.F., and many connect the mountains that live above the Pacific coastline, over to the desert, and are absolutely stunning drives. Weekdays are best, but on Sundays you'll never see better cars and road bikes. Hope that helps.....
Posted Mar 12, 2011
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