Has anyone taken highway 9 to Santa Cruz from San Jose area? I've never been, and I actually want to try it. Just wondering about how much longer vs highway 17, Is there a lot of cops? And is it a fun run? The only route I have taken my S on the mountains is the back roads of Calaveras and I want to try something new..

 

9 is awesome, beware of the hairpin.

 

Time really depends on how fast you drive and how many other cars are taking hwy 9 vs. hwy 17. It's a lot more fun than driving hwy 17, especially on a crowded weekend. There can be a few cops, but usually not many if any at all.

A few of us went about a month ago, it was fun except for the few cars that wouldn't pull over for us.

 

Highway 9 is a cool road.
Lots of car people out there. Superior to Calaveras in every way imaginable.
I recommend setting cruise control at 23mph, putting on some chill music, and enjoying the scenery.
It's not the most efficient way to get over the hill to Santa Cruz but the pros outweigh the cons.
Sneak through highway 236 or one of the "grades" and you can even get down to a less goosebumps-inducing 10-15mph pace.

 

Apparently one-way traffic controls are starting. . . today? tomorrow? Soon? on 9. CA-9 and CA-236 are some great drives.

 

Agreed with everyones posts. It may take a little longer than 17, but the drive is worth your time and gas.

Funny story. Last year me and my friends were coming home from santa cruz. Obviously on 17 there was a lot of traffic northbound. My friends decided to stay on 17, but i decided to take a detour onto 9 (seperate cars). I made it to san jose before them, as well as having the pleasure of drive the scenic route home.

 

There's nothing worse than sitting on 17 in traffic. Even though 9 can get a little busy during peak weekend tourist hours, it's an enjoyable way to travel nonetheless.

 

As said above watch out for the hairpin. It's a nice road to take but if you do it on Saturday don't expect to have too much fun as most of the Sunday drivers seem to be out on Saturdays. CHP are out there because locals complain about the speeding motorcycles and cars but as long as you slow down near the schools and small towns where they hide at they won't bother.

 

I get the appeal, as it is wider and smoother than most of the other backroad options, but I find there to be too much traffic, too much heat, too many accidents and too few drivers who let each other by. I live in Boulder Creek and work in San Jose, but I don't commute on 9. It's neither the fastest route nor the most fun.

 

If you don't enjoy driving 9 then you don't enjoy driving. Period.

Of course like any road people use for commuting there are times to avoid driving it, but if you are going out to enjoy some driving there are many time periods where the road is wide open and free of most traffic.

There will be more deer out and about as it warms up at night so make sure to keep your eyes peeled. The road surface is quite good for a mountain road, and there is plenty of grip. There will be more cops around on the side coming up from Saratoga, once you are past Skyline it is generally pretty clear.