California 17 North from Santa Cruz to San Jose

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California 17 North from Santa Cruz to San Jose

Рет қаралды 34,256

Күн бұрын

This drive features CA-17 north from Ocean Street in Santa Cruz, to its northern terminus with I-280/I-880 in San Jose. This road is notorious for having many fatalities over the years. I hope you enjoy this scenic drive over the Santa Cruz Mountains!
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Пікірлер: 68

@Themodestcritic Жыл бұрын

I want to let anyone know who may come across this video who is nervous about highway 17 that it isn’t that scary and the winding road portion is only about 20-30 mins of the entire drive. I just drove it this past weekend, and freaked myself out after watching this video and reading through some of the comments that I almost cancelled my trip, I am happy that I didn’t. Take your time and stay in the slow lane the locals are used to us out of towners being unfamiliar with the road and are very considerate drivers 😊 Enjoy this beautiful city, God bless.

@whizkid00000 3 жыл бұрын

Beautiful scenic route but you don't pay much attention to it but the road itself. Very dangerous road especially with speedy drivers going 60 on a curve. No shoulders don't help either. First time on it and lucky I braced myself for this one ahead of time. Drove the right lane all the way through and at speed limit. This is the best method for first timers or less experienced drivers on this highway. Take all the time and braking you need to get around the curves, don't be bothered or swayed by the cars behind you, the can always pass to the left.

@spikespa5208 27 күн бұрын

Anyone wanting to get a clue about this road should note the number of black tire marks more than halfway up the inside K--rails. The only time I enjoy this road is when it's empty in the daytime...........i.e. _never_ .

@joshstephens3650 5 жыл бұрын

Going to Santa Cruz, I never take CA-17. I always take CA-92 to Half Moon Bay and CA-1 south. It may take a little bit longer, but you don't have to deal with 17's traffic and turns.

@isaacc473 11 ай бұрын

The 1 is a lot more scenic but adds 30-45 minutes to the overall trip, I feel like the 1 is more of a destination on its own. Last summer I took a solo trip from Half Moon Bay to Davenport and didn't even bother continuing into Santa Cruz.

@DISGUYROX 8 жыл бұрын

I loved living in Calif from 67-69 and 70-73. I went all over the state in a '65 Riviera GranSport and~~yes, often stoned. I went back a couple times for visits ans still loved it even though it was really different. I lived in the Haight in the summer of love and the SF Valley in the early 70's. Drove all over. Hope to get back this year in my 93 Jag XJS convertible. Nice long ride to & from WI. Great videos. Perfect U2 soundtrack.

@stevesmith3992 6 жыл бұрын

DISGUYROX we must have walked by each other on Haight

@upeedinalamb5297 8 жыл бұрын

This lamb concurs that this could be a scary drive by an inexperienced or impaired or impatient driver, but the scenery and ample vegetation! Great job.

@InterstateKyle 8 жыл бұрын

+Upeedina Lamb Thanks :)

@kkcamp02 2 жыл бұрын

This can be a scary drive for an experienced driver. The whole drive is actually not that bad. It is just the part from Los Gatos to Scott's Valley. UGH.

@Edwardkca17 8 жыл бұрын

I've hit dead stop traffic coming around the "Big Moody Curve". Scary moment; even after I was able to stop safely, I was worried someone would end up hitting me instead.

@gootchie 8 жыл бұрын

I remember this road from when I briefly lived in Santa Cruz some 25 years ago. My car at the time was a 5-speed Mazda 626, and the wheels and suspension (not to mention the clutch) always got a workout on those curves. Always a pretty drive, particularly at the summit, but I never let my attention to my driving waver while traveling this stretch. Never failed to breathe a sigh of relief once I was safely on the Santa Cruz or San Jose end. If the weather or visibility was less than optimum (rainy, icy, foggy, nighttime) I stayed the hell off this road.

@warreneckels4945 3 жыл бұрын

How on earth do people in that part of California live with so much beauty?

@UncleLance67 8 ай бұрын

I am originally from San Jose, and I now live in Santa Cruz. I tell people, "Highway 17 has two lanes each way. One lane is for trucks and tourists. The other is for locals who drive it every day and know every curve, crack, bump, slick spot, and straightaway." With no traffic, I usually average between 55-65 through the whole drive. On that "easy part" from Scotts Valley down to Santa Cruz, I may-or-may-not have occasionally found myself accidently doing 95.

@scarletbegonias3445 5 ай бұрын

I am with you friend! I grew up in Saratoga and learned how to drive freeways on Highway 17. My friend in the car with me the 1st time was 23. He was clinging to the oh shit handle the whole time saying, "We're going to die! We're going to die!" 😂 Fortunately, did not die, love 17. I'm one of those locals on the left for sure. I know and love every single curve and bump. A dear friend who went to UCSC once told me the only time he's never been scared of going over 17 has been when I was driving. Best compliment ever. I feel very spiritually connected to the road. She's tricky and can be dangerous, but she's one of the most beautiful roads in the world imo.

@Dangit420 2 жыл бұрын

i miss this drive even though The Blood Gulch north of summit took my 03 Ranger. luckily no one hurt, just glad there was a center divider! old timers from the area remember when it didn’t have that.

@jiaconis 4 жыл бұрын

Nice! I used to live in SJ and drove Hwy 17 hundreds of times watching this video brought back all the twists and turns of 17 without all the twists and turns! Sweet :)

@deafRichard 3 жыл бұрын

Did this exact drive when visiting the US from Australia. Very wet and misty day and my partner was freaking out. I don't remember the big curve though. Thanks for the memories

@scarletbegonias3445 5 ай бұрын

Thanks tons!! I learned to drive freeways on Hwy 17. It's my favorite road to drive in the world. Great commentary (heh beware the usual speed trap on the right at 2:39-2:40). Thanks tons for posting. Perfect music for this long time mountain resident too. Safe travels, all!

@sallylouise9826 8 жыл бұрын

Wow that route! awesome and those bends in the road. looks a great trip .

@jameswormsley460 8 жыл бұрын

fun yet very harrowing scenic drive--well done.

@antn8387 3 жыл бұрын

i never underestimate hwy 17, its a challenging hwy, if you let your guard down, the hwy will take your ass out no problem.

@travist.7279 3 жыл бұрын

When I was a kid, back in the 1960's, my folks took Hwy 17 many times, to-and-from Santa Cruz. Back then, there was no center concrete divider---only a double-yellow line. And, there was NO traffic! We seemed to have the road to ourselves. How times have changed.

@Ascend777 8 жыл бұрын

Great scenery and music as always! Thanks for the upload!

@InterstateKyle 8 жыл бұрын

+Rectum Thanks for watching!

@Tom-zk2sg 4 жыл бұрын

thanks for this wonderful video ......

@PInk77W1 4 жыл бұрын

2:41 one time I was driving my CalTrans pickup right here with my co worker in the passenger seat reading his newspaper. All of a sudden I saw a car coming at me from the southbound lanes on TWO WHEELS just like the movies. I said WOO WOO WOO. and hit the brakes. He missed us by a few feet as he slammed into the dirt embankment. I told my friend he was probably texting. CHP came and we found out he was way drunk. 10:30am. LoL. I use to be in charge of all those trees for Caltrans.

@OpossumFan 9 ай бұрын

I grew up in this area, it when i've gone back to visit i'm always amazed at how scary i find this road now. Especially considering a bunch of the turns are reverse banked because of drainage, it's very easy to spin out when it's wet. But also my goodness what a beautiful drive, it has some amazing views and forests thriughout

@kkcamp02 2 жыл бұрын

I hate driving this road so much. My daughter now goes to UCSC so I have to be on it all the time. BOO!

@davidecheagaray2256 4 жыл бұрын

I looked up this drive because I'm considering whether or not to commute this road everyday for work. I'll be working in Menlo Park and live in Santa Cruz. It's the fastest way there but it's scary.

@jasonplatt2228 4 жыл бұрын

You might want to try Hwy 9 as an alternate to see how that goes. It's going to take much longer (depending on traffic on Hwy 17) and is curvy as well but I think it's considered safer.

@gizmo980 3 жыл бұрын

I do this drive from Scotts Valley to Los Altos every day (even through COVID - we only worked from home during the 3mo SiP), and you do get used to it! I actually enjoy the drive, especially now that traffic is almost nonexistent.

@GS_Cloud26 5 жыл бұрын

I've been on CA-17 when I went to Santa Cruz despite being in gridlock traffic traveling North and Southbound directions

@heathtingle8144 8 жыл бұрын

Good video to remember a good Spring Break there in 1998 from the University of Kentucky. A very memorable road!

@InterstateJD 8 жыл бұрын

Caught this at 17 views :) The northbound direction looks scarier than southbound. Despite the sketchy engineering, I still like this road a lot. Nice work.

@InterstateKyle 8 жыл бұрын

+InterstateJD Try to catch my next one at 580 views! (spoiler alert) I loved your take on this road, it's a real thrill to drive and I enjoy it everytime!

@LavarPope 7 жыл бұрын

Nice video. Makes me miss that drive.

@baseballdude21345 7 жыл бұрын

Beautiful drive but not a road to to mess around on. I drove from Scotts Valley to San Jose and I passed by SIX accidents thanks to the rainy weather. One was an injury accident with EMS and a firetruck en route. This is a vicious road especially in foggy/rainy weather. Please drive carefully especially as we starting to get into the rainy season in the Santa Cruz Mountains.

@romyan5382 11 ай бұрын

Love driving the 17, one time I ran it from Los Gatos to SC in under 14 mins lol

@FlyingBeyondHorizons 8 жыл бұрын

Ah, Highway 17! Another great video Kyle!

@liamc.636 2 жыл бұрын

I go to to UCSC and last week I drove the 17 at 5AM off like 2 hours of sleep it was quite an experience lol

@Tali812 4 жыл бұрын

Did this exact drive a week ago when I was visiting. Except we merged to the 86 to the 250 to San Francisco.

@stevesmith3992 6 жыл бұрын

drove this road for 35 years, over 10 years daily. 3 yrs in my 59 Vette with 550 HP before the nitrous is on.....when you cross the summit the downhill S turn is also off camber. a neighbor raced his 57 Porsche Speedster at Laguna Secant and drove it over 17. I went along and that turn made you nervous! ! The camber is slightly improved today. The S is called Valley Surorise. and also Parallel Hell. When painted on the K wall, Call Trans Immediately removes it. I know......

@stevesmith3992 6 жыл бұрын

I had to drive over this Bob Sled Run in other cars, too:: 1967 Sunbeam Rapier, 1966 Corvair with a powerglide!! 1967 Rambler American, 1967 Mercury Comet Caliente Convertible, 1970 Kawasaki 350, 1984 Mazda pick up, 1973 Alpha Romeo 2000 Spyder . gosh that's a lot of cars. But blowing thru Scots Valley at 145mph in the morning, with no traffic was always nice

@allenyeah3291 9 ай бұрын

My best record in a zipcar crv is 30min oneway. 3am in morning in 2020. UCSC to top cafe.

@rachelbanks822 7 жыл бұрын

got to drive this..just wish it was on my bike..video does no justice..it was sweet even in a car...

@dank3823 3 жыл бұрын

That top section sucks enough. Add in speedy inpatient drivers and its it's a nightmare

@EpicThe112 8 жыл бұрын

great video and for this road it needs concrete walls on the rock cuts since CA-17 was damaged in 1989 from an earthquake since this road crosses the San Andreas Fault

@SilverBlaze189sb189 8 жыл бұрын

What an awesome and fun route! Except for those curves through the mountains and those big semi trucks taking up both the lanes on the sharp turns! With those VPD counts, that would be enough to warrant an upgrade to a freeway IMO, but that would be almost impossible, maybe widen it to 6 lanes?

@InterstateKyle 8 жыл бұрын

+Mountain West Highways If only the steep and rugged terrain would allow :/ Sadly at-grade intersections will have to do for now. Getting this road to 4 lanes was a challenge in of itself!

@craigceecee8762 6 ай бұрын

@@InterstateKyle One solution I can think of is to remove the crossovers and have it all right-in, right-out, while installing interchanges to cross over at some points. That would eliminate head-on and left turn collisions at least, but wouldn't improve the geometry.

@Dzukelis443 8 жыл бұрын

thank .nice video

@jamesamstel585 Жыл бұрын

The most dangerous highway road in California 😅

@schwenda3727 8 жыл бұрын

Certainly is a beautiful drive, despite the fact that one dumb driver could literally end up having blood on their hands just by the looks of that entire road! Hopefully any potential improvements don't hurt the scenic badassery levels that road currently possesses!

@InterstateKyle 8 жыл бұрын

+Schwenda Productions This road has seen such modest upgrades over the years. It was widened to 4 lanes in the 80s and the center guardrail is barley 15 years old! Lot's of head on collisions used to happen here, especially along those dangerous curves I mentioned!