Great alternate route for ALMS: San José to/from Monterey...
 

I hate to give away my private race course, so keep this info among just us Audi drivers....

As you know, going to and from Monterey from the South bay has some bottlenecks. Hwy 101 narrows to 2 lanes in Morgan Hill, with painful consequences (no longer true as of Spring 2003). The normal route from 101 to Monterey is often backed up, at least returning Northbound. And, Hwy 17 can be treacherous with radar traps that can't be detected in advance by even a Valentine One (blind curves). We got a ticket in 1999 on the way to the Historics.

So, here is the alternative we have been using since. I'll describe it as the return trip, because that is when traffic is worst.

(Note as of Spring 2003: now that 101 is freer flowing, this shortcut now takes longer on the way back as well as to Monterey. After races in Monterey, there is a terrible evening backup where Hwy 1 goes past the slough and smokestacks south of Watsonville.)

From Monterey, travel up 1 past the usual turn off (156) towards 101. In Watsonville, follow signs to 152, Hecker Pass. Take this route through town. (There is a busy left turn at one point... just go past it, and turn left a couple blocks later to avoid the line, and rejoin 152. Note you will be on road labelled E. Lake Ave.)

Still on 152 in Watsonville, continue East past some farms and into the hills. The drive is quite nice, with views of the coast, until you reach Mt. Madonna Inn. From there, it crests and goes down into a dark, beautiful forest.

As the road begins to level out, watch on your left for "G8" on a small blue highway sign. Turn left there. I believe this is Watsonville Road.

Watch on the left for Uvas road. Turn left on Uvas. This keeps you on G8, although the G8 sign is nowhere to be seen. (<A HREF="http://imgs.maps.yahoo.com/mapimage?MAPData=NizWgvhyzy3Z4D7fiNyg81tzKyjBxj9Gv H1DqBmdP6SQ_w.pppjy9ZqbUslsM6c_3fwb_oWm4I60JTxJmYq LgFLCa9LvcKVJJS8pEpAcLZkTnv.Oax2xzuJdl5mh72IVxqKV7 tILvpM-">Map</A>)

Continue up past Uvas reservoir, going N by NW. This is some fine driving, with plenty of space to pass here and there. Never seen a cop. Very empty, even when 101 is bumper-to-bumper.

Continue staying to the left, becoming McKean Rd.

From there, continue to Calero reservoir on the left, where you can turn right on Bailey and then take Monterey Hwy, or continue straight into south San José. If you go straight, you will hit a stop sign at suburbs. Take a right and quick left, and you are on Almaden Expwy to continue onward to your favorite freeway.

I hope this help you avoid traffic returning from ALMS, and makes for an enjoyable ride. You may see LOTS of Audis!

Arrgh! You gave it away! My private ride!!!!!

when are you going down. is there a caravan to ALMS on Sunday?

There appears to be an Audi/VW gathering attempt. My vote is to use Stoney's route and meet at a KK.
 

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YES!!! There IS a CARAVAN!!!
 

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Hi Everyone!

I'm usually an allroad forum slut but today I was looking for some info and decided to sleaze around the A6 forum - albeit I do own a '99 A6 as well...

ANYWHO, The Nor-Cal QC group has organized a caravan for this Sunday to Laguna Seca. I only have info on the Santa Cruz "pick up" since this is where I reside... Details below;

Meeting time - 7am @ Deer Park Center, Aptos. Quickest route - Hwy 17 South to Hwy 1 South, take Rio Del Mar exit, turn right at the light. Deer Park Center is on your immediate right next to the Arco station!

So if you're interested in "parading" your Audi to Monterey join in at Deer Park - 7am Sunday 9/9!

The 152 route is slower, so I'll probably use it only on the way back when traffic is bad.
 

We aren't exactly early risers, and probably won't have the time for the slower route.

Given the bottlenecks, is it still slower? How long does it take you, typically?

I meant, it is slower at 7am than 101 to 156, or 17 to 1. Most people will arrive much later.
 

Not sure how long it usually takes. In the evening, though, the slow traffic on 17 and on 101 Morgan Hill makes the 152-G8-McKean shortcut much faster, I would think.