"A" Is For "Alice's"

Among many great places you can travel to on a Vespa, our premiere posting in the Destinations department is Alice's Restaurant in La Honda, California, at the intersection of scenic highways 35 and 84. On any Sunday one may see hundreds of motorcycles stopping there or driving past, just because of the lovely mountain roads between Silicon Valley and the sea. I recommend taking a scooter on a Saturday, though, because nearby Cañada Road is closed every Sunday to all vehicles excepts bicycles. Those lovely roads do attract a lot of bicyclists too, so be on the lookout for them whenever rounding a blind turn. A few of the velo guys hate anything with a motor in it. A few others, more familiar with European customs, will accept a draft up a long incline if you know how to provide one. Regardless, leave them alone on Cañada Road; leave them behind as you find the top of your throttle. This map shows you how to find it from the North.

Approaches to Alice's

1. Cañada Road From Trousdale Drive in Millbrae, Black Mountain Road in Burlingame, or Crystal Springs Road in San Mateo, follow Skyline South along the reservoir until it intersects with Highway 92 (East on 92 reconnects with Skyline upon the ridge, or, over the ridge it goes to Half Moon Bay and Highway 1). West on 92 goes to Redwood City and the San Mateo Bridge. That's the left turn you want to make for the first right turn on Cañada Road (unless it's Sunday) to continue along the reservoir. At the intersection with Woodside Road in Woodside, make a Right. 1A. Route 84 is now the road you're on, and you can follow it all the way up the hill to Alice's. 1B. King's Mountain Road appears on the right at the end of the straightaway through Woodside, with a sign for Huddart Park. Make that Right, pass Huddart Park, climb all the way to the top and turn left on Skyline to get to Alice's.

2. Big Basin Way From Highway 9 in Saratoga, wind your way up the hill and make a Right at the top. From Highway 9 in Santa Cruz, wind your way up the hill and a Left at the top. From the intersection of 9 and 35, it's six and one half miles to Alice's.

3. La Honda Road From Highway 1 in Pacifica, or Highway 1 in Santa Cruz, head inland at San Gregorio for some of the sweetest sets of S-curves ever.

Comments

[tanya]

yay! you got an SF scooter girls' Stella in the shot! Yippie!