Highway 152

I have a love hate relationship with this road. As a child it was something we did for family trips and it was dangerous with people driving off cliffs and such. On the bad days it’s gridlock on the narrower parts. On the good days the ascent and descent between Gilroy and Los Banos passing the reservoir is an awesome drive when no ones on it. The western side has been upgraded and gridlock somewhat alleviated but still there are always people that are clueless that ruin the drive for everyone else and are the subject to my cursing on my yearly drives back and forth

Highway 152 is like that kid you hung out with in your middle school years (if you’re a guy) only because he had a hot older sister. Wait, you never did that? Umm yeah, me neither. I’m only speaking hypothetically, of course…
What do I mean? Well I, and I’m sure many others, only take the 152 to get from the 101 to the 5, and vice versa. The typical route between the South Bay Area and LA.
«But the 5 is bland and the 152 is more scenic, so your analogy is flawed.» Yes, it’s not a perfect analogy, so sue me. But if there were a more direct way to get to the 5 from South Bay, I wouldn’t bother taking the 152. The rolling hills and winding road do make for a scenic drive, but they also put more wear on my car.
Also, there’s a 9 mile «daylight headlight section», where the 152 narrows down to a single lane in each direction, and cars are required to always have their headlights on due to the road being so dangerous. There are lots of potholes along this stretch of road, because it would be impractical for Caltrans to ever close a lane to do maintenance. When you’re driving here, pray that you don’t get stuck behind a slow vehicle like a semi truck. And if there were to ever be an accident here, game over.
But here’s a tip that will save you some time. If you’re heading north to the Bay Area, after you clear the daylight headlight section, you’ll come to a fork where the 152 turns left. Most people turn left here. But if you continue straight onto Ferguson Road, you’ll avoid the traffic and have a generous 50 MPH speed limit with no stoplights. After 2 miles, Ferguson Road curves left and becomes Leavesley Road (with just a couple stoplights there), and after another 2 miles, you’ll find the 101. Take this detour and you’ll get to the 101 faster than everybody else who stayed on the 152!

I drive this everyday to work!
ive been doing it for 4 years straight and i still dont get tired of it
But please folks if ur site seeing or just tentative of the curves PLEASE USE THE TURNOUTS !!

california is a beautiful place. while there are main freeways… a highway adds so much more dimension and fun. driving up the mountain on a road being swallowed by tall trees! we were on our way back from santa cruz to our hotel in morgan hill and was pleasantly surprised that hwy 152 dropped us off right in morgan. the view from the west side is amazing.

My friend and I drove here last Saturday on a beautiful sunny day with hardly a cloud in the sky. Coming from Santa Cruz and driving along the cost, it’s a great point to turn around and begin the trek home before our backs gave out.
In a nutshell it’s another asphalt maze that’s well paved with quick turns that are strung together, cambered, and nothing but a joy on a hot day.
And if you’re coming from Watsonville, you can stop off at the outlets on the way back for some cheap shopping.
Or you can turn around and do it all backwards.
A win win scenario if you ask me.

Dear 152,
I remember when we met. I was 15 and I was in the backseat of the car. My mom was driving, I was riding, and we were going down south. Get your brain out of the gutter, 152, my mom was driving me to a soccer tourney in Southern California. Anyway, we met but I wasn’t really paying attention to you so I don’t remember much.
Don’t take it personally.
I distinctly remember when I met you for the second time. College re-​introduced us. I was hangin’ out with 101 wanted to get over to 5’s place so I could trek down to San Diego’s pad and someone told me you we’re the one I needed. So there I was, on you, for 40 miles.
You know what 152, you are good-​looking but you are not that friendly. You have this «my way of the highway» kind of thinking. You don’t let anyone get past you. You have some serious relationship problems with 156. You’ve had them for years and you need to grow up and resolve them. You’re affecting everyone else around you.
Other than your «relationship issues» I’d say your attractiveness keeps me comin’ back… and because it’s weird if I hang out with 5 randomly, I mean, I only ever hang out with 5 when I’m with you.
All the best,
Jenn T.