One of my favorite car review testing routes is the estimated 200-mile drive from Sacramento to the Monterey Peninsula.
I’ve mentioned the high-speed trek along the congested city stretches, open agricultural farmlands and rolling fields along Interstate 5 . And I’ve written about how in Gilroy, the road changes for a short stretch onto highway 101 and then onto two mall connecting 152 and 156 routes as the peninsula and Pacific Ocean appear on the horizon.
It’s these secondary roads I enjoy most. Form the hectic nature of Interstate 5, the road abruptly changes onto an oddly cambered route past San Luis Reservoir and through a winding downhill section. It snakes past ranch-style homes, old barns, fruit stands and a variety grazing animals.
Last week, I drove a 2008 Hyundai Veracruz along the route, and unlike some sport utility vehicles, the Hyundai had little difficulty accelerating or descending tight corners. I maneuvered along the technical sections almost carlike.
And on two briefs occasions, I also drove the Veracruz off-road, although just in the dirt and gravel in driveways and roadsides to take this blog’s images.
Like lots of folks, I like old barns. This dilapidated example has somehow remained erect for the past 25 years I’ve driven to the Monterey Peninsula. It’s just off the road a few miles past the San Luis Reservoir.
The image of the horses almost didn’t happen. I’ve seen horses along the same route many times, but I’d never before seen a foal. But the moment I noticed it, was out of vision.
A few miles later, I couldn’t resist. Traffic was steady in both directions, but I looked for a quick opening, made an abrupt, safe U-turn and headed back to capture an image of mother and child.
Article Last Updated: April 21, 2008.
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A sports, travel and business journalist for more than 45 years, James has written the new car review column The Weekly Driver since 2004.
In addition to founding this site in 2004, James writes a Sunday automotive column for The San Jose Mercury and East Bay Times in Walnut Creek, Calif., and monthly auto review and wellness columns for Gulfshore Business, a magazine in Southwest Florida.
An author and contributor to many newspapers, magazines and online publications, co-hosted The Weekly Driver Podcast from 2017 to 2024.
