For those coming from the SF Bay area, here is my favorite road heading south. Instead of taking 101 through the Salinas valley, and of course PCH will jammed with RV's. The alternative road is to take SH 25 south out of Gilroy, through Hollister and south to SH 198. This road parallels the 101, very little traffic on it. The last 10 miles of the road is on the San Andreas fault rift valley, great scenery. At SH 198, you can turn right for about 15 miles to get back to the 101. Their is another choice at this intersection, 30 yards to the left of the SH 25 & 198 junction, you wiill see a Y shaped intersection. This road is called Peach Tree Road, this is a great driving road (still driving down the San Andreas fault rift valley), it's a very narrow road with no centerline, with some gravel on top of the asphalt on parts of the road (don't follow closely unless you want rock chips on your car) . Trust me, take this road much slower than SH 25, I saw cattle walking along side the road outside the fence line. That could ruin your day going around a blind corner and Bessie is standing in the middle of the road. Going around a corner with gravel on top of asphalt can make the back end come around and your pucker factor will go way up (AMHIK). There are no guard rails on this road with lots of blind curves. BE CAREFUL, you are in the middle of nowhere on this road. Peach Tree road turns into Indian Valley Rd. Gas up before you leave Hollister. Their are no gas stations at all from Hollister until you meet back up with the 101 near Camp Roberts in SLO County (or in San Lucas at the SH 198 & 101 junction). Take a look at Google Maps and Images to check out this roads on this drive. I highly recommend it, SH 25 is a great driving road. Peach Tree & Indian Valley Rd is a very scenic road but drive it much slower.
G-Man
91 318i 5 speed
89 325i 4 door 5 speed
86 325 5 speed (daughters car)
74 2002tii 5 speed, lsd, etc...
73 Bavaria 5 speed, Weber's, BBS (sold)
70 2800 Euro spec, 4 speed, totally stock
96 4Runner (parts hauler)