US 101 North (CA), Driving Road Trip into San Francisco, San Mateo to SF

[@sylviaratsimandresy8960]

I drove on the same road last April 2023 but I couldn't film my driving. So when I watched this I felt the same thrill.Thank you for sharing your driving road trip.

[@Lordymimi]

As a new driver, I'm a little intimidated by city driving. Thanks for showing us how fun and enjoyable it can be. I had a blast watching this video and seeing the familiar freeway routes!

[@ryanphillips8562]

This video is now nostalgic for me. I remember watching Cars movie and being amazed by the travel scene! Ever sence that day I’ve loved driving and freeways! Thanks to Pixar I’m planing on becoming a Semi truck driver!

[@admidwest]

The music and the drive go really well together. Thanks for the ride.

[@helenmoore81]

Fantastic video. I visited USA for the first time last year and spent my time in SF. I felt so giddy and excited during the drive from the airport and the moment I saw the SF I was sold! left my heart there and your video has convinced me to visit again this year.

[@FreewayBrent]

+helenmoore81 : Nice! Glad you had a fantastic visit here. I feel fortunate to call the area home, although I'm having Australia withdrawals, after having visited Sydney, Melbourne and Newcastle throughout the month of January.

[@carlahead2945]

San Francisco is such a beautiful place!! I've never been to CA before and SF is definitely on my list of places I'd love to visit for sure!!!

[@FreewayBrent]

One of the greatest cities, no doubt. If you want, you can check out one of my newest videos...covering the freeway, bridges and tunnels feeding into and out of Sydney, Australia. Better video and sign editing too, compared to my older work. Here's the link to the video. kzbin.info/www/bejne/bH2YopVqq9BjnM0

[@camerontrickey6057]

I really enjoy you're videos :).. You do them so well mate :)... I love highway systems and you inspire me a lot to :)

[@DerekWitt]

I remember the charter bus we were in getting cut off by a limo as we were getting onto SB 101 leaving SFI Airport in 94. My first taste of San Francisco traffic. lol I was in the SF area for 5 days with a college club. It was quite an enjoyable experience. Even got to ride on the Embarcadero on the way to Fisherman’s wharf. Much better than the freeway that was there a few years before. Got to see the ocean for the first time. I was heading back from Sausalito on the Golden Gate Bridge at sunset. :)

[@davidevans6052]

Remember this fondly from my California road trip last year . Magical first drive after landing from England

[@kanyewest7102]

David Evans i believe you, that’ve must been magical

[@l3tt3rbox]

Love this video! Freeways fascinate me. When I was stationed at fort ord, ca , me and some friends would drive up to frisco and oakland. To me riding the freeways was the most fun. What makes norcal driving nice are the hills , the heavy foliage edging the freeways , and the fact that in '87 Wendy and Lisa came out with their first album that I reminisce so much of that experience.

[@akfunnyguy]

Wow, that was the most and best-est video of freeway driving iv seen yet. Very clear picture. I also enjoyed the comments from you. Thanx for a great virtual vacation.

[@FreewayBrent]

Thanks! You have no idea how stoked I am to have this video back on KZbin, with no restrictions.

[@trollingwarrobots4176]

I love SF. I live in Victoria in Canada and I've been to San Francisco for 7 times ever! Thanks for this amazing video!

[@FreewayBrent]

+御坂美琴は一方通行（大好き） : You're very welcome! I've been all over Canada, and especially Vancouver (10+ times now), but for various reasons, still haven't been to Victoria yet. Would love to visit, someday soon. Thanks for watching!

[@raghavendraraaghu]

Awesome video; Great capture

[@MunaFarrell]

This route will always have a special spot in my heart. I've had so many memories there.

[@FreewayBrent]

Awe, glad you enjoyed and that the video brought back some memories for you!

[@MunaFarrell]

FreewayBrent Yeah :)

[@FinlaythePug]

Awesome! I love this stretch of highway! It reminds me of my first time to California riding in a cab to Downtown SF! I was amazed at how different the landscape is there! Completely different from anywhere I've been here on the East Coast. I almost felt like I was in a different country. Hopefully some day I'll drive cross country and drive this stretch of highway by myself! Thanks for bringing back the memories!

[@FreewayBrent]

It really is amazing. Perhaps I'm a bit biased, having lived out in California for most of my life, but not only are the major cities lively and full of things to do, but then you throw in the fact that the great outdoors are usually never more than 15 to 30 minutes away (especially true of San Francisco)...the fact that you can enjoy such activities in (usually) great weather conditions, and you have a recipe for the "perfect lifestyle." Glad you enjoyed and thanks for watching!

[@55Ariz]

Great job on the posting! I have just retired and am getting ready to take some post-retirement work doing long distance truck driving! Your post has me all charged up about it! Thx Buddy!!!

[@northerncalirails2008]

US-101, CA-99, I-5 and I-80 are my favorite urban freeways

[@scottietheshark]

Cool little trip and tunes too.

[@aflutes1706]

I bet!! I'm glad to see it back as well. This is one of my favorite videos from you, along with US 101 in L.A and Hollywood.

[@rockersk08]

Bay Area forever! Once again, your videos continue to impress! Of course, it was a huge upgrade over the first run, not just in quality, but in background too. So can't wait for more vids from the bay!

[@ze-gustavo]

Thanks for sharing this! Exactly two years ago I visited a now ex-girlfriend who lives in San Mateo and we took this route to the City a couple of times. I was thinking about it this morning, trying to revive this specific memory, this specific feeling of driving there, however with no success. I needed a catalyst, something that would allow me to unblock these feelings, so I came to KZbin, even though I was kinda skeptical on being able to find a video the way I needed. Well, here it is. Lucky me.

[@FreewayBrent]

Hey there! There's a lot of comments I hadn't responded to on this video, including yours. Glad you enjoyed the ride, and even better that it was something along the lines of what you were looking for. I've been mostly focused on my Australia series of videos in 2016 and now 2017...feel free to check out my newest one from Sydney, showcasing the bridges, freeways and tunnels of Sydney's CBD. Cheers!

[@Teekayoman]

I freaking love your videos man! Great music choice and informative all in one! Been to San Fransisco once, I fell in love with it instantaneously. Can't wait till I finish college and move out in the Bay Area. Cheers bud!

[@FreewayBrent]

Thank you so much! This video has been getting a recent surge of new comments...I cannot believe this video has over 110,000 views now. It was just a fun project I put together, to document one of my most frequent drives as a resident of the immediate area. I guess I should consider re-editing this video to implement more realistic-looking signs. Anyway, thanks again for dropping by and enjoying the video.

[@rm8814]

Such an awesome road trip in San Francisco. Amazing view and sceneries along the way. Accompanying beautiful music and weather. Thanks for a great driving tour. Sending support. New friend here. Keep in touch. Have a wonderful day. Watched until 7:05

[@imh1996]

I always love taking this route! Since I have a license, I drove down the same path for no reason, took the Bay Bridge, and took San Mateo Bridge back home! Lol it was fun as hell! Nice vid! Love the quality!

[@mk22c]

Dude it's the beat video of someone driving ever! Thank you for awesome texts showing up!! Greetings from Poland!! :))

[@USHighway101]

Glad you had a great time! I love San Francisco and the entire Bay Area. So much so, that I decided to give up the (somewhat) warmer weather in So Cal, and moved back up in January. :-)

[@citizen7751]

I would like to thank you freewaybrendt for posting this absolutely beautiful video on youtube. Stunning freeway, beautiful city. I too, hope one day that I can live there comfortably with a family of my own. (From a 16 year old high schooler!)

[@Ronson2k9]

What a beautiful day for a drive. Another awesome video.

[@FreewayBrent]

I'm lucky to be able to drive this at least once a week...only real thing that's changed since I filmed this in 2011 is that midday traffic is much thicker now, due to a resurgent economy. Anyway, thanks for watching once again!

[@anditsme2891]

My old man did a road trip around California back in the 80s and was based mainly around the Bays and enjoyed SF, Id love to visit alcatraz, downtown and the golden gate bridge in my lifetime, great vid

[@anna8099]

Brilliant!! Absolutely brilliant - thank you SO much for sharing! I so hope I can get to SFO one day, but in the meantime, your stuff is the BEST!!

[@BobWebbmusic]

Awesome, thanks for sharing.

[@PeteTheChopp]

Dude. Simply awesome. One of your best yet!

[@writer125]

And San Francisco was also home to one of the greatest rock bands of all time, the Grateful Dead. From the Haight Asbury area. Great looking video. Enjoyed that ride.

[@Freewayjim]

Excellent all the way around! totally awesome route, great soundtrack, and you did a great job editing to that soundtrack. One of your best!!! faved.

[@aaronyonkersdrums8081]

Damn love your videos man. Never been to San Fran b4

[@carlahead5072]

Nice looking view of the city!! Thanks for that neat ride into a nice looking city!!

[@swabby429]

This has changed very little since I last drove the Bayshore a decade ago. Good memories.

[@FreewayBrent]

Wow, thanks for the kudos and feedback! I actually had this song in mind, even before I went out to film this stretch of Highway 101 last year. It seemed to work out very well, based on the feedback I've gotten. Thanks for watching!

[@FreewayBrent]

It's definitely a great place to live, a fun place to drive around, and one of the most beautiful urban areas in the world. Glad to call this place home. Glad you enjoyed your visit!

[@lisakaylindsay]

Yep, I actually grew up there as a kid but love to go back and visit. I live near that other video you did from Seattle to Lynnwood in Washington state.

[@FreewayBrent]

I love living here. I've been all over North America, and while there are many areas I've enjoyed, I don't think any other region offers such a vibrant mix of quality of life, geographical diversity, lively urban districts, undisturbed wilderness zones, perhaps the best restaurant scene in the US, some of the best educated people in the world, great weather...such a great region to live in and be a part of. I'll have the new Bay Bridge on film for all to see; that I can guarantee!

[@FreewayBrent]

Good observation, and there's an even better reason for the relatively muted building heights. San Jose Int'l Airport lies just 2 miles from downtown San Jose, and to allow much higher buildings would mean completely overhauling established flight routes, to and from San Jose. I think it'll happen one day, but not for awhile longer.

[@kidow1234567]

Really nice video i love it so much thanks for sharing us this videos freeway Brent and best greetings from Beirut city lebanon :)

[@StorytimeStacey]

I love your videos! California is my favorite state so I really enjoy watching. You're awesome!

[@FreewayBrent]

Hi there! I really get a kick out of seeing so many people enjoying my video releases. Glad you enjoyed riding along with me. Where are you from, if you don't mind me asking? I'm sure San Francisco would love for you to visit!

[@Riverrockphotos]

I have to say I just visited San Fran this last week and I have never had as much fun driving as I did there. The freeways are just amazing and I could not wait just drive on them.

[@FreewayBrent]

@RedroomStudios: Thank you! Yes, the Alameny Maze (where I-280 and US 101 in San Francisco meet up) is an example of an interchange built in some tight confines (both due to development and geography), where Caltrans actually double-decked the approach ramps, to and from I-280. The interchange with I-380 is actually quite impressive, when you consider how sprawling it is (about half of it isn't even visible in the video). I'm sure your g/f will have a great time in the Bay Area.

[@SuperTombel]

this brimgs nack memories of driving i nto sf . it was june '96 and i was on holiday, i wasdriving from arroyo grande. thanks for posting it freewaybrent

[@kdm71291]

My girlfriend and I went to S.F. last June and we took this route into the city except that we made the transition onto King st. and the Embarcadero, taking us right by AT&T Park. We continued on around next to all the piers until we got to our hotel on Columbus Ave. about 2 blocks from Fisherman's Wharf. It's a charming city and the whole trip was very memorable. We drove PCH all the way back to So. Cal.

[@writer125]

Great video. Its funny to see this video now because I just saw a football game tonight from SF. USC against Cal, which was played at AT&T Park because the Coliseum where Cal normally plays their home games is getting a renovation. USC beat them 30-9. I like what they did with the stadium. Turning it from baseball to football. The field looks great.

[@CalciferDragon]

Ah man :) I use to live in South San Francisco till I was about 7 but I try to visit every year. Honestly watching this video made me very nostalgic.

[@ea1htw]

Gracias por aportarnos tus imágenes. Un abrazo desde Galicia, España...

[@kerleymoh3339]

Beautiful lively stretch and perfect song!

[@kerleymoh3339]

I can't get enough of this video and song.... while in my zone 🍸🚬

[@FreewayBrent]

+Kerley Moh : Thanks!!

[@alinawaz360]

stunning video!, no other word for it!

[@FreewayBrent]

Thank you! Glad you enjoyed. Feel free to check out my newest video, if you have some time. The freeways, bridges and tunnels of Sydney, Australia. kzbin.info/www/bejne/bH2YopVqq9BjnM0

[@Rubycon99]

3:42 You'll love it at Levitz! I think it sat there abandoned for almost 10 years, I always wondered when they were going to do something with it. It's a Costco now.

[@willcampbell8997]

One noteworthy thing was at the 101/280 junction is that double deck freeway structure. That is the last one left in the Bay Area (not counting cross-bay bridges like the Bay Bridge and the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge. If those freeway proposals would have went through in the 1950's, then there would have been several of those things.The Central Freeway would have been one as a double decker section existed for the last 1/2 mile of it, but was torn down, as well as the infamous Embarcadero Freeway. Once the Cypress went down in Oakland, the fate was sealed for these double-deck structures, except this one on 280.

[@dinglebury1]

I lived In NY all my life. but CA looks just amazing in everyway! gotta get out there

[@lindsaylocicero7805]

Just Subscribed to you're KZbin and Facebook page, was just out this way a month ago and loved every single moment of my trip (coming from a Cleveland girl) loved everything about the video the sites and the music. Brings back fun memories and already planing my summer trip out that way, let me know if you have anymore of these great videos of this area. And I agree NOCAL all the way

[@FreewayBrent]

Hey, that's great to read! Glad this video helped you to relieve some of the memories of your trip. I only wish I had put this video together, utilizing my current editing techniques and custom-designed signs. My newest releases are a bit more "slick", if that makes sense. Anyway, glad you enjoyed watching!

[@RedroomStudios]

great vid! I know this stretch fairly well as I've travelled it about a half dozen times. you are right, it is quite an impressive bit of freeway - I think that the geography and the densely built city help to make some of the interchanges and overpasses rather impressive in a different way than the more spawling LA examples. Already planning a trip with my new g/f who has never been to California before for next spring... so I'll be back on this very stretch in less than 5 months!

[@USHighway101]

Thanks for dropping by and watching! We always get a lot of awesome visitors from the UK to come visit, so you should too.

[@WestHamPaul1973]

Love this drive. Lived in Redwood City so know this route very well. One of my favourite drives especially the SF skyline is a sight to behold too. Thanks for uploading. I'm now off to watch the rain in the U.K. 😂😂

[@Ffollies]

I'm envious of you. Wish I had the time to travel like you.

[@FreewayBrent]

I travel when the urge arises, and I can safely afford my trips...I'll just leave it at that, lol.

[@THEJOKER440]

1- SF is my favorite city 2- good video 3- good montage 4- respect

[@coreywilkey2]

You should redo this one! The skyline has changed so much!

[@BNforever2009]

nice video-never been there before, one day in a few years i will take a drive there.

[@kristywarner8325]

Awesome video footage! Makes me want to visit SF if I ever get to the States :) and it's still odd seeing cars driving on the opposite side of the road and car :)

[@FreewayBrent]

Thank you! I'm really surprised this video has 121k+ views now, lol. Which country are you from, if you don't mind me asking? I'm aiming to take my road filming to Australia and New Zealand in the coming 12-24 months. I'll link you to another video, that features better editing (and sign-making capabilities). The drive into downtown Los Angeles along the Santa Monica Freeway. kzbin.info/www/bejne/pn6annyHebWJqMk

[@alanlilly77]

Kristy Warner San Francisco is one of the most beautiful cities in the States. Be sure to check out New Mexico and Utah for natural beauty!

[@hekapoolilyloudhouseislit469]

Kristy Warner you look american

[@CameronLandels]

This is really good! I really want to go to SFO. Greetings from the UK.

[@Freewayjim]

@FreewayBrent I used it with a Houston night video last year, good memory! It came out great, congrats!

[@tmghui888]

I have lived in the Bay Area all my life and there is no other metropolitan area like it. From the natural beauty to great restaurants to great diversity to how sophisticated the place is to great weather makes me love living here. BTW, I think SF is a busier city than Chicago

[@lobooo0215]

I like your vidéo and the song is good,Nice trip

[@lilycd6168]

I love it I grew up in San Mateo,this is the drive we took often 🚗

[@FreewayBrent]

+lily doepker : Glad you enjoyed! Sorry I didn't respond earlier; funny thing is that when I read your comment on I was actually *in* San Mateo, grabbing a cup of coffee, lol. If you'd like, I'll link you to my newest video from Sydney, Australia, driving across the Sydney Harbour Bridge and into the heart of the city. Here's the video link. kzbin.info/www/bejne/aaa2mZajbN2dp5o

[@FreewayBrent]

@liquidmajic: It's a fun ride, indeed. Glad you enjoyed and thanks for watching!

[@pizzasubs]

Loved the part when you went by Candlestick Park, but hate to say, Former home of the San Francisco 49er's, their new stadium in Santa Clara is coming along very nicely....

[@FreewayBrent]

Hey, thank you very much! I noticed you also left a comment on my newest release of CA 99 through Bakersfield. Welcome aboard...hope you enjoy the many new releases, coming up!

[@FreewayBrent]

It's not super busy like Chicago or New York, but that's perhaps one of its finest traits. It's lively by almost any standard, and has just about everything you could ask for, but it is not hectic like some of the world's other major cities. In fact, SF is most notable for being a city of neighborhoods, each with their own distinct character, and all very walkable. I think you would enjoy it very much so.

[@FreewayBrent]

@pepedone: Cool, glad you enjoyed! There are few approaches to a city and its skyline, more dramatic than approaching San Francisco from US 101.

[@FreewayBrent]

Wow, thank you..glad you enjoyed watching!

[@GoJoGeoff]

.. great stuff Brent - esp 5.33, and then the city views ..

[@Lejjend832]

Nice job!!!

[@jt4531]

great video my friend, great resolution, amazing background, actually if you live in LA, make one with sixth street viaduct, I really appreciate it.

[@FreewayBrent]

Joseph Tablante : Thank you! The 6th Street viaduct in LA is actually on my long-term plans for filming. It's a great piece of infrastructure! I actually have several videos from around Los Angeles. Not sure if you've ever seen any of them, but if not, I'll link you to one of them...showcasing the Santa Monica Freeway. kzbin.info/www/bejne/pn6annyHebWJqMk

[@phoenix2972]

You know your stuff... these are fun to watch...

[@FreewayBrent]

Yeah, you're absolutely right about the gas prices. Fortunately, I have *A LOT* of friends, scattered throughout both the US and Canada. In fact, I'm currently in the 2nd week of my two week trip in Vancouver. Been staying with friends this entire time, the R/T flight was only $200 total, and my car rental at Enterprise came out to only $15 a day. Not too bad, huh?

[@StukInBuf]

The Milbrae exit... when I was 6, that being 35 years ago, I had an ENT doctor whose office was located about the corner with El Camino Real.

[@colder47]

Awesome man. We need more vodeos around San Francisco Bay Area

[@FreewayBrent]

I, too, have spent most of my life in the Bay Area. Well, I was actually born near Richmond, Virginia, but moved to Redwood City before I turned 4. Finally moved out of the area in early-2009, but now I'm moving back (hopefully for good) in 2 weeks! I agree with you on all the points you mentioned...except that, based on my experiences, Chicago feels like the busier city. San Francisco feels a little more "homey", but that seems to give it a more livable feeling. Glad you enjoyed!

[@lisakaylindsay]

I liked that one too. I love punk when I'm in the right mood too. I was in the mood for dance/electronic so this one was great and you have a lot of those I noticed. I'm an 80's girl so I love the fast music but also loved the 90's alternative and punk. You really know how to put them to the freeway fast driving. :-)

[@RicoMancin]

I can tell this video is old because of the lack of traffic right after the 101/280 split. Every time I drive it these days, no matter the time of day, it's always stop and go past that point. Also Candlestick was still there.

[@FreewayBrent]

Oh yeah...there's no way I could have filmed this today, without hitting traffic. I filmed this back in early 2011, just as the Bay Area was still climbing out of the Great Recession. Nowadays, it's a zoo on Highway 101, lol.

[@FreewayBrent]

@mark99k: I can actually think of only *one* approach that certainly tops this. FreewayJim will have it covered, pretty soon. If you travel east/north along I-376 in Pittsburgh, you'll encounter a large hill that engineers decided to build a tunnel through. At the end of the tunnel, you are confronted by the dramatic Pittsburgh skyline, and for a first-timer, there is no indication that the skyline exists on the other side of the hill. It is truly something to see!

[@GroomLeader]

Another great ride, thanks!!

[@FreewayBrent]

+GroomLeader Thank you!!

[@Chatsworth1979]

Another great video, THANK YOU, very enjoyable.

[@abana48]

California man! such a beautiful place

[@FreewayBrent]

It sure is. Thanks for watching! Hopefully you'll be able to check out some of my Australian driving videos from Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane when you have some spare time. Cheers!

[@firebread72]

FreewayBrent u should also make a vid about taking the I 80 route or bay bridge into SF

[@Asureyy]

I'm so jealous!! California honestly looks amazing. From NZ :)

[@FreewayBrent]

Welcome aboard, Lisa! Glad you enjoyed the ride. I take it that you used to live in the Bay Area? I just drove this stretch of freeway today...never really gets old for me. :-)

[@FreewayBrent]

Yeah, I know...I see the new stadium every day, driving home from work. It's going to be a little bit weird seeing them play down here, but I'm sure the new stadium will be a world-class facility for a world-class organization. Thanks for watching!

[@theredknight1]

this same song was on a pontiac commercial about 4 years ago. havent heard it in a while.

[@FreewayBrent]

@daryl380: I had a lot of fun putting this one together, and finishing it up and seeing it all come together is a lot of fun, but I really enjoy reading comments like yours, knowing that I did well to capture the attention of my audience. I'm actually heading back down to LA toward the latter half of this week. I might film US 101 through "Death Valley" (CA 156 East to the Salinas city limits), since it's quite an interesting (albeit dangerous) 4 lane section of expressway.

[@FreewayBrent]

@FinlaythePug: This is great to read; I'm really glad you were able to recall some fond memories, through this video. Believe it or not, I've driven the Bayshore Freeway (followed by the Foothill Freeway or I-280) more times than any other in my life, as I grew up just a few miles short of where this video started. I really tried to put some extra effort into this, not only for my viewers, but really for myself, too. Lots of nostalgia, every time I cruise along US 101. Thanks for watching!

[@lisakaylindsay]

Love the music! Thanks I loved it, I miss San Francisco and this made it fun

[@FreewayBrent]

Quite the memory you have...a random fun fact: The Millbrae Exit used to be Exit 420, but after a couple of thefts of the signs ("420"), Caltrans decided to end the madness and renumbered it as Exit 421.