Bay Area in half a day? (San Jose, Sunnyvale: best neighborhoods, apartment, rent)

[thundersnow]

I'm flying in next week for job interviews Wednesday afternoon and Thursday morning in Santa Clara. I'll be finished up early Thursday afternoon and will have the rest of the day to explore the area before flying back to DC on Friday morning. I'd like to spend my time getting a non-touristy feel for the area, perhaps driving through San Jose, Sunnyvale, Mountain View, maybe even Palo Alto. Are there any recommended routes or places in specific I should check out? Preferably staying off 101 and 280 as much as possible.

I've never been to California so this will all be new to me. If I have time and feel like cruising, I considered even driving out to Half Moon Bay and then down Rt. 1 to Santa Cruz and back up to San Jose.

Not too concerned with seeing San Fran right now, as I would not be living in the city if I end up moving and my goal during this trip (other than interviewing well) is to to be able to reasonably assess how much I like the area, so perhaps driving out to Rt. 1 isn't the best idea either, but I'd love to see the Pacific. Hell, if I'm feeling good about the interviews and I'm not completely wiped out, I may even be up for checking out the SF nightlife, I might as well make the most of my short trip.

Suggestions? I'm 25 and single, so if I move I'd likely rent an apartment or find roommates in a house. Not too concerned about looking for the best neighborhoods to buy a house or where the best schools are or anything like that, though I do have a serious gf who would be moving out to live with me in June so the circumstances may change and those considerations will eventually become important.

Thanks!

[shannybannany]

Good luck with your interview.

Personally, I would get a GPS system or a map and drive around. Explore areas that you may want to move to. It's a huge decision to move cross-country especially if you haven't been here before.

Since you're young, check out Santana Row...Lots of shops and restaurants.

Good luck!

[Luke9686]

If you like Mexican food, there is an awesome place in Mountain View. Get to downtown M.V, Castro Street is the main drag. If you are heading west on Castro, right after you get into downtown, turn right on Dana Street. About half a block town is a place called Taqueria Los Charros. Best mex I have ever had.

101 North to Moffet Blvd, left on Moffet. Moffet turns into Castro street, right on Dana. Half block down on the right.

[sonarrat]

Be VERY careful on Highway 17 going from Santa Cruz to San Jose. Like VERY VERY careful, lest you meet the fate of the "valley surprise."