From the top of the peak near the observatory, you can look back at the Santa Clara Valley. Try to pick a day that is not too hazy to be able to enjoy this to the fullest.
| Mileage | Directions | Comments |
| 0 | Start at Golfland (Just east of I-680 on Jacklin near Milpitas.) If you are coming from north of here, see the next direction and keep going south on I-680 (subtracting .4 miles from all other directions.) | |
| .4 | Enter I-680 South. . | |
| 6.6 | Exit at Alum Rock. Turn left at the lights.. | |
| 9.1 | Bear right on Mt. Hamilton Rd.. | Watch for bikes! This is frequently a narrow, winding road that is shared with bike riders. |
| 12.0 | Looking out the right, your are starting to get a view of the San Jose grid from the southern hills to the south end of the bay. | |
| 20 | You can now see the observatory by looking up at the highest point.. | |
| 20.8 | Cool old bridge made of concrete and black wrought iron. | |
| 24.3 | What a view of the mountains & valley. | |
| 27.0 | At the intersection, turn right into the observatory. | |
| 27.2 | After visiting the observatory, exit the parking lot. | |
| 27.3 | Turn right at the stop sign boing down the east side of the mountain. | |
| 40.0 | Watch for cows. | |
| 45.3 | At the Patterson intersection, turn 45 degrees into the Junction for lunch. | Maybe even a cold one too. |
| If you go back up the mountain, the observatory is at 63.2 miles. At 81.4 miles, turn left onto Alum Rock Ave. At about 83 miles, you will be able to enter I-680 |
