Directions to Nelson Cove

A map showing how to get to Nelson Cove (PDF format).

Note some alternative routes are given at the end.

Driving time from San Jose or San Francisco is about 3.5 hours.

From San Jose or South Bay:

• As appropriate, take 280 South, or 85 South.
• Take 101 South to Gilroy.
• Exit at Pacheco Pass Road, which is CA Highway 152 Eastbound. Take 152 over Pacheco pass, crossing I-5 (41 mi from Gilroy), and continue through Los Baños.
• At 28 mi from I-5, turn left (right exit) onto 59 North towards Merced.
• Go 15 mi North on 59 to Merced.
• In Merced, take CA-99 South. Stay in right lane, exit at the next exit (0.6 mi), CA-140 East. (Note that when going home the exit for 59 South is the second exit on 99 North after entering from 140 West.)
• Continue with directions From Merced.

From San Francisco or Oakland:

• If from San Francisco, take I-80 East towards Oakland.
• Take 580 East past Livermore and over Altamont Pass.
• Take 205 East.
• Merge onto I-5 North.
• Exit onto 120 East.
• Take 99 South.
• In Merced, exit at 140 East.
• Continue with directions From Merced.

From Sacramento:

• Take 99 South.
• Exit on 140 East towards Mariposa.
• Continue with directions From Merced.

From Los Angeles, Fresno, and Southern California:

• Take 99 North to Fresno.
• Take 41 North. (It's a freeway all the way through Fresno.).
• Continue through Coarsegold to Oakhurst.
• Take 49 North, and after 15.6 miles turn left on Stumpfield Mountain Road.
• Continue with directions From highway 49 and Stumpfield Mountain Road.

From Merced:

• Take 140 East.
• If you have less than half a tank of gas, you should get gas in Merced - it gets (more) expensive after that. (There are two gas stations with OK prices next to each other conveniently on the right less than a mile from 99.)
• The Rancho San Miguel market is a large convenient supermarket on your right. They have reasonable prices, and you can also get a bite to eat if needed. There is a CVS pharmacy in the same complex.
• After 8 miles at Planada the road veers North-East. Continue on 140.
• At the junction of 140 and 49 in Mariposa, turn (sharp) right onto 49 South.
• At 11 miles from Mariposa, turn right (South) onto Stumpfield Mountian Road (which is clearly marked).
• Continue with directions below.

From highway 49 and Stumpfield Mountain Road:

• Note the odometer reading. Distances below are from the start of Stumpfield Mountain Road at CA Highway 49.
• Take Stumpfield Mountain Road South. It immediately turns into a dirt road.
• It's a good idea to honk your horn before blind corners or hill-tops, and drive with windows open the better to hear other vehicles. Some people drive this road dangerously fast.
• After about 1.7 mi here is a sign for the end of the county maintained road. The road gets much rougher, especially the first mile after that.
• Around 1.9 mi Bob's Hole is painted on a rock next to the road. This is roughest and scariest part of the road.
• Around 2.1 mi you pass a house on the left of the road. Dogs may bark or even chase your vehicle for a bit.
• Just a little further (around 2.2 mi) near a perpetually muddy area you'll pass a gated road (actually Watt Road) going off to the left. Keep on the main road (right).
• At 2.8 mi you come to the only real fork where it isn't obvious which is the actual road. There is a wooden sign with an engraving of a rhinoceros. Turn right to continue on Stumpfield Mountain Road.
• At 4.1 mi you come to an unlocked gate where there is a cattle grate. A sign warns that you're entering Westfall and Elems ranches. Don't worry about the private property bit: that applies to the land; the road itself is a public road.
• At 4.5 miles you come to the gate of the property straight in front of the road. A sign says Nelson Cove. (Do not continue on Stumpfield Mountain Road, which here veers sharply to the right and down, and gets even rougher.) If we're expecting you, the gate might be unlocked, but it should normally be closed (because of cattle) If the gate is locked, you will hopefully have called us (408 905-6565 or 209 742-5662) in advance to get the combination of the lock! (Please do not attempt to visit Nelson Cove without first letting us know you're coming.) Unless otherwise instructed, leave the gate as you found it - if locked reset the combination to 0000.
• Drive down the winding road into the Nelson Cove proper. Use first or second gear!
• You may need to open a cattle gate - leave it open or closed as you found it.
• The old cabin is about 1.3 miles from the main gate or 5.8 miles from 49. Continue down the hill, and after passing the barn turn right at the fork. Our house is about 6.3 miles from the highway.

Alternative route from San Jose over Altamont Pass:

• Take 680 North.
• Take 580 East past Livermore and over Altamont Pass.
• Take 205 East.
• Merge onto I-5 North.
• Exit onto 120 East.
• Take 99 South.
• In Merced, exit at 140 East. (Figure 2.5 hours from San Jose to I-5.)
• Continue with directions From Merced.

Shortcut from Altamont Pass via Highway 132 to Modesto:

This shaves off some miles, and avoids the crunch around Tracy.

• After descending from Altamont Pass, instead of taking 205 East, stay on 580 South (actually South-East).
• Stay on 580 for 11 miles.
• Turn East (right exit and overpass) onto CA Highway 132.
• Take Highway 132 to Modesto. When you get to 99, turn right and then after a couple of blocks merge onto CA Highway 99 South.
• Take 99 to Merced, and continue with directions From Merced.

Alternative route from San Jose over Mount Hamilton:

This adds about 45 minutes (figure 2.5 hours from San Jose to I-5), plus however much time you spend at the Observatory. However, it's a very scenic (though winding) drive, and is unlikely to have much traffic, so it may make sense for holiday weekends.

• Take Alum Rock Avenue (CA highway 130) from 280 through East San Jose.
• Turn right at Mount Hamilton Road (which is the continuation of highway 130).
• After a long winding road (most of an hour) you get to the Observatory. Park; stretch your legs; enjoy the view; if open visit the Observatory.
• Continue the road, which changes name to San Antonio Valley Road.
• After a while you come to a small hamlet at an intersection: Mines Road continues North to Livermore, while Del Puerto Canyon Road goes East (right).
• Take Del Puerto Canyon Road all the way to I-5.
• Take I-5 South to highway 140 (Sullivan Road).
• Take 140 East through Gustine all the way to Merced.
• Get onto CA Highway 99 South for about 2 miles.
• Continue with directions From Merced.