The "Devil's Slide Bypass Tunnels" aka "The Tom Lantos Tunnels" are bypass tunnels that allow for the safe routing of Highway 1 pass Devil's Slide. Opened in March 2013, it's a modern tunnel that provides a safer road without the threat of rock slides and closures. It's named after Congressman Tom Lantos, who was instrumental in securing funding for the project. I drive thru these tunnels, mainly southbound*, at least 1-3 times a week for work. It's a relatively straight, long tunnel, well lit with fans. Headlights should be ON in the tunnel. It's a pretty boring drive, and that's the way it should be. The tunnel is wide enough if you need to pull over. The old views are not lost. The old Highway 1 is now a trail. There are small parking lots on the north and south ends of the tunnels. The Devil's Slide Tunnels were built to create a safer Highway 1. *Why mainly southbound? Because I go to Half Moon Bay and take Rt 92 back to the freeways. read more

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It's not as scenic of a drive as the old portion of highway 1 that it replaced, but it's a hell of a lot safer to travel through. No more treacherous rockslides on this part of highway 1! Driving through this tunnel always makes me happy because I know what lies on the other end. Beautiful beaches, wonderful hiking trails, and some of the most scenic viewpoints in the Bay Area await you on the other end of this tunnel. The tunnel runs along the coast through San Pedro Mountain and connects Pacifica to Montara and beyond. If you're driving from Pacifica to Montara, you can still access the old portion of highway 1 by the last exit right before the tunnel entrance, or the first exit right after you exit the tunnel. This part of highway 1 has since been designated as a pedestrian only path known as the Devil's Slide Coastal Trail. It's one of my favorite trails to hike/walk in Pacifica, and it's also a popular tourist destination. It's sad that this part of highway 1 had so many terrible rockslides over the years, but I'm happy that they were able to finally replace this section with this tunnel. It's a lot safer and the old section of highway 1 has become such a gorgeous coastal pedestrian trail. read more

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They're really cool tunnels. Totally bypassing Devils Slide? Hm. When they first built them, I was glad but hoped that they'd also rebuild the exterior highway. But that would be dumb, and what am I regretting here? It being easier to careen to my death while driving too fast? Shoulder seatbelts used to bother me too, but now, lap belts scare me. Some changes are very good. Did I mention that they're really cool tunnels? They should be five stars, but what's with the Disneyland-style fake rocks at the openings, and the Flintstones-esque openings themselves? Yes, I know that both features serve structural and safety purposes, but why do we even try to make engineering look like nature? It's not as if it actually looks realistic; so it's more cartoonish than it is camouflaging. read more

On Highway 1 South Just south of Pacifica there is a tunnel. The Devil's Slide Tunnels are south of Pacifica and north of Half Moon Bay. Once you go through the tunnel, immediately to the right is the Devil's Slide bunker parking lot. We drove this way on our way to the coast for the weekend. The tunnels have two bores through the San Pedro Mountain, each has a wide shoulder that is 30 feet wide with one lane each and about 4,200 feet long. They finally had to build this because of the deteriorating stretch of highway hugging the cliffs along the San Mateo County coast. The old highway has had issues with safety because of frequent slides and road closures during bad weather. And what about the old stretch of highway with breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean? The trail is now open to hikers and cyclists. Review #1675 read more

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If you want to ride your bike through the third largest road tunnel in California (the longest is Wawona Tunnel in Yosemite at 4233 feet), park at the free Devil's Slide Coastal Trail (on either end of the tunnel). After going up and down the trail, I went through the tunnel to make a round-trip rather than go back up the hill. Because the tunnel has a break-down lane, there's plenty of room for the 4008 feet ride (4149' northbound). The tunnels, officially named the Tom Lantos Tunnels, go through Montara Mountain, rerouting cars away from 600 foot stretch known as Devil's Slide, which is not only a cool bike trail now (see separate review), but also one of INXS best hits. Devil's Slide, Devil's Slide, every single one of us, Devil's Slide... The project was initiated in 1958 despite the crying tree-huggers, who are basically Karens without make-up. A major slide in 1983 brought public attention, but the Sierra Club prevented it, citing a law requiring PCH to be restricted to two lanes in rural areas. Another slide in 1995 changed 76% of the voters' minds and the project was approved. The project lasted 2005-2011, opening in 2013. So it only took 54 years! The last remaining and endangered Moss Beach Caterpillar thanks you. High six!! read more

Drove through the tunnel and it was amazing to see what can be done with some determination and technology. I remember driving through the original devils slide highway. This is much cooler and a fun experience for the family. read more

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This tunnel is long overdue. For the locals this is a vital connection. No more rock slides! That alone garnered it an almost five stars from me. I'm torn giving it four stars. Because it really has good attributes to it in addition to the above. It's wide. Well lit. Pretty unusual looking mouth makes it unique. The view when you come out of the tunnel is amazing to say the least. I don't mind that it is short. I'd rather do my driving out of a tunnel than in anyways. The shorter it is the faster I come out! This is a one directional design flow. It is my preferred tunnel. It's much much safer! But the Emergency Lane and the Emergency Phone should be on the same side. You almost have to die crossing the other side just to use the emergency phone. To me that's a cuckoo idea! If you're reading this and you know the reasoning for this let me know and I'll be very glad to change my rating. read more

Devils Slide Bypass Tunnel - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Pacifica, California

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(in a Barry White voice) Ooohhh yeah, that's right, baby. I like to go deep, both ways... Pardon me but when thinking of what to write for this review, the dual, long tunnels of the Devil's Slide Bypass inspired a little double entendre. To the people of all the neighboring communities, the Devil's Slide Tunnels (officially named the Tom Lantos Tunnels) are a Godsend. For me, it's a bittersweet but necessary change. I'll miss ripping that precarious curve dangling high above the Pacific at completely inadvisable speeds in my wicked quick roadster. But as the times have changed, I suppose I have too. I don't drift as often or spend as much time at triple digit speeds on public roads as I used to. & just like how these tunnels are replacing the road along Devil's Slide, it's all not as exciting as the past but it is for the better. Devil's Slide may be gone, but at least there will always be the memories of adrenalin-fueled exhilaration. Plus there's the bonus of still being able to actually drive Highway 1 between Pacifica & Montara after a major storm. Besides, nearby Skyline Blvd, La Honda Rd, Pescadero Rd & Highway 9 still have plenty of curves. With the new tunnels, the future of driving at Devil's Slide is all about automotive spelunking. So get ready to go deep, both ways. *** Trivia Alert! *** The Tom Lantos Tunnels are officially the 2nd & 3rd longest tunnels in California. Yosemite's Wawona Tunnel is the #1 longest tunnel in California. Having now gone through all 3, it is safe to say that I do like to go deep. read more

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The Devil's Slide tunnels are finally open! The actual name of the tunnels is Tom Lantos Tunnels at Devil's Slide. I have been watching construction on these tunnels for years! Nice entrances are both ends and both are unique. Great views of the ocean and coastside before you enter the tunnels. Tall and relatively straight tunnels allow for a strain through view as you drive through. Separate tunnels for each direction to keep the noise down. Enough room for two lanes in each direction. Best of all, no more Devil's Silde road closures! See my pics! read more

Officially called the Tom Lantos tunnel ... who was that guy? This is the newest highway tunnel to open in Northern California. It's modern with all the modern safety features, like ventilation and lighting and a breakdown lane inside. You can even ride you bike thru I think .... there's room. This new tunnel takes you thru the mountain instead of like the old road around on the steep cliffs overlooking the ocean. The old road keeps falling into the ocean, mother nature and all ya know. So, finally this tunnel was built and it's a nice tunnel, so honk your horns when you go thru ....! read more

Amazing tunnel to get from Pacifica to Half Moon Bay (and vice versa). I never took highway 1 before the tunnel but from what I heard it used to break down due to storms and this was a better alternative. It feels completely safe and is quick and easy. Inside there is a lane in case you break down to pull over into and phones through out to call on emergency services. The tunnel sports lights and even fans. A great piece of engineering. The bonus is knowing that after you go through the tunnel you are entering an area where life is slower, relaxation is on the horizon and fun is to be had read more

I'm butthurt that driving through Devil's Slide is no longer a possibility. But then again, it was never all that much fun anyway because you almost always got stuck behind someone boring who was terrified of the curves and drove like 30mph the whole time. The new tunnel is pretty cool, but not as spectacular and fun as I thought it would be. But it's nice and wide and spacious so you don't feel all claustrophobic. It's shorter than I expected (that's what she said) and kind of a letdown after all the anticipation. Oh well. It's still pretty rad to be driving through a freaking mountain and once again, if you don't get stuck behind someone slow, it's fun to zip through. One funny thing a friend of mine pointed out: Which side is the emergency lane on? The right side. Which side are the emergency PHONES located on? The left side. CALTRANS LOGIC. read more

Boring. And not the machines used to drill the holes. Yeah, I get it that the populace voted for the tunnel and that Devil's Slide continually washed out. It's just a one-lane tunnel in both directions. Nuff said. read more

Devils Slide Bypass Tunnel - South exit toward Montara - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Pacifica, California

I KNOW this tunnel needed to happen. But *kicks feet*.... I used to take the drive down the coastal highway down to Half Moon Bay at least once a week for the views at sunset before it was constructed. And those views were surreal. I guess it's better to, oh, stay alive than die over a good view because the ground went crumbling underneath me as I sat in my car.. but still. *whine* Glad you can still find a spot to park your car and walk down the path for the pretty views, though. read more

Yep--pretty darn cool & modern. Could use a bit of color (art?) on the inside. read more

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Only one lane for cars plus a lane for bicycles, so no need to worry about other traffic merging into your lane. High curved ceiling, plenty of lighting, good visibility. Use caution heading south at certain times of day. The south end of the tunnel faces the ocean and the sun on water can be blinding. There was a neon sign which said 45 mph near the end of the tunnel and I could barely see it. There is also a traffic light just outside the tunnel on the south end that I did NOT expect (no signs anywhere in the tunnel to say "there's going to be a traffic light".) Good thing it was green as I was nearly on it before I saw it. The traffic light is for pedestrians and bicyclists who want to access the old road over Devil's Slide/ I've been told that the green lights inside the tunnel are meant to change to amber if the traffic light is changing (yeah, I saw those green lights. My thought was "interesting. I wonder why green? Perhaps those lights mark the door ways into the central bore..." It NEVER ONCE occurred to me that green lights in a tunnel would indicate a traffic light at the other end! Heading north through the other bore, there are also green lights in the tunnel but no traffic light on the other side. Heading north, you ome out onto the bridge (impressive!). Watch out for the pedestrian crosswalk just north of the bridge! All in all, a handsome tunnel and a much safer experience driving from the upper Peninsula to Half Moon Bay. I would have preferred more traditional signage and warnings (flashing lights around a diamond-shaped sign) to let me know there was a traffic light and pedestrian crossing, however. read more

The best tunnel I've been through. A wide lane for bicycling, plenty of exhaust fans, and wonderful lighting. The southbound approach is narrower than one would like climbing up the hill, and I'm not sure that rumble strips encourage giving cyclists enough room. read more

I drove through this tunnel for the first time yesterday. Wow, probably the coolest tunnel I've ever driven through. As others have said, plenty of lighting, room to drive, high curved ceilings and turbine fans every 20 to 30 feet circulating the air. What a great idea. I wonder if there's a way to incorporate the fans into existing tunnels? They did an excellent job with these tunnels, complete with the "fake rock" just past the south end of the tunnel. I'll miss the hairpin turns of Devil's Slide, but I won't miss the road being closed due to another storm-induced washout. The tunnel at the south end did have a sigh saying "signal ahead," which was good. Perhaps that's been added more recently. What keeps my review from being 5 stars is yes the emergency exit being on one side and the emergency phones on the other side. So if you get stranded, you have to walk across the highway to get to them. Silly CALtrans. read more

Love love love this beautiful tunnel, and then some. I used to live in El Granada and work in S.F., commute almost everyday--and hated every single hellish, horrible tortuous second of it. I wanted a tunnel to be built, and some endangered frog or ant or some animal rights activist groups jumped on their bandwagons, blocked anything good for humans to happen. After we moved, finally this gorgeous tunnel got built--and a breathtaking feat of engineering it is. Rounded gaping curved entrances at oblique angles, sleek and smoothly paved, dimply lit and ethereal inside, swooshed and slick, something out of a mystery thriller novel, almost erotic and sexy. It makes the that stretch of path tolerable. But why oh why didn't they extend it a bit more into the devil's slide path? I don't understand. I read a couple of the other reviews, about the emergency phones--and wow--yes! I didn't notice, but if I had an emergency, I would've right? This tunnel is bliss, and exciting, like going on a roller coaster without being sick :-) read more

It is bi-directional tunnel, which means it takes traffic in both diections. There is pretty green trimmed foliage on the outside leading to the tunnel. read more