I-- 280, Los Altos Hills

There are certainly perks to living in one of the most expensive zip codes in the country, and frankly, having access to the better interstate is one of them. Unlike it's cross-peninsula neighbor, the 101, 280 gently winds through the foothills, avoids the majority of traffic in all but the worst of rush hour, and still gets you to San Francisco in a manner that is at least as timely.

Perhaps the most unique feature, other than the lack of traffic, is the stunning hillside scenery. Surely this is the interstate that they film in movies, the scenic shots of the massive hillside homes, the highway that has the best views of the sunset this side of the Santa Cruz Mountains, the spot that screams "THIS is Northern California." It is truly idyllic, or as idyllic as a highway can get that has the number "80" on its blue sign.

I wouldn't buy a home that is adjacent to here just because of the noise and the views of the interstate, although there is something to be said for convenience...