By the end of this post, you will find all the information you need to plan your mini road trip from Los Angeles to San Diego. However, if youre in need of a break from the monotony of the road, there is a scenic viewpoint located just before Exit 62 to Las Pulgas Road. It is a friendly city full of personality and has very beautiful and inviting beaches (here the water is a bit warmer than on the northern coast). While in town, check out. Assuming you won't have time and don't want to pay admission, I would suggest the Downtown Disney area which offeres free admission and free parking. There are some particularly scenic places Im referring to the views of Moro Canyon / Crystal Cove State Park near Laguna Beach. From that point on, youll need to continue on I-5 near the coast to reach San Diego. Wow, thanks for all the good advice! Driving California's Scenic Highway One. While the most scenic part of the Pacific Coast Highway is undoubtedly in Big Sur and then in Coastal Oregon, the road along the coast (Old Highway 101) from Oceanside or Laguna Beach is really pretty. In that way, you will drive around all northern San Diego county towns. One idea would be to leave Los Angeles after dinner, so that the traffic will be lighter, stay overnight in San Diego and spend the next day sightseeing in San Diego (here is our list of things to see in San Diego). Furthermore, if you own a Tesla or another electric vehicle, you may need to make stops at Tesla Supercharger or other EV charging stations along the way, which can also add to the total drive time. . If youd like to visit some of the missions on the Camino Real, the trail of Californias Spanish missions, you could go to the San Luis Rey de Francia Missionnear Oceanside, a city that is famous for surfing and the Navy Base nearby. Planning to drive from Los Angeles to San Diego and wondering what is the best route to take? The tumblers keep drinks hot for hours. Full-price entry for a general admission ticket is $10 and includes a self-guided audio tour. Staying somewhere halfway between the two cities is a great way to be able to enjoy the most of what this scenic drive has to offer! 2023 The World Was Here First All rights reserved. The top cities between San Diego and Santa Monica are Los Angeles, Anaheim, La Jolla, Carlsbad, Temecula, Laguna Beach, Long Beach, Beverly Hills, Escondido, and Coronado. Pacific Coast Highway Road Trip itinerary: driving on Route 1 in California I recommend that you take thePacific Coast Highway (Highway 1) from Los Angeles to the end, south of Laguna Beach. Keep in mind that, if you do make some of the stops on this list, it will add to your overall drive time as you will be diverting from the I-5 and onto some smaller, surface streets. If youre planning a road trip from Los Angeles to San Diego, youll need to figure out where to stay along the way. Search for RV campgrounds. The total distance is approximately 110 miles and will take around two hours to drive without traffic. Because of that, I have an article describing road trip options between. The beach area is located on the Pacific Coast Highway, however, if you want to browse some shops or find a nice cafe or restaurant, then take a stroll down Main Street, which has most of the businesses in HB. The times where you will have to wait for hours is when you drive. Pacific Coast Highway Road Trip PlannerPacific Coast Highway 4 day ItineraryPacific Coast Highway 5 day itineraryPacific Coast Highway 7 day itineraryPacific Coast Highway 10 Day itineraryAll PCH ItinerariesBest Places to Stay along the Pacific Coast HighwayBest Pacific Coast Highway Stops, Best Places to Visit on the West Coast, USA, AS AN AMAZON AFFILIATE, WE EARN FROM QUALIFYING PURCHASES, California Coast Road Trip Itinerary from LA to San Francisco, Best Places to Stay along the Pacific Coast Highway, 15 Best Lighthouses along the West Coast, USA, Best Places to stay along the Pacific Coast Highway, 23 Best Places to stop on the Pacific Coast Highway, The Ultimate Pacific Coast Highway Road Trip Planner. Wife and I are flying into Oakland and spending a week driving down the coast to San Diego. San Diego and Los Angeles are just under 125 miles apart from each other and the road trip takes about two hours via I-5. Click here to see their latest prices. How to Get from San Diego to Los Angeles - TripSavvy 9. Because it is kind of difficult to reach and not well advertised, only a few locals really know about it. Protect your lips by applying a balm with sunscreen. Thanks for your comment, Duncan! Staying over in each play a few nights. If youre not bored of classic Southern California beach towns (and how could you be? Scenic Drive from San Diego to LA - Detailed Route plz ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-4508271', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');San Diego and then driving to Los Angeles the end of September. Overall, there are plenty of great stops on the drive from LA to San Diego. Los Angeles to San Diego Drive - PCH1 Road Trip Ive written them all down and cant wait for our adventure. You can support us by hitting the Subscribe button and liking and sharing our videos. We fly out of San Diego on a Saturday morning. Epic California Road Trip Itinerary & Ideas: Scenic Drives on the )Total of 11. 10 Best Road Trips from Los Angeles | EnjoyTravel.com If you are based in San Diego, you may be interested in this article delineating some interesting, I love Santa Barbara. Los Angeles to San Diego road trip itinerary. Sounds like youve got a great trip planned. When traveling around the United States, I tend to recommend driving, however, since the distance between Los Angeles and San Diego is not too long, taking a train could be a fascinating solution for those who want to reduce the number of driving hours. On the drive through Orange County, perhaps get off at San Juan Capistrano, right near the freeway, for the cute town and to see the Mission. Thanks for your comment, Kanna! The distance between San Francisco and Los Angeles on the Pacific Coast Highway is roughly 500 miles. Lovely town and a spectacular coastal/beach setting. Not only is Long Beach home to a variety of boutique shops, restaurants, and cafes but its also a popular starting point for ferries to Catalina and whale-watching tours. However, traffic conditions can vary, so the actual drive time may be longer or shorter depending on the time of day and other factors. Related:California Coast Road Trip Itinerary from LA to San FranciscoBest Places to Visit in California. If youre wondering where to stay, have a look at these recommendations: Seaside Laguna Inn A small and cosy hotel located in the heart of Laguna Beach only minutes from the numerous beaches in the area, this is a fantastic place to stay. In general, the early morning hours (around 5:00 to 8:00 AM) and late at night (after 8:00 PM) tend to have the least amount of traffic. Hi Maggie, I just wanted to thank you for the information. However, I have to go with my heart here and my heart chooses, Often overlooked for flashier places, this is one of the places where the California beach, surfing, and relaxing vibe is more alive. California's crown jewel was now divided . Disneyland is an iconic theme park in Anaheim. Keyword. This route will take you through Laguna Beach, Crystal Cove, and Newport which are some of the most beautiful areas of this bit of the PCH. The distance between Downtown Los Angeles and downtown San Diego is approximately 110 miles. The cruise departs from the Newport Beach Harbor and passes by several beautiful attractions such as Crystal Cove State Park, Balboa Island, San Juan Capistrano, and Dana Point known as the Whale Capital of the West. is one of the most exclusive neighborhoods in San Diego. And if so, how long is the ride? Very informative..we are driving down today from LAX around10am and want to make 2/3 stops on the way .Since we want to reach San Diego by evening before dark, which must do stops would you recommend.. Tks Bepsi. If you would like to enjoy every mile of your road trip and avoid crossing areas with boring scenery, the solution is to take your time so that the trip from Los Angeles to San Diego is not just a simple transit from one point to another. Driving from Los Angeles to San Diego The drive from Los Angeles to San Diego takes you down Interstate 5 and the Pacific Coast Highway, along some of the most beautiful coastlines in the United States. You can divert to Highway 1 just North of San Clemente and stay on a coastal route, but that would be a long slow drive. The best route from LA to San Diego will depend on your individual preferences and time constraints. Be sure to grab a bite to eat at one of the many restaurants and cafes along the beachfront. 15 Amazing Stops on the LA To San Diego Drive (2023 Edition) LA to San Diego Drive: 15 Great Stops to Make Along the Coast California, Los Angeles, Road Trip, San Diego Planning a trip to California soon and interested in driving from Los Angeles to San Diego? One road trip that guarantees spectacular views of everything San Diego has to offer is the very organized 59-mile drive. Kona vs Hilo: Where to Stay on the Big Island? To avoid the worst of the traffic, its best to plan your trip for the early morning hours (between 5:00 and 8:00 AM) or late at night (after 8:00 PM). Were passionate about getting off the beaten path, promoting responsible tourism, supporting local economies and sharing our knowledge with other travellers! Can anyone provide a travel route that is the most scenic. The direct drive from Los Angeles to San Diego on the I-5 freeway is not very exciting, while the scenic drive through Highway 1 and Highway 101 offers beautiful views of the California coast and charming beach towns along the way. Summer is the prime time to stop by the cities famous art festivals. The owner of the Los Angeles Times has sold the San Diego Union-Tribune to MediaNews Group. Thank you. Looking forward to our upcoming family trip to Cali will definitely incorporate your recommendations!!! Were Michael and Maggie, an Australian and American couple travelling the world. Unlimited stops Plan trips worldwide Divide your trip into days Export to GPS or Print and more handy features! Embarcadero / Downtown Get your bearings, maps, brochures and Visitor Guides at the San Diego Visitor Information Center, operated by Old Town Trolley Tours. If you want to watch the surfers strut their stuff and maybe enjoy fewer crowds on a hot day, then head to the quieter Trestles Beach to the south, close to San Onofre. (the promontory over La Jolla Cove). Hi Yolanda. For the route to Julian and back, I would suggest taking Interstate 8 east from San Diego to Sunrise Highway, about 40 miles (64 km) and then turn left at Sunrise Highway to go north through Laguna Mountain Recreation Area. Laguna Beach 5. Here's a sample itinerary for a drive from San Diego to Los Angeles. Learn about the area's multi-cultural history while exploring the over 200-year-old San Juan Capistrano Mission, and the Los Rios District, the state's oldest . This place is home to the rarest pine in North America, rock formations, and incredible ocean views. This platform aggregates prices across most major companies to ensure that you get a great rate on your rental car.