The first hour out of San Diego decides the whole trip, because Interstate 15 north and Interstate 8 east split the county into wine hills, pine mountains and open desert. This guide sorts nineteen drives by how long you will spend behind the wheel, so you can pick a Saturday or a full week.
All 19 Trips at a Glance
| Trip | Miles | Drive | Days | Best Season | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Temecula | 60 | 1h 15m | 1 | Mar to May, Sep to Nov | $$ |
| 2 Julian | 60 | 1h 30m | 1 | Oct to Dec, winter snow | $ |
| 3 Anza-Borrego | 90 | 1h 45m | 1 to 2 | Feb to Apr | $ |
| 4 Oceanside and Carlsbad | 40 | 45m | 1 | Year round | $ |
| 5 San Clemente and Dana Point | 65 | 1h | 1 | Year round | $$ |
| 6 Idyllwild | 105 | 2h | 1 to 2 | Fall and winter | $ |
| 7 Catalina Island | 65 plus ferry | 1h 15m plus ferry | 1 to 2 | May to Oct | $$$ |
| 8 Joshua Tree | 165 | 2h 45m | 2 | Oct to Apr | $$ |
| 9 Palm Springs | 140 | 2h 15m | 2 | Nov to Apr | $$$ |
| 10 Valle de Guadalupe | 85 | 1h 50m plus border | 2 | Aug to Oct | $$ |
| 11 Ojai and Santa Barbara | 210 | 3h 30m | 2 to 3 | Spring and fall | $$$ |
| 12 Big Bear Lake | 120 | 3h | 2 | Winter and summer | $$ |
| 13 Los Angeles and Santa Monica | 125 | 2h | 2 | Year round | $$$ |
| 14 Salton Sea | 130 | 2h 30m | 1 | Nov to Mar | $ |
| 15 Big Sur | 430 | 7h | 3 to 4 | Apr to Oct | $$$ |
| 16 Eastern Sierra | 300 to 400 | 5h 30m to 7h | 3 to 4 | Jun to Oct | $$ |
| 17 Sedona and Grand Canyon | 490 to 600 | 7h 30m to 9h | 3 to 4 | Mar to May, Sep to Nov | $$$ |
| 18 Las Vegas | 335 | 5h 15m | 2 to 3 | Oct to Apr | $$ |
| 19 Death Valley | 370 | 6h | 2 to 3 | Nov to Mar | $$ |
Part One: Quick Day Drives Under 2 Hours
01 Temecula Wine Country
Vineyard hills where the camino bends and the bodegas open at noon
The name Temecula comes from a Luiseño word often translated as the place where the sun breaks through the mist, and that morning mist still rolls over the vineyards before the sun clears the ridge. Leave San Diego by 7 AM on Interstate 15 north and turn onto Rancho California Road for the scenic run through the wine belt, where the road rises over gentle mesas and the rows of vines face the sunrise.
Start with a first tasting at Wilson Creek Winery, known for its almond champagne, and then walk the vineyard rows while the air is still cool, booking ahead on weekends because the best patios fill early. If the busy estates along Rancho California Road feel crowded, try De Portola Road instead, where family run wineries such as Gershon Bachus Vintners and Cougar Vineyard pour rare Italian varietals.
Drive into Old Town for lunch at the Swing Inn Cafe, a long running local counter, and then walk the wooden boardwalk and the antique shops that line the old main street. Duck behind the boardwalk to The Crafted Scone, and book the speakeasy Thompson and Twain Prospecting Co., which is entered through a hidden bookcase and needs a reservation.
Return to the wine road for an afternoon tasting with a view over the hills, and hold your final stop for golden hour when the light turns the leaves amber. Vail Lake nearby has gravel trails for biking and running that sit far from the strip malls, if you want a change of pace.
A night at South Coast Winery Resort puts you inside the vineyard with a spa and cottages, where balloons drift above the valley at dawn if you stay over. Leave on a weekday morning for an easy drive home against lighter traffic.
02 Julian and Cuyamaca Rancho State Park
Apple orchards, pine silence and a mountain road that rewards patience
Cuyamaca comes from a Kumeyaay phrase usually translated as the place where it rains from above, and the mountain does catch storms that skip the coast, which explains the oaks and pines. Take Interstate 8 east to Hwy 79 north and let the road climb through Descanso into Cuyamaca Rancho State Park, where the pine scent arrives about the time the oaks give way to evergreens.
Stop at Green Valley Falls for a short walk beside the creek, and then try the Stonewall Peak trail if you have the legs for it, since the summit view runs back toward the Pacific on a clear day. For more height, climb the summit trail at Volcan Mountain Wilderness Preserve, which looks to the Pacific on clear mornings and to the Salton Sea in the east, so go early for the clearest air.
Julian began as a gold mining town after a strike in 1869, and the Eagle Mining Company tour still takes visitors underground, though the cider barns make a calmer afternoon. Skip the long line on Main Street and drive to Wynola on Highway 78 for pie with fewer crowds, and eat a slice of apple pie at Mom's Pie House or the Julian Pie Company.
Follow Farmer Road to the Julian Cider Mill or Calico Cidery for small batch apple and pear ciders poured in a rustic barn. For the return, take Sunrise Highway south through the Laguna Mountains for views over the desert floor, because the road is slower than the interstate but the pullouts are worth every minute.
Stay at the Julian Gold Rush Hotel, which has stood since the 1890s, to catch the stars over the pueblo, or start the drive home by 5 PM to miss the holiday weekend slowdown. Winter snow may call for chains, so check the road before you leave.
03 Anza-Borrego Desert State Park
Badlands, bighorn country and a sky that holds every star
The desert state park around Borrego Springs is the largest in California, and the town sits at its heart like a green island, with a protected dark sky that makes the night as much a reason to go as the day. Take Highway 78 down the Banner Grade for a drive that drops from pine forest to creosote desert within about an hour, or follow S2 south from Scissors Crossing along the old stage route for a quieter approach.
Reach Fonts Point by late morning, where a sandy track off Highway S22 ends at a rim above the badlands, and bring a high clearance vehicle because the final stretch is bumpy though the view of the folded hills repays it. Choose Fonts Point at golden hour over The Slot Canyon on crowded weekends, when the badlands glow pink and ochre.
Eat lunch at Carlee's Bar and Grill in town, and then walk the Borrego Palm Canyon trail to a small oasis of fan palms, where the agua is a short walk from the desert heat and the contrast is dramatic. For fewer visitors, drive S2 south to Mountain Palm Springs, where fan palm oases sit in rocky amphitheatres.
Spend the late afternoon among the Galleta Meadows sculptures, including the serpent and the mammoths, before sunset turns the badlands copper, and visit again at dusk or under a new moon with a red headlamp so the 350 foot serpent stands against a protected dark sky. Wildflowers bloom from February to April in good rain years, so book lodging early because the town fills fast.
Book a night at La Casa del Zorro for stargazing without leaving the grounds, and rise at dawn for the cooler light. Drive back before the road warms, since the desert heat builds quickly.
04 Oceanside and Carlsbad
Piers, flower fields and a coastline made for slow afternoons
Oceanside Pier is among the longest wooden piers on the West Coast, and the sand beneath it is a quiet spot at first light, while the California Surf Museum nearby tells how surf culture grew along this stretch. Leave by 8 AM on Interstate 5 north to arrive before the beach parking fills, and walk the pier to its end for the long view south along the coast.
South O along South Coast Highway 101 is Oceanside's artisan quarter, with micro roasters, natural wine bars and independent surf shapers, and Heritage Park Village near the old mission keeps preserved Victorian buildings and a blacksmith shop that few visitors find. Rent a bike near the playa for the Coast Highway 101 path through Carlsbad Village, an easy and flat ride with the ocean on one side.
Have lunch at Pizza Port in Carlsbad, a local brewery counter with surf photos on the walls, and afterwards wander the independent shops along Carlsbad Boulevard. Batiquitos Lagoon is a flat, shaded trail through one of the few preserved tidal wetlands in Southern California, where you can look for herons and osprey nests.
From March to early May the Flower Fields add rows of ranunculus on a hillside above the sea, so time your visit for late afternoon when the colours deepen. If you stay over, Beach Terrace Inn puts you steps from the sand, and otherwise you should head home before 5 PM to miss the Interstate 5 build up.
05 San Clemente and Dana Point
Sea caves, surf breaks and a harbour that smells of salt and fried fish
Dana Point is named for Richard Henry Dana, whose book Two Years Before the Mast described this headland in the 1830s, and the cliffs above the harbour still look much as he saw them. Check the tide table and arrive about an hour before the lowest tide, because the sea caves are only reachable then, and park near Dana Point Harbor before walking the rocks with care.
Book a morning whale watching trip from Dana Wharf during the season, since dolphins are common year round and gray whales pass between December and April. The Dana Point Headlands Nature Interpretive Center has raised boardwalks above the cliffs that rank among the best mainland spots for watching migrating whales, with blue whales sometimes seen offshore.
Eat lunch at Harpoon Henry's on the harbour with a plate of fish and chips, and rest between stops with a view over the boats. At low tide the Capistrano Beach tide pools show anemones and hermit crabs, and they are quieter than Laguna's Heisler Park.
Drive south to San Clemente for the pier and a walk on the beach trail beside the railway, which runs from North Beach to the pier and passes surf breaks such as T Street, while the break at Trestles nearby draws serious riders. Stay at the Ritz Carlton Laguna Niguel above the cliffs for a night, or return before sunset on Interstate 5, when weekday afternoons give the easiest run south.
06 Idyllwild
Granite peaks and cedar smoke above the desert haze
Lily Rock looms above Idyllwild as a granite wall that draws climbers from across Southern California, and the town sits above 5,000 feet, so the air is noticeably cooler than in San Diego. Take Interstate 15 north to Hwy 79, then Hwy 74 east and Hwy 243 north into town, and because the Pines to Palms Highway section is slow and winding, leave early and keep your tank full.
Park at Humber Park for the trail toward Devil's Slide, a steep walk through pine forest with views over the valley, and allow a half day if you want to reach the saddle. For a calmer outing, Strawberry Creek near town has granite pools for wading in summer, and Deer Springs Trail leads toward Suicide Rock, a cliff known to climbers since the 1960s that sees fewer people than Tahquitz Rock.
Return to town for lunch at Cafe Aroma, a woodsy restaurant on the main street whose patio is warm in the sun even in winter, and then browse the galleries and gift shops along North Circle Drive. Visit the village centre for hand carved cedar workshops that source windfall timber from the San Jacinto range, since most day visitors stick to the short Nature Center loops and miss them.
Stop at the Idyllwild Brewpub for a pint before the drive home, or stay a night at the Idyllwild Inn to remain close to the trails and the town. Check road conditions in winter and carry chains for the descent.
07 Catalina Island
A ferry crossing that trades freeways for harbour light
Avalon Casino was built in 1929 as a gathering place for dancing and films, and the word casino here has nothing to do with gambling, while its round tower is the island's best known building. Drive to Dana Point Harbor and board the early Catalina Express ferry so the island gets a full day, and note that Dana Point is the southernmost terminal, which spares San Diego drivers the longer run to Long Beach or San Pedro.
The crossing takes about 90 minutes with dolphins often travelling beside the boat, and in Avalon you can walk the waterfront and book the Casino tour for its murals and theatre. Rent a golf cart if you want to reach the Wrigley Memorial and Botanic Garden, or an electric bike to ride past it toward the ridge line, where bison graze on the hilltops.
Have lunch at Eric's on the Pier, a simple waterfront stand with a view over the bay, and sit at the end of the pier to watch the boats come in. Walk ten minutes east of the ferry dock to Lovers Cove with your own mask and snorkel, where orange garibaldi swim close in clear kelp beds.
Take an inland tour to see the island's bison, brought here for a film in the 1920s, along roads that pass wide open ridges that feel far from the mainland. Most day visitors never leave the harbour shops, so a ridge ride repays the effort.
Stay at the Zane Grey Pueblo Hotel for a quiet night above the harbour, or catch the last ferry home. Check the departure time on arrival so the day ends calmly.
Part Two: Weekend Escapes 2 to 4 Hours
08 Joshua Tree and Pioneertown
Boulders, Joshua trees and a Western town that never quite closed
Mormon settlers are said to have named the Joshua tree because its raised branches looked like the prophet's arms lifted in prayer, and although it is not truly a tree but a giant yucca, it thrives mainly in the high Mojave Desert. Take Interstate 15 north, Interstate 10 east and Hwy 62 north through Morongo Valley, where the first Joshua trees appear as the road flattens, and enter the park by the west gate in Joshua Tree town before 8 AM to beat the queue.
Walk the Hidden Valley loop among the boulders while the granite is still cool, and then drive on to Keys View at midday for a wide look across the Coachella Valley toward the San Andreas Fault. Eat lunch at the Crossroads Cafe in Joshua Tree town, a simple place with hearty plates, and stock up on water and snacks because the park has almost no services inside.
Save the Cholla Cactus Garden for late afternoon, when the spines glow in low light and two ecosystems share the same ground because the Mojave and Colorado deserts meet there. Leashed dogs are welcome on unpaved roads such as Queen Valley Road and Geology Tour Road, which see almost no traffic and give a quiet way into the park.
Pioneertown was built by Hollywood filmmakers as an active 1880s Western set, and false front saloons and stables still line Mane Street, so end the day there with dinner and live music at Pappy and Harriet's, known for mesquite barbecue, and book ahead. Try Joshua Tree Coffee Company for sourdough and espresso on the way in or out, and keep the evening free for the music.
A night at the 29 Palms Inn beside the Oasis of Mara ends the day under a clear desert sky, and Jumbo Rocks Campground offers sites among boulders while rentals in Rimrock and Flamingo Heights offer private desert homesteads. Camp with rainflies tied by rebar stakes because night winds can pass 40 miles per hour, and return by Hwy 62 early the next morning to miss the Sunday traffic.
09 Palm Springs and the San Jacinto Mountains
Midcentury poolsides below a mountain that wears snow in spring
The Palm Springs visitor centre stands in a former gas station designed by the architect Albert Frey, and it is a good first stop for anyone who wants to see the city's midcentury modern style up close. Drive Interstate 15 north and Interstate 10 east, then Highway 111 into town, and arrive by 10 AM on a clear weekend so you can ride the Aerial Tramway first.
The rotating car climbs nearly 6,000 feet from the desert floor to the pines in about ten minutes, giving every rider the full view, and at the top you can walk a short trail in the San Jacinto Mountains where the air is far cooler than in town. In May and September, when valley temperatures can reach triple digits, the summit is often about 30 degrees cooler, and you should allow two hours before riding back down.
Have lunch at Cheeky's, known for its bacon flights and date shakes, or at Sherman's Deli, and then walk Palm Canyon Drive and the shops of the Uptown Design District. Tour the Twin Palms and Las Palmas neighbourhoods for immaculate midcentury modern homes by the Alexander firm, and for dinner try The Rooster and the Pig, which serves Vietnamese American dishes.
For late afternoon, visit Moorten Botanical Garden, a historic living museum of desert cacti with the mountains behind, and watch the Coachella Valley glow at sunset as the date palms stand out against the pink sky. Stay at Korakia Pensione for Mediterranean courtyards and quiet rooms, or at L'Horizon Resort, a boutique stay designed by William F Cody.
Return along the Pines to Palms Highway through Idyllwild for a scenic way home, though it takes longer than the dull Interstate 10 route through Beaumont. Highway 74 links the pines and the Coachella Valley over the shoulder of the San Jacinto Mountains by hairpin switchbacks with a wide view of the desert floor.
10 Valle de Guadalupe, Mexico
Ruta del Vino where the bodegas sit among olive trees and dry hills
Russian Molokan families settled in the Valle de Guadalupe in the early 1900s, and a small museum in the valley still tells their story, since their farms helped lay the ground for the vineyards that followed. Cross at Tecate or San Ysidro and follow Hwy 3 along the Ruta del Vino, carrying your passport, your tourist card and Mexican auto insurance.
Highway 3 climbs from cool coastal fog into dry valley heat, and the temperature jump near San Antonio de las Minas can be sharp, so pack a light layer for the morning drive. Major tour buses cluster at Monte Xanic and El Cielo, so the smaller wineries on the dirt roads feel calmer, and you can skip the costly tasting menus if you are on a budget.
Start with a tasting at Mogor Badan, a small family winery with old vines and wooden barns, and keep the pace slow because the dirt roads between bodegas are bumpy. Take the unpaved lateral roads to Adobe Guadalupe, where wine is paired with an on site horse stable, or to Vena Cava, a winery built from salvaged boat hulls.
Book lunch at Finca Altozano for wood fired meat and vegetables under open sky, where the view over the vines at midday is the best in the valley, or choose breakfast at La Cocina de Doña Esthela, which serves wood fired machaca and clay oven bread that rival the costly dinner menus. Stay at Encuentro Guadalupe for cabins among granite boulders.
Highway 1D south to Ensenada follows cliffs above the Pacific, and La Bufadora blows seawater up to 100 feet into the air, while Avenida Ruiz and the Mercado Negro fish market offer yellowtail and sea urchin, and La Guerrerense is a street stand famous for sea urchin tostadas. Drive north to Rosarito for lobster at Puerto Nuevo, and note that Tijuana is the first stop on the way and is known for the original Caesar salad.
In Ensenada, the Riviera del PacÃfico is a 1930s seaside ballroom worth a visit, and Tacos El Fenix serves fresh fish tacos, while Hotel Coral and Marina offers bay views and the historic Posada El Rey Sol offers a classic stay. Return before the Sunday afternoon queue and use a SENTRI or Ready Lane if you hold the card.
11 Ojai and Santa Barbara
Orange groves, adobe arches and the pink glow after sunset
The name Ojai is often translated from Chumash as moon, and the valley sky shows why, since just after sunset a pink band spreads across the Topatopa mountains in what locals call the Pink Moment. Take Interstate 5 north to Highway 101 north and then Highway 33 into the valley, a drive that crosses orange groves and avocado ranches on a quiet county road.
Eat lunch at Boccali's, a long running ranch restaurant with a patio set among gardens, and then walk the arcade downtown for the bookshops and bakeries. Drive on to Santa Barbara along the coast with the Pacific on your left, and stop at Old Mission Santa Barbara, the Queen of the Missions, for its twin towers and rose garden.
Climb the clock tower of the Santa Barbara County Courthouse for a full view of the mountains meeting the sea, and then explore the warehouse tasting rooms of the Funk Zone. Try La Super Rica Taqueria for a late lunch, known for hand pressed tacos, and walk State Street and Stearns Wharf afterwards.
Solvang, a Danish village about forty five minutes inland, adds windmills and half timbered bakeries and a stop at Olsen's Danish Village Bakery for aebleskiver, and Cold Spring Tavern, an 1860s stagecoach stop, serves tri tip in the valley. Highway 154 over San Marcos Pass saves about twenty minutes but clogs with RVs on Sunday afternoons, so use Highway 101 through Gaviota if time is tight.
Spend the night at the Hotel Californian in the heart of town, or at The Wayfarer in the Funk Zone or The Landsby in Solvang. Leave before 7 AM the next day to reach San Diego ahead of the Interstate 5 rush.
12 Big Bear Lake
A mountain lake that changes character with each season
The lake is man made, formed by the Bear Valley Dam in 1884 to supply water to the orchards below, and the solar observatory built on its north shore sits right over the water. Take Interstate 15 north and Highway 330 up the mountain, or Highway 18 across the desert side, and in winter check chain controls before you leave.
Climb by the Rim of the World Scenic Byway on Highway 18 for long views toward the Pacific on clear days, and note that Highways 330 and 18 require tire chains in the car during snow, with checkpoints that enforce the rule. Walk the Pine Knot Trail to Grand View Point for a wide look over the lake, parking with an Adventure Pass at the trailhead, or hike Castle Rock Trail for another view over the water.
In summer, rent a paddle board or a pontoon boat for the afternoon, or kayak the north shore coves at Boulder Bay Park, and rent an e mountain bike for the singletrack of the Skyline Trail. In winter, head to Snow Summit or Bear Mountain for skiing and sledding, where terrain parks rank among the best in Southern California.
Have lunch in Big Bear Village at the Grizzly Manor Cafe, known for big breakfast plates, and wander the village shops along the lake before a pint at Big Bear Lake Brewing Company. A night at Gold Mountain Manor gives you a historic log house above the lake, or you can book a restored vintage cabin at Noon Lodge or an A frame rental near Moonridge, and you should reserve early on winter weekends and drive down before dark when the road ices.
13 Los Angeles and Santa Monica
Boardwalks, canyon roads and traffic that rewards good timing
Venice has canals because Abbot Kinney built them in 1905 as a copy of the Italian lagoon city, and a few survive today and make a quiet walk away from the boardwalk crowd. Leave before 6:30 AM on Interstate 5 north or after 7:30 PM to avoid the worst traffic, and use the Highway 73 toll road to bypass the slowdown near Orange County.
If you drive north on a Friday, leave the interstate at Dana Point for Pacific Coast Highway through Laguna Beach, which takes longer but beats the freeway jams. Start at the Santa Monica Pier, where the carousel and the old arcade sit above the playa, and walk the Third Street Promenade before the crowds arrive.
Rent a cruiser on the Marvin Braude Bike Trail, also called The Strand, and ride from the pier to the skate bowls of Venice Beach, and then walk Abbot Kinney Boulevard for its boutique shops and a plate of rustic handmade pasta at Felix Trattoria. For lunch, try the godmother sandwich at Bay Cities Italian Deli and eat it on the cliffs at Palisades Park, or choose the seafood rolls at The Albright on the pier.
The Getty Center in Brentwood offers world class art above the city basin with sweeping views toward the Pacific, and Griffith Observatory is the place for sunset, when the whole city turns gold and the terrace view is free into the evening. Stay at Shutters on the Beach or Hotel Erwin in Venice for a night close to the sand, and return after the Sunday peak to avoid a three hour crawl.
Pasadena is a short extension, reached by the Arroyo Seco Parkway, opened in 1940, which curves through stone walled corridors, and the Huntington gardens cover 130 acres of Japanese, Chinese and desert collections while the Gamble House shows Greene and Greene craftsman design. Photograph the concrete arches of the Colorado Street Bridge, and eat at Union Restaurant or have a milkshake at Fair Oaks Pharmacy in South Pasadena.
Stay at the Langham Huntington in the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains for a classic Pasadena night. Plan around the Rose Bowl Flea Market, which runs on the second Sunday of every month.
14 Salton Sea and Salvation Mountain
A shrinking lake and a hill painted in prayer
The Salton Sea formed by accident in 1905 when the Colorado River broke through an irrigation canal and flooded a dry basin for two years, and it has been shrinking ever since, so the shoreline is strange, pale and quiet. Drive Interstate 8 east, cross the In Ko Pah pass and descend below sea level into the Imperial Valley, and then follow Highway 86 north and Highway 111 along the shore, filling the tank first because services are thin.
Past geothermal vents and date farms, Highway 111 reaches Niland and the painted adobe terraces of Salvation Mountain, which Leonard Knight built as outsider art, and the painted path leads to the cross, so take your time. Slab City sits nearby as a community of drifters and artists, and visitors treat it with respect, while the East Jesus sculpture garden lies just beyond.
Stop at Bombay Beach to see the ruined shoreline, where art installations fill abandoned beach houses and boat slips on the salt flats, and the Ski Inn, known as one of the lowest bars in the country, serves beer and burgers under walls papered with dollar bills. The sea smells of salt and age, so bring a light jacket for the wind.
A date shake at Shield Date Garden in Indio is a worthwhile detour if you have the time, and the Borrego Valley Inn or a base in Indio gives you somewhere to sleep because lodging near the sea is scarce. Plan this as a one day trip and be home before dark, and go between November and March because summer highs make the trip unsafe and the lake smell is strong.
Part Three: Epic Long Haul Trips 5 Hours and Beyond
15 Big Sur and Highway 1
A coast road with cliffs, fog and the loudest ocean in California
Big Sur takes its name from the Spanish phrase el sur grande, the big south, used by early settlers for this wild stretch of coast, and the name fits a road with almost no towns for ninety miles. Drive Interstate 5 north to Highway 101, then pick up Highway 1 near Morro Bay for the coast, or cut across the Central Valley on Highway 46 through the Paso Robles vineyards to reach the sea at Cambria.
Check Caltrans for slide closures on Highway 1 before leaving, because sections can shut for months, and read the District 5 advisories for the stretch between Ragged Point and Big Sur Station before you set out. Spend the first night in Cambria or Paso Robles and visit the elephant seals at Piedras Blancas on the way, where the colony is busiest in winter when the pups arrive.
Cross Bixby Bridge, built in 1932, in the morning light before the tour buses arrive, and then walk the short trail to McWay Falls in Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park, where a waterfall drops onto the sand. Add Point Lobos State Natural Reserve for coastal headlands on the way north.
Eat lunch at Nepenthe, a cliffside restaurant with a terrace high above the Pacific, and order an ambrosia burger because the view is the real order. Stay at the Glen Oaks Big Sur for a quiet night among redwoods, or splurge at Post Ranch Inn or Ventana Big Sur for cliffside luxury.
In Monterey, the Monterey Bay Aquarium shows kelp forest tanks, and the private 17 Mile Drive passes Pebble Beach and the windswept Lone Cypress. Try clam chowder in a sourdough bowl along Old Fisherman's Wharf, and stay at the Spindrift Inn on Cannery Row, right on the sand.
Continue to Carmel the next day and return by Highway 101 through the Salinas Valley. Plan three to four days for the whole trip because Highway 1 is slow and the stops add up.
16 Eastern Sierra on Hwy 395
Alabama Hills, tufa towers and the long wall of the Sierra Nevada
Mount Whitney rises 14,505 feet above Lone Pine and is the tallest peak in the contiguous United States, and the Alabama Hills in front of it were named by miners after a Confederate ship and later appeared in many Western films. Take Interstate 15 north to Highway 395 north near Hesperia, then drive through Ridgecrest and Olancha to Lone Pine, filling the tank in Ridgecrest because stations thin out along the long desert stretches.
Reach the Alabama Hills at sunrise for Mobius Arch with Whitney glowing behind it, and have breakfast at the Alabama Hills Cafe before a night at the Dow Villa Motel, a Lone Pine landmark. Stop at Manzanar National Historic Site, where the museum records the incarceration of Japanese Americans in the 1940s, and give the quiet visit an hour on the way north.
Continue north to Mammoth Lakes for hot springs and lake trails, and drive the June Lake Loop when the aspens turn gold from late September to mid October, eating in town and staying overnight before the push to Mono Lake. Finish at Mono Lake for the South Tufa towers at sunset, with a meal at the Whoa Nellie Deli nearby.
Yosemite lies over Tioga Pass in summer, but the pass closes in winter, so check its status before planning the route. Carry chains on Highway 395 in winter, because snow can reach the road.
17 Sedona and the Grand Canyon
Red rock country and a canyon too wide to photograph
Sedona is named for Sedona Schnebly, the wife of an early settler, and the red rocks around it glow most at sunrise and sunset, while the town sits at the foot of a canyon that has drawn painters for generations. Drive Interstate 8 east across the Imperial Sand Dunes to Yuma, Interstate 10 east toward Phoenix, then Interstate 17 north and Highway 179, the Red Rock Scenic Byway, through the Verde Valley into Sedona, splitting the trip with a night in Flagstaff or arriving late and resting.
Hike Cathedral Rock at sunrise before the trail fills, and carry a Red Rock Pass for trailhead parking, which you can buy online or replace with the shuttle because the lots fill before 7:30 AM. Walk to Bell Rock in the afternoon for a gentler outing, or scramble out to Devil's Bridge, swim at Slide Rock State Park and visit the Chapel of the Holy Cross, built between twin red buttes.
Eat dinner at Elote Cafe, a Mexican restaurant known for its smoky corn dish, and order the tamales and a prickly pear margarita if you want something lighter. Stay at L'Auberge de Sedona on the creek, where the restaurant serves dinner under sycamore trees, or choose Enchantment Resort in Boynton Canyon for a quieter stay, or a smaller inn for a lower budget.
Drive Oak Creek Canyon on Highway 89A to Flagstaff, then continue north through the ponderosa pines on Highway 180 to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon for sunrise at Mather Point. Mary Colter designed the Desert View Watchtower there in 1932, and the stone tower looks out across the canyon.
At the canyon, walk the rim from Mather Point to Hermits Rest, or descend the South Kaibab Trail to Ooh Aah Point, and eat in the historic dining room at El Tovar, which serves hearty fare. Book El Tovar or Bright Angel Lodge a year ahead, because rooms inside the park fill long before the season.
Plan three to four days because the distances are long and the heat in Yuma can top 110 degrees in summer. Spring and fall are the best seasons for this trip.
18 Las Vegas
Desert highway, neon and a thermometer that stands over the road
The tall thermometer at Baker is 134 feet high, matching the record heat of 134 degrees recorded in Death Valley in 1913, and it is the most photographed marker on the long road to Las Vegas. Leave San Diego before 7 AM on Interstate 15 north, which climbs through Cajon Pass before the long Mojave crossing by Barstow and Baker, and stop in Barstow or Baker to charge or fuel.
Have lunch at the Mad Greek in Baker, a long running roadside stop with big plates, and then follow the road beyond as it climbs and drops across the Mojave to the Nevada line. Avoid Friday afternoon, when the outbound traffic slows near the state line, and if Cajon Pass closes in winter take the detour through Twenty Nine Palms and Amboy along old Route 66 to reach the Mojave National Preserve.
In Las Vegas, visit the Neon Museum for the old signs that once lit Fremont Street, and walk the Strip at dusk when the fountains at Bellagio begin to play. The Strip also has celebrity chef restaurants, and É by José Andrés inside The Cosmopolitan serves a multi course tasting menu, so reserve well ahead, while Raku on Spring Mountain Road serves charcoal yakitori.
Spend a morning at Red Rock Canyon, about 20 miles west of the Strip, for a 13 mile scenic one way drive beneath 3,000 foot Aztec Sandstone cliffs that makes a calm contrast to the neon. Hoover Dam is a half day addition for anyone who wants an engineering stop.
Stay one night at a downtown hotel for easy walking to Fremont Street, or choose The Cosmopolitan for terrace fountain rooms, Wynn Las Vegas for suites, or the non gaming Vdara for a quieter stay. Leave Las Vegas by 10 AM or after 7 PM on Sundays to avoid the standstills at Primm and the Sunday evening queue near the state line.
19 Death Valley
Salt flats and dunes under the darkest sky in the Southwest
Badwater Basin lies 282 feet below sea level, the lowest point in North America, and Furnace Creek recorded 134 degrees nearby in 1913, a record that still stands. Take Interstate 15 north to Baker, then Highway 127 north and Highway 190 west into the valley, entering through the southern portal at Shoshone where the road drops from high Mojave scrub into wide salt flats and deep canyons, and fill the tank in Baker because fuel at Furnace Creek costs far more.
Reach Zabriskie Point at sunrise, when the golden badlands glow below, and drive Artists Drive in the afternoon, a one way loop through Artists Palette with hills painted in green, pink and gold from volcanic layers. Walk the hexagonal salt crusts of Badwater Basin in the morning before the heat builds, carrying plenty of water because the sun is fierce even in winter.
Visit Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes near sunset for ridged shadows, and stay for the stars, since the park is an International Dark Sky Park. Eat in the mission revival dining room at The Inn at Death Valley, at Furnace Creek Ranch, or order a chili burger and a cold beer at the Badwater Saloon in Stovepipe Wells.
Stay at The Inn at Death Valley for a spring fed pool and palm gardens, or at The Oasis at Death Valley with its spring fed pools, and pitch a winter tent at Furnace Creek Campground if you want open desert skies. Visit between November and March, and avoid summer when temperatures can pass 120 degrees.
Expect cell reception to drop for most of the park, so download offline maps, carry two gallons of water per person, and avoid remote dirt tracks without a high clearance four wheel drive. A full tank and a paper map are cheap insurance on the long empty roads.
More Road Trips From San Diego
Laguna Mountains
About an hour and 48 miles from the city, Mount Laguna suits a day or a weekend. Stop at Desert View Picnic Area for a drop view over the desert floor below.
Laguna Beach
Laguna Beach is a coastal chic town along Interstate 5 and Pacific Coast Highway, about a 90 minute drive. Walk to Heisler Park for the tide pools and art galleries.
Palomar Mountain
Palomar Mountain brings pine forest and a famous observatory about an hour from the city. Check for winter chain controls before you go.
Lake Arrowhead
Lake Arrowhead is a mountain resort village on the Rim of the World Scenic Byway, about two and a half hours away. It makes a quieter weekend than Big Bear.
San Luis Obispo
San Luis Obispo is about six hours away and combines a walkable downtown with a wine district. See Bubblegum Alley and the Madonna Inn before heading to the coast.
Sequoia and Yosemite
Sequoia is about six hours away and holds the General Sherman Tree, the largest by volume. Yosemite is about eight hours away and is best for a week long trip with Tioga Pass open in summer.
Combined Itineraries
Four Day Southwest Loop
Day one runs from San Diego to Joshua Tree by Hwy 62, with the Hidden Valley walk in the morning and dinner at Pappy and Harriet's. Sleep at the 29 Palms Inn.
Day two starts with the Palm Springs tramway at opening time and lunch at Cheeky's. Then drive east on Interstate 10 and north on Interstate 17 for about five and a half hours to Sedona.
Day three belongs to Sedona, with Cathedral Rock at sunrise and dinner at Elote Cafe. For the Grand Canyon, turn the day into a long run to the South Rim and sleep in Flagstaff.
Day four is the return, about seven and a half hours from Sedona to San Diego. Start by 7 AM and stop in Yuma for fuel before the last desert stretch.
Seven Day California Loop
Day one is the drive to Ojai by Interstate 5 and Highway 101, with lunch at Boccali's and the Pink Moment at sunset. Sleep in the valley.
Day two continues to Santa Barbara for Old Mission Santa Barbara and tacos at La Super Rica. Add Solvang if you want a Danish bakery stop.
Day three follows Highway 101 and Highway 1 to Cambria, with the elephant seals at Piedras Blancas on the way. Spend the night there.
Day four is Big Sur, with Bixby Bridge in the morning, McWay Falls and lunch at Nepenthe. Sleep in the redwoods.
Day five is Carmel and Monterey, with the aquarium in the afternoon. Stay in Monterey.
Day six turns inland through the Salinas Valley to Paso Robles for wine and a quiet evening. The pace is slow and the road is easy.
Day seven is the drive home on Highway 101 and Interstate 5, about six hours. Leave early to miss the Los Angeles traffic.
What These Trips Cost
| Traveller | Budget | Midrange | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| Solo | $150 | $350 | $700 |
| Couple | $250 | $550 | $1,100 |
| Family of four | $400 | $800 | $1,600 |
These are rough estimates in US dollars for a two day weekend trip covering fuel, food and one night. Lodging and trip distance move the total more than any other cost.
Lodging swings the most, since Palm Springs, Santa Barbara, Santa Monica and Catalina cost far more than Julian or Idyllwild. A weekday stay can cut a room rate sharply.
Fuel scales with distance, so Big Sur and Sedona cost more to drive than Temecula. Tasting fees in Temecula and Valle de Guadalupe add up quickly for couples.
The Catalina ferry and park entry fees at Joshua Tree and Death Valley are fixed costs that rarely move. Shoulder season in spring and fall gives the best value.
Where to Stay by Trip
| Trip | Stay | Style | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Temecula | South Coast Winery Resort | Vineyard resort with a spa and cottages | $$ |
| Julian | Julian Gold Rush Hotel | Historic hotel standing since the 1890s | $ |
| Borrego Springs | La Casa del Zorro | Desert resort for stargazing | $ |
| Oceanside and Carlsbad | Beach Terrace Inn | Beachfront stay steps from the sand | $ |
| Dana Point | Ritz Carlton Laguna Niguel | Clifftop luxury above the ocean | $$$ |
| Idyllwild | Idyllwild Inn | Inn close to the trails and town | $ |
| Catalina Island | Zane Grey Pueblo Hotel | Quiet hotel above Avalon harbour | $$$ |
| Joshua Tree | 29 Palms Inn | Oasis inn under a clear desert sky | $$ |
| Palm Springs | Korakia Pensione | Mediterranean courtyards and quiet rooms | $$$ |
| Valle de Guadalupe | Encuentro Guadalupe | Cabins among granite boulders | $$ |
| Santa Barbara | Hotel Californian | Central hotel in the heart of town | $$$ |
| Big Bear Lake | Gold Mountain Manor | Historic log house above the lake | $$ |
| Los Angeles | Shutters on the Beach or Hotel Erwin | Beachfront stays in Santa Monica and Venice | $$$ |
| Big Sur | Glen Oaks Big Sur or Post Ranch Inn | Redwood motel or cliffside luxury | $$$ |
| Eastern Sierra | Dow Villa Motel | Lone Pine landmark motel | $$ |
| Sedona | L'Auberge de Sedona | Creekside resort | $$$ |
| Las Vegas | Vdara | Non gaming, smoke free hotel | $$ |
| Death Valley | The Inn at Death Valley | Historic inn with palm gardens and a spring fed pool | $$ |
Book Palm Springs, Santa Barbara and Big Sur weeks ahead on holiday weekends, since rooms fill early. Mid week stays in Julian, Idyllwild and Big Bear often cost far less.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the prettiest drive out of San Diego?
Highway 1 through Big Sur is the most dramatic drive, with cliffs and open ocean for miles. For a shorter option, Hwy 78 down the Banner Grade into Borrego Springs gives a full change of scenery in under an hour.
Can you do Joshua Tree as a day trip from San Diego?
Yes, but it means about five and a half hours of driving, so leave by 6 AM. Focus on the Hidden Valley area and finish with dinner in Pioneertown before the return.
How do I avoid traffic when driving north from San Diego through LA?
Leave before 6:30 AM or after 7:30 PM to miss the heaviest freeway flow. The Highway 73 toll road is a useful bypass around Orange County and needs a FasTrak account.
What is the best weekend road trip from San Diego?
Palm Springs and Joshua Tree suit a desert weekend, and Santa Barbara suits a coastal one. Valle de Guadalupe is the best choice if wine and food are the goal.
What is the best day trip by car from San Diego?
Julian is the easiest day for mountain air and apple pie. Temecula suits wine lovers and Borrego Springs suits anyone who wants open desert.
Can you drive to the Grand Canyon in one day from San Diego?
The South Rim is about nine hours each way, so a same day return is not sensible. Stay a night in Flagstaff or Sedona and split the drive.
What is the best time of year for road trips from San Diego?
Spring and fall work for most trips. Winter is best for desert trips and summer is best for the coast and mountain lakes.
What is the cheapest road trip from San Diego?
Oceanside and Carlsbad, Julian and the Salton Sea cost the least because they need little fuel and no hotel. Pack lunch and the day can stay under a modest budget.
Can I take an electric car to Joshua Tree and Palm Springs?
Yes, Palm Springs has plenty of fast chargers. Charge fully in Yucca Valley before entering Joshua Tree, since chargers inside the park are rare.
What do I need to drive to Valle de Guadalupe?
You need a passport, an FMM tourist card and Mexican auto insurance. Use Tecate or San Ysidro outbound and a SENTRI or Ready Lane on the return.
Which road trips are best with kids?
Oceanside and Carlsbad beaches, Julian orchards and pie, Catalina Island and the Palm Springs tram all suit children. Big Bear is the best choice for snow play in winter.
Which road trips are best with a dog?
Julian, Idyllwild, Big Bear and the Carlsbad dog beaches are all friendly to dogs. In Joshua Tree and Death Valley, dogs are limited to roads and campgrounds.
San Diego rewards anyone willing to leave before sunrise and follow the road out of town. Pick one trip from each drive time group and the region begins to make sense.
Keep Planning Your Trip
For more ideas beyond these drives, read our guide to the best places to visit in California. It pairs well with the routes above.
If the Arizona leg appeals, see our guide to the best snowbird destinations in Arizona. It helps you plan a longer winter stay.
For longer routes, read our guide to the best road trips in the USA. It picks up where the long haul drives here end.
To skip the driving, see our guide to the best scenic train rides in the USA. It suits travellers who want the views without the wheel.
Visitors from abroad can start with our guide on how to plan a trip to the USA. It is a good starting point before you book flights.
Before You Leave
The Dana Point sea caves can only be entered at low tide, so a tide table matters more than the weather forecast. Arrive an hour before the lowest point and the caves open up with room to spare.
Borrego Springs is an International Dark Sky Community, and its desert floor is home to more than 130 metal sculptures made by Ricardo Breceda. The longest is a serpent that stretches across the sand for about 350 feet.
Highway 78 drops down the Banner Grade from oak and pine country into creosote desert within roughly an hour. The change in air and light is the best argument for driving it downhill rather than the other way round.
Tecate is a smaller border crossing than San Ysidro and often moves faster on weekends for the Valle de Guadalupe run. Its hours are limited, so check them before you set off.
Venice has canals because Abbot Kinney built them in 1905 as a copy of the Italian lagoon city. A few survive and make a quiet walk away from the boardwalk.
Sedona is named for Sedona Schnebly, the wife of an early settler. The Salton Sea exists because a canal broke in 1905 and the Colorado River flooded a dry basin.
Practical Notes
EV Charging by Corridor
| Corridor | Network | Gap warning |
|---|---|---|
| Interstate 5 coast to Santa Barbara | Tesla Supercharger and Electrify America | None, chargers are dense |
| Interstate 15 to Temecula, Big Bear, Las Vegas | Tesla Supercharger and Electrify America | Plan around Barstow and Baker |
| Interstate 8 to Julian, Borrego Springs, Sedona | Tesla Supercharger and Electrify America | Rural Hwy 79 and desert roads have few chargers |
| Death Valley | Limited | Charge in Baker before entering |
| Hwy 395 Eastern Sierra | Chargers at Lone Pine, Bishop and Mammoth | Gaps between towns |
| Hwy 1 Big Sur | Chargers in Cambria and Monterey | None along the Big Sur stretch |
| Baja California | Very limited | Fill up in San Diego first |
EV and Fast Charging Corridors
Tesla Supercharger and Electrify America hubs line Interstate 15, Interstate 8 and Interstate 5. Charge to full before leaving the corridor.
Charging Dead Zones
Long Mojave Desert stretches, rural Hwy 79 and most of Baja California have few or no chargers. Plan the route around your next fast charger.
Fuel and Gas Price Variance
Gas is cheaper in Barstow and Baker than at Furnace Creek or in Nevada. Fill the tank before remote desert towns and before crossing into Mexico.
Cross Border Protocol for Valle de Guadalupe and Baja
Mexican tourist auto insurance is mandatory, since US policies are not valid. Carry a passport and an FMM tourist card.
Border Crossing Tips
Compare wait times at Otay Mesa, San Ysidro and Tecate before you leave. Use a SENTRI or Ready Lane on the return if you hold the right card.
Seasonal Road Notices
Highway 1 through Big Sur can close for months after slides, so check Caltrans first. Chain controls apply on Palomar Mountain and Big Bear in winter storms.
Desert Heat and Flash Floods
Summer desert highs can pass 110 degrees and washes flood quickly after rain. Carry extra water and check the forecast before driving unpaved roads.
Passes and Fees
A California State Park day use fee applies at Cuyamaca and other parks, and the America the Beautiful Pass covers national parks. Trailhead parking in San Bernardino National Forest needs an Adventure Pass.
Traffic Windows
Interstate 5 north and Interstate 15 north slow badly on Friday afternoons. Leave before 6:30 AM or after 7:30 PM for the cleanest run.
Kid Friendly Trips
Oceanside and Carlsbad beaches, Julian orchards and pie, Catalina Island, the Palm Springs tramway and Big Bear snow all suit children. Pack snacks and plan stops every ninety minutes on longer drives.
Dog Friendly Trips
Julian, Idyllwild, Big Bear and the Carlsbad dog beaches welcome dogs. In Joshua Tree and Death Valley, dogs are limited to roads and campgrounds.
Accessibility
The Palm Springs tramway, the Santa Monica Pier and Keys View in Joshua Tree have paved or level access. The McWay Falls overlook in Big Sur is a short level path.
Wildflower and Colour Timing
Borrego Springs blooms from February to April in good rain years, and the Carlsbad Flower Fields peak from March to early May. Aspens turn gold along the June Lake Loop from late September to mid October.
Renting a Car
Compare airport and off airport rates, and check whether unlimited mileage is included before booking. One way rentals such as San Diego to Las Vegas often carry a drop fee, so price both directions.
Choosing a Vehicle
A standard sedan covers most trips, while a high clearance SUV helps at Fonts Point and on Death Valley backroads. Electric rentals suit the coast and Interstate 15 but need planning in the desert.
Car Rental Insurance
Check whether your personal auto policy or credit card covers rentals before paying for the counter waiver. Visitors from abroad should confirm that liability cover is included, since rules differ.
Rental Cars and Mexico
Most rental companies do not allow their cars across the border. Use your own car with Mexican auto insurance, or arrange a tour or driver from the border.
RV and Campervan Trips
Joshua Tree, Big Sur and the Eastern Sierra suit campervans, but campgrounds fill months ahead. Check length limits on narrow roads such as Highway 1 and the Banner Grade.
Travel Insurance and Roadside Cover
Travel insurance with medical cover suits international visitors and anyone heading to remote desert areas. A roadside assistance plan helps where tow services are far apart.
Vehicle Prep Checklist
Check tire pressure and the spare, pack a phone charger and download offline maps before you leave signal. In winter carry chains for Julian, Idyllwild, Big Bear and Palomar Mountain.
Desert and Mountain Gear
Carry at least two gallons of water per person on desert trips, plus sun protection and a blanket. A paper map and a small first aid kit are worth the space.
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