Day Trips from San Diego
San Diego is an ideal springboard to the many and varied cities, beaches, national parks, and historic attractions of Southern California.
As much as I love San Diego’s beaches, sometimes I just need a change of scenery, and luckily, there are so many great spots just a short drive away. These day trips from San Diego have given me everything from peaceful mountain towns to wine tastings and desert hikes. Whether I’m craving fresh air, new flavors, or a little small-town charm, these quick escapes always hit the spot.
Best Day Trips from San Diego:
Winding along the coast in La Jolla (25 min)
There was something about La Jolla that made me slow down, like the ocean itself was setting the pace. The cliffs were bold, the surf rolled in rhythmically, and the air smelled like salt and sun. I wandered the cove trails and watched sea lions laze on the rocks like they had nowhere to be, and I realized…I didn’t either. I remember thinking, "Why do I always forget how much I need the ocean?"
What I Loved Most: The cliffside walks along Coast Boulevard, and ducking into the La Jolla Tide Pools at low tide to watch tiny sea creatures doing their thing, totally unaware of the world above.
My highlights? A long lunch at Brockton Villa Restaurant, perched right above the Cove. I had their famous Coast Toast, thick, eggy brioche with vanilla and orange zest, slightly crisp on the outside and custardy in the middle. Paired with a cappuccino and that ocean view, it felt like a little celebration of the everyday.
Plan your day trip:
- Drive Time from San Diego: ~20 minutes north
- Vibe: Coastal charm, breezy, relaxed
- Highlights: Sea lions, oceanfront walks, boutique shopping, art galleries, tide pools
- Best Time to Visit: Late spring through fall for sunshine and calmer surf
- Cost: Free to explore, optional paid parking and food
- Hours: Public areas open dawn to dusk; most shops/cafes open 9am–5pm
Sandy Paths and Island Calm in Coronado
It didn’t feel like I left San Diego, it felt like I stepped sideways into something softer. The drive across the bridge opened up into a panorama of rooftops and sailboats, and just like that, Coronado wrapped me in sea breeze and stillness. I parked near Orange Avenue, heard the faint clang of a passing bike bell, and thought, “This is what slowing down feels like, without going far.”
What I Loved Most: Wandering the shore at golden hour, the sand cool beneath my feet, and the Hotel del Coronado glowing like a memory on the edge of the tide.
My highlights? Breakfast at Clayton’s Coffee Shop, a retro diner with red stools and the smell of hash browns and syrup in the air. I ordered the banana pancakes, thick and golden, dotted with warm slices that caramelized at the edges, and a side of eggs scrambled just right. The butter melted slowly, and the coffee was strong, poured with a casual rhythm that said, “Take your time.” I did.
Plan your weekend escape:
- Drive Time from Central San Diego: ~15–20 minutes across the Coronado Bridge
- Vibe: Charming, beachy, walkable
- Highlights: Coronado Beach, Hotel del Coronado, Orange Avenue shops, ferry landing, bike paths
- Best Time to Visit: Year-round, though spring and fall offer warm days and fewer crowds
- Cost: Public beach access is free; dining ~$10–30; lodging from ~$250/night
- Hours: Beaches open sunrise to sunset; shops and restaurants 10am–8pm
Manhattan Beach: A Golden Escape from San Diego
We left early, coffee in hand and the freeway just waking up. By midmorning, the air shifted, cooler, saltier, as we neared Manhattan Beach. “Let’s make this whole day stretch,” I thought as I stepped out of the car, the Pacific glittering just beyond the palm trees. It was the kind of place that felt both lived-in and untouched, where the hours moved like the tide, gentle, unhurried, full of light.
What I Loved Most: Watching surfers from the pier, their boards cutting through the shimmer. There was something peaceful about the repetition, falling, trying again, the ocean always waiting.
My highlights? We had brunch at The Kettle, a neighborhood staple. I ordered the California Benedict , avocado and tomato stacked under poached eggs, the hollandaise lemony and just warm enough to melt into the toast. The smell of fresh herbs and grilled sourdough filled the booth, and everything tasted brighter with sand still on my ankles.
Later, we wandered the shops and dipped back down to the water, letting the afternoon stretch before heading home with sea salt in our hair and that good kind of tired in our legs.
Plan your Manhattan Beach day trip from San Diego:
- Drive Time: ~2.5 hours north (leave early to avoid traffic)
- Vibe: Laid-back but polished, with a locals-first feel
- Highlights: The Strand walk/bike path, Manhattan Beach Pier, surf watching, beach volleyball, local boutiques and cafés
- Best Time to Visit: Late spring or early fall for clear skies and fewer crowds; early arrival is key
- Cost: Beach access is free; metered and garage parking available near downtown and the beach
- Hours: Most shops and restaurants open by 9–10 a.m.; pier open daily
Hills, Art and Garden Stillness in Escondido
The drive to Escondido didn’t feel like much, just a short hop inland , but by the time I reached the hills, the air had shifted. Warmer, drier, with a slow, steady rhythm. I started my morning at the Elfin Forest Recreational Reserve, the trail winding between sagebrush and sandstone, and thought, “This is the kind of place that clears your head without asking questions.”
What I Loved Most: Standing at the overlook, high above the creek, hearing nothing but wind and birdsong. Just stillness, stretched wide across the valley.
My highlights? Lunch at Sunny Side Kitchen, tucked into a quiet corner downtown. I ordered their grilled caprese panini, melty mozzarella, vine-ripe tomato, and pesto pressed between slices of crunchy sourdough. It came with a side salad of field greens and citrus vinaigrette, crisp and bright. The sandwich smelled like toasted basil and summer. I ate outside at a small table, the sun on my shoulders, and not a single car horn in earshot.
Plan your day trip:
- Drive Time from San Diego: ~35–45 minutes north
- Vibe: Inland calm, artistic, a little rugged
- Highlights: Elfin Forest trails, California Center for the Arts, Queen Califia’s Magical Circle, Lake Hodges
- Best Time to Visit: Spring for green hills and wildflowers; fall for warm, dry hikes
- Cost: Trails and parks free; lunch ~$10–15; some museums ~$10 entry
- Hours: Outdoor areas open sunrise to sunset; galleries and cafés 10am–5pm
Hidden Beaches and Comfort Bites in Torrance
Torrance didn’t make a big entrance. No dramatic cliffs, no towering boardwalks, just a long stretch of sand, wide streets, and the quiet kind of charm that doesn’t need to announce itself. I parked near Torrance Beach, far from the crowds of Redondo, and thought, “This is the kind of place locals protect by not talking about it too much.”
What I Loved Most: Walking the sand in the early afternoon, the ocean calm and steady, kids digging tunnels, the breeze clean and gentle like someone had turned down the volume on the whole city.
My highlights? Lunch at King’s Hawaiian Bakery & Restaurant, a place that smelled like sweet rolls and grilled butter the second I walked in. I ordered the loco moco, a hamburger patty over rice, smothered in rich brown gravy with two eggs on top. It was salty, savory, comforting. The edges of the rice were crisp from the heat of the plate, and the yolk ran just enough to pull it all together. For dessert, a square of Paradise Cake, guava, passion fruit, lime, each layer soft and cool and just slightly tropical.
Plan your day trip:
- Drive Time from San Diego: ~1.5–2 hours north
- Vibe: Unpretentious, mellow, a little retro in the best way
- Highlights: Torrance Beach, Madrona Marsh Preserve, Del Amo Fashion Center, King’s Hawaiian Bakery
- Best Time to Visit: Late spring through early fall for beach weather and easy walks
- Cost: Beach and marsh are free; meals ~$15–25; parking $3–5 near the beach
- Hours: Outdoor spaces open sunrise to sunset; King’s Hawaiian 8am–9pm daily
Avocados, Art and a Little Breathing Room in Fallbrook
Fallbrook didn’t rush to greet me. The streets were quiet, the hills rolled soft and green, and the signs along the roadside felt hand-painted with purpose. I pulled into town mid-morning, windows down, music off, and thought, “This is exactly the kind of place I needed to be alone.”
What I Loved Most: Wandering through the sculpture garden at the Fallbrook Art Center with no one else in sight, just wind in the sycamores, the crunch of gravel underfoot, and time stretching a little wider than usual.
My highlights? Lunch at Café Bloom, a tucked-away spot with a sun-dappled patio and the scent of rosemary in the air. I ordered the roasted veggie sandwich, zucchini, red pepper, and caramelized onion layered with goat cheese on grilled ciabatta. It was warm, savory, and just a little messy. The lemonade came fresh and tart, with mint leaves floating on top. I sat by myself, no rush, no screen, just the hum of a quiet afternoon and a breeze that kept the napkin dancing.
Plan your solo day trip:
- Drive Time from San Diego: ~1 hour north
- Vibe: Peaceful, artsy, small-town slow
- Highlights: Fallbrook Art Center, local galleries, Café Bloom, Myrtle Creek Botanical Gardens, roadside farm stands
- Best Time to Visit: Spring for wildflowers and light breezes; early fall for fruit stands and quiet walks
- Cost: Galleries ~$5–10; lunch ~$10–15; gardens free to roam
- Hours: Most attractions and cafés open 10am–4pm
Carlsbad: Blooms, Breezes & Small-Town Calm
The fields looked like someone had spilled a painter’s palette across the hillside, rows of color stretching toward the sea. “This doesn’t feel real,” I thought as we stood overlooking the ranunculus flowers in full bloom. The breeze carried the scent of earth and petals, and everything felt slow and light.
What I Loved Most: Sitting on a bench overlooking the blooms while the wind lifted my hair and the sky turned the soft pink of the flowers below. It was quiet in the best way, and we didn’t speak for a while, we didn’t need to.
My highlights? After strolling the Flower Fields, we stopped at Café Topes in the village. I ordered the housemade cinnamon roll, warm, gooey, and thick with icing that smelled like vanilla and sugar.
Later, we wandered through the Carlsbad Village shops and ended the day by dipping our toes in the Pacific at Tamarack Beach, the light softening as the tide rolled in.
Plan your Carlsbad day trip:
- Drive Time from San Diego: ~45 minutes north
- Vibe: Coastal town with garden serenity and surf-town energy
- Highlights: The Flower Fields (seasonal), Carlsbad Village shops, Tamarack Beach, Museum of Making Music, Leo Carrillo Ranch
- Best Time to Visit: March to early May for peak flower season; fall for quiet beaches and fewer crowds
- Cost: Flower Fields admission ~$23 adults (seasonal); village and beach areas free
- Hours: The Flower Fields are open 9 a.m.–6 p.m. during bloom season (March–May); other attractions vary
Fullerton: Gardens, Brick Ovens & a Slower Afternoon
“Let’s stay off the highway just a little longer,” I thought as we pulled into the tree-lined streets of Fullerton. It felt like a pause, less rush, more green. Our first stop was the Fullerton Arboretum, where winding paths led us past citrus groves, desert plants, and shaded benches under tall bamboo. The air smelled like sun-warmed leaves and distant blossoms.
What I Loved Most: The quiet. Just footsteps on gravel and the occasional birdcall. It felt like we had the gardens to ourselves.
My highlights? Lunch at Fuoco Pizzeria Napoletana. The crust was thin, blistered, and smoky from the wood fire. I ordered the Diavola, salami, fresh mozzarella, and just enough heat to wake everything up. The cheese pulled soft, the sauce tasted like ripe tomatoes and basil, and the whole place smelled like oak and flour.
Plan your Fullerton day trip from San Diego:
- Drive Time: ~1.5–2 hours north
- Vibe: Green, walkable, tucked-away charm
- Highlights: Fullerton Arboretum, Fuoco Pizza, downtown boutiques and antique shops
- Best Time to Visit: Spring or fall for garden blooms and cooler walks
- Cost: Arboretum is free (donations welcomed); pizza ~$15–$20
