Looking to break away from the beach for a bit? These day trips from San Diego offer everything from charming coastal strolls to mountain views and vineyard tastings—just a short drive away.
Highlights:
Unique Day Trips from San Diego:
1. La Jolla (25 min)
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Situated less than half an hour from downtown San Diego, La Jolla offers visitors miles of beautiful beaches, some of the best surfing and diving in California, and many more attractions. The beach at La Jolla Cove is part of the La Jolla Ecological Preserve and is home to reefs, kelp beds, and caves, where you can snorkel or dive all year round. La Jolla Shores is an ideal beach for families and novice surfers.
You can take the kids to see the seals at La Jolla Children’s Pool or take a break from the beaches and head to Torrey Pines State National Preserve to go hiking along some of the best trails in the state. Art lovers can visit the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego or visit the many public art installations dotted around the Village.
2. Julian (1 hour)
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Situated just an hour east of San Diego in the scenic Cuyamaca Mountains, Julian is a historic town dating back to the Gold Rush days of the 1870s. You can start your visit by going on a 15-minute narrated historical carriage ride or learn about the town’s history on a guided historical tour with David Lewis or Julian Tours.
A highlight of any visit is a tour of one of the gold mines, where guides will lead you deep into the heart of the mine and relate colorful stories of the Gold Rush.
Outdoor enthusiasts will enjoy hiking in the Cuyamaca Rancho State Park or the Volcan Mountain Wilderness Preserve, fishing on Lake Cuyamaca, or horseback riding at the Integrity Stables.
3. Carlsbad (45 min)
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Although Carlsbad is primarily known for wonderful beaches, there are also many other activities to entice you away from San Diego for a day or two. Carlsbad State Beach (aka Tamarack Beach) is great for families and you can enjoy just about any beach activity on this long stretch of golden sand.
You can try surfing, kayaking, scuba diving, and windsurfing or drop a line off the Carlsbad jetty to catch a big one.
Carlsbad is also home to three amazing lagoons that offer brilliant wildlife watching, hiking trails, and kayaking opportunities.
You can set off to explore over 50 miles of trails that vary from comfortable strolls to strenuous hikes and are mostly also suitable for biking. Families should set aside plenty of time for the kids to enjoy LEGOLAND. Carlsbad is about 1 hour 45 minutes from Los Angeles.
4. Mission San Luis Rey de Francia (45 minutes)
History buffs will be pleased to learn that Southern California is home to many really old historic missions, including Mission San Luis Rey de Francia, which is the largest and one of the oldest, dating back to 1798.
Visitors are welcome to come and spend a day of peace and tranquility exploring the extensive working mission complex, which encompasses several historical structures, including the lavanderia (a complex water system which was used as a laundry, irrigation system, and bathing area), Spanish-style arched colonnades, ruins of soldier’s barracks, and the old friar’s living quarters, which now house the museum.
In addition, you can see the oldest living pepper tree in California, which was planted way back in 1830.
5. Lake Poway (35 min)
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Nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts will be pleased to find that the Lake Poway Recreational Area, just 35 minutes from downtown San Diego, offers a host of exciting activities all year round. You can rent paddle boats, rowing boats, or power boats and spend a few hours exploring the lovely lake or try landing some trout for your dinner.
There are three hiking trails for you to choose from, all of which are also suitable for cycling and horseback riding, and for a change of pace you can visit the archery range. Lake Poway is ideal for picnics and there are plenty of grassy areas for the children to let off some steam as well as a playground for smaller children.
Romantic Day Trips from San Diego:
6. Disneyland (2 hours)
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Families, kids, and kids-at-heart will all be clamoring to visit Disneyland in Anaheim, one of the most popular day-trip destinations from San Diego. Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park are both packed with attractions and activities for all ages and you will need more than a day to get the most out of your visit.
You can get a great overview of the park on the Disneyland Monorail or on a horse-drawn carriage ride with Main Street Vehicles. Younger children will love all the gentler rides in Fantasy World and Paradise Pier, while braver adventurers will want to head straight to Hyperspace Mountain and Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. The nightly fireworks shows are a highlight of any visit and should not be missed.
7. Rosarito Beach (1 hour)
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For a complete change of atmosphere, you can easily nip over the Mexican border into Baja California in under an hour to enjoy all the lively attractions of Rosarito Beach. Miles and miles of sandy beaches offer a variety of activities ranging from surfing, windsurfing, kite-surfing, paddleboarding, and underwater adventures (either scuba diving or snorkeling).
Off-beach activities for you to try include hiking and trekking through the backcountry, cycling, camel and horseback riding, and motocross/ATV excursions. Adrenalin junkies can go zip-lining, rappelling, or micro-lighting. When the sun sets, you can watch magnificent sunsets while sipping a Mexican cocktail at one of the many vibrant nightclubs and bars, many of which feature live music.
8. San Clemente (1 hour)
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San Clemente is ideally situated on the coast of California halfway between San Diego and Los Angeles and can be accessed from either city in around 60 minutes. You could spend an entire day enjoying all the attractions centered alongside the iconic San Clemente Pier, including restaurants, coffee shops, and miles of beaches. Surfing is legendary in San Clemente – you can hire a board and catch some waves on San Onofre State Beach, a favorite spot for both beginners and seasoned surfers.
Walkers, joggers, and cyclists will enjoy the scenic San Clemente Beach Trail and everyone should make time to visit Casa Romantica, which includes a cultural center and inspirational gardens. Shopaholics can get some retail therapy at the outlets at San Clemente or on Avenida Del Mar in Downtown.
Family Day Trips from San Diego:
9. San Juan Capistrano (1 hour)
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A day trip to the historic town of San Juan Capistrano will introduce you to the one of the most beautiful missions in California, teach you all about the multi-cultural history of the town, and surprise you with a varied list of cultural attractions. The Mission San Juan Capistrano is over 200 years old and is a fascinating place to visit – you can hire an audio guide and explore at your own pace.
History buffs can also visit the Los Rios District, California’s oldest neighborhood, to see some of the original adobe homes that have been carefully preserved, and then cross the road to admire the beautiful Capistrano Depot railway station. Music lovers can attend the free open-air concerts in the Historic Town Center Park (3rd Wednesday June to September).
10. Temecula Valley (1 hour)
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When you are ready for a break from California’s beautiful beach resorts you can travel inland to the Temecula Valley to tour some beautiful vineyards and sample your favorite California wines. You can download an app and do your own tour of more than 30 wineries or leave the driving to someone else and sign up for a Grapeline Wine Tour, a few of which include vineyard picnics.
If you’re not into wine, there are plenty of other activities on offer in the valley, including plenty of cultural attractions, hot-air balloon adventures, hiking and wildlife watching in the Santa Rosa Plateau Ecological Reserve, or bicycle/ horseback tours through the vineyards.
Frequently Asked Questions:
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What makes San Diego an ideal springboard?
- San Diego is an ideal springboard to explore many cities, beaches, national parks, and historic attractions in Southern California.
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What are some nearby destinations from San Diego?
- Within 30 to 60 minutes of San Diego, you can visit the beautiful beach towns of La Jolla and Carlsbad.
- You can also escape to the mountain resorts of Mount Laguna and Julian.
Best Time for Day Trips from San Diego, California
- March to May – Ideal for mild weather, blooming wildflowers, and outdoor adventures.
- September to November – Perfect for warm temperatures, fewer crowds, and beach excursions.
- June to August – Warm summer days great for coastal trips, hiking, and water activities.
- December – Enjoy cooler weather and festive holiday events in nearby towns.
- January to February – Mild winters ideal for exploring deserts, mountains, and wineries.
Map:
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