4 Day Trips from San Diego
Looking for the very best day trips and weekend getaways from San Diego? You've come to the right place! Living in this Golden State city is such a treat when it comes to quick SoCal day trips. Here are my personally vetted favorite day trips from "America's Finest City" (including beaches) that I hope you will love as much as we did.
Inland Day Trip from San Diego
Enjoy a quick inland day trip from San Diego.
Escondido - 35 minutes from San Diego
Now, first things first, I'm starting with this inland city because it offers such a cool alternative to crowded coastal spots.
In addition, I found this valley town more affordable than beach towns. Plus there's heaps of California history here. In fact, I learned that Escondido (population approximately 150,000) is one of the region’s oldest cities. It was founded in 1888.
What I really love about Escondido (Google Maps pin) is hiking at Daley Ranch, visiting the California Center for the Arts (we caught a free community event), and strolling along Grand Avenue downtown, then stopping for coffee (of course!).
If you have kids, The San Diego Zoo Safari Park in Escondido is a truly special place that lets you learn about animals from dryer climates. In fact, you can get your kids excited about this day trip by showing them these live cameras at the zoo right now. However, I have to warn you that unfortunately admission is high here, from $78 for adults and from $68 for kids 3-11. You can go on weekdays to save 10%.
If you want a more affordable vacation idea, we also visited Queen Califia’s Magical Circle (free). You'll find this sculpture garden inside Escondido's Kit Carson Park, a true hidden gem.
Local tip:
Grab a handcrafted panini for lunch at Elmisa Cafe Escondido. They offer delicious salads too.
Beact Day Trips from San Diego
Of course, San Diego is famous for being close to many incredible beaches. Here are the day trips that we loved personally.
Torrance - just under 2 hours from San Diego
If you are up for a bit of driving on your day trip, head north along the coast to Torrance. We love it here because it's underrated and affordable compared to many SoCal beach towns. With a population of approximately 140,000 people, it's slightly smaller than Escondido but just as exciting.
Now, first things first, walking along the Strand, I loved the ocean breeze and views! In fact, if you just relax here you'll have a great day out.
After visiting the beach, we headed downtown. Here you'll find historic buildings, antique shops, and casual breweries.
Torrance Certified Farmers' Market in Wilson Park (usually open on Tuesday and Saturday mornings) is a great place to pick up snacks.
If you are in the mood for shopping, head to the Del Amo Fashion Center, one of the largest malls in America. I like it here in the summer when you need a break from summer heat in the afternoon.
On our second day trip to Torrance, we discovered Madrona Marsh. It's a preserved wetland tucked right into the city. You can see so many birds and relax right in the middle of the city which I loved.
What I loved best:
Sunset on Torrance Beach was my personal highlight.
Carlsbad - 35 minutes from San Diego
When I'm feeling lazy, this is my go-to spring day trip from San Diego in SoCal. I love that I can just hop on the Coaster train for a car-free trip. In addition, in springtime I can count on lovely flower views that you can see in my photos (in addition to relaxing on the beach, of course!).
If I'm feeling more active, I like to explore the Carlsbad Village area on foot. I also love the Carlsbad State Beach boardwalk, and usually check out the art galleries on Carlsbad Village Drive.
If you’re visiting with kids, LEGOLAND California Resort will be a big hit with your kids. Outdoor lovers will enjoy Batiquitos Lagoon, a 1.3 mile nature trail for birdwatching and sunset walks. Be sure to check out docent-led walks and ask lots of questions to learn about local history.
When it comes to food, Carlsbad’s is a true foodie heaven! Campfire is my favorite with its creative open-fire cooking and stylish vibe. For a birthday or anniversary celebration, book a table Jeune et Jolie, a Michelin-starred restaurant that serves elegant French-inspired dishes. For something casual, grab tacos from Senor Grubby’s or enjoy ocean views over breakfast at The Daily News Cafe, my personal highlight.
What I loved best:
Splurging on an overnight stay at Cape Rey Carlsbad Beach (for ocean views and spa amenities).
Laguna Beach - 1 Hour and 15 Minutes from San Diego
Love the idea of a beautify beach time but want to drive a little further on your day trip from San Diego? Check out Laguna Beach which you'll find about 45 minutes up the coast from Carlsbad.
Personally, I adore the dramatic cliffs here, along with hidden coves. And once we are done exploring, there are fantastic restaurants here too. In fact, you can easily explore most of the town on foot (I also like to ride on the free local trolley).
I love that there are so many different beaches here to enjoy the day. Sometimes I'm in the mood for the lively Main Beach. If you're in the mood for something quieter, coves like Thousand Steps Beach and Shaw’s Cove are perfect.
Beyond the beach, there is Laguna Art Museum, galleries along Forest Avenue, and even the Pageant of the Masters theater inspired by art (tickets from $42) in the summer.
Just like Carlsbad (perhaps even more), Laguna’s dining scene is impressive. For an oceanfront meal, Driftwood Kitchen and Las Brisas are my favorites.
What I loved best:
Laguna Beach is one of my favorite day trips from San Diego. For a casual breakfast or a quick coffee stop, Zinc Café is my personal favorite, especially if you can get there early and grab one of their outdoor tables! You can't go wrong with Huevos Rancheros ($17).
Booking Checklist
1. Book Your Flight - I use Expedia because I like their mobile app with my itinerary. They've helped me re-book flights on many occasions. Once you reach their Gold tier, support is especially good.
2. Book Your Hotel - I use Booking.com or Expedia, depending on my destination.
3. Book Your Rental Car - I use Expedia.
4. Book your tours on Viator or Get Your Guide.
5. If you are planning to visit more than three national parks in the next 12 months, we've found that buying the America the Beautiful Pass is cost effective.
