A road trip from scenic San Diego is a must.
San Diego is so large, and its neighborhoods so diverse, that driving within it’s precinct can feel like a road trip. For example, downtown San Diego is a bustling city with robust nightlife and many things to do while 45 minutes away Encinitas enjoys a quitter, laid-back vibe, offering some of the best surf spots in town. After dedicating enough time to fully explore San Diego one of the best things to do is take a road trip. There are a great many places that can be reached in a reasonable amount of time, anywhere between two and six hours. This even includes places like Mexico and Arizona in addition to other parts of Southern California.
In One Tank
Anaheim is just a short drive, and there’s much in store.
Anaheim and Orange County
Looking to head north along the coast to get out of town? Taking a short one and a half hour drive, passing through scenic spots of North County like Carlsbad and Leucadia, eventually you’ll land in Anaheim, an active city that serves as the jump off point to the many sites in Orange County. While in Anaheim, pop over to the Irvine Spectrum to spend the better part of the day shopping and perhaps even dare a ride on the outdoor shopping center’s ferris wheel.
By night, local music venue the Verizon Wireless Amphitheater hosts popular concerts, which can be observed from the grass lawn while also kicking back in a lawn chair and enjoying a picnic. While in Anaheim, committing a full day to explore Disneyland and its sister park Disney’s California Adventure is a given. The day after, when those feet are barking from spending hours walking around to enjoy the rides, plop yourself down at one of many choice beaches like Newport or Laguna, which also have a number of great eating locations within walking distance. A popular among locals, Huntington Beach is a hotspot for surfing and the northern section has fire pits, so you can roast marshmallows and hotdogs after the sun sets.
Long Beach
The drive from San Diego to Long Beach can be fickle as traffic conditions vary depending on time of day, but it’s worth the two-hour trek during an auspicious traffic hour. Once you’re there, the beach city offers a great many things to do like touring the historic Queen Mary, visiting the Aquarium of the Pacific, or even taking a one-day visit to Catalina Island, depending on how long you stay in town.
In One Weekend
Joshua Tree National Park isn’t too far out of town, but it’s worth the weekend.
Joshua Tree National Park
Comprising both the Colorado and Mojave deserts, Joshua Tree National Park is named after a tree species unique to the area that has a lifespan of around 200 year. Getting to Joshua Tree doesn’t require much time, the drive over is only two and a half hours, but you’ll want to spend the weekend because there’s so much to do. The park covers two distinct ecosystem characterized by low and high elevations. The lower portion belonging to the Colorado Desert is the most arid meanwhile the Mohave portion is the most moist, so each has its own flora, fauna, and unique landscape.
Other than camping, one of the most popular things to do in the region is take a four-wheel-drive Jeep excursion to explore the rugged environment and witness its spectacular rock formations and desert vistas. A similar excursion could be taken in an open-air hummer. Such stunning landscape of course makes an ideal environment for photography to capture sunsets and sunrises not to mention beautiful desert scenery and wildlife.
Palm Springs
Also set in Southern California’s rugged landscape, Palm Springs overflows with a myriad of pampering resort options and entertainment for all ages, and it’s just two hours outside of San Diego. There are plenty of things to do in the immediate area, like taking the aerial tramway up to the San Jacinto Mountains. The roads that lead to Palm Springs also pass through Southern California’s wine region, Temecula, and the scenic Idylwild Pine Cove, where you could also stop to camp or hike among the alpines.
A short distance beyond Palm Springs, a desert oasis awaits for those who value the great outdoors. Palm Desert is an ideal place to take a wild lands Conservatory nature tour because of the vast diversity of species the land has in store.
In One Week
Getting to Tucson will take more time, but it’s worth the trek.
Tucson and Phoenix
A trip beyond California’s borders and over into Arizona will take you a bit more time than exploring what’s nearby, but the nearly six-hour drive to reach cities like Tucson and Phoenix is well worth the trip. Heading east, a great place to stop and stretch those legs is the Imperial Sand Dunes that extend for 40 miles along the Imperial Valley. Many travelers pause here not only to play around in the sand but also to explore by way of dune buggies and 4WD vehicles.
After arriving in Tucscon and spending a few days there to explore the local art scene and explore the city’s rich history, Phoenix is only a two-hour drive away. There’s not much en route, but if you’re a history buff, La Casa Grande ruins might be a good stop. The “Great House” once belonged to the Ancient Sonoran Desert People who lived and farmed here. Once you arrive to Phoenix there is plenty to do, like taking a hot air balloon ride and walking around the city, but the Grand Canyon is only a short distance away, which makes it an ideal day trip. In one day, it’s possible to not only see the canyon but also visit a Navajo Reservation and take a drive through the Sonoran Desert and red rock county before returning to the city, and then back home.
Ensenada, Baja California
Viva Baja! One of the most enjoyable aspects of Southern California is its proximity to the Mexican border. That means a road trip to places in Baja can be achieved in a short car trip. A coastal tour of Ensenada, for example, only requires a 2-hour drive down the Pacific coastline, passed optional stops like Tijuana and Rosarito (a small town with beautiful beaches). Often referred to as the beautiful Cinderella of the Pacific, the port town of Ensenada fronts a scenic mountain range and offers awe-inspiring cliff views of the adjacent ocean. It’s also home to beautiful beaches and popular surfing sites.
Passing through Ensenada and surrounds means you’ll also get to sample Mexican wines endemic to the region like Ruby Cabernet and Chenin Blanc, which are arguably some of the best vintages in Mexico. For those geared toward outdoor adventures, Ensenada has a lot in store. Just five miles south of town, San Carlos Hot Springs features a thermal pool, a cold pool, and also a mud bath not to mention a campground if you desire to overnight. If hiking, rock climbing, and rappelling is what you desire look no farther than the beautiful El Salto canyon, which is also nearby. Otherwise you can stick to less arduous pursuits and continue your vacation back in San Diego by visiting Ensenada in a single day to be back on the other side of the Mexican border by nightfall.
Important note: a valid passport is required for re-entry into the United States.
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