14 Places to Visit During Your Los Angeles to San Diego Road Trip

California dreamin’? Hop behind the wheel and go on a drive up the coast! 

Whether you’re looking for a quick weekend getaway or a full-blown road trip, driving from Los Angeles to San Diego is lined with delightful pit stops to keep you entertained. Load up your road trip playlist, grab some In-N-Out along the way, and get ready to fall in love with California’s charm as you drive along!

Need help finding a vehicle for your Los Angeles to San Diego drive? Book a hassle-free car rental right here on Klook!

Can’t wait to visit the enchanting Southern California? Here are 14 spots to stop by during your Los Angeles to San Diego road trip!

Where else to start your Los Angeles to San Diego road trip than at the iconic Santa Monica? When it comes to prime beachside destinations, Santa Monica has world-class restaurants, bars, and awe-inspiring sunset views. While you’re here, you can walk through Santa Monica pier and enjoy the sea breeze on your hair or stroll along the soft sandy beach. Unleash your inner kid at Pacific Park on Santa Monica pier when you ride on rollercoasters and park rides.

Drive a few miles south of Santa Monica, and you'll be arriving at the vibrant suburbs of Venice — a quirky pitstop for those on their journey from Los Angeles to San Diego. Down to get some fresh tatts or watch buff men by the iconic muscle beach? Venice Beach has got you covered. If you've got more time, you can park your car at Santa Monica, rent a bike, and pedal your way through Venice Beach.

Can't get enough of the sands? Another oceanfront gem you can stop by during your drive is Long Beach, right at the heart of Southern California. Here, you can find the Aquarium of the Pacific, where you might find 12,000 Pacific Coast creatures, including Spongebob Squarepants and Patrick Starfish penguins, sea otters, puffins, sea lions, and seals. A bit of a history buff yourself? Voyage in time when you go on a guided tour aboard the historic Queen Mary.

Surf's up! Get ready to hang ten from Long Beach when you drive down the Pacific Coast Highway towards Huntington Beach, aka Surf City USA. This charming surf town is home to the International Surfing Museum, where you can marvel at longboards and other surfing memorabilia displays, and the Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve, where you can spend the day birdwatching.

Sink your toes into soft sands and have endless fun when you stop by Newport Beach during your trip from Los Angeles to San Diego. You might find this beach incredibly familiar if you grew up watching The O.C.! Newport Beach becomes a glittering tourist destination during the summer, thanks to its seaside amusement park, fun bars, exciting boutiques, and restaurants. If you want to visit Balboa Island, then Newport Beach is your gateway for that.

This one's for the hip and young! Another famous beach town you'll see during your Los Angeles to San Diego road trip is Laguna Beach. If you're in for a quick art detour on your drive, Laguna Beach has a great mix of art galleries and quirky boutiques for your enjoyment. This beach town is an artist's colony. You can also take a stroll through Heisner Park, visit Main Beach, or check out the nearby Treasure Island while you're here.

It's hard to get bored during your Los Angeles to San Diego drive. Case in point: Dana Point Harbor, a haven for water activities such as stand-up paddle boarding, boating, and even whale watching! Are you in town on a Saturday? Stop by the Dana Point Farmer's Market to buy fresh local produce, healthy snacks, and freshly-baked bread for the trip!

Now, we're venturing away from the ocean beaches. The first inland stop during your Los Angeles to San Diego drive is Mission San Juan Capistrano, the birthplace of Orange County. This Spanish mission is known as the Jewel of California Missions and is a historic landmark and museum. On-site tours are available here so you can explore the mission's exhibits and 10-acre garden.

After Mission San Juan Capistrano, we're back to the beaches! A gorgeous mile-long beach, San Clemente has excellent surf breaks for the surfers and bodysurfers out there. Or, you can head inside the city for the Casa Romantica Cultural Center and Gardens, which showcases the city's original Spanish-style architecture. San Clemente is also an extraordinary spot for beach camping if you're looking for a place to chill out or stay for the night.

If you reach Oceanside, you'd know you're near the end of your journey, but don't let that dampen the fun of your Los Angeles to San Diego road trip! Located right along the Pacific Ocean, Oceanside is well… literally beside the ocean, hence the name. It's the northernmost city in San Diego County and has the longest wooden pier on the California Coast. While you're here, get sun-soaked on the famous Harbor Beach or visit the Beach House Winery.

Take a quick drive down from Oceanside, and you'll land in the quaint town of Carlsbad. Don't let its size faze you — it's home to massive and iconic attractions like the epic LEGOLAND California Resort and the incredible SEA Land Aquarium. Before you continue your trip to downtown San Diego, we recommend you take a breather and enjoy Carlsbad's laidback Cali vibes, eclectic surf shops, and cafes.

Another charming seaside stop on this Los Angeles to San Diego trip is Encinitas, a quirk beachside area popular with families and surfers. Did you know it's been named one of the top 20 best surf towns in the world by National Geographic? Aside from its surf scene, Encinitas is worth visiting, thanks to its San Diego Botanical Garden, Butterfly Farms, and La Paloma Theater.

At sunny La Jolla, there's seldom bad weather, making it the most fantastic spot for snorkeling and scuba diving in Southern California! La Jolla is also a foodie's haven as the beachfront city is dotted with a slew of awesome eats from charming rooftop terraces and craft beer pubs to luxe fine dining venues and wine pubs. Head to La Jolla Coves to see frolicking sea lions and other marine creatures.

And we're down to our last stop for your Los Angeles to San Diego trip! Capping off your road trip is the Southern Cali suburb Pacific Beach, or PB. This beachside neighborhood has a rep for being a party playground. Still, with endless stretches of coast, it's also the perfect downtime spot for families. It has a 3.2-mile-long boardwalk lined with beachfront bars, restaurants, and shops, which is also a great vantage point to watch the beautiful Cali sunset every night.

Now that sums up our list of the best places you can visit during your Los Angeles to San Diego road trip. Pack your bags, polish your itinerary, and a Klook-tastic road trip awaits you!