arrow-down arrow-left arrow-right arrow-up play-button plus tab-indicator dots close menu search facebook google-plus instagram pinterest rss twitter tiktok youtube rss-two heart Check FeaturedBadge linkedin minus apps placeholder linkedin

One-Day Coastal Road Trip

Cruising San Diego’s Fun-Filled Coastline

From off-the-beaten-path Sunset Cliffs to family friendly Torrey Pines State Beach, San Diego’s coastline offers endless opportunities for fun throughout the year. Driving through diverse and colorful beach communities, you can experience a jam packed day filled with great local food, popular activities and spectacular sites to discover.

1. Ocean Beach

Start your morning at the southernmost tip of scenic Sunset Cliffs and drive north into funky 1960's-style Ocean Beach (also known as O.B.) for some delicious Cuban coffee and pastries at Azucar on Newport Avenue. Stroll down Newport to the O.B. Pier and watch as surfers ride the waves. Afterwards, head over to nearby Dog Beach where tail wagging water enthusiasts enjoy the surf 24/7. (Note: The Ocean Beach Pier will be closed until at least Spring 2024 for repairs and maintenance.)

2. Mission Beach

Stop at Belmont Park and rent a beach cruiser at the iconic Hamels Surf Shop, a fixture in the local beach community since 1967. Bike along the 3-mile Mission Beach-Pacific Beach boardwalk, a popular seaside mecca for the younger set. Need more exercise? Cruise over to the 12 miles of bike paths at neighboring Mission Bay.

3. Pacific Beach

Grab lunch at Kono’s Cafe, known for its all-day breakfasts and burgers, or Oscar’s Mexican Seafood, known for tasty fish tacos, both located in Pacific Beach (P.B.). If you need to enhance your beach style, check out the plethora of surf shops, trendy boutiques, vintage clothing stores, thrift shops and tattoo parlors along P.B.’s Garnet Avenue.

4. La Jolla

As you drive toward luxurious La Jolla, pick up some afternoon joe at Bird Rock Roasters in quaint Bird Rock before checking out the beautiful scenery and hard-breaking waves at Windansea Beach, a local surfing hot spot. Take a selfie at the legendary Polynesian-style surf hut, built in 1947 by pioneering Windansea surfers and registered as a San Diego Historic Site.

5. La Jolla Cove

Stop at picture-perfect La Jolla Cove to watch playful seals and sea lions frolic in the water and sunbathe along the coastline. Visit the historic Cave Store, established in 1902, and its century-old bootlegger’s tunnel that leads guests through the cove’s sandstone cliffs into the legendary Sunny Jim’s sea cave. A self-guided tour of the tunnel and sea cave is available.

6. La Jolla Shores

Put on a bathing suit, wax a surfboard and hang 10 on La Jolla Shores with Surf Diva, the world’s first all-girl surf school, now providing coed lessons for surfers of all ages and abilities. Refuel at the award-winning Galaxy Taco in La Jolla Shores, serving truly epic Mexican food with the freshest ingredients along with mouthwatering margaritas and specialty cocktails.

7. Torrey Pines

End your day’s journey at the Torrey Pines glider port, located north of La Jolla, to watch colorful paragliders float above the Pacific against the backdrop of a spectacular San Diego sunset. As you gaze over the dramatic 300-foot cliffs towering above Torrey Pines State Beach below, dream about your next San Diego adventure.

Find a place to stay

Book online or call 1-800-350-6205 to speak with a local expert
Find Your Open-Road Smile

Explore San Diego's epic roadways along with the best places for visitors to stop along the way and live out their SoCal road trip dreams.

Related Articles and Features

Deals just for you

Wineries

Romantic Wine & Food Tours-Year Round!

San Diego Beer, Wine & Spirits Tours
Valid: Oct 11, 2024 - ongoing

PERFECT FOR VALENTINES DAY OR ANY DAY! Receive a gift for your Loved One  when you sign up for this deluxe, romantic tour! Give your love the gift of adventure aboard the ...

Accommodation

Ocean-View Sale

Grande Colonial Hotel
Valid: Nov 21, 2024 - ongoing

Enjoy elegant, European-style accommodations with spectacular views of the majestic Pacific Ocean. Relax and soak up the coastal style of La Jolla in your refuge overlooking the Southern California's...

Accommodation

Sun, Sip & Savor Package

Pacific Terrace Hotel
Valid: Oct 14, 2024 - ongoing

Relax & unwind at Pacific Terrace this winter season! Enjoy a special package sure to warm you up and make your stay memorable. Book our Sun, Sip & Savor Package and receive: -...

Events to check out

Event

Christmas Dining at Dockside 1953

Bahia Resort Hotel
Dec 24, 2024

Reserve your spot for a special Christmas Eve three-course dinner featuring dishes like beef tenderloin, bergamot duck breast, and Mediterranean sea bass, finished with a chocolate Nutella yule log....

Event

GoCar 2 hr Tour of Downtown and Balboa Park

GoCar Tours
Mar 4 - ongoing

This is THE essential San Diego tour. You will see almost all of the greatest sights San Diego has to offer, from the visually stunning Balboa park which is littered with Spanish Renaissance inspired...

Event

2025 New Years Eve Four Day Baja

Five Star Tours
Dec 30, 2024 - Jan 1, 2025

Explore Mexico on NYE! Enjoy a four day vacation like no other with stays in Rosarito Beach and a NYE party!

Stay in touch

Sign up to receive the latest news, events, and updates about San Diego. Our monthly and weekly newsletters will keep you informed about the latest and greatest happenings in the destination.

Sign Up

Partners

Explore

Plan

Stay

Follow Us

Language:

English | Change Language

Select your country or region

China
Germany
Great Britain
Japan
Mexico
Korea
Switzerland
Brazil
France
Australia
Canada
USA

Or use Google Translate

Afrikaans
Albanian
Arabic
Belarusian
Bulgarian
Croatian
Danish
Deutsch
Español
Estonian
Filipino
Finnish
Francais
Georgian
Greek
Haitian-Creole
Hebrew
Hindi
Hungarian
Icelandic
Indonesian
Irish
Italian
Japanese
Korean
Latvian
Lithuanian
Macedonian
Malay
Maltese
Nederlands
Norwegian
Persian
Polish
Portuguese
Romanian
Russian
Serbian
Slovak
Slovenian
Swahili
Swedish
Telugu
Thai
Turkish
Ukranian
Vietnamese
Yiddish