Road trip ideas from San Diego
Six drives our team loves, with real stops, honest timings and the car we would rent for each.
- 72 miles
- Full day
- All year
Coast Highway 101 to Laguna Beach
Skip the freeway and follow old Highway 101 through Del Mar, Encinitas, Carlsbad and Oceanside before joining the 5 for San Clemente and Laguna.
Stops worth making
- Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve lookout
- Coffee and tacos in Leucadia
- Swami's Beach overlook, Encinitas
- Oceanside Pier and harbor
- Sunset at Heisler Park, Laguna
Local tip: Drive north in the morning with the ocean on your left and the sun behind you; come back on the 5 after dark.
Our pick for this driveFord Mustang Convertible, $89/day sample
- 128 miles round trip
- Full day
- September to November
Julian apple pie loop
Climb from the coast to a gold rush town at 4,200 feet via Ramona's wineries, then return on the Sunrise Highway through Cuyamaca Rancho State Park.
Stops worth making
- Ramona Valley wine trail
- Dudley's Bakery, Santa Ysabel
- Main Street Julian and pie
- Cuyamaca Lake picnic
- Sunrise Highway desert viewpoints
Local tip: Weekday visits in October avoid the pie lines. Snow chains are rarely needed, but check Caltrans in January.
Our pick for this driveToyota RAV4, $59/day sample
- 180 miles round trip
- One or two days
- November to April
Anza-Borrego desert and Fonts Point
Descend the Montezuma Grade into California's largest state park for metal sculptures, slot canyons and the badlands view from Fonts Point.
Stops worth making
- Galleta Meadows sky art sculptures
- Borrego Springs visitor center
- Slot Canyon hike
- Fonts Point at sunset
- Stargazing in an official Dark Sky Community
Local tip: Carry at least a gallon of water per person and fill the tank in Borrego Springs. Cell signal is patchy.
Our pick for this driveJeep Wrangler, $99/day sample
- 116 miles round trip
- Full day
- All year, best in spring
Temecula wine country
An hour north on the 15, Temecula's De Portola and Rancho California wine trails have more than 40 tasting rooms among rolling vineyard hills.
Stops worth making
- Old Town Temecula breakfast
- Rancho California Road tasting rooms
- Hot air balloon viewing at dawn
- De Portola Road boutique wineries
- Sunset dinner among the vines
Local tip: Book a designated driver or a wine tour shuttle from Old Town. Our team can recommend local services.
Our pick for this driveBMW 5 Series, $129/day sample
- 340 miles round trip
- Two or three days
- October to May
Joshua Tree via Palm Springs
Mid-century Palm Springs, the date farms of Coachella Valley and the boulder fields of Joshua Tree National Park make a perfect long weekend.
Stops worth making
- Palm Springs Aerial Tramway
- Shields Date Garden in Indio
- Cholla Cactus Garden
- Keys View at sunset
- Skull Rock and Jumbo Rocks
Local tip: Model 3 renters can charge in Palm Desert. Park entry is paid per vehicle, and there is no fuel or charging inside the park.
Our pick for this driveTesla Model 3, $79/day sample
- 560 miles
- Four to six days
- April to October
One-way to Big Sur and San Francisco
The classic California road trip. Drop the car in San Francisco and fly home, with no need to backtrack along the coast.
Stops worth making
- Santa Barbara Funk Zone
- Pismo Beach dunes
- Elephant seals at Piedras Blancas
- McWay Falls, Big Sur
- Carmel-by-the-Sea and Monterey
Local tip: Check Caltrans for Highway 1 closures before you go. Our one-way drop fee for San Francisco is a sample $189.
Our pick for this driveFord Mustang Convertible, $89/day sample