Theme park · 35 min north
LEGOLAND California
A theme park in Carlsbad built for kids ages 2 to 12, with rides, shows and a water park.
- Full day · Easy
- Check calendar; some weekdays closed
- See the official site for current fees
Day Trippin' › California › From San Diego
Day trips from San Diego
From San Diego, Cabrillo National Monument is about 15 minutes away, LEGOLAND California under 40 minutes, and Mission San Juan Capistrano about an hour. The best day trips from San Diego, by drive time.
145 places within a 3-hour drive, by real roads.
10 day trips from San Diego
- Encinitas 27 min north
- LEGOLAND California 35 min north
- Mission San Luis Rey de Francia 42 min north
- Mission San Juan Capistrano 1 hr 4 min northwest
- Crystal Cove State Park 1 hr 22 min northwest
- Disneyland Park 1 hr 31 min northwest
- Knott's Berry Farm 1 hr 37 min northwest
- Palm Springs Aerial Tramway 2 hr 5 min north
- Griffith Observatory 2 hr 5 min northwest
- Universal Studios Hollywood 2 hr 6 min northwest
Within an hour from San Diego 12 spots
Small town · 27 min north
Encinitas
A surf town with beaches, a famous yoga garden area and a lively main street.
- Half day · Easy
- Year-round
- Free to visit
Historic site · 42 min north
Mission San Luis Rey de Francia
The largest of the California missions with a museum and gardens.
- 1-2 hrs · Easy
- Year-round
- See the official site for current fees
State park · 46 min northeast
Cuyamaca Rancho State Park
A mountain park of oaks and pines with trails, a lake and views toward the desert.
- Half day · Moderate
- Year-round
- California State Parks day-use fee per car
Garden · 33 min north
Carlsbad Flower Fields
Fields of ranunculus flowers in bloom on a hill above the ocean.
- 1-2 hrs · Easy
- Spring only, about March to May (confirm before you go)
- See the official site for current fees
Small town · 35 min north
Carlsbad Village
A beach town with a lively village, shops, cafes and a long coastal walk.
- Half day · Easy
- Year-round
- Free to visit
Small town · 58 min north
Old Town Temecula
A Western-style main street with shops, cafes, and a short drive to the wineries.
- 2-4 hrs · Easy
- Year-round
- Free to visit
Landmark · 39 min north
Oceanside Pier and Harbor
One of the longest wooden piers on the coast with a surf town feel.
- 2-3 hrs · Easy
- Year-round
- Free
1 to 2 hours from San Diego 52 spots
Historic site · 1 hr 4 min northwest
Mission San Juan Capistrano
A historic mission with gardens, the Great Stone Church ruins and swallows legend.
- 2 hrs · Easy
- Open daily (confirm before you go)
- See the official site for current fees
State park · 1 hr 22 min northwest
Crystal Cove State Park
Beach, tide pools and coastal bluff trails with historic cottages.
- Half day · Easy to moderate
- Year-round
- See the official site for current fees
Theme park · 1 hr 31 min northwest
Disneyland Park
The original Disney park with classic rides and character meetups.
- Full day · Easy
- Year-round
- See the official site for current fees
Theme park · 1 hr 37 min northwest
Knott's Berry Farm
Roller coasters, a Western ghost town and famous boysenberry treats in Buena Park.
- Full day · Easy
- Year-round; check calendar
- See the official site for current fees
State park · 1 hr 38 min northeast
Anza-Borrego Desert State Park
California's largest state park, with palm canyons, badlands and, in some years, spring wildflowers.
- Full day · Moderate
- Best Oct-Apr
- See the official site for current fees
Aquarium · 1 hr 47 min northwest
Aquarium of the Pacific
Sea lions, sharks, jellyfish and a lorikeet forest in Long Beach.
- 2-3 hrs · Easy
- Year-round
- See the official site for current fees
Food town · 1 hr 8 min northeast
Julian
An old gold-mining mountain town known for apple pie, cider and fall color.
- Full day · Easy
- Year-round; busy in fall
- Free to visit
Beach · 1 hr 16 min northwest
Laguna Beach Main Beach
A pretty cove beach in a classic art town with basketball and sand volleyball.
- Half day · Easy
- Year-round
- Free; parking is paid
2 to 3 hours from San Diego 65 spots
Landmark · 2 hr 5 min north
Palm Springs Aerial Tramway
A rotating tram car lifts you from desert floor to cool alpine forest in about ten minutes.
- Half day · Easy
- Year-round; annual maintenance closure in fall (confirm before you go)
- See the official site for current fees
Observatory · 2 hr 5 min northwest
Griffith Observatory
Free views of the city and the Hollywood Sign, plus space exhibits and a planetarium. Sunsets here are a classic LA moment.
- 2-3 hrs · Easy
- Closed Mondays (confirm before you go)
- See the official site for current fees
Theme park · 2 hr 6 min northwest
Universal Studios Hollywood
Movie-themed rides, a studio tram tour and Super Nintendo World.
- Full day · Easy
- Year-round
- See the official site for current fees
Small town · 2 hr 10 min north
Lake Arrowhead Village
A lakeside village with shops, restaurants and a pretty mountain setting. Good for a relaxed lunch.
- Half day · Easy
- Year-round
- Free to visit
Museum · 2 hr 10 min northwest
Getty Center
A hilltop art museum with big gardens and wide views over the city. Entry is free.
- Half day · Easy
- Closed Mondays (confirm before you go)
- See the official site for current fees
Theme park · 2 hr 28 min northwest
Six Flags Magic Mountain
A big park known for roller coasters, in Valencia.
- Full day · Easy
- Open select days; check calendar
- See the official site for current fees
Historic site · 2 hr 53 min north
Calico Ghost Town
A restored silver mining town with shops, mine tours and a mini train.
- Half day · Easy
- Year-round
- See the official site for current fees
Landmark · 2 hr 8 min northwest
Santa Monica Pier
A classic seaside pier with a Ferris wheel, arcade, rides and ocean views.
- 2-3 hrs · Easy
- Year-round
- Free to walk on; rides cost extra
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Drive times are by road on a typical day from ZIP 92101 (OpenStreetMap data with the OSRM route planner). Facts checked against official sites; passes and hours change, so check before you go.