Day Trippin' › California › From San Diego › Griffith Observatory
The drive from San Diego to Griffith Observatory takes about 2 hr 5 min (northwest of San Diego), by real roads from ZIP 92101. Along the way we found 103 stops within a short detour: 20 coffee shops, 6 bakeries, 25 ice cream and treats and 26 places to eat.
The list below is the best few of each kind, in driving order, with how far into the drive you reach each one (counted from San Diego) and the detour it adds. Stops marked Our pick are chosen by us; the rest come from OpenStreetMap listings, so confirm hours before you count on them.
Photo: Matthew Field, CC BY 2.5
Observatory
Free views of the city and the Hollywood Sign, plus space exhibits and a planetarium. Sunsets here are a classic LA moment.
Heads-up: Parking fills fast on weekends. Use the DASH shuttle or park lower and walk.
First third Middle third Last third Griffith Observatory
About 2 hr 5 min by road, heading northwest from the middle of ZIP 92101. Traffic and weather change that.
Good ones to start with: Anaheim Packing House (Anaheim). The page lists 35 in all, in driving order.
Karak House Coffee Co. in San Diego, Zumbar Coffee & Tea in San Diego, Pacific Cafe and Catering in San Diego and Gordy's Bakery and Coffeehouse in Encinitas. Check hours first; they come from OpenStreetMap listings.
The Craft Taco in San Diego, Milton's in Del Mar, Sushi Lounge in Encinitas and Pizzaiolo in Encinitas.
Annie's Canyon in Solana Beach, Las Flores Viewpoint in Agra, Smugglers Sink in Agra and Top of the World in San Clemente.
Drive times are by road on a typical day from ZIP <class 'zip'> (OpenStreetMap data with the OSRM route planner). Stops come from our own picks and OpenStreetMap listings; hours and detours change, so check before you go. We do not store anyone's location.