San Diego is America’s Finest City and has so many attractions to keep visitors and residents busy. Sometimes, traveling just a bit outside the city can totally enhance a trip. Here are 25+ day trips from San Diego (beyond the downtown area and the city limits) grouped by distance from the city center not taking traffic into account.
Distance: 30 Minutes to 1 Hour
*Coronado Island
This island may be located across the downtown area but it is worth spending a whole day here. Accessible via ferries that cross the bay or on the 2-mile Coronado Bridge, the island is a wonderful getaway. Its lovely beaches are consistently ranked among the best in the country and most are family-friendly.
Rent a bike or go on a bike or Segway tour to explore the island. It’s also a wonderful area for kayaking and paddle boarding with great views.
For those with younger children, check out the Glorietta Bay Park and the huge playground right after the bridge exit. It has an unbeatable view of the city and its beautiful skyline.
Tidelands Park and Spreckels Park are also great options with playgrounds. If you want to experience a bit of Italy, there are gondola rides that can accommodate up to six passengers along the Coronado Cays.
Don’t miss visiting the iconic Hotel del Coronado. There’s always something fun going on here and especially during the holidays. There aren’t many places where you can ice skate right by the beach in December.
*Whale Watching and Harbor Cruises
One of the best ways to see San Diego is by going on a harbor cruise. While it may only take a few hours, it always seems a world away while you’re cruising along the coast and the bay. The cruises are available year round and shows a different perspective of the city and its surrounding areas.
It’s very scenic as the route goes under the Coronado Bridge and also passes an outdoor gallery of the US Navy’s mega ships and submarines. Dinner cruises are also available.
There are over 25,000 Pacific gray whales that pass through San Diego’s waters from December to April during their annual migration. Get a closer look at these incredible animals through whale watching cruises.
It’s also an opportunity to spot other wildlife like dolphins and sea lions. Most whale watching tour operators offer guaranteed sightings or you can come back for free.
*Julian
This charming mountain and mining town is a popular day trip for residents especially during Fall. Known for its apple orchards and apple pies, it’s hard to walk down Main Street and not be tempted to walk into one of the bakeries for an apple pie slice. Families can also go apple or pear picking.
Julian is a historic gold rush town with quaint shops and horse drawn carriages. Guided tours of two of Julian’s original gold mines and gold panning are popular activities.
Visitors can also check out the California Wolf Center. The area also offers horseback riding, boating, fishing and plenty of trails for hiking.
*Mexico/Baja California
Want to visit another country during a day trip? Perfectly doable with the Mexican border about 30 minutes away from San Diego’s downtown area. Tijuana’s Revolution Avenue is the main tourist area to pose with big sombreros (hats) or even donkeys with painted zebra stripes.
The Tijuana Cultural Center has an IMAX theater, exhibit spaces and many year round events. The nearby Museo de las Californias is an ideal place to visit to learn the region’s history.
For some beach fun and great seafood, Rosarito Beach is 30 minutes away along the coast. ATV drives or horseback riding along the sandy beaches are some of the popular activities. Please be aware of the wait times at the border especially coming back from Mexico.
Check for any travel advisories before heading down. Look into group tours that will alleviate any hassles of navigating.
Located in an area known as North County San Diego, these following two cities each deserve their separate entries because of everything they have offer. Technically, you’re still in San Diego County. But, if you’re staying near downtown or even in the South Bay area, this is a legitimate day trip. I’m a little biased since I live in this area so it shouldn’t be missed.
*Carlsbad
Home of Legoland California and Sea Life Aquarium, it’s easy to spend a day or two here. Legoland has over 60 rides, shows and attractions to entertain the whole family. My kids highly recommend visiting the Legoland Water Park with the lazy river and some wild rides if you’re here during warmer weather.
The Carlsbad Lagoon is the ideal place for water adventures like stand up paddle board, wake boarding, kayaking, jet skiing, paddle boating and canoeing. Equipment rentals are available.
Carlsbad also has some of the best beaches with spacious sand areas and great boardwalks to walk along the beach or overlooking the ocean. Carlsbad Village is a fantastic place to walk around, shop and dine afterwards.
If you’re visiting between March and the first weeks of May, don’t miss the Carlsbad Flower Fields by Legoland. There is usually a special area for kids, tractor rides and a hillside of colorful ranunculus. There is also a field nearby for picking strawberries during Spring and Summer or picking pumpkins and a corn maze during Fall.
*Oceanside
We love this classic Southern California beach town. We always enjoy walking on the Oceanside Pier which is the longest wooden pier in the West Coast. The pier is also a great place for some fishing and wildlife viewing.
Families can also rent bikes and wheel funs to ride along the boardwalk called The Strand. Downtown Oceanside has been revitalized with many great restaurants, farm-to-table options, pubs and breweries for adults. There are some great street art to see and fun museums to visit like the California Surf Museum.
Rent a small boat at the harbor, walk around the New-England style village or go on a whale-watching cruise. Don’t miss the Mission San Luis Rey which is considered the largest of the California Missions and a delightful place to visit. There are plenty of biking trails nearby including one along the river that eventually leads to the beach area.
*Laguna Mountains/Mount Laguna
While many may only think of San Diego for its sunny beaches, we can also play in the snow and surf on the same day during some winters. The Laguna Mountains is a wonderful alpine area located at 4,000 – 6,000 feet above sea level in the Cleveland National Forest.
There are miles of scenic trails to go hiking along lakes and meadows. The most popular ones are the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) and the 3.2-mile roundtrip Sunset Trail.
It’s also a known area for mountain biking, bird watching and stargazing. Tip: Be sure to get the Adventure Parking Pass when parking in the area which visitors can get at the ranger station.
*Temecula
Known as the Napa Valley of Southern California, Temecula is filled with wineries and bed/breakfast hotels. It is a wonderful place to spend the day especially if you’re a wine lover.
Though, there are some family-friendly wineries where my kids have spent time playing and listening to music. Frangipani has a bocce ball court and Wilson Creek also has a bocce ball court, expansive picnic grounds and a kids’ play area.
During the early summer months, some areas in Temecula offer blueberry picking at Temecula Berry Co. and strawberry picking at Kenny’s Strawberry farm. The Autumn season brings out pumpkin farms like Peltzer that has petting farms, pig races, pony rides and carnival games. There is also the Big Horse Corn Maze that includes a pumpkin patch, rock wall, zip line and pony rides among other things.
Old Town Temecula is a wonderful place to walk around with many unique shops and restaurants. Stop by the Temecula Olive Oil Company for some tastings or join their 90-minute guided walk through their olive groves every second and fourth Saturdays at 10AM.
Don’t miss Pennypickle’s Workshop for many interactive activities to “discover science through play”. There always many notable events throughout the year here.
For a unique experience and vantage point of the valley, hot air balloon rides are available all year from several companies. California’s largest ballooning event occurs in June.
*Lake Poway Recreational Area
Lake Poway may be located in suburbia but has always delivered with some great outdoor activities. Visitors can go fishing or boating on the lake. Boats can be rented at the concession area.
There are several hiking trails and even an archery area. If you just want to enjoy the outdoors, it’s a great place for strolls and picnics.
Distance: 1 to 2 Hours
*San Juan Capistrano
This charming town is home to Mission San Juan Capistrano which is considered the “Jewel of the California Missions”. It has been extensively restored to its glory days of beautiful Spanish architecture made with adobe mud bricks and fired clay tile rooftops.
The landscaped gardens and fountains also created a peaceful place while strolling the mission. Don’t miss the Great Stone Church and stepping inside the chapel.
The mission is also well known for its resident cliff swallows. The swallows leave in October to head south to Argentina for the winter and return every year around March 19 like clockwork. There is an annual parade and festival during Spring to welcome them home.
The Los Rios Historic District has been called California’s oldest neighborhood. Explore the area and feel like you stepped back in time through old adobe buildings, homes and shops. Kids will love the ZOOMARS Petting zoo where they can also ride ponies and pet various animals.
*Anza Borrego State Park
California’s largest state park is a haven of wonderful things to do. Kids especially like looking for and visiting the 130 full-sized metal sculptures mainly found along Borrego Springs Road.
There are several hiking trails around the park or camping spots. The three-mile roundtrip Borrego Palm Canyon Trail is a popular and family-friendly hike. The park is also one of the best places for stargazing as a designated International Dark Sky Community. Check on Night Sky Tours for the best experience.
One of the most popular times to visit is during Spring to see the wildflowers. If you’re visiting when Southern California gets a wet winter and a lot of rain, you may be in luck for what’s called a “super bloom” and be treated to some color explosion.
*South Orange County/Pacific Coast Highway
The beach towns along the Pacific Coast Highway of San Clemente, Dana Point and Laguna Beach offer plenty of breathtaking vistas and family-friendly activities.
San Clemente Pier is a great place for strolls and watching sunsets. The nearby beaches are also worth visiting that includes the San Clemente Beach Trail to explore. San Onofre State Beach is one of California’s most visited state parks. It’s a wonderful area for surfing, swimming, fishing and kayaking.
One of our favorite day trips has always been Laguna Beach. The area has several tide pools and we always enjoy walking around and spending time at the oceanfront park of Treasure island. For some underwater fun of snorkeling and scuba diving, Diver’s Cove is a hit.
The Pacific Marine Mammal Center is free and allows visitors to see sea lions, seals and other marine creatures that were rescued and rehabilitated from along the coastline. The Laguna Coast Wilderness Park is wonderful for some diverse hiking trails.
If you’re visiting during the summer, the Festival of the Arts/Pageant of the Masters has been a staple here for over 80 years. It’s a unique festival and the pageant is a 90-minute show of “tableax vivants” or living pictures which are re-creations of paintings and sculptures using real people in full costumes and makeup.
The Dana Point Harbor is also another great place for kayaking, strolling and shopping and starting point of whale watching tours. My kids enjoy the Ocean Institute with its great exhibits and tide pools. Kids can participate in hands-on research aboard the Sea Explorer floating lab or come aboard and explore one of the historic tall ships.
*Anaheim
A day trip here is almost synonymous with a visit to the “Happiest Place on Earth”. It is quite common for visitors and families to spend a day at Disneyland Resort.
We’ve done our fair share of park hopping between the two parks during a long day. Get here early to avoid most of the crowds and make the most of your day.
There are also some other things to do in Anaheim beyond Disneyland. Adventure City is known as “The Little Theme Park” with 17 rides, shows and attractions plus a petting farm and an arcade. It’s wonderful for smaller children. For kids 11 years and older, they can try an authentic military flight simulator with some action at FlightDeck.
There is no shortage of diverse restaurants in Anaheim. Eat at the Anaheim Packing District which is a two-story food hall with over 20 stalls and restaurants. The Anaheim GardenWalk offers many restaurants plus shopping and entertainment sites with options for music shows, bowling, virtual reality and an escape room.
*Buena Park
I’ve always felt that Buena Park is an underrated family travel destination. Its biggest draw is Knott’s Berry Farm with its many thrilling rides, shows and attractions and the chance to hang out with Snoopy and the Peanuts gang.
Though, our favorite time to visit is during the holidays when it turns into Knott’s Merry Farm. There is also Knott’s Soak City waterpark with multiple slides, a long lazy river and Tidal Wave Bay for endless fun in the sun.
Need some entertainment while dining? There’s the Pirate’s Dinner Adventure set onboard an 18th century Spanish ship replica and the popular Medieval Times Dinner and Tournament with sword fight and falconry. Kids can also explore the free Clark Interpretive Center, in the Ralph B. Clark Regional Park, with ice age fossils and other geological gems exhibits.
Distance: 2+ Hours
*Palm Springs
Some of the best family-friendly resorts are in the desert oasis of Palm Springs and its adjacent cities. Hotels like Renaissance Indian Wells, Hyatt Regency Indian Wells or Omni Rancho Las Palmas offer wonderful family packages.
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The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway offers a great ride to the top of San Jacinto Mountains on a rotating car. Visitors can admire the Coachella Valley views or eat at the mountaintop restaurant. There are also plenty of hiking trails from there.
For animal lovers, the Living Desert provides plenty of interactions and exhibits. Visitors can ride on camels or feed giraffes.
Please keep in mind that temperatures can soar up to triple digits during the summer. My kids happen to find this a great excuse for some pool time.
Don’t miss a stop at the Cabazon Dinosaurs roadside attraction on your way to/from Palm Springs. It’s hard to miss the T-rex and Brontosaurus here which also has a small dinosaur museum and an opportunity to go inside the dinosaurs.
*Los Angeles
There is so much to do in the City of Angels and its neighboring cities that it requires a post of its own. For now, I’ll highlight some of our family’s favorite things to do that are worth day tripping.
The city is full of world-class museums and gardens from Huntington Library and Botanical Gardens, LACMA, Natural History Museum, California Science Center with the space shuttle Endeavor, to the free Getty Center. Of course, there is also the very popular Griffith Park and the Observatory never disappoint with views and expansive green spaces for playing and hiking.
Santa Monica Pier is a great place for families to enjoy the rides and attractions. Teens will particularly enjoy the nearby Third Street Promenade for the many shops and street performers.
For those who want to be a little closer to celebrities, the Hollywood area is always entertaining from seeing the “stars” on the Walk of Fame to the celebrity home tours plus filming locations.
Check out some travel bucket things to do in Los Angeles.
*Idyllwild
This is another popular alpine getaway for Southern California residents but also a great day trip. Located in the San Jacinto Mountains, Idyllwild exudes a village atmosphere with locally owned shops, art galleries and restaurants amidst a national forest.
The area offers many outdoor activities from camping, fishing, mountain biking to many hiking trails and walks. For those who are a bit more adventurous, this is a popular place for rock climbing. Bouldering is a bit more our family’s style where you can learn rock climbing skills by going on boulders not too far off the ground.
*Joshua Tree National Park
The quirky, Dr. Seuss like trees alone are worth the drive to this unique national park. Located about 35 miles from Palm Springs, this park is filled with these giant yucca plants that are only native to the Mojave Desert of California, Nevada, Utah and Arizona.
Joshua Tree National Park also has many boulders popular with climbers. Kids love climbing these huge rocks and exploring the trails between them for the ultimate natural playground. There were also 70 miles of hiking trails at various levels. You may even get lucky and spot some desert animals along the way.
As with many National Parks, pick up a Junior Ranger booklet for kids to complete and earn a badge. It’s a great way for the whole family to learn more about the park, desert and the Joshua trees.
*Salton Sea State Recreation Area
The Salton Sea is California’s largest lake. It was formed during the early 1900s when the Colorado River broke through the irrigation canal gates and flooded water into the Salton Basin for the next 18 months. This resulted in the Salton Sea to measure at 45 miles long and 20 miles wide with 130 miles of shoreline.
The Salton Sea State Recreation Area has become a popular fishing (especially tilapia), water skiing, boating and camping area. There are also various activities for families like kayaking, water skiing and hiking.
This is also a popular site for bird watching. A large and diverse number of birds stop here quite a bit during their migration while some like cormorants live here year round.
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*Big Bear Lake
Located in the San Bernardino Mountains, Big Bear Lake is a wonderful mountain and lake getaway destination all year especially when it boasts over 300 days of sun. Southern California is one of the few places where you can ski and surf in the same day during winter and Big Bear offers this experience.
Popular lake activities include boating, fishing, kayaking, canoe or paddle boarding, wake boarding, parasailing or jet-skiing. There are many places to get lessons or rent equipment. There are hundreds of miles of trails for hiking, mountain biking, off-roading or horseback riding. The area also has many boulders for rock climbing.
We have always enjoyed walking around The Village for shopping and dining. Check out Urban Adventure Quest for a walking scavenger hunt around the village to keep the family entertained and busy. Animal lovers will enjoy a visit to the big Bear Alpine Zoo which is a rescue and rehabilitation facility for mostly injured animals.
Big Bear Mountain Resort and Snow Summit are two major ski resorts in the area for winter fun. Check out the freestyle snowboarding park in Bear Mountain. There are also areas for snow tubing and trails for snowshoeing.
The Scenic Sky Chair is always a fun ride all year. Don’t miss seeing Big Bear Lake from the water. Go on either the Miss Liberty Paddlewheel Tour or the Big Bear Pirate Ship.
*Lake Arrowhead
Also known as “The Alps of Southern California, Lake Arrowhead is a mountain resort in the San Bernardino National Forest. It is a haven of outdoor activities during the winter and summer.
Summer fun includes many water sports activities especially water-skiing and boogie boarding. Ski races also can often be seen here.
The year round, one-hour Lake Arrowhead Queen Paddleboat tour gives a wonderful scenic views of the area with some insider information. It’s also a great area for hiking, biking and fishing.
Winter recreational activities include skiing, snowboarding, ice-skating, cross-country skiing and sledding in the area. The nearby Snow Valley Resort offers 13 ski lifts and a variety of trails for various levels.
The Snow Play area at the mountain base is always popular with families. The Silver Bells Arena offers ice-skating or roller skating depending on the season.
*Catalina Island
For the ultimate island getaway from Southern California, it’s hard to beat Catalina Island. Located about 20 miles from the coast of California, there are many activities here to entertain the whole family.
Visitors can get around the island via golf carts. Do the island eco tour that gives a fantastic overview and maybe a glimpse of bison.
There many water activities to choose from like glass-bottom boats, submarines, sail boats, kayaking, jet skiing, parasailing, paddle boarding, swimming and snorkeling. The marine life here is amazing. Equipment rentals are widely available.
Other activities also include miniature golf, biking, hiking, zip lining or joining an aerial adventure on five self-paced courses. Cruises depart from Newport Beach or Dana Point (closest to San Diego).
*Where are your favorite day trips?
If you need ideas during your stay, here are 50+ Things to do in San Diego.
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I’ve enjoyed all my visits to San Diego – and the day trips outside the city. This is a great list and I hope to do some that I haven’t done on my next visit!