How long is the drive from Los Angeles, CA to San Diego, CA?

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Michael

Depends on what time of the day. I would give myself at least 3 hours during the day and 2 hours in the evening, after 8PM.

You could also take the scenic route. It will take longer but has great views of the ocean.

Some sites to visit are the beach communities of OC, like Huntington Beach, known for surfing, Newport Beach, where you can view 10 million dollar homes :), or visit the wharf in Dana Point. The San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station and Camp Pendleton are interesting sights along the way.

Jorge B

1.5 to 2 hours depending on where in L.A. you are driving from and how fast you drive. Great spots in San Diego worth visiting are the Gaslamp District in Downtown San Diego. Lots of great restaurants, bars, clubs, etc. Old Town is also great. It's the birthplace of California with many buildings from the 1800's still intact. Sea World in Mission Bay is also cool. Check out Cabrillo National Monument at the tip of Point Loma also. A very historic lighthouse and some pristine tidepools are there. If you're into the college age clubs, you'll want to check out Garnet Avenue in Pacific Beach. Tons of college students hang out there on weekends at a variety of clubs and restaurants geared for that crowd. Also check out Seaport Village at the waterfront in Downtown. You can get a boat ride around the harbor there and see some historic boats and sights.

NIKKO23_99

Mattering on where you are leaving LA from it could take 3-4 hours and sometimes only 1.5hrs. The straight shot hwy is the 5 but I always like taking the 405 and sometimes will go over to the coast using 133 and sight throughout Laguna Beach. At that point it is PCH / the 101 and eventually you will go back over to the 5 and can enjoy the view from there on down. Almost forgot, if you get the chance go to Sunset Cliffs (its kinda near SeaWorld) at least once and you will never forget it.

sarcastro1976

It's about 2 hours with light traffic.

Along the way: There's nothing really along the way, except Newport Beach/Balboa Island (which are off the freeway a bit). Those are in Orange County. San Juan Capistrano is right on the freeway, and that's famous for swallows (birds) which return there every year, but I'm not sure which season. There's also a Spanish mission there (but also in SD).

Misti J

2 1/2 hours

HeART oF GoLD

The trip from Los Angeles to Sandiego is about 120.6 miles and 1 hour 42 mins. Site seeing, Golden Gate bridge, San Diego Zoo, and Alcatraz island, LA county museum, and Alvera street.

nmsosnoski

I am smack dabb in the middle of the 2, and it takes me about 45 min to an hour to get to either, so about 1.5-2 hours. Also both counties are huge, so it could take more depending on where you are going in either. If you take the 5, you pass right by Disneyland, and pretty close to the crystal cathederal. A little further down you will pass the Irvine spectrem, which is a good place to shop or eat. San Juan Capistrano is a little further as well, where you can learn about the Missions from Mex.

CruiznSD

The drive is roughly about 2 hours, it all depends on traffic. Some noteable stops along the way are Disneyland, some scenic stops south of San Clemente which provide a great view of the ocean and Sea World.

confused

If you want to see the beach, take Hwy 1. Interstate 5 is ugly and the traffic might kill you any way you go. Go to Sea World if you can. Old town San Diego is nice. Do not get off on Olympic rd unless you are hispanic.

Seiji

I did this commute for a year (lived in San Diego, worked in LA). The drive from downtown to downtown almost always took 2 hours with the normal morning and afternoon rush hour traffic (surprisingly). I always took the 5 (I-5), usually left San Diego at 7am, and left LA at 5pm. When not during rush hour, it would take 1 hour 45 minutes. Only once did I get stuck in major traffic (accident) and it took me almost 5 hours to get to LA.

Just enjoy the scenery between San Diego and Orange County. The rest is one big city (traffic and buildings everywhere).

Txlady

First, go to www@mapquest.com and follow the directions. It will give you the mileage you want AND a step-by-step direction guide from your house (ie: 1. Go right on Main. 2. Turn left on Rodeo. etc.). Try these travel agencies, as recommended by AARP: BrenanVacations, Cosmos, and Globus: 1.866.755.8580; General Tours: 1.800.858.0908; The Right Vacation Rental and Untours: 1.888.868.6871. As you probably know, many agencies charge different rates for different packages. I would call one number and ask them if the others in the groups listed offer a package on what you want. Find the best rate--look for the one that will give you the best SCENIC Coverage for your money. You're asking only for scenic ideas--get the "best bang for the buck". Get that location to send the brochures to you or, depending on the address, go there and pick up what you want.

wrkey

The best way.. drive the beach road. I did that a few years back and it was great! I think it's Hwy 1.

Good luck and have fun!

Troy K

2-3 hours on I-5,depending on traffic.

surfchika

Depends on where in LA you are. From the southern part, it's about 1 1/2-2 hours. But if you are coming from furthur north it will take more like 2 1/2 hours.

However, all these figures are conditional based on the traffic. LA and SD have terrible traffic. So expect to add a half hour to even an hour to your travel time because of it.

cep06

approx. 108.1 mile or 1 hour 34 minutes

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