The Open Road Travel

Best Place To Stop On The Ultimate Los Angeles To San Diego Road Trip

With the ultimate Los Angeles to San Diego road trip taking just over 2 hours to drive, many people will look to complete it in one day. However, if you want to split it up and give yourself plenty of time to enjoy all of the sights and sounds along the way, one place is better than any other to make an extended stop.

Anaheim, California

Anaheim, California, is world-famous for being the home of Disneyland Resort, which includes Disneyland Park, the original theme park founded by Walt Disney, and Disney California Adventure Park. Both are filled with iconic rides, themed lands, and entertainment opportunities for all ages to enjoy.

Beyond the parks, the Downtown Disney District boasts a great array of shopping, dining, and live entertainment options. It is also the location of the Anaheim Convention Center, which is one of the largest convention centers on the West Coast and hosts many major events.

Sports fans can catch an Anaheim Ducks hockey game at Honda Center or a Los Angeles Angels baseball game at Angel Stadium. Foodies will love the Anaheim Packing District, a trendy food hall in a historic citrus packing house that offers gourmet dining and a lively social scene.

This is all without even mentioning the nearby beaches, shopping centers, and Knott’s Berry Farm. A beloved theme park that combines thrilling rides, family-friendly attractions, and rich American West history, Knott's Berry Farm is known as one of the best places in America to spend Halloween with kids.

Best Hotel To Stay At In Anaheim  – Home2 Suites By Hilton Anaheim Resort

Home2 Suites by Hilton Anaheim Resort is a modern, family and pet-friendly, 3-star hotel conveniently located just a short walk from attractions like Disneyland Resort, Disney California Adventure Park, the Anaheim Convention Center, Downtown Disney, and many other top local attractions.

Its suites are all spacious, well-designed, and feature kitchenettes equipped with microwaves, coffee makers, refrigerators, and dishwashers, as well as flat screen cable TVs, irons, ironing boards, safes, hairdryers, and private bathrooms. Air conditioning and Wi-Fi are both available throughout the hotel.

Guests can also enjoy a complimentary buffet breakfast each morning, as well as communal features like an outdoor pool with cabanas, a kids' splash pad, a whirlpool, a 24-hour fitness center, laundry facilities, a business center, the Luke & Lara Restaurant, and the Manchester Bar & Lounge.



A fully accessible property, it features wheelchair-accessible paths and elevators, and rooms equipped with roll-in showers and visual alarms. Valet parking is also available for guests at an additional cost.

Top Attractions On The Ultimate Los Angeles To San Diego Road Trip

Long Beach, California

Long Beach, California, is a vibrant coastal city with a laid-back beach culture. It is best known as the home of the iconic Queen Mary, a historic 1936 ocean liner that is permanently docked and has been turned into a hotel and maritime museum.

The Aquarium of the Pacific is another popular attraction. The largest aquarium in California, it is home to more than 11,000 marine animals. Visitors can see them in a diverse range of exhibits, including the Shark Lagoon and the June Keyes Penguin Habitat.

The Museum of Latin American Art (MOLAA) is a must for many visitors, as it is the only museum in the U.S. dedicated to modern and contemporary Latin American and Latinx art.

Other than dedicated attractions, 4th Street Corridor, or Retro Row, as it is also known, is a great destination, as it offers vintage shopping opportunities, eclectic eateries, and the historic Art Theatre.

Cambodia Town celebrates the city's rich Cambodian heritage with authentic cuisine and annual festivals. The Earl Burns Miller Japanese Garden offers a tranquil setting with koi ponds and traditional landscaping.

Sunset Beach, California

Sunset Beach, California, is best known as the location of the eponymous beach, which is one of the best in the nation and stretches for approximately 1.5 miles along the Pacific Coast Highway. This has led to it becoming a hot spot for sunbathing, beachcombing, surfing, and other water activities.

The adjacent 14-acre "Green Belt" park offers some serenity away from the sand, where you can enjoy leisurely walks and picnics. It also boasts some historical attractions too, such as landmarks like the iconic Water Tower House and tours and sites detailing tales from the Prohibition era.

Huntington Harbour is a great spot for activities like kayaking and paddleboarding, while the many local shops and eateries along the Pacific Coast Highway provide an opportunity to kick back and relax out of direct sunlight.

Some of the top dining establishments throughout Sunset Beach include Captain Jack’s, which is known for its surf-and-turf, and Woody’s Diner, a nostalgic spot with a 1950s surf theme.

Orange, California

Orange, California, is a city with a small-town vibe. It centres around Old Towne Orange, a beautifully preserved historic district with a central plaza brimming with antique shops, boutiques, art galleries, farmers markets, bars, cafes, and restaurants. Also known as “the Orange Circle,” its early 20th-century architecture lends itself to leisurely walks.

Other attractions include Chapman University, a picturesque campus with a youthful energy and cultural offerings like the Hilbert Museum of California Art, Irvine Regional Park, with its scenic trails and picnic spots, and the Orange County Zoo. Seasonal events like the annual International Street Fair are great too.

Santa Ana, California

Santa Ana, California, is a vibrant and culturally rich city known for its historic downtown and strong Latino heritage. The revitalized Downtown Santa Ana (DTSA) district features art galleries, trendy bars and restaurants, and weekly events like the Downtown Art Walk, where you can embrace the city’s style.

The Bowers Museum is one of Santa Ana’s top attractions and showcases world-class exhibitions on art and cultural history. The Discovery Cube Orange County is a hands-on science center that is perfect for families with younger children.

Santiago Park is ideal for people who want to appreciate the local landscape, while the Heritage Museum of Orange County is perfect for those interested in the region’s history, as it includes preserved Victorian homes.

Huntington Beach, California

Huntington Beach is a vibrant beachfront community and one of the most popular surfing areas in the United States. It has developed this reputation thanks to its wonderful beaches and strong currents, which make it the perfect spot for surfers of all ability levels to head out and hit the waves.



The boardwalk that backs the beach is filled with surf shacks and stores selling items aimed at surfers. There is even the International Surfing Museum, with its historic surfboards and memorabilia dedicated to helping fans learn more about the history and growth of the sport, so there is plenty to do when you aren’t out on the water.

Irvine, California

Irvine, California, is a city that offers a great blend of modern amenities, cultural attractions, and natural beauty. It is perhaps best known for its abundance of outdoor recreation opportunities, as it boasts more than 16,000 acres of parks and open spaces.

The Orange County Great Park offers attractions like the Great Park Balloon, sports complexes, and the Great Park Ice & FivePoint Arena, which serves as the Anaheim Ducks' practice facility. Jeffrey Open Space Trail is a 5-mile path connecting various parks and communities. San Joaquin Marsh and Wildlife Sanctuary are ideal for birdwatching and tranquil walks.

For more modern entertainment, you also have the Irvine Barclay Theatre and the Irvine Spectrum Center, which features over 150 stores, a 21-screen movie theater, and attractions like the Giant Wheel and a seasonal ice skating rink.

Pretend City Children's Museum boasts interactive exhibits, and Tanaka Farms provides seasonal activities like pumpkin patches and strawberry picking, making both ideal for families. Meanwhile, some people will simply enjoy exploring Old Town Irvine, a designated California Historic Landmark.

Laguna Beach, California

Laguna Beach is a small beach town that is well known for its vibrant art scene. Galleries are found throughout Laguna Beach, which, between them, offer plenty of options for art fans of all different tastes to see fantastic works by both local and internationally renowned artists.

Like many of Southern California’s coastal towns, Laguna Beach is popular for its amazing beaches, too. However, its unique selling point on this front is the selection of tide pools on offer here. These allow you to enjoy the views and the ocean, without having to worry about the region’s strong tides.

With a selection of beach, wilderness, and underwater parks on offer too, as well as fabulous gardens where visitors can appreciate the diverse nature of the region, Laguna Beach is one of the most diverse beach towns you will find.

Ronald W. Caspers Wilderness Park

Ronald W. Caspers Wilderness Park is an 8,000-acre preserve in the western coastal Santa Ana Mountains. Known for its diverse landscapes that include river terraces, sandstone canyons, and groves of native Coastal Live Oak and California Sycamore trees, it offers stunning panoramic views of the surrounding area and the Pacific Ocean.

35 miles of trails suitable for hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding meander through the preserve, with options available for people of all abilities.

Various campsites and ranger-led programs can provide longer and more educational experiences. The same is true of the Nature Center, which is open on weekends and boasts interactive exhibits on the local wildlife and ecology.

Dana Point, California

Dana Point is a beautiful harbour town that is perhaps best known for being the southern terminus of the legendary Pacific Coast Highway. Its marina and waterfront establishments create a sophisticated, cultured, relaxed environment, and they serve as the backbone of the town’s economy.



 Visitors can enjoy a variety of cruises that set sail daily from the marina or simply sit and relax with a drink in one of the many bars and restaurants around it and watch the boats bob up and down on the water.

San Clemente, California

San Clemente, California, is a beautiful coastal town in Southern California affectionately known as the "Spanish Village by the Sea". It is best known for its Spanish Colonial Revival architecture, with features like red-tile roofs, white stucco walls, and charming courtyards reflecting its rich Spanish heritage.

Casa Romantica Cultural Center and Gardens offers art exhibits, concerts, and educational programs in a historic setting with views of the Pacific. Downtown San Clemente's  Avenida Del Mar in Downtown San Clemente then features numerous boutiques, art galleries, and culinary experiences to enjoy.

The historic San Clemente Pier is popular with tourists as it provides panoramic ocean views, fishing opportunities, and a range of fantastic dining options such as Fisherman's Restaurant & Bar.

The 2.3-mile San Clemente Coastal Trail meanders along the shoreline through the town, past multiple beaches and parks, making it ideal for walkers, joggers, and cyclists. T-Street Beach is a popular spot with surfers and bodyboarders, while San Clemente State Beach is a favourite among those seeking beaches with scenic bluffs and family-friendly amenities.

Final Thoughts On The Ultimate Los Angeles To San Diego Road Trip

That concludes our guide to planning the ultimate Los Angeles to San Diego road trip. You should now have all of the information that you need to make the trip as enjoyable as possible, from when to go and which route to use to where to stay and what to see along the way.

All you have left to do is work out what to take with you and start getting everything budgeted for and booked, so you can look forward to enjoying it all for yourself as soon as possible.



If you need help planning where to stay in Los Angeles before you set off for San Diego, we even have an article dedicated to helping you out there too.