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Day Trip From Los Angeles to San Diego

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Our Tour

Tour Details

  • Private Tour, Your Party Only
  • Luxury Vehicle
  • Bottled Water
  • Complimentary Pick up at Select Locations
  • 7 Hours Minimum

Day Trip From Los Angeles to San Diego

Sunny San Diego, a golden crown that sits regally on the brow of California’s dreamy coastline. Every year thousands of visitors flock to this sun-soaked seaside city for the culture, events, beautiful beaches, unique shopping opportunities, and to simply absorb the chilled, outdoor lifestyle vibe.

If you are staying in L.A. while on  vacation., then a day trip from Los Angeles to San Diego will make your experience extra special. The contrast between bustling L.A. and laid back San Diego will enhance your trip beyond measure, and you’ll get to experience the best that Cali has to offer.

Highlights

  • La Jolla

  • Balboa Park

  • Coronado Island

  • Bazaar Del Mundo

  • Old Town

  • Gaslamp Quarter

 

The Jewel of San Diego

La Jolla is a beautiful and vibrant seaside community inhabiting seven glorious miles of California’s golden coastline. This upscale village environment boasts stunning scenery and luxurious hotels, making it one of California’s prime beach destinations.

If golf is your thing, you are in luck, as La Jolla is home to the world-famous Torrey Pines Golf Course. This location also offers plenty of scenic cliff-top hiking trails, and Torrey Pines Gliderport for adrenaline seekers looking for  thrilling hang glider flights.

There is culture abound in this picture-perfect place. The La Jolla Playhouse and the Museum of Contemporary Art can be found here, along with Birch Aquarium at Scripps Institute of Oceanography.

The main attraction that we will enjoy on our San Diego day trip from Los Angeles is La Jolla’s stunning golden sand beaches. Perfect for sun worshippers, swimmers, snorkelers, surfers and even a spot of kayaking. Everyone will enjoy some time spent on this sun-drenched shoreline.

Culture and Entertainment in the Great Outdoors

No visit to San Diego would be complete without a trip to Balboa Park. Balboa Park is the largest urban park in the country and boasts over a dozen attractions suitable for visitors of all ages. No matter what you are interested in, there is something happening for you at Balboa Park.

In the summer, the park hosts live music events almost every night. Food Truck Fridays sees a fleet of internationally themed street food vendors grace the park, offering their fragrant and delicious wares.

The park is also home to many museums and cultural venues, including the San Diego Natural History Museum, the San Diego Museum of Art, and the Japanese Friendship Garden. If you love cinema and theater, you will be able to choose from a range of Art House screenings, and Shakespeare plays at the Old Globe outdoor theater. Balboa Park is a must-see stop on our Los Angeles to San Diego day trip.

Island Paradise

Coronado Island is the perfect beach destination. It is located just over the Coronado Bridge from downtown San Diego; however it feels like you are in an island paradise. Sparkling sands (thanks to the presence of the mineral mica), barefoot vibes and oceanfront dining with splendid sunset views, this popular destination has it all.

Take a boat trip or Venetian gondola cruise. You can go shopping on Orange Avenue, and rent a bike and cycle the boardwalk. A multitude of activities such as playing golf,  stand up paddle boarding or surfing are all within arms reach in San Diego. Or simply enjoy the view of the downtown San Diego skyline whilst sipping a cocktail at one of the many beachfront bars.

For a dash of culture and history during our San Diego day trip from Los Angeles; we could visit the Coronado Museum of History and Art, followed by an aperitif at the Hotel del Coronado. This famous hotel was built in 1888 and featured in Marilyn Monroe’s movie ‘Some Like it Hot.’ It is also thought to be L. Frank Baum’s inspiration for ‘The Emerald City’ in his well-loved ‘Wizard of Oz’ stories, as the author spent a considerable amount of time here.

Shoppers Heaven

For those who love to shop, San Diego is a fantastic destination, playing host to the eclectic and enticing Bazaar Del Mundo. This collection of colorful shops offers unique treasures from across the globe. The Bazaar is situated in the Old Town area, which also houses two excellent shopping malls, along with several boutiques and unique independent shops. There will be ample shopping time on our day trip from Los Angeles to San Diegofor those who love to come home with a bargain or a thoughtful gift for their loved ones.

Old Town Charm and Colonial History

The Old Town area of San Diego is known not only for its authentic Mexican cuisine; it is also the best place to visit to get a glimpse of California’s historical past. See the many well-preserved buildings dating from the 1820s, including homes and businesses. There are also some fascinating museums here so that you can learn more about this intriguing time in America’s history.

Urban Playground

Downtown San Diego is the real heart of the city. Offering a compelling mix of Victorian and modern architecture, you will see chic galleries and boutique shops next to historic theaters and museums. The  San Diego Zoo and the USS Midway Museum nearby where you will see all types of animals and a real military aircraft carrier respectively.

The historic Gaslamp Quarter is located downtown. This is the hub of the city’s fantastic nightlife. Think rooftop bars where the very best mixologists whip up scintillating concoctions to delight your senses. Fine-dining restaurants by some of the world’s top-rated chefs, and nightclubs are located her that can rival any capital city. Oh, by the way, this area is rumored to have some ghostly residents, too!

Travel Redefined

At Classic Experiences, we can design your perfect Los Angeles to San Diego day trip.Our itineraries are flexible because we know that our customers are all unique. What is exciting to one person might not be to the next. We want to work with you to create your idea of a perfect vacation. So get in touch with us today by hitting the button below and get a conversation started. Tell us what you want to do and see on your California break, and we can make the magic happen for you.

  • star ratingMy family recently went on a 3-week trip to the United States. Our experience was phenomenal and was the perfect way to conclude our trip. The itinerary of our tour included the Hollywood sign, walk of fame, the celebrity houses of Beverly Hills and many more. Our guide Alexander was incredibly informative and highly knowledgable and truly made the experience! We took 20 minutes to stroll along the walk of fame and visit the famous Hotel Roosevelt. Alongside the incredible sight-seeing experience, the car did not disappoint. We were greeted with a fabulous red Cadillac, topping off the luxury experience. When in Los Angeles, this certainly isn't an opportunity to miss!

    avatar thumb Zparkin_24
    September 12, 2022

    star ratingGeorge toured us in his Cadillac for 4 hours in L.A. to discover our sights of choice as this was our first visit to L.A. We got a great feel of the city by going to Hollywood, Grifgith park, Farmer’s market, Beverly Hills and other places. George was providing great insights as we were driving through the streets and sights, and took great pictures of us.
    Such a wonderful experience which we recommend to anyone who wants to « feel » the city!
    Thank you George and Classic Experiences for having made this day special!

    avatar thumb Daphne D
    July 8, 2022

    star ratingWe can’t say enough good things about Alexander and the tour he gave us around LA, Hollywood, Beverly Hills, etc. He was incredibly knowledgeable, fun, funny and friendly - and had extensive insight into everywhere we went. We did a four hour tour and extended for 90 mins more because we didn’t want it to end. If you are looking for a great tour and don’t know where to begin - look no further than here!

    avatar thumb Smcgettrick
    June 18, 2022
  • star ratingStan was absolutely amazing! The Classic Car Tour was by far the best thing we did on our trip. Stan was punctual, knowledgeable, and so much fun! We literally saw everything we wanted to see throughout our entire vacation in just this one trip - YES he is THAT good! Two very enthusiastic thumbs up and five stars!

    avatar thumb Meagan J
    March 26, 2022

    star ratingWow, this is the proper LA Experience! We got so lucky to have Cameron as our trusty know all guide and driver. He picked us up in a classic Cadillac Convertible and immediately made us feel comfortable. We wanted to feel the old glamour of LA and Cameron put us right in the middle of it. He was a very funny personable guy and had the most amazing inside stories including personally knowing Oscar winners.
    we all just felt like close friends at the end of it. If you want to experience Hollywood the way it was meant to be do this tour! And ask for Cam! You will have the time of your life.

    avatar thumb Lisa S
    March 11, 2022

    star ratingWe very much enjoyed the tour of Beverly Hills, Bel Air and Hollywood with our knowledgeable guide Alex. He’s a safe driver and has something to say about almost every boulevard we drive along, every landmark building, knows about the properties of old and new stars, about the cinemas, music clubs and restaurants. We stopped for a photo shoot at the Hollywood sign, had time for a little break at the Beachwood Café - all very relaxed. Good thing he had a warm blanket for the passengers in the backseat, as our February Tuesday tour was blessed with great, but chilly weather. More than once, we were photographed by others - probably because of the well-kept blue 1970 Cadillac De Ville Convertible.

    avatar thumb Ivo B
    February 23, 2022

Tour Details

  • Private Tour, Your Party Only
  • Luxury Vehicle
  • Bottled Water
  • Complimentary Pick up at Select Locations
  • 7 Hours Minimum

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