PHXSC

We're driving over to San Diego for a wedding this weekend, and we have most of Saturday to do some exploring. I'm hoping some of you locals could give me an idea of some decent spots to check out within a couple hours drive time of San Diego. We're mainly interested in checking out the coast and any scenery that can be enjoyed topless
I've been told to just head up PCH.
We're staying downtown in the gaslamp district, so that's our starting and return point.

Thanks in advance for any guidance.

Chris

PhilipMSPT

iTrader: (5)

You can stay on PCH until Dana Point.

Afterwards, you'll get on the 5-Freeway for another 45 minutes to Whale's Vagina.

Where is your point of origin? Are you starting around Huntington Beach?

PHXSC

Whale's Vagina - not sure if I want to see that - LOL

We're starting at the Hilton in the gaslamp district of San Diego.

Thanks for the help!

hwy1isf

iTrader: (1)

If you like mountain roads and the twisties then map quest to Palomar Observatory from where you are staying, it is about a 2 hour drive each way. PCH North is a good coastal run, you can go to Mission Beach via interstate 8 and get on PCH, then drive north to Oceanside, it is about a one hour drive.

tromly

Make sure you stop at LaCosta, Delmar, and Carlsbad, wonderful scenery!

PhilipMSPT

iTrader: (5)

San Diego is German for Whale's Vagina.


Anyways, I didn't realize that your hotel at the Gaslamp is your start and finish.

You'll be in a lot of urbanized areas. If you want a nice drive, take the 5-North and get away from San Diego.

Pass Camp Pendelton and San Onofre (you'll see a nuclear plant on your left) and head to PCH; this drive will take about 40 minutes. Take PCH North and you'll be beside Donehy State Park.

On your drive on PCH, you'll find the Monarch Beach Resort on your right (you'll see vast golf courses). You should find yourself in Laguna Beach when traffic get a bit congested, which is a perfect little town for the local art scene, outdoor cafes, and mini wine bars.

Go a little further North and you'll find Crystal Cove State Park about 6 miles after Laguna Beach. A nice park to enjoy the views of the Pacific, with frequent exotics driving by due to the surrounding posh neighborhoods.

Not far away would be excellent shopping at South Coast Plaza or Fashion Island. Lots of big designer shops, so if you need to get some shopping done, those two places would be your best bets.

By the time you get to South Coast Plaza, you can head to the 55-North and back to the 5-South.

If you want some "enthusiastic" driving through twisties, I'm gonna suggest Ortega Highway off the 5-Freeway. Exit Ortega Highway at San Juan Capistrano and make a left. The next 25 miles are fun twisties through Cleveland National Forest. There is a biker bar at the top called Hell's Kitchen, where you can check out bikes and grab a burger or beer. A little further up the road is Lookout Roadhouse, which is not as encompassing as Hell's Kitchen, but it does have a good view of Lake Elsinore and the Inland Empire.

If you keep taking Ortega Highway, you'll hit the 15 Freeway. Go South, and you have a few other options. You can go wine tasting in Temecula Valley (exit Rancho California Rd and make a left; go about 6 miles in) or gambling/dining at Pechanga (exit Temecula Parkway, turn left; right on Pala Pechanga Rd). Pala is a better casino in my opinion, and you can go through some mild twisties if you stay on Pala Pechanga Rd and turn right on Highway 76 (Pala Rd). Route 76 will hit the 15-Freeway in a few miles.

Staying on the 15-South will eventually return to you San Diego.

Check out Google Maps for a good idea on the trip. This suggested path will probably give you a whole day's worth of driving and tanning.

rcpeters

If you don't want to spend the whole day driving, then check out Coronado which is across the bay from San Diego, (fast by bridge, long way around the south end is more interesting) then Balboa park which is near where you will be staying in San Diego and finally, La Jolla which is at the north end of San Diego. I guess you have had enough sun in Arizona, so maybe skip El Cajon, nothing much out east anyway, certainly no ocean or beaches.

PHXSC

Wow! Thanks for all the replies, particularly PhillipMSPT for the very detailed help.
I'll go over your route with the Mrs. as soon as I delete the "shopping" part.....

Solman

I personally recommend that you take the 5 south to 75 go west, over what is known as the "silver strand" ending up in Corona Del Mar" before going over the big bridge back to San Diego. Beautiful view of the Pacific-then take the 5 south to 263 east to Balboa Park, where you can drive around or get out and walk around one of the most beautiful parts of this country. All this is near the ocean to where it will never be more than 85 degrees-Great convertible weather. I live near LA, but get to SD as often as possible, being that one of my sons live there. BTW, when you first get on the 75, you will go through imperial beach which is not impressive (but its not dangerous either)-but what you will see next is very impressive-the strand is manmade-and is beautiful and not a lot of traffic--ENJOY!

Solman

MY MISTAKE--I meant Coronado-NOT Corona Del Mar!! Use caution taking the 5 too far north of San Diego. You can easily spend a couple of hours in traffic. Weekends on the 5 can be a nightmare.

PHXSC

Thanks for the travel tip Solman. We've been over there once and loved it. We stayed at Mission Bay, caught a game at Petco, Navy Pier, loved bar hopping in the gaslamp district. Beautiful part of the US, and thanks for helping

Scott R

You know that's not really true, right?

PHXSC

Can't belive I'm doing this

whale vagina = wal scheide (German)

I figured it was an inside joke....

PhilipMSPT

iTrader: (5)

It's a famous movie quote from Anchorman starring Will Ferrell.

PHXSC

Thanks again for the replies.

I was poking around mapquest, and PCH starts pretty much at Dana Point, right?
If so, I'm kind of stuck being on the 5, at least through Pendleton.
From the gaslamp district, it looks like I could wind around the harbor, then pick up the 101, but eventually have to get on the 5, and pick up PCH at Dana Point.
Correct?

Thanks in advance,
Chris

Oh yea, obviously never saw "Anchorman", but at least everybody knows how to say whale vagina in German now