Great San Diego area Day Trips
Animal experience
The world famous San Diego Zoo is a great day away from home. Also save time to explore the surrounding Balboa Park
2510 locals recommend
San Diego Zoo
2920 Zoo DrThe world famous San Diego Zoo is a great day away from home. Also save time to explore the surrounding Balboa Park
If you like walking outdoors and experience wildlife in their natural habit this place hits the mark. Amazing and peaceful.
967 locals recommend
San Diego Zoo Safari Park
15500 San Pasqual Valley RdIf you like walking outdoors and experience wildlife in their natural habit this place hits the mark. Amazing and peaceful.
Great for kids - not a huge aquarium but is well worthwhile - combine it with a walk on La Jolla shores
366 locals recommend
Birch Aquarium at Scripps
2300 Expedition WayGreat for kids - not a huge aquarium but is well worthwhile - combine it with a walk on La Jolla shores
Sightseeing
San Diego Botanic Garden
300 Quail Gardens DrWalking the shores of La Jolla and following it up with some fine dining downtown La Jolla is a must. Sea Lions, Marine Park with scuba diving and kayaking awaits you
1327 locals recommend
La Jolla Cove
1100 Coast BlvdWalking the shores of La Jolla and following it up with some fine dining downtown La Jolla is a must. Sea Lions, Marine Park with scuba diving and kayaking awaits you
Lots of museums and gardens on display here. Try going on Tuesday when some of the museums are free.
3290 locals recommend
Balboa Park
Lots of museums and gardens on display here. Try going on Tuesday when some of the museums are free.
Short trip from Encinitas. Drive on to the island and park or catch a ferry across and then walk the coastal path. Be sure to end up at the Hotel Del Coronado where Marilyn Monroe had her famous skirt photo take.
487 locals recommend
Coronado Island
Short trip from Encinitas. Drive on to the island and park or catch a ferry across and then walk the coastal path. Be sure to end up at the Hotel Del Coronado where Marilyn Monroe had her famous skirt photo take.
If you need to see the sign and walk the walk of fame it’s about 100 miles away and can take a while if there is traffic
557 locals recommend
Hollywood Sign
If you need to see the sign and walk the walk of fame it’s about 100 miles away and can take a while if there is traffic
Famous for their Apple pies, this little neighborhood is a great day trip for the family. Park and walk the town.
245 locals recommend
Julian
Famous for their Apple pies, this little neighborhood is a great day trip for the family. Park and walk the town.
Take a fast ferry out to Carlin’s island. Great place to trundle around on. See the bison...
132 locals recommend
Catalina Express
95 BerthTake a fast ferry out to Carlin’s island. Great place to trundle around on. See the bison...
Great place to go and hike. Rock pools are great but the views are also great
65 locals recommend
Point Loma Tide Pools
1800 Cabrillo Memorial DrGreat place to go and hike. Rock pools are great but the views are also great
USS Midway Museum
910 N Harbor DrNo trip to San Diego should skip a trip to the Midway
Some great food places and lots of Mexican shops. Great day out.
170 locals recommend
Old Town San Diego
4002 Wallace StSome great food places and lots of Mexican shops. Great day out.
Leo Carrillo Ranch Historic Park
6200 Flying Leo Carrillo LnFun day getting out
Great spot on the beach. Great outdoors, great restaurants, pub on the beach
519 locals recommend
Hotel Del Coronado
1500 Orange AveGreat spot on the beach. Great outdoors, great restaurants, pub on the beach
Food scene
Great date night place, sports event viewing, pub crawls, dinner and a show. Downtown San Diego is a must.
12 locals recommend
Gaslamp Quarter Station
Great date night place, sports event viewing, pub crawls, dinner and a show. Downtown San Diego is a must.
Little Italy
Park and walk - great little street if you like Italian
For the kids
Great for kids of any age. Great for dad too. Just 1/2hr drive, if that...
1249 locals recommend
LEGOLAND California
One Legoland DrGreat for kids of any age. Great for dad too. Just 1/2hr drive, if that...
The original amazing Disney theme park is just over an hours drive from Encinitas. Family fun for all.
3085 locals recommend
Disneyland Park
1313 Disneyland DrThe original amazing Disney theme park is just over an hours drive from Encinitas. Family fun for all.
There are 2 parks at Disney and this is the one with the more adult rides. Well worth the trip.
270 locals recommend
Disney California Adventure
Disneyland DrThere are 2 parks at Disney and this is the one with the more adult rides. Well worth the trip.
If you like water and fish this is a great outing for the day. I love aquariums and I could spend all day there.
1754 locals recommend
SeaWorld San Diego
500 Sea World Dr.If you like water and fish this is a great outing for the day. I love aquariums and I could spend all day there.
If the fair is on you gotta go. Pick up some discounted tickets from the local grocery stores.
198 locals recommend
Del Mar Fairgrounds
If the fair is on you gotta go. Pick up some discounted tickets from the local grocery stores.
Moonlight Beach
400 B StGreat family beach with playground and bathrooms
Lots of parking (paid) with great access to beach and rock pools (at low tide)
268 locals recommend
Torrey Pines State Beach
Lots of parking (paid) with great access to beach and rock pools (at low tide)
Lake Hodges
Get a boat and go fishing
Action and Activities
Torrey Pines Gliderport
2800 Torrey Pines Scenic DrWant to go paragliding? A professional will take you.
Great way to see Encinitas and the surrounding vista. Takes off within a mile of our place!
9 locals recommend
Compass Balloons
1969 Villa Cardiff DrGreat way to see Encinitas and the surrounding vista. Takes off within a mile of our place!
Park at the bottom and hike to the top (easy to hike, steep but on a road). Once on top take one of the many trails down and see if you can make it to the beach and then walk back on the beach
1108 locals recommend
Torrey Pines State Reserve
12600 North Torrey Pines RoadPark at the bottom and hike to the top (easy to hike, steep but on a road). Once on top take one of the many trails down and see if you can make it to the beach and then walk back on the beach
If you have a dog this is a must. You’ll interact with hundreds of other dogs And owners on the beach. Parking requires payment.
62 locals recommend
Del Mar North Beach
If you have a dog this is a must. You’ll interact with hundreds of other dogs And owners on the beach. Parking requires payment.
Oceanside Pier Bait Shop
If you like fishing or surfing this is a great spot
Take time to golf the local course with some great views.
39 locals recommend
Encinitas Ranch Golf Course
1275 Quail Gardens DrTake time to golf the local course with some great views.
Belly Up
143 S Cedros AveNightly shows at this local pub / club
Big Bear Lake
Go ski for a day or simply go and take in the sites
Wilson Creek Winery
35960 Rancho California RdEnjoy the wine farms of Temecula
A dive of a casino. Card tables. If you enjoy gambling it’s just next door ;)
13 locals recommend
Ocean's Eleven Casino
121 Brooks StA dive of a casino. Card tables. If you enjoy gambling it’s just next door ;)
If it’s baseball season you have to go to the best ballpark in the country
709 locals recommend
Petco Park
100 Park BlvdIf it’s baseball season you have to go to the best ballpark in the country
Stand up paddle boarding.
12 locals recommend
Aqua Adventures Kayaks & Stand Up Paddleboards Rental & Sales
1548 Quivira WayStand up paddle boarding.
Bobby Riggs Racket & Paddle
875 Santa Fe DrPlay a little paddle ball. $10 for a session.
Chiropractic Life Center
447 Encinitas BlvdDon’t forget to straighten the spine after your activities.
Anza Borrego State Park;
Dune activities - ATV - we took our RV and had a blast
Shopping
Outdoor outlet mall right next to the famous Carlsbad flower fields. Mixture of all brands at outlet mall prices
400 locals recommend
Carlsbad Premium Outlets
5620 Paseo Del NorteOutdoor outlet mall right next to the famous Carlsbad flower fields. Mixture of all brands at outlet mall prices
Best shopping mall in the area. High end stores with lots of open fun areas for the family.
381 locals recommend
Westfield UTC
4545 La Jolla Village DrBest shopping mall in the area. High end stores with lots of open fun areas for the family.
Surf spots
Local surf spots
Swami's Beach
Famous surf spot - enough said
San Onofre State Beach
Old Pacific HighwayA little way up the 5N but well worth the trip