Los Angeles to San Diego Drive With Kids
Traffic decides this drive more than the miles do. Plan one beach or museum break in Orange County and keep the rest simple.
The drive
- Distance
- 120 miles
- Typical drive time
- About 2.5 hours, depending on time of day and traffic
Measured from San Diego, as the source states it (the same drive in reverse), as stated by the official source listed at the bottom of this page. Traffic, weather and stops with kids add time, so plan for a longer day than the map shows.
Kid-friendly stops on the way
Each stop was checked on its own official site. Open it before you go for current hours, prices and any closures.
Discovery Cube Orange County
Santa Ana, CA
A hands-on science center with exhibits like Dino Quest and a rainforest area.
Official siteDoheny State Beach
Dana Point, CA
California's first state beach, with swimming, picnic areas and interpretive exhibits.
Official siteFleet Science Center
San Diego, CA
A science center with interactive galleries, including Kid City for young children.
Official site
Need more ideas before you leave? Browse things to do with kids in Los Angeles or plan a different route.
Free road-trip stop checklist
Stop before everyone runs out of patience: how to plan a real break to burn energy, pick an indoor backup in case it rains, and add up the family total before you pay. One page, emailed now. Then The Weekend Scout once a week: one family outing idea for the weekend. Free. Unsubscribe from any email.
Three things to plan before you leave
- Avoid leaving Los Angeles at peak commute times when you can.
- Use a beach stop for running around and a museum stop as the backup.
- Keep snacks and water in reach for traffic slowdowns.
Checked against: Visit California: California geography essentials (checked )
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Plan the LA to San Diego family drive with Discovery Cube, Doheny State Beach and the Fleet Science Center.
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