San Diego to Anaheim Drive With Kids
A beach or the historic mission makes a good break. Leave extra time for traffic as you get closer to Anaheim.
The drive
- Distance
- 95 miles north of downtown San Diego
- Typical drive time
- About 1 hour and 45 minutes, as a conservative estimate
Measured from downtown San Diego, 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.
Doheny State Beach
Dana Point, CA
California's first state beach, a well-known surf spot in Orange County.
Official siteMission San Juan Capistrano
San Juan Capistrano, CA
A historic landmark and museum known as the birthplace of Orange County.
Official siteYorba Regional Park
Anaheim, CA
An OC Parks day-use park with a chain of four connected lakes, playgrounds and restrooms throughout.
Official site
Need more ideas before you leave? Browse things to do with kids in San Diego 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
- Pick a break in Dana Point or San Juan Capistrano.
- Pack a towel and a change of clothes if the beach stop is on the plan.
- Leave margin for traffic on the last stretch into Anaheim.
Checked against: San Diego Tourism Authority: day trip to Disneyland (checked )
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Plan the San Diego to Anaheim family drive with a state beach, a historic mission and a lakeside park.
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