SAN DIEGO CAR TOUR
La Jolla, Mission Beach, Pacific Beach, Coronado Island, Gaslamp Quarter, Cabrillo Monument/Point Loma, Sunset Cliffs, Old Town
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If you only have one day to spend in San Diego the perfect solution is a roundtrip by car to explore the city. If it’s less cut down the route depending on your interests.
Duration: 10 – 12 hrs Distance: 48 miles (77 km) Getting there
You can either start the route in the north or in the south. Depending where you are staying. So you have to decide between La Jolla and Coronado. My directions are starting in La Jolla but if you prefer to explore Coronado first drive to Gaslamp Quarter afterwards, then up to La Jolla, followed by Mission Beach and Point Loma, finishing with Old Town. |
From Del Mar: Follow HWY 1 up to Torrey Pines Park Road and Prospect Place. Park around Prospect Place.
From Mission Bay/Downtown: Take Sea World Drive towards I-5 North. Exit at La Jolla Village Drive to follow Torrey Pines Rd South. Park around Prospect Place. From Point Loma: Take Nimitz Blvd is bringing you to Interstate 8. Change later onto Interstate 5 North. Exit at La Jolla Village Drive to follow Torrey Pines Rd South. Park around Prospect Place. From Coronado: Take route 75 (4th Ave) to cross Coronado Bay Bridge towards Interstate 5 North. Follow the I-5 and exit at La Jolla Village Drive to follow Torrey Pines Rd South. Park around Prospect Place. If you want to walk less turn right into Coast Blvd and park at the shore. |
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1st stop: La Jolla - http://www.lajollabythesea.com/ The upscale seaside resort was officially founded in 1850 when this area was incorporated into the City of San Diego. La Jolla is famous for its scenic oceanfront that is lined by sandy beaches and rocky coves. Moreover it features a beautiful Californian Mission style city center around Prospect Street. Start your morning in La Jolla by grabbing a coffee and snack at one of the cute coffee shops along Prospect Street. Afterwards walk down Cost Blvd to La Jolla Cove. It’s a popular spot for a picnic, scuba diving and snorkeling. It belongs to the San Diego La Jolla Underwater Park Ecological Reserve and is usually packed with tourists and hundreds of pelicans. You can enter the caves through the Cave Store on your left. Inside the shop a stairwell leads you through a lighted tunnel down to the main chamber of Sunny Jim Cave. The cave got its name since its profile looks like a man with a pointed nose and hair. |
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Invest a few more minutes and continue your walk south along the promenade to Scribbs Park. The recreation area was named after a teacher and journalist who gave several parts of her property to the city.
From the park you have a panoramic view over the Pacific and can watch the waves crashing against the rocks. At the far right of the park underneath the outlook is the former Alligator Head, a natural bridge that was washed out by the tides. Until the 70’s its form looked like an alligator sticking out the rock but its arm (‘neck’) that connected the cliff with the rock was destroyed by a storm.
Further down the path follows the Children’s Pool (at 850 Coast Blvd and Jenner Street), a beach dedicated to children by Scribbs in the 1930s. Nowadays this section is popular with seals and sea lions.
From here make a left into Jenner Street and the Grande Colonial Hotel.
This hotel is the oldest hotel in La Jolla and was built in 1913. When a new owner took over in 1928 the original building was moved to the rear side of the property and a taller architecture replaced the old façade.
Along Girard Ave, down Wall Street and along Prospect Street down to Roslyn Lane you hit the shopping area of La Jolla with many of shops, restaurants, and galleries.
Close by is the La Valencia Hotel, a luxury accommodation that dates to 1926 and is painted in pink.
If you still have some time left pay the Mission-style church at Ivanhoe and Cave Street a visit. If not don’t mind tonight you will see another beautiful church in Old Town.
Returning to your car drive down Prospect Street and towards Pacific Beach and Mission Bay. When Prospect Street meets La Jolla Blvd turn left into the Blvd and continue south until La Jolla Blvd merges into Mission Blvd.
From the park you have a panoramic view over the Pacific and can watch the waves crashing against the rocks. At the far right of the park underneath the outlook is the former Alligator Head, a natural bridge that was washed out by the tides. Until the 70’s its form looked like an alligator sticking out the rock but its arm (‘neck’) that connected the cliff with the rock was destroyed by a storm.
Further down the path follows the Children’s Pool (at 850 Coast Blvd and Jenner Street), a beach dedicated to children by Scribbs in the 1930s. Nowadays this section is popular with seals and sea lions.
From here make a left into Jenner Street and the Grande Colonial Hotel.
This hotel is the oldest hotel in La Jolla and was built in 1913. When a new owner took over in 1928 the original building was moved to the rear side of the property and a taller architecture replaced the old façade.
Along Girard Ave, down Wall Street and along Prospect Street down to Roslyn Lane you hit the shopping area of La Jolla with many of shops, restaurants, and galleries.
Close by is the La Valencia Hotel, a luxury accommodation that dates to 1926 and is painted in pink.
If you still have some time left pay the Mission-style church at Ivanhoe and Cave Street a visit. If not don’t mind tonight you will see another beautiful church in Old Town.
Returning to your car drive down Prospect Street and towards Pacific Beach and Mission Bay. When Prospect Street meets La Jolla Blvd turn left into the Blvd and continue south until La Jolla Blvd merges into Mission Blvd.
2nd stop: Pacific and Mission Beach/ Mission Bay
Follow Mission Blvd to the far end and park your car along the public parking lot at North Jetty Road (to your right). Walk towards the Bayside Lane (to your left) and enjoy the view over Mission Bay and Ocean Beach at the opposite of the San Diego River. Until 1951 there was a wooden bridge connecting Mission with Ocean Beach. But this bridge was closed 1950 and demolished in 1951.
Follow the Bayside Lane to a green, which a popular BBQ spot. At the end continue along Bayside Walk. This path leads you along Mariners Basin and Bonita Cove where boats usually drop anchor. At your right you is the Quivira Basin and the Mission Bay Bridge that connects the headlands.
At the end of the path and the corner of San Fernando Place cut through to the ocean. At Ocean Front Walk and to your right starts Mission Beach’s amusement mile, the Belmont Park. Its atmosphere is similar to Venice Beach and if you are looking for a more relaxed walk head over to the water. At Belmont Park you will find attractions like a rollercoaster, plenty of shops, restaurants and street performers. http://www.belmontpark.com/
The park was built in 1925 to attract prospective homeowners. Only two attractions are left from the origin complex: The wooden Giant Dipper (rollercoaster) and the Mission Beach Plunge, a Spanish-renaissance styled pool.
But as I said nothing keeps you away from the beach. Straight ahead you can see Pacific Beach with the Crystal Pier that contains a hotel complex.
Since you don’t have that much time I recommend heading back to the parking lot. The promenade south of Belmont Park will give you an excerpt of the whole waterfront promenade.
From the parking lot take Mission Blvd up to W Mission Bay Drive. Make a right at Mission Bay Drive and enter Interstate 8. Change onto Interstate 5 South and exit at Route 75 to enter Coronado Island Bridge.
Behind the bridge turn right into B Ave and follow the road until it ends and the Old Ferry Landing parking lot. Alternative parking is located along Marine Way.
3rd stop: Coronado/Coronado Island - http://www.coronadovisitorcenter.com
Coronado, Spanish for the ‘crowned one’ is a small beach community south of San Diego. The city was founded in 1890 and is surrounded by San Diego Bay and the Pacific Ocean.
The first stop brings you to the Old Ferry Landing, a small shopping village with red roofs and a huge pond at the opposite of San Diego’s skyline. From the path that is located at the bay you have scenic views towards San Diego and over the Bay. http://www.coronadoferrylandingshops.com/
You can enjoy the scenery by walking to your left towards Centennial Park or to your right along Bayshore Bikeway (Silver Strand Bikeway). If you walk along both sides you will finally end up with a short hike of 1 mile (1,6 km).
After visiting the bayside drive down Orange Avenue to Coronado’s ocean side.
Orange Ave forms Coronado’s city center with many shops, various restaurants, and theaters.
Don’t get upset if you get stuck along the long and winding street with its grassy median. This is normal for Coronado and I recommend using the time to take a look at the old and quaint buildings.
At Rotary Park turn right into Isabella Avenue, which brings you directly to Coronado Beach. Park along Ocean Beach Blvd and walk down to the water and along the shore towards Hotel Del Coronado.
As you might realize the beach is very long. At northern limit of Coronado Beach you can see the Island Naval Base. Estimating the southern limit is more challenging since it is at the Mexican boarder behind Imperial Beach.
Hotel del Coronado, or short the The Del, is amongst the most popular sights in Coronado and listed as National Historic Landmark. The wooden Victorian resort was opened in 1888 and made the community to a famous and major Californian beach resort. The Del was used several times as shooting location for Hollywood movies, such as ‘Some like it hot’ or ‘Wicked’.
The luxurious vacation resort was the first hotel on the peninsula and is nowadays the largest and oldest all-wooden building in the state. When it opened it was the largest hotel in world and the only one having electrical light.
Eversince it attracted the rich and famous, such as Charlie Chaplin, Mohammed Ali and Charles Lindbergh, and several presidents, like Roosevelt, Eisenhower, Kennedy, Reagan and even Obama.
Moreover the hotel has its own ghost story. In 1892 a female guest committed suicide in room 3327 and until today it still happens that guests feel her presence by reporting flickering light or floating objects in the room.
http://www.hoteldel.com/
To return to San Diego and its Gaslamp Quarter cross over Coronado Island Bridge again. On the bridge take the exit National Avenue.
Turn right into National Avenue and later left into Caesar Chavez Parkway. From Caesar Chavez make a right into Harbor Drive and turn right into 5th or 1st Avenue. Start looking for parking or drive along 1st Ave towards Horton Plaza and take advantage of the 3 hrs free parking. You only have to valid your ticket at one of the terminals without the need of a purchase.
4th stop: Gaslamp Quarter - http://www.gaslamp.org
Alonzo Horton, an American real estate developer laid the foundation for Downtown San Diego and the Gaslamp Quarter in 1867.
Although there were other settlers building homes in this area before, Horton was the one, who finally got the ball rolling by constructing a wharf at the southern end of 5th Avenue.
With him several people moved from Old Town to New Town and started to commercialize the area. With its success and growth the booming new town attracted dubious businesses in the 1880s and the first bordellos and gambling halls opened in its vicinity. With the opening of the adult businesses the serious businesses moved further north towards Market Street and the southern part turned into a red light district called Stingaree.
In 1912 the police shut down the Stingaree after San Diego’s residents plead against it.
In the 1970s the former Stingaree and now called Gaslamp Quarter was still a hub for adult businesses. By then the City Council agreed to a petition to aid the Quarter’s redevelopment and set up design guidelines for restoration and new constructions. By today the Quarter was successfully redeveloped and the adult businesses gave way to boutiques, restaurants, hotels, and galleries.
The best way to explore the Gaslamp Quarter is by feet. If you parked at Horton Plaza make sure you are validating your ticket at one of the terminals before you are leaving for the Gaslamp Quarter.
As mentioned before the Quarter contains boutiques, shops, restaurants, bars and coffee shops, mostly housed in historic buildings. This makes the area so attractive to locals and tourists since the atmosphere is very inviting. If you haven’t had lunch yet, the area is perfect to have a break.
Return to your car and take Harbor Drive to the north and towards Point Loma.
Behind the airport Harbor Drive merges into Rosecrans Street. Make a left into Rosecrans and follow the street until its far end at White Road. Make a right into White and a left into Silvester Road that becomes Asburn Road. Finally turn left into Cabrillo Memorial Drive.
5th stop: Cabrillo Monument at Point Loma – http://www.nps.gov/cabr/index.htm
The monument at the southern end of Point Loma was erected to remind of the first European sailors that landed in San Diego in 1542. Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo, a Portuguese sailor, sailed under a Spanish expedition when he, according to historians, threw anchor at the east shore of Point Loma.
The white sculpture that honors the landing was a gift by the Portuguese Government. Alvaro de Bree created it in 1939.
Each year in October the historical landing is celebrated with songs, dances and food around the monument.
Standing here you have a beautiful view over Coronado Island, the skyline of downtown San Diego and the harbor. The scenery is a bit interrupted by the North Island Naval Complex, an air base, but nevertheless the lookout gives you a great panorama over the city.
If you hike down the path that starts to the left of the monument you reach the Old San Diego Lighthouse. It was built from 1854 – 1855 but had to stop its operation in 1891 since its visibility was affected through clouds and fog.
It was replaced by a newer lighthouse down at Cabrillo Road and was opened to the public after it was restored in the 1980s.
Entering the park you might have realized that you were guided through a U.S. Navy facility. Make sure you stay on the public streets and do not enter the well-marked side streets. Otherwise you will be stopped immediately and have to identify yourself.
Leaving the monument it should be time for the sunset. There is no better place in San Diego than the Sunset Cliffs at Point Loma. Drive down Catalina Blvd turn left into Hill Street and continue towards Sunset Cliffs and start looking for parking.
6th stop: Sunset Cliffs
If the sky is clear you can be sure to attend a marvelous sunset that dyes the shoreline in red, orange and yellow. The scenery is accompanied by an unrestricted view over the ocean.
If you are dating you should consider a picnic dinner here or a romantic stroll along the trail that runs parallel to the cliffs.
Since it’s time for dinner walk back to your car and drive up to Presidio and Old Town. For the shortest way use Sunset Cliff Blvd and turn right into W Point Loma Blvd North. Follow the Blvd until it becomes Sports Arena Blvd and ends at the intersection of Rosecrans Street and Camino del Rio. Turn to the far left into Rosecrans Street and cross the Interstate bridge.
Behind the bridge continue on Taylor Street and turn right into Congress Street. On your left you have two public parking lots. If they are packed look for parking along Congress Street and San Diego Ave or in the side streets.
7th stop: Old Town – http://www.parks.ca.gov/pages/663/files/OldSanDiego.pdf
The best way to start your walk through Old Town’s State Park is to follow the little paths at the left from the parking lots at Congress Street to the corner of Wallace & Garden Street. Inside the Robinson Rose Building you will find the state park’s visitor center (next to the restrooms).
The visitor center provides you with free walking maps including detailed information about all historic landmarks. Alternatively you can download a map under the following link: http://www.parks.ca.gov/pages/663/files/OldSanDiego.pdf
Settlers founded the Old Town area around 1820. It’s considered the birthplace of California. They decided to start building homes at the foothills of the Presidio Hill instead of surrounding the Presidio and Mission on the hilltop. Old Town was the governmental and commercial center until 1860 and had a few hundred residents.
Only 40 years later new residents, including Alonzo Horton, a realtor, decided to move closer to the waterfront. The move was meant to take advantage of the navigable water, which shortened the way of transporting goods to and from the residents. Old Town was quickly abandoned and in 1871 most residents had moved to Horton’s New Town - today’s downtown area. For more information visit the Old Town Guide under: http://www.oldtownsandiegoguide.com/history.html
The majority of the old buildings are lined up along Garden Street at Washington Square. Coming from the visitor center you pass five buildings (to your right) that were built from 1821 – 1872. By today they were transformed into shops or museums.
Crossing Mason Street the sightseeing continues to both sides up to San Diego Ave. At the corner of Mason and Garden Street you have the Casa de Estudillo.
The casa is the most famous adobe in the park and was built and finished by the Predio’s commander in 1829.
Down Mason Street follows the Mason Street School the first public school house in San Diego. The building was completed in 1865 and is open to the public daily from 10am – 4 pm.
Behind the school you are approaching Casa de Machado y Stewart. Stroll around the house to discover one of the lovliest gardens in Old Town. The house was built in the 1830s.
Return to Garden Street and look at the house next to the Casa de Estudillo, the
Casa de Pedrorena. A ship agent that married one of the commander’s daughters planned this house in 1842. When the ship agent died in 1850 the house still was under construction. His son finished it in 1869.
Instead of leaving the park turn left and make another left into Calhoun Street to explore the other side of the park. Here you have the former theatre, old stables and the Cosmopolitan Hotel. Todays Cosmopolitan Hotel was known as Casa de Bandini, the social center of the former town. A Peruvian settler who became a Mexican citizen and later one of the commanders’ sons-in-law completed it in 1829.
At the end of Calhoun you are approaching ‘Plaza del Pasado’ with several shops and restaurants. The many shops, galleries and restaurants inside the historic park might give you the impression of a tourist trap. This is partially true but aside its commercialization, the buildings and grounds are beautiful and you shouldn’t miss the scenery. The advantage coming here during the evening is that it is less crowded.
Along San Diego Avenue and its side streets you have even more Latin American shops and restaurants. Although it’s quite touristy it’s fun to spend an evening here and to enjoy authentic Mexican and Latin American food and drinks.
It’s hard to tell if you should eat at Plaza del Pasado or around San Diego Avenue. Just follow your guts and go for the nicest location in your opinion.
Getting back to your hotel use either Interstate 5 North or South or Rosecrans Street if you are staying in Point Loma.
