Sometimes you just want to get away—hop in the car, hit the highway, and leave everything behind (don’t worry, it’s just for a day or two). But as tempting as the open road sounds, it helps to have a plan. Consider distance, for one. Does a meandering cruise up the coast sound relaxing?
Or would you rather focus on the destination and not so much the journey? And how about the vibe? Is quaint and romantic what you’re hoping for, or is outdoor adventure more your thing?
We can help with that.
San Diego Magazine’s annual Road Trip Guide is your roadmap for success, and these destinations are some of our top picks for a quick trip, a weekend getaway, or an (almost) permanent vacation.
Load up the trunk, rev the engine, and let’s hit the road.
Ventura County Coast
175 miles / 2 hours, 40 minutes from San Diego
In search of a seaside getaway that won’t break the bank? Look no further than the Ventura County Coast. This family-friendly gem just north of Los Angeles encompasses the cities of Camarillo, Oxnard, Ventura, and Port Hueneme—all exceptional destinations filled with outdoor adventure and laid back beach town vibes.
The Ventura County Coast is known for gorgeous (and uncrowded) beaches with ample surf spots, opportunities for shopping ranging from premium outlets to local boutiques and thrift shops, and amazing eats throughout. And if nature is calling, visit nearby Channel Islands National Park and say hello to the adorable island foxes.
Oxnard
185 miles / 2 hours, 57 minutes from San Diego
Take a road trip north to Oxnard, a coastal city just beyond Malibu, where Highway 101 meets Pacific Coast Highway. A beat apart from city life, enjoy pristine beaches minus the crowds, ample opportunities to surf, kayak, and sail, and a bevy of popup markets—and don’t forget Oxnard is home to Dallas Cowboys Training Camp and the world headquarters for Drum Workshop. The city is also home to a thriving international food scene that includes its own “taco trail,” where diners can try the classics and new twists on traditional favorites. The city even has an official drink: the Oxnard Fresa Fizz, inspired by its vibrant agricultural legacy (Oxnard is the largest producer of strawberries).
Fun fact: Oxnard, aka “Boxnard,” is a hub for professional boxers and up-and-comers from around the country and is home to a major tournament that draws hundreds of competitors each year.
Carmel-by-the-Sea
443 miles / 7 hours, 3 minutes from San Diego
This idyllic European-style village off scenic Highway 1 is one of the most beautiful places on Earth. Its eclectic charm is rooted in its history as an artist colony, and is most well-known for its fairytale cottages and secret passageways. Carmel-by-the-Sea is a foodie favorite, too. The village boasts more than 60 restaurants and 18 wine tasting rooms. Follow the Carmel Wine Walk mobile guide accessible for free on your smartphone. And don’t miss the sixth annual Carmel-by-the-Sea Culinary Week from June 5 to June 13. Expect immersive experiences, curated menus, epicurean events in scenic and whimsical locations, and special offers at more than 30 restaurants.
Fun fact: Dirty Harry actor Clint Eastwood was mayor of Carmel-by-the-Sea from 1986 to 1988.
Worth the Detour
Veer off the beaten path for these quirky finds.
Balboa Island
Stop in Newport Beach and take the ferry to this man-made island filled with shops, restaurants, and art galleries. Balboa Island is known for its signature frozen bananas, so don’t miss out on the chance to cool off with this frosty treat.
Cabazon Dinosaurs
Large, colorful dinos are the main attraction at this roadside gem. Snap a photo with the iconic Dinny the Dinosaur or his buddy Mr. Rex.
The Museum of Neon Art
This 44-year-old tribute to neon signage in Glendale is the only one of its kind in the country. It features signs from around Los Angeles, plus kinetic and contemporary art pieces.
A perfectly designed home rarely happens by accident. Those kitchens that feel effortless and rooms that seem to tell a story the second you walk in? They’re usually the work of someone who knows exactly what they’re doing.
It’s knowing which ideas will actually work, which materials will hold up over time, and how to turn a collection of choices into a space that feels intentional. That’s where a professional interior designer comes in.
For the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) California San Diego Chapter, the goal is to help people see interior design as more than just the finished look. Behind every well-designed space is a process built on technical expertise. Designers are educated in everything from professional software and construction details to building codes, space planning, materials, and functionality.
Courtesy of ASID
“People don’t always realize how much goes on behind the scenes,” Kirsten Recce , current president of the ASID California San Diego Chapter, says. “Our designers are not just doing furniture placement and color selection and picking out new fluffy pillows. That’s not what they’re trained for.”
ASID members bring formal education, continued learning, and industry knowledge to their projects, helping create spaces that are not only beautiful, but designed to work. A paint color that changes completely depending on the lighting. A material that looks beautiful in a showroom but doesn’t make sense for everyday life. A layout that photographs well but doesn’t function for the people living there. These are the details where professional guidance can make all the difference.
Still, one of the biggest misconceptions about hiring an interior designer is that it’s reserved for massive renovations, luxury homes, or people who already know exactly what they want. The process can feel intimidating. Where do you begin? Is a designer worth the investment? What if you only need help with one room?
ASID’s answer: start with one hour.
ASID’s Spruce Up events break down one of the biggest barriers between homeowners and professional design: knowing where to begin. Held twice a year, the community program gives homeowners the chance to work directly with an ASID designer through a one-hour, $125 consultation in their own home. Whether you’re looking for advice on furniture placement, window treatments, kitchen and bath updates, remodeling ideas, vacation rentals, color selections or something else entirely, the upcoming September 2026 event offers an approachable way to get expert guidance before committing to a full project. Signups are open through Sept. 7, with consultations taking place Sept. 21 through Oct. 31. Proceeds benefit ASID San Diego’s educational and community programs. Register here!
Courtesy of ASID
“It’s a great opportunity for people who are in that exploratory phase,” Recce says. “Maybe they’re not sure they want to hire an interior designer yet, or they think it sounds daunting or expensive. This gives them a chance to discover what working with a designer is actually like.”
Design is personal. A good designer isn’t just creating a beautiful room; they’re helping create a space that fits the way someone lives.
“We’re a resource to all of San Diego County,” Recce says. “It doesn’t cost anything to pick up the phone and call and ask. We’ll answer.”
Growing up, Laika Nur, MD, Scripps Clinic sports medicine specialist, loved watching beach volleyball when the Association of Volleyball Professionals tour came to her hometown of Chicago. A talented volleyball player herself, she remembers sitting in the stands all day, and once, even got a couple autographs. Years later, Dr. Nur was attending a professional event focused on women’s sports, and the discussion turned to a new professional women’s volleyball league. The general manager and coaching staff for San Diego’s team, the Mojo, happened to be in attendance, and Dr. Nur took the opportunity to ask them if they needed a team doctor. Flash forward to the Mojo’s inaugural 2024 season, when Dr. Nur officially became the team physician. Click here to read more about Dr. Nur and how she incorporates lessons she learned on the court into her practice.
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Your feet and ankles probably aren’t something you give much thought to—until something goes wrong. Orthopedic surgeons at Scripps Clinic are on the leading edge of foot and ankle reconstruction, treating patients with sports injuries, deformities, traumatic injuries and other conditions. That includes repairing torn Achilles tendons with a minimally invasive procedure that shrinks the incision site to less than a centimeter, and performing advanced ankle replacement on some patients with ankle arthritis. Read more about Scripps’ innovations in foot and ankle care here.
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Mai Vue was just 34 weeks pregnant when she delivered her baby. Her pregnancy had been complicated, and she’d had a recent second trimester pregnancy loss, which led to her receiving specialized care from Sean Daneshmand, MD, a Scripps Clinic perinatologist who oversees high-risk pregnancies. Dr. Daneshmand and his team took care of Mai during her pregnancy, through the birth of her healthy baby girl and beyond. Mai was part of a program Scripps launched to provide support to new moms in the weeks and months after delivery. The postpartum program, known as Scripps Health’s Fourth Trimester Continuum of Care, provides care for women with high-risk pregnancies to optimize their health after childbirth and reduce the risk of complications in future pregnancies. Click here to learn more.
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It’s estimated that one in five people in the U.S. will develop skin cancer at some point in their lives. When you factor in living in a sun-soaked city like San Diego and the outdoorsy lifestyle that comes with it, that figure can jump to as high as one in three, which makes early detection and intervention all the more important. Dermatologists at Bighorn Mohs and Dermatology Center are using innovative imaging methods and advanced surgical techniques to diagnose and treat skin cancer. For certain cancers in sensitive spots, like the face, dermatologists perform Mohs surgery, removing skin tissue layer by layer until reaching healthy, cancer-free tissue. They also use a process called immunohistochemistry to view tissue samples taken during Mohs surgery in far greater detail than previous methods. Read more about how Scripps is advancing skin cancer care here.
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When endurance athlete Isaac Sanchez learned he had cancer, he felt blindsided. He was healthy, surfed often and was training for an Ironman triathlon. But he had to put that on hold to undergo treatment. His physicians at Scripps Cancer Center developed a plan to treat the cancer in his tonsil and lymph nodes that included six-and-a-half weeks of near-daily radiation and weekly chemotherapy. He also worked with a Scripps Cancer Center dietitian to enhance his nutrition to promote strength and healing. Today, Isaac’s back to doing what he loves. Read more of his story here.
For more nutrition, wellness, and healthy living tips, sign up for the San Diego Health newsletter here.
