Taking the scenic route

[Girlie1]

My kids and I are flying into LGB and we got a hotel in Long Beach that night. The next day we are headed to San Diego. We are not in a rush as we cannot check in until 4 pm. I would like to take the scenic route (PCH?). Any suggestions of places to stop along the way?

 

[Disney Kidd]

There are some really great beachfront restaurants, such as 333 Pacific in Oceanside and Jakes in Del Mar, which are more on the upscale side. For a more casual restaurant, you could stop at Pizza Port, which has locations in Solana Beach, Carlsbad, and San Clemente along the 1 (PCH). It is very popular in the area and also it's own brewery, but no ocean views like the previously mentioned restaurants. Ruby's Diner in Oceanside is also popular. It's more casual and has a view of the ocean (as it's on the pier), but I've never been there so can't comment on the food. The 1 will end around San Clemente as you go through Camp Pendleton and then start again once you hit Oceanside.

 

[GoBears 1980]

Driving the coastal route south can be difficult because it changes names so many time.

From Long Beach you want to head out Ocean Blvd to 2nd Street to PCH and then head south.

Maybe stop at the Huntington Beach Pier, Laguna Beach Main Beach area, and stay along the coast through San Clemente until you HAVE to jump on the 5 Freeway to cross through USMC Camp Pendleton. Get off the 5 at the very first exit in Oceanside and then hug the coast the whole way down.

People come to So Cal and spend an entire week in cities like Huntington Beach, Newport Beach, Laguna Beach, Carlsbad, Encinitas, Solana Beach, Del Mar & La Jolla so it is very, very hard to say what you can stop and see on a drive by.....

Jake's Del Mar would be a nice place for lunch. You are literally on the beach.

 

[hiroMYhero]

Pacific Coast Grill is also beachside in Cardiff-by-the Sea.

We also like walking along the Del Mar beach. For beautiful views of the cove and a nice walk, La Jolla is also a fun stop.

If the kids are thinking about college, UCSD has a beautiful campus. The library has been featured in scifi movies!

 

[tarheelalum]

On the PCH just south of Newport Beach you are going to see Rudy's Shake Shack at Crystal Cove state park. It's a shake and burgers stand with some outdoor seating and it is awesome. When you first pull off the PCH into the park lot there will probably be a couple of cars waiting for a spot in their parking lot. Wait a few minutes behind them to get a spot because it really is worth it. I recommend their pineapple shake and a bacon cheeseburger. Great food and beautiful views of the ocean because Rudy's basically sits high up on a cliff overlooking the Pacific.

 

[Girlie1]

Thanks for all the info everyone. So excited for our trip!

 

[ncc1701]

My kids and I are flying into LGB and we got a hotel in Long Beach that night. The next day we are headed to San Diego. We are not in a rush as we cannot check in until 4 pm. I would like to take the scenic route (PCH?). Any suggestions of places to stop along the way?

Stop in Huntington Beach for breakfast at either the Sugar Shack on Main St. or Ruby's out on the pier.