LA–San Diego Pacific Coast Self-Guided Smartphone Audio Drive

3.6
(8 reviews)
Los Angeles, USA

4 to 5 hours (approximately)
Offered in: English and 1 more

Follow the Pacific Coast Highway between Los Angeles and San Diego in either direction on a self-guided smartphone audio drive. Hear 40+ GPS-triggered stories about beaches, surf towns, wildlife and coastal history, from Manhattan Beach and the Queen Mary to Laguna Beach, Dana Point, Oceanside and Torrey Pines.

A live GPS map shows the route while audio plays through your phone or connected car speakers. Download before departure for offline use, then start anywhere, pause for viewpoints and travel at your own pace. Allow about 4–5 hours plus optional stops and traffic. Bring your own vehicle and smartphone; there is no in-person guide.

This is a one-way drive between LA and San Diego, not a return to your starting point. Attractions and interior visits are optional and admission is separate. Seal Beach refuge has restricted entry, and Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve is currently closed to visitors; the audio route can be completed without entering either site.

What's Included

One booking per vehicle
GPS-triggered smartphone audio tour
Live GPS route map
Download for offline use
Flexible, self-paced access
Smartphone or tablet; headphones optional (device speaker works)
Vehicle, fuel and parking fees
Optional attraction admission and interior access are separate unless specifically stated.
In-person guide

Meeting and pickup

Meeting point
You can choose from multiple locations at checkout.
End point
This activity ends in a different location. You can choose from multiple locations at checkout.

Itinerary

Duration: 4 to 5 hours (approximately)
  • (Pass by)

    Pass LAX as this self-guided coastal drive begins or ends near Los Angeles.

    Admission ticket free
  • El Segundo (Pass by)

    Discover El Segundo, a coastal city with deep ties to aviation and industry.

    Admission ticket free
  • Manhattan Beach (Pass by)

    Enjoy Manhattan Beach’s lively shoreline and classic Southern California pier.

    Admission ticket free
  • Redondo Beach (Pass by)

    Take in Redondo Beach’s harbour, pier and storied seaside past.

    Admission ticket free
  • Torrance (Pass by)

    Pass Torrance, a diverse South Bay city with a strong Japanese American heritage.

    Admission ticket free
  • (Pass by)

    Hear the remarkable story of Louis Zamperini near the airfield named for him.

    Admission ticket free
  • (Pass by)

    Follow the Palos Verdes Peninsula for sweeping Pacific views and coastal history.

    Admission ticket free
  • (Pass by)

    Pass San Pedro’s working waterfront and its role as a gateway to Los Angeles Harbor.

    Admission ticket free
  • Port of Long Beach (Pass by)

    See the RMS Queen Mary in Long Beach; boarding and ship tours require separate tickets.

    Admission ticket free
  • Long Beach (Pass by)

    Discover Long Beach’s waterfront, arts and diverse neighbourhoods.

    Admission ticket free
  • (Pass by)

    Pass California State University, Long Beach, a landmark campus with notable alumni.

    Admission ticket free
  • Seal Beach (Pass by)

    Enjoy Seal Beach’s relaxed seaside streets and historic pier.

    Admission ticket free
  • Seal Beach National Wildlife Refuge (Pass by)

    Learn about Seal Beach National Wildlife Refuge; public entry is limited to advance-booked guided tours on the Navy base.

    Admission ticket free
  • (Pass by)

    Pass Sunset Beach, a low-key coastal neighbourhood beside the Pacific.

    Admission ticket free
  • Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve (Pass by)

    Look toward Bolsa Chica’s protected wetlands, a haven for shorebirds and other wildlife.

    Admission ticket free
  • Huntington Beach (Pass by)

    Discover Huntington Beach’s surfing heritage and broad oceanfront.

    Admission ticket free
  • (Pass by)

    Look offshore toward Santa Catalina Island, long tied to Southern California maritime stories.

    Admission ticket free
  • (Pass by)

    Hear how Huntington Beach’s oil fields shaped the coast near this coded location.

    Admission ticket free
  • Newport Beach (Pass by)

    Explore Newport Beach’s harbour, sandy shores and oceanfront neighbourhoods.

    Admission ticket free
  • (Pass by)

    Pass Balboa Peninsula and nearby Balboa Island, known for harbour views and waterfront streets.

    Admission ticket free
  • Crystal Cove State Park (Pass by)

    See Crystal Cove’s coastal bluffs and historic beach cottages; park visits are separate.

    Admission ticket free
  • Laguna Beach (Pass by)

    Discover Laguna Beach’s art scene, rocky coves and ocean views.

    Admission ticket free
  • Aliso & Wood Canyons Wilderness Park (Pass by)

    Hear about Aliso and Wood Canyons Wilderness Park, a protected landscape just inland.

    Admission ticket free
  • (Pass by)

    Pass Monarch Beach, a coastal neighbourhood of Dana Point with sweeping Pacific vistas.

    Admission ticket free
  • Dana Point (Pass by)

    Enjoy Dana Point’s harbour and headlands, a celebrated whale-watching area.

    Admission ticket free
  • San Clemente (Pass by)

    Pass San Clemente’s Spanish-style streets and beaches by the sea.

    Admission ticket free
  • San Onofre (Pass by)

    Hear about San Onofre’s surf coast, Acjachemen history and the closed nuclear plant from the road.

    Admission ticket free
  • (Pass by)

    Pass Las Flores near Camp Pendleton; the historic estancia is on a restricted military base.

    Admission ticket free
  • Oceanside (Pass by)

    Discover Oceanside’s long pier, waterfront and coastal heritage.

    Admission ticket free
  • Carlsbad (Pass by)

    Pass Carlsbad, known for its beaches and seasonal Flower Fields.

    Admission ticket free
  • Encinitas (Pass by)

    Enjoy Encinitas’s surf culture, gardens and coastal neighbourhoods.

    Admission ticket free
  • Cardiff State Beach (Pass by)

    Look toward Cardiff State Beach and the nearby San Elijo Lagoon; beach access is optional.

    Admission ticket free
  • San Diego County (Pass by)

    Continue through San Diego County, where coastal communities meet the city’s older and newer districts.

    Admission ticket free
  • Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve (Pass by)

    View Torrey Pines’ coastal cliffs from outside; the state reserve is closed to visitors during its utility project.

    Admission ticket free

Additional info

  • Service animals allowed
  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
  • Wheelchair accessible
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • This self-guided drive uses your own vehicle and is mainly enjoyed from the road. Optional beach, park and harbour visits may involve uneven surfaces or separate admission; the audio route remains usable when nearby sites are closed. Seal Beach refuge requires an advance-booked guided visit, and Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve is currently closed to all visitors.
Supplied by Tripvia Tours

Tags

Day Trips
Half-day Tours
Bus Tours
Private and Luxury
Private Sightseeing Tours
Audio Guides
Car Tours
Adventure Tours
Low Supplier Cancellation Rate
Low Last Minute Supplier Cancellation Rate
New Product
Short term availability

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

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Rating

3.6 Based on 8 8 reviews
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