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

Duration4h - 5h

Free cancellationFull refund up to 24 hours before

Instant confirmationYour booking is confirmed right away

TicketMobile or paper ticket accepted

LanguagesEnglish

Private tourOnly your group will participate

Overview

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

What to expect

Pass by

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

Discover El Segundo, a coastal city with deep ties to aviation and industry.
Manhattan Beach
Pass by

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Pass Sunset Beach, a low-key coastal neighbourhood beside the Pacific.
Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve
Pass by

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

Discover Huntington Beach’s surfing heritage and broad oceanfront.
Pass by

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

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

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

Pass Balboa Peninsula and nearby Balboa Island, known for harbour views and waterfront streets.
Crystal Cove State Park
Pass by

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

Discover Laguna Beach’s art scene, rocky coves and ocean views.
Aliso & Wood Canyons Wilderness Park
Pass by

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Enjoy Encinitas’s surf culture, gardens and coastal neighbourhoods.
Cardiff State Beach
Pass by

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

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

Meeting and pickup

Meeting point

For the San Diego-to-LA direction, begin near San Diego and follow the in-app coastal route; there is no in-person meeting.

Meeting point

For the LA-to-San Diego direction, begin near Los Angeles and follow the in-app coastal route; there is no in-person meeting.

End point

For the San Diego-to-LA direction, finish in Los Angeles; you may stop anywhere along the self-guided route.

End point

For the LA-to-San Diego direction, finish in San Diego; you may stop anywhere along the self-guided route.

Additional information

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.

Cancellation policy

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

Reviews

3.6 (8)