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

3.6 (8 reviews) 4–5 hours Free cancellation Private tour

out of 5

8 reviews

3.6

LA–San Diego Pacific Coast Self-Guided Smartphone Audio Drive — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

LA–San Diego Pacific Coast Self-Guided Smartphone Audio Drive, photo 2 — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

About this activity

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.

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At a glance

Duration: 4–5 hours
Confirmation: Instant confirmation
Ticket: Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Group: Your group only
People per booking: 1–15
Audio guide: English
Written guide: English
Operated by: Tripvia Tours

What is included

Included

Included: One booking per vehicle
Included: GPS-triggered smartphone audio tour
Included: Live GPS route map
Included: Download for offline use
Included: Flexible, self-paced access

Not included

Not included: Smartphone or tablet; headphones optional (device speaker works)
Not included: Vehicle, fuel and parking fees
Not included: Admission fees: Optional attraction admission and interior access are separate unless specifically stated.
Not included: In-person guide

Itinerary

Stop 1

Passing by

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

Passing by

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

Passing by

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

Passing by

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

Passing by

Pass Torrance, a diverse South Bay city with a strong Japanese American heritage.
Stop 6

Passing by

Hear the remarkable story of Louis Zamperini near the airfield named for him.
Stop 7

Passing by

Follow the Palos Verdes Peninsula for sweeping Pacific views and coastal history.
Stop 8

Passing by

Pass San Pedro’s working waterfront and its role as a gateway to Los Angeles Harbor.
Stop 9

Passing by

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

Passing by

Discover Long Beach’s waterfront, arts and diverse neighbourhoods.
Stop 11

Passing by

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

Passing by

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

Passing by

Learn about Seal Beach National Wildlife Refuge; public entry is limited to advance-booked guided tours on the Navy base.
Stop 14

Passing by

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

Passing by

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

Passing by

Discover Huntington Beach’s surfing heritage and broad oceanfront.
Stop 17

Passing by

Look offshore toward Santa Catalina Island, long tied to Southern California maritime stories.
Stop 18

Passing by

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

Passing by

Explore Newport Beach’s harbour, sandy shores and oceanfront neighbourhoods.
Stop 20

Passing by

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

Passing by

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

Passing by

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

Passing by

Hear about Aliso and Wood Canyons Wilderness Park, a protected landscape just inland.
Stop 24

Passing by

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

Passing by

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

Passing by

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

Passing by

Hear about San Onofre’s surf coast, Acjachemen history and the closed nuclear plant from the road.
Stop 28

Passing by

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

Passing by

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

Passing by

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

Passing by

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

Passing by

Look toward Cardiff State Beach and the nearby San Elijo Lagoon; beach access is optional.
Stop 33

Passing by

Continue through San Diego County, where coastal communities meet the city’s older and newer districts.
Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve

Passing by

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

Meeting point and pickup

Everyone meets at the meeting point.

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

Using your ticket

Thanks for booking the Self guided Driving Tour between LA and San Diego!!

**HOW TO DOWNLOAD THE TRIPVIA TOURS APP & GET STARTED **

From your mobile device, follow this link to get started: www.tripvia.tours/get-app

*Please check your confirmation email for more detailed instructions.

For assistance ⇒ www.tripvia.tours/chat

Important - Make sure you have a strong Wi‑Fi or mobile data connection while the tour downloads.

Cancellation

Free cancellation

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

If you cancel	You get back
At least one day before	100%
Less than a day before	0%

Good to know

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.