My husband and I will be in San Diego at the end of November and will have one free day to rent a car and do some exploring. Here's what we're thinking based on some ideas we've read. Travel north to la jolla, then continue along the beach road to Carlsbad. From there we would drive to temecula and visit south coast winery. Then head to Anza-borrego state park. Too ambitious?? Other recommendations? We want to see the ocean, some dessert and visit a winery.

You will see the ocean while you are in San Diego, and the coastal drive you outline does not have loads of great ocean views.

San Diego County is beautiful.

If you go to the Anza-Borrego Desert, visit Julian on the way. In Borrego Springs we like to have lunch at Carlee's with the locals.

HTtY

We like to go over the border at Tecate and visit the wineries south of there. Eat at Mustafa's Moroccan restaurant.

I would visit La Jolla Cove, then Torrey Pines State Beach (you can often get free parking on the highway).

The trip to Anza Borrego takes a while, at least two hours each way.

So daylight may be an issue.

Mlgb-thanks for your suggestions re la jolla cove and Torrey state park. Would there be any wineries you would recommend? Might be too far to drive to south coast winery.

I have never been to any of the wineries nearby, sorry!

Another interesting place to visit is Cabrillo National Museum at Point Loma. If you have a National Parks pass, it is free, but even without the admission is reasonable.

http://www.nps.gov/cabr/planyourvisit/fees.htm

Temecula has some very nice wineries, Hart for example is (or was last I heard)family owned. Many have reasonable tasting fees as well.

migb,

We're also looking around for day trips from San Diego so thanks for the idea of Cabrillo National Monument. It's to bad that the national park website currently has a lot of broken links that don't work. Will try again another day. Here's one that was working for me this morning.

http://www.nps.gov/cabr/index.htm

Utahtea

Hmm, utahtea, I think I am able to open most of the links.
I like their Visitor Center exhibits.

Here's the general description of things to do there. You can also visit Fort Rosecrans Cemetery on the way.


A visit to Cabrillo National Monument offers tremendous views of the San Diego region and excellent opportunities to explore the natural and cultural history of the area.

The Visitor Center is a good place to start your exploration of the park. The "Age of Exploration" exhibit, films, and ranger-guided programs present interesting insights into the history of Cabrillo. A short walk leads to the Old Point Loma Lighthouse. This picturesque structure is restored to its 1880s appearance and presents life as it was for the lightkeepers and their families. In the adjacent Assistant Keeper's Quarters, interactive exhibits tell the story of the Lighthouses of Point Loma and, in a nearby historic military building, the exhibit “They Stood the Watch” presents the history of Fort Rosecrans.

A self-guided two-mile walk through a coastal sage scrub forest begins near the Lighthouse. This trail offers views of the harbor and city of San Diego and is particularly pleasant during the spring when wildflowers bloom.

A little south of the Lighthouse is the Whale Overlook. This vantage point offers pleasant views of the Pacific Ocean and the New Point Loma Lighthouse. Whales are often seen from here in January and February.

On the west side of the park, accessible by car only, is a beautiful coastal area. Birding is popular year round, and during extreme low tides visitors enjoy exploring the intertidal zone.

Jamie99
We will definitely check out the wineries in temecula. My husband so wants to see the desert. How far from temecula to get a glimpse? Is it doable on this day trip out of San Diego?

One day trip not to take - to Tijuana for the day. That used to be a fun thing to do from San Diego, parking car at border, walking across.

It has been years, but everything I read indicates this is no longer a good or fun idea.

In November, the drive up the 15 to Temecula will look & feel like a desert. But would say that Palm Springs is doable, an hour and change in fair traffic.

San Diego to Palm Springs is at least 2 hours without traffic.

Unless you drive at 120 miles an hour, which isn't advisable.

mlgb
Please pay attention

"" My husband so wants to see the desert. How far from temecula to get a glimpse?""

Temecula to Palm Springs is 70 miles

"In November, the drive up the 15 to Temecula will look & feel like a desert."

No it won't. Not at all.

OP, you could drive east on I-8 to the Sunrise Highway. This winding road goes through forest on Mt Laguna (6000 ft) to Julian. Julian is a little mountain town where they make delicious pies, have an old gold mine, and a winery. To the east, you see desert, to the west you're looking towards the ocean. If there has been any snow, you may need chains, otherwise it's a lovely drive. Driving back to San Diego, you go through Santa Isabel, home of the famous Dudley's bakery, to Ramona, and down to Poway and San Diego and I-15.

I'm a big fan of the Cabrillo National Monument.

FrankS

I will next time.

However the second part of the question..is this doable as a day trip?

If you are willing to drive back to San Diego in the dark, so a 'day and night trip'/

Do not make the mistake that thinking that going over the mountains is a shortcut, stick to the freeways.

If your husband wants to be in a desert, there is no better option than the Anza-Borrego.

It is very doable as a day trip from San Diego.

We drive there via I-8, 79 (Julian), S2, and S22.

We return via S22, S2, 79, 78, and 67.

We sometimes stop in La Jolla for dinner on our way back to San Diego.

Much of this drive is through beautiful scenery. I love the descent into the desert on S2 and S22, and the ascent on the way out of the desert.

HTtY

However the second part of the question..is this doable as a day trip

I think it would be a long day trip to Temecula, we always stayed overnight.
Temecula Creek Inn is lovely, has a nice restaurant, adjacent golf course and the roooms are quite large. The last time we visited with friends there was a manager's wine and cheese reception out by the swimming pool. It is a mile or so from Pechanga Casino if you wanted to visit for a short time and eat or see a show.
We have also stayed at Embassy Suites. There are some wineries which have lodging but tends to cost a bit more than I am willing to spend.
Have fun whatever you end up doing.

Bottom line I think you will need to make some choices..

Or get up very early and back very late...