San Diego to Hearst Castle
 

I am attending a conference in San Diego in June and want to head north on a road trip afterward. I will have two full days, leaving early on the first day and flying out on a red eye out of LAX on the second day. Is it realistic to drive all the way up to Hearst Castle, go on a tour on the following morning and get back to LAX that evening? I like taking detours along the way and don't want to feel strapped for time. What makes the most sense?

It is 350 miles from San San Diego to Hearst castle which is easily a six hour drive even without fighting the traffic in Orange County and the San Fernando valley. Personally I would not want to attempt this in two days. At best I would stop at Santa Barbara.

I concur with 120aks.

There are many ways you can put the two days to good use without spending most of the time driving.

HTTY

Trust me- you'll feel strapped for time.
I also would not go past Santa Barbra.

Thank you all for your input. Your answers were sort of what I thought. Is it worthwhile for us to go to Solvang? I know it's a little further north from SB but it looks like it might be a cute town. What are your opinions?

Solvang is a tourist town. If you like to shop for trinkets, you'll enjoy it.

Even just to Santa Barbara will be a slog from San Diego. Is this a weekday morning? If so, you will have solid stop and go (mostly stop) from SD all the way through the LA basin.

If it is a Sat/Sun you'll have it a little easier

It's a weekday. Leaving on a Thursday, coming back on Friday night. I'm used to traffic, but anticipate that LA traffic will be brutal. Solvang doesn't sound too appealing if it's a tourist mecca. Are there any vineyards that you'd recommend visiting?

just a quick note -- A problem is SD and LA are 2+ hours apart at the best of times -- so missing the SD traffic can still dump you in the middle of the LA mess at its worst.

On a Thurs morning you'll want to leave San Diego before 5 AM or after 9 AM to miss the worst of the SD, OC and LA commutes.

Unfortunately, getting back to LAX Friday evening will also be a bear. If it were me, I'd stay in between San Diego and LAX for those two days, maybe one of the nice beach communities (Laguna, Hermosa-Redondo-Manhattan, etc.)