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

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.

1. 1

   Stop 1

   Pass by

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

2. 2

   El Segundo

   Pass by

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

3. 3

   Manhattan Beach

   Pass by

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

4. 4

   Redondo Beach

   Pass by

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

5. 5

   Torrance

   Pass by

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

6. 6

   Stop 6

   Pass by

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

7. 7

   Stop 7

   Pass by

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

8. 8

   Stop 8

   Pass by

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

9. 9

   Stop 9

   Pass by

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

10. 10

    Long Beach

    Pass by

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

11. 11

    Stop 11

    Pass by

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

12. 12

    Seal Beach

    Pass by

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

13. 13

    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.

14. 14

    Stop 14

    Pass by

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

15. 15

    Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve

    Pass by

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

16. 16

    Huntington Beach

    Pass by

    Discover Huntington Beach’s surfing heritage and broad oceanfront.

17. 17

    Stop 17

    Pass by

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

18. 18

    Stop 18

    Pass by

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

19. 19

    Newport Beach

    Pass by

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

20. 20

    Stop 20

    Pass by

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

21. 21

    Crystal Cove State Park

    Pass by

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

22. 22

    Laguna Beach

    Pass by

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

23. 23

    Aliso & Wood Canyons Wilderness Park

    Pass by

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

24. 24

    Stop 24

    Pass by

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

25. 25

    Dana Point

    Pass by

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

26. 26

    San Clemente

    Pass by

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

27. 27

    San Onofre

    Pass by

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

28. 28

    Stop 28

    Pass by

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

29. 29

    Oceanside

    Pass by

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

30. 30

    Carlsbad

    Pass by

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

31. 31

    Encinitas

    Pass by

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

32. 32

    Cardiff State Beach

    Pass by

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

33. 33

    Stop 33

    Pass by

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

34. 34

    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.

• 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.

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