Cali Trip /

Question

Hello!

My family & I are excited to plan our upcoming trip to Cali - April 8-15! We do have Disney booked & staying in Anaheim for the first 2 days (8th-10th) and after that we want to get the most of our time and explore California. We have a car reserved when we fly into LAX (have to return when we fly out of LAX). My husband is a semi truck driver in Chicago - so long drives with traffic is something he is used too! Our goal is to hit up a bunch of beach towns and visit San Diego and explore. Our dream is to drive the coastal line! What is a great town to stay in after Disney?

We are very cautious on whether this is achievable, as we want to enjoy our time by giving ourselves time, but yet make the most of it! Your help is appreciated! Thank you in advance 🙂

Answer

Since you’ll be starting your trip in Anaheim for Disney, the logical next step for a California coastal drive would be to head south and explore the southern beach towns, making your way toward San Diego. With a week to travel and a car ready, you can comfortably enjoy several stops without feeling rushed, especially since your husband is used to long drives.

After Disneyland, staying in a beach town about 1–2 hours away is ideal. Here are some recommendations:

Laguna Beach: About 1 hour south of Anaheim, this charming town has a vibrant arts scene, boutique shopping, beaches, and great restaurants. It’s a quieter, scenic spot to enjoy the coast without being overwhelmed by crowds.
Newport Beach / Balboa Peninsula: Just 30–40 minutes from Anaheim, Newport Beach offers a classic Southern California beach experience with piers, boardwalks, and harbor cruises. It’s a good spot for families and easy to access from Anaheim.
Huntington Beach: Roughly 25–30 minutes from Anaheim, known as “Surf City USA.” It’s lively with shops, restaurants, and a long sandy beach. It’s a good midway stop if you want a classic surf-town vibe before heading further south.

Once you head further south toward San Diego, consider stopping in a coastal town along the way to break up the drive and enjoy the scenery:

Carlsbad: About halfway between LA and San Diego, Carlsbad has beautiful beaches, flower fields (in spring), and family-friendly attractions like LEGOLAND if desired.
La Jolla: Just north of San Diego proper, it offers stunning beaches, cliffs, tide pools, and shopping. A great place for scenic views and some light walking.
Encinitas or Del Mar: Smaller coastal towns north of San Diego with beautiful beaches, relaxed vibe, and charming downtown areas. Ideal for a quieter stop.

For your San Diego visit itself, you can stay near the beach in areas like Pacific Beach, Mission Beach, or even La Jolla if you want a bit more upscale and scenic. Staying near the beach allows easy access to walking, dining, and casual evening entertainment. With April weather, swimming is possible but water may still be cool, so pools in your accommodation are a good plan for the kids.

Overall, your route could be:

April 8–10: Anaheim / Disneyland
April 10–11: Laguna Beach or Newport Beach
April 11–12: Huntington Beach or Carlsbad for a midway stop
April 12–15: San Diego, staying near Pacific Beach, Mission Beach, or La Jolla

This pacing keeps daily drives mostly under 2–3 hours, allows you to enjoy the towns and beaches, and still makes the coastal drive feasible. April is also a great month for sightseeing along the coast as traffic is moderate and the weather is pleasant.

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