Stops?

Question

We will be landing around 12 pm in April and our hotel is in Carlsbad. I see La Jolla and Torrey are on the way. Would it be unreasonable to stop at those and explore on our way to hotel or is way more time needed?

Thank you!

Answer

Driving from San Diego airport to Carlsbad usually takes about 35–45 minutes without stops. If you want to explore La Jolla and Torrey Pines on the way, it’s possible, but you’ll need to manage your time carefully since you’re landing around 12 pm and will have baggage, rental car pickup, and potential traffic.

Here’s a breakdown of how you could approach it:

La Jolla: If you stop at La Jolla Cove or the nearby village, plan for at least 45–60 minutes. You can walk along the coast, see sea lions, and grab a quick snack or coffee.
Torrey Pines: The state natural reserve has short trails (like the Razor Point or Beach Trail) that can be done in 30–60 minutes if you just do a quick walk and viewpoint. Parking can be limited, especially on weekends or holidays.

Estimated total time including both stops:

La Jolla Cove: ~1 hour
Torrey Pines Reserve: ~1 hour
Driving and buffer for traffic: ~1–1.5 hours

This puts you at around 3–3.5 hours total from landing to Carlsbad. If your flight lands at 12 pm and you clear baggage around 12:30–1:00 pm, you could reasonably reach Carlsbad by 4–4:30 pm.

Tips:

Keep stops short and prioritize what’s most important—either La Jolla for the coastal views and sea lions or Torrey Pines for a quick nature hike and cliff views.
Check parking availability ahead of time, especially at Torrey Pines, to avoid delays.
If you’re tired from the flight, you might want to skip one stop and save energy for your first evening in Carlsbad.

Overall, it’s doable, but it will be a tight afternoon. Prioritize quick visits and don’t linger too long at either location to ensure a comfortable arrival at your hotel.

Stops?

More San Diego Travel Questions

The attractions mentioned in this question

Popular Destinations

Popular Travel Questions