March 2026 - San Diego, Palm Springs, Dana Beach?

Question

We are planning a family trip in March flying into San Diego. First time in San Diego and first time to California with two tween/teenagers. We are starting the trip by going to Indian Wells for the tennis tournament. We were looking at possibly Dana Beach after Indian Wells and then San Diego but not sure if that leaves us with too little of time in San Diego.

We fly in on a Saturday will do Palm Springs hotel, Sat, Sun and Monday. Then either head to San Diego until we fly out that Saturday or go to Dana Beach for Monday and Tuesday night and then to San Diego for Wed, Thurs, Friday. We fly out mid morning that Saturday.

Answer

Your March 2026 trip plan, flying into San Diego and including Palm Springs, Dana Point/Beach, and San Diego, is doable but requires careful balancing to ensure you get enough time in each location, especially with tweens/teens who may want more activities and downtime.

Here’s a detailed breakdown and recommendations for your itinerary:

Saturday to Monday – Palm Springs / Indian Wells: Staying in Palm Springs for the tennis tournament is ideal. You’ll have proximity to Indian Wells, and Palm Springs itself has attractions like the aerial tramway, mid-century modern architecture, and some light hiking that can entertain teens. Two full nights (Saturday and Sunday) with Monday morning included is sufficient for this part of the trip.
Option 1 – Dana Point / Beach stop: Driving from Palm Springs to Dana Point or Dana Beach takes roughly 2.5–3 hours. Spending Monday and Tuesday here gives you a nice coastal break with beach time, water activities, and a more relaxed pace. However, this reduces your full San Diego days to three (Wednesday to Friday), which may feel a bit tight if you want to explore all main attractions like Balboa Park, the Zoo, Old Town, La Jolla, and Coronado.
Option 2 – Skip Dana Point: Driving directly from Palm Springs to San Diego on Monday gives you four full days (Monday through Thursday/Friday morning) in San Diego. This is more comfortable for first-time visitors with tweens/teens, ensuring you can cover major sites, beaches, and possibly a harbor cruise or LEGOLAND if desired.

Additional considerations:

Traffic: Southern California traffic can be heavy, especially on freeways around Los Angeles. Leaving Palm Springs and stopping in Dana Point adds some driving time, so factor that in when planning beach activities.
Accommodations: Booking hotels near the beach in Dana Point or along the coast can be more expensive than staying slightly inland or near San Diego for convenience. Choose based on priority—scenic beach experience vs. more time in San Diego attractions.
Family preferences: Tweens/teens often enjoy a mix of beaches, shopping, and attractions. If your family loves beach days, Dana Point is worthwhile. If you want more structured sightseeing, prioritizing San Diego is better.

Suggested approach:

Option 1 (Beach & San Diego Split): Palm Springs (Sat-Mon), Dana Point (Mon-Tue), San Diego (Wed-Fri), fly out Sat. This balances a beach day with a reasonable San Diego stay.
Option 2 (Maximize San Diego): Palm Springs (Sat-Mon), San Diego (Mon-Fri), fly out Sat. Skip Dana Point to fully enjoy San Diego with less driving stress.

In summary, if your priority is experiencing San Diego thoroughly for the first time, skipping Dana Point is safer. If a coastal beach experience is important and you don’t mind slightly shorter San Diego days, include Dana Point. Either way, your plan is manageable and provides a good mix of tennis, desert, beach, and city experiences for a first-time California trip.

March 2026 - San Diego, Palm Springs, Dana Beach?

More San Diego Travel Questions

The attractions mentioned in this question

Popular Destinations

Popular Travel Questions