Sure, gas prices are high, but some days you just need to go on a cruise and take in some natural beauty. Scenic drives in San Diego are easily accessible and beautiful year-round. Read on for a few ideas on where to go to see some natural beauty in San Diego!
Otay Lakes Road
Located East of Chula Vista and just past the Olympic Training Center, Otay Lakes Road offers great views for a scenic drive close to San Diego. If you start from the West and head East, you will have plenty of opportunities to stop and explore different areas of Lower Otay Lake.
As you keep driving, you will encounter Otay Open space on your right, as mountains creep up next to you. Windy roads make the driving experience fun and engaging, but be very careful, as they are narrow and bikers frequent the area.
For those of you looking for a mild off-road experience, Otay Mountain Truck trail offers stunning vistas from the top. Doable without 4×4, this trail is mostly a dirt road that provides some more challenging offshoots for those looking for off-roading near San Diego.
Overall, if you want a route that has places to stop and enjoy lake views, a trail for some off-roading, and is beautiful throughout, look no further!
94/Campo Road
Consequently, one of my favorite places to fly a drone in San Diego, the 94 offers year-round views and vistas, not to mention tons of places to explore nearby. One of the best parts is that it is easy to access, as the 94 starts in downtown.
Out past Spring Valley and into Jamul, the 94 opens up to some beautiful views of the countryside. There are lots of places to explore close to the highway and many hiking trails nearby as well. The further East you venture, the more spread out everything is, leaving you with stretches of empty, winding highway.
While this road does not offer as many twists and turns as Otay Lakes Roads, it still offers a great driving experience. If you are feeling ambitious, you can link up with Otay Lakes road to the South, or take Lyons Valley Road, another beautiful and quiet drive, up to the 8. Or simply go further out East to extend your scenic drive throughout San Diego!
Highland Valley Road
If you’re into beautiful roads with lots of tight turns and twists, then Highland Valley Road is perfect for you. Highland Valley Road is a stunning route through North County that takes you past wineries and vineyards at every turn.
View this post on Instagram
If you’re looking for a scenic drive in San Diego, Highland Valley Road has some of the best views in North County as well. Farms litter both sides of the road, and as you gain elevation you are treated to scenic views of the green farms.
The driving on this road is spectacular, and while it is quite narrow, it provides lots of hairpin turns and sharp corners. As always, be careful and watch for oncoming drivers and bikers too.
View this post on Instagram
Doing this drive just before sunset is the best, in my opinion. Because there is a small amount of elevation gain, you can see the golden rays wash over the valley below. Driving here feels like being transported to somewhere in Italy. While the usual landscapes in San Diego feature desert flora and rocky features throughout, the drive here is lush and green in the right season due to the high amount of vineyards and farms.
Sunrise Highway
The Sunrise Highway in San Diego may be the most well-known scenic road in the area – and for good reason! With dramatic views of Anza Borrego State Park on one side and Cuyamaca Rancho State Park on the other, the Sunrise Highway is a perfect scenic drive.
In some parts, you are able to fly a drone to take in the sweeping vistas as well. Pullouts to stop and snap pictures are abundant, and some of the best hiking trails in San Diego are close as well!
This road is also super fun to drive on, and the corners will keep you on your toes. The landscape is constantly changing as you drive past. From desert vistas to green forests, the view truly never gets old.
If you want to change it up on the way back, the trip down Highway 79 back to the 8 is beautiful as well. This way has no desert views, but driving through forests and farmlands isn’t too shabby.
