coast, highway, ocean, Oceanside, Carlsbad, Encinitas, Cardiff-by-the-Sea, Del Mar, Solana Beach
Description
Called "one of the three great roads in America," old U.S. 101, the coast highway in San Diego county, is a spectacular, ocean view cruise. Tour starts in Oceanside and runs south to Torrey Pines, so drivers are always on the ocean side of the street. Read the full story.
Tour starts at the Oceanside Harbor Drive exit of Interstate 5. (less) Tour starts at the Oceanside Harbor Drive exit of Interstate 5.
Oceanside Harbor and Beach
Explore Oceanside Harbor. It's a detour off the original U.S. 101, but this yacht harbor is a hidden jewel. Follow signs to the beach, or continue the tour by crossing over the San Luis Rey River. (less) Explore Oceanside Harbor. It's a detour off the original U.S. 101, but this yacht har...(more)
Oceanside Pier
A nice walk to the end of the pier. Ruby's Restaurant is at the end. (less) A nice walk to the end of the pier. Ruby's Restaurant is at the end.
Back on Highway 101
Join the old coast highway here in downtown Oceanside. A postcard of this intersection in the 1940s shows how it has changed. The California Surf Museum is just north of this intersection (www.surfmuseum.org), as is the Star Theater, a spectacular architectural extravaganza from the 1950s. (less) Join the old coast highway here in downtown Oceanside. A postcard of this intersectio...(more)
101 Cafe & Hill Street
A classic diner dating back to the heyday of the Coast Highway in the 1940s, located at 631 S. Coast Hwy, Oceanside, CA.
This stretch of old 101, once called Hill Street, includes many leftovers from the highway days. Look for former new car showrooms, cafes, auto courts and other businesses. (less) A classic diner dating back to the heyday of the Coast Highway in the 1940s, located ...(more)
Buena Vista Lagoon Visitor Center & Carlsbad
This is the first of four lagoons along the coast highway. This visitor center is operated by the Buena Vista Audubon Society (www.bvaudubon.org/). On the south side of the lagoon is the city of Carlsbad, where the road's name changes to Carlsbad Boulevard. Keep to the right to stay on Old 101. (less) This is the first of four lagoons along the coast highway. This visitor center is ope...(more)
Army-Navy Academy, Alt Karlsbad Spa & Downtown
It's something you'd expect to see in a small New England town, not in hip Carlsbad. If you're lucky, you might see the cadets marching across Carlsbad Boulevard.
Just ahead is the Alt Karlsbad Spa, where the town started. Its magic waters still flow today. Look for the Victorian building on the east side of the road at 2802 Carlsbad Blvd.
Turn left at Grand Avenue for downtown Carlsbad. (less) It's something you'd expect to see in a small New England town, not in hip Carlsbad. ...(more)
Address: 2605 Carlsbad Blvd, Carlsbad, CA
Agua Hedionda Lagoon
Another of the lagoons along old Highway 101, this lagoon is marked by the Encina Power Plant, and, to the east via Cannon Road, flower fields. By the way, this is Agua Hedionda Lagoon; it's mismarked on some digital maps (www.carlsbadca.gov/parks/lagooind.html) (less) Another of the lagoons along old Highway 101, this lagoon is marked by the Encina Pow...(more)
Palomar Airport Road Interchange & Old Routes
Dating back to the 1940s, this sweeping interchange was where the first freeway version of U.S. 101 met with the coast route. The freeway ran inland from here north and is the current route of Interstate 5. The connector from the coast route north to the inland route was removed when I-5 was built in the early 1960s.
Farther down, keep your eyes open for four different Coast Highways.
-- On the tops of the ocean cliffs, look for the original, 1920s version, now used for parking where it hasn't fallen onto the beach below.
-- Heading southbound, you're driving on the 1930s version, which carried both north and southbound traffic.
-- Northbound traffic is on the "expressway" added in the 1940s.
-- And if you look to the east, you'll see Interstate 5, opened in the early 1960s.
Finally, look on the bluff to the east of the highway and you'll see one of the priciest mobile home parks anywhere... units with ocean views can cost as much as $1 million. (less) Dating back to the 1940s, this sweeping interchange was where the first freeway versi...(more)
Sleep on the Beach & Batiquitos Lagoon
Well, not exactly on the beach, but this is one of two campgrounds on old Highway 101 where campers can sleep above the surf (www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=660).
Just ahead, you're crossing the ocean outfall to Batiquitos Lagoon, which runs east to the La Costa community. (www.batiquitosfoundation.org/) (less) Well, not exactly on the beach, but this is one of two campgrounds on old Highway 101...(more)
Noah's Arc, Flowers & Plants
A famous roadside diner, Noah's Arc, was located here. It's long gone.
This area was a major grower of ornamental plants and flowers. A few growers remain, especially in Leucadia. Look for the hothouse buildings east of the railroad tracks; they're growing what you'll find at your favorite flower shop. (less) A famous roadside diner, Noah's Arc, was located here. It's long gone. This area was...(more)
Leucadia Roadside Park & Central Leucadia.
One of the smallest parks anywhere, it's left over from the days when folks would pull off the highway and open up their picnic baskets. Look around in this area, and you'll see a variety of motels, gas stations and other buildings dating to the U.S. 101 days. Other than Oceanside, Leucadia has the largest collection of original buildings on the highway.
Look on the west side of the highway for the former Encinitas train station, a classic Victorian built in the 1880s. It was moved here and is now a coffee house. (less) One of the smallest parks anywhere, it's left over from the days when folks would pul...(more)
Moonlight Beach
A famous surf spot. Turn west here for Moonlight State Beach, home of the annual Wavecrest Woodie Meet, where wood-bodied station wagons celebrate the heritage of Southern California surf culture. (less) A famous surf spot. Turn west here for Moonlight State Beach, home of the annual Wave...(more)
La Paloma Theater & Downtown Encinitas
Built in 1928, the La Paloma was a popular spot for previewing movies during Hollywood's golden age. Big-time directors and stars would "sneak" a picture here to gauge an audience's reaction. Today, concerts and other events keep it busy. (www.lapalomatheatre.com)
Look for the replica sign across the highway and old businesses along the next block. The Daley Double is a classic bar in a building dating back to the pre-101 days. (less) Built in 1928, the La Paloma was a popular spot for previewing movies during Hollywoo...(more)
Address: 471 S Coast Highway 101, Encinitas CA
Self-Realization Fellowship
Look for the gold onion domes of the Self-Realization Fellowship Hermitage and Meditation Gardens. The temple lead to the naming of the surf beach to the south, Swami's. (www.yogananda-srf.org/temples/encinitas/hermitage.html) (less) Look for the gold onion domes of the Self-Realization Fellowship Hermitage and Medita...(more)
San Elijo State Beach and Cardiff-By-The-Sea
The next beach town is entirely east of the railroad tracks. Access Cardiff-By-The-Sea by turning east at Chesterfield Drive. VG Donuts is then north on San Elijo Avenue (www.vgdonuts.com). More blufftop camping is available at the San Elijo State Beach (www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=662). (less) The next beach town is entirely east of the railroad tracks. Access Cardiff-By-The-Se...(more)
Cardiff Restaurant Row & San Elijo Lagoon
Everything from fine dining to dive bars with a half-dozen restaurants on the beach and across the street. The first restaurant here, George's (now long gone), advertised it was 100 miles from Los Angeles and 25 miles from San Diego on the old coast highway.
The mouth of the San Elijo Lagoon produces this wide open beach (www.sanelijo.org). (less) Everything from fine dining to dive bars with a half-dozen restaurants on the beach a...(more)
Solana Beach
Turn west for the Fletcher Cove beach, east to Cedros Avenue for the famed design district. The subterranean train station was built here in the 1990s after Del Mar -- the original location of the train stop in this area -- couldn't come to terms with the transit agency. (less) Turn west for the Fletcher Cove beach, east to Cedros Avenue for the famed design dis...(more)
Via de la Valle & Del Mar Beach
Turn here to visit Eden Gardens and its collection of fantastic Mexican restaurants (north on Valley Avenue). Further east, past I-5, are Fairbanks Ranch and Rancho Santa Fe.
Continuing on old 101, Del Mar beach is where horses from the Del Mar Racetrack, on the east side of the highway, are sometimes walked in the waves. It's "Where the Surf Meets the Turf." (less) Turn here to visit Eden Gardens and its collection of fantastic Mexican restaurants (...(more)
Del Mar Powerhouse, Beach and Train Depot
Dating back to the 1920s, the power house was built for the now-demolished Del Mar Hotel, which sat on the bluffs to the east.
The old train station, still standing, was where the Santa Fe and later Amtrak trains stopped until the 1990s. Trains blocked the highway when they stopped to pick up or deliver passengers. (less) Dating back to the 1920s, the power house was built for the now-demolished Del Mar Ho...(more)
Camino Del Mar
From this intersection, look for the old and new. On the southwest corner is Stratford Square, an original retail complex built a century ago. Its English-country architectural style mirrored that of the Del Mar Hotel, which stood on the northwest corner. On the northeast side is the Del Mar Plaza, with a collection of upscale shops and restaurants. (less) From this intersection, look for the old and new. On the southwest corner is Stratfor...(more)
Torrey Pines Beach
Cross the classic highway bridge built in 1933 and enjoy the view of Torrey Pines Beach to the west and the mouth of the Penasquitos Creek to the east.
Del Mar is trying to figure out how to replace the bridge, which isn't up to current seismic standards. If you're lucky, you'll cross over just as a train goes under.
The beach is very popular on sunny days. (less) Cross the classic highway bridge built in 1933 and enjoy the view of Torrey Pines Bea...(more)
Torrey Pines Lodge/State Park Visitor Center
Turn here and take the old highway to the Torrey Pines Lodge.
The visitor center was once a lodge for weary travelers at the top of the twisting Torrey Pines Grade. Bypassed in the 1930s, it's now the Visitor Center for the Torrey Pines State Park.
The road was so steep that early autos, with gravity-feed systems (no fuel pump) had to back up the grade from the beach.
To the south is the Torrey Pines Golf Course.
Return to the highway and resume your tour. (less) Turn here and take the old highway to the Torrey Pines Lodge. The visitor center was...(more)
Torrey Pines Golf Course
Home to the annual PGA tour stop, the Torrey Pines Municipal Golf Course is famous with duffers around the globe. (less) Home to the annual PGA tour stop, the Torrey Pines Municipal Golf Course is famous wi...(more)
FINISH -- I-5 and Genesee Avenue
Hope you enjoyed your trip. For more San Diego area drives, go to www.weekenddriver.com. (less) Hope you enjoyed your trip. For more San Diego area drives, go to www.weekenddriver.com.
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