Las Vegas to San Diego Road Trip

We know you’re itching to get out on the open road, but before you start the first leg of your journey, it’s worth taking the time to explore Las Vegas to its fullest. There’s more to experience here than the nightlife and casinos it’s most famous for, and we recommend a visit to Eggslut in The Cosmopolitan as your first stop, where you can fuel up on a gourmet egg sandwich before heading out.

After your breakfast, make a visit to the Neon Museum, where you’ll find an outdoor exhibition showcasing the neon signs that once lit up Vegas, giving you a nostalgic look at the city’s history and a great opportunity to take some photos. Or, if you’re craving a bit of nature before leaving town, a 20-minute drive will take you to Red Rock Canyon National Conversation Area, where you can explore the Scenic Loop Drive or hike the Calico Tanks Trail for some amazing desert views.

Not far from Las Vegas, your next stop is Sloan Canyon National Conservation Area. This area is best known for being home to Petroglyph Canyon, a collection of over 300 ancient rock art panels created by Indigenous people thousands of years ago, and the best way to explore these is by taking the Petroglyph Canyon Trail, which also gives you some of the most incredible mountain views along the way.

After that, if you’re looking for a more challenging hike, the Dutchman Pass Trail takes you to an elevation of 605m, resulting in a viewpoint across the desert landscape below stretching out for miles. Just keep in mind this is a 30.3km loop, so make sure you pack plenty of water and sunscreen! And, as you return to your campervan after a long day adventuring, you’ll be treated to some of the best night skies you’ll ever see, thanks to the minimal light pollution surrounding the area.

As you head back onto Interstate 15, a 20-mile drive southwest will take you straight to the Seven Magic Mountains. This is one of the most famous roadside attractions on this trip, and it’s easy to see why, with seven towering stacks of neon-painted boulders, each rising over 30 feet into the air and standing out against the otherwise muted desert landscape. This incredible art installation was created by Swiss artist Ugo Rondinone and was actually only supposed to be a temporary thing, but because of its popularity, it gained a permanent home that attracts thousands of visitors every year.

While there isn’t much else immediately around the Seven Magic Mountains, stopping here is a great way to break up the drive and experience something truly memorable. Not to mention the photo opportunities it offers, especially in the morning or late afternoon when the lighting is just perfect.

As you start leaving the outskirts of Las Vegas, you’ll notice that the landscape suddenly changes. You’ve now reached the Mojave National Preserve, which covers over 1.5 million acres of protected desert land and is home to Joshua trees, sand dunes, and volcanic craters, all of which are begging to be explored! One of the most impressive sites here is the Kelso Dunes, which is a huge sand dune field where the sand creates a deep humming sound when disturbed. This is a rare phenomenon known as “singing dunes”, and definitely something you should experience while you’re here.

Another must-see spot here is the Lava Tube, which is a hidden underground tunnel formed by ancient volcanic activity, and you can walk inside to see the amazing effect the sunlight has as it comes streaming in through the ceiling openings. Also, if you’re interested in history, make a visit to the Kelso Depot, which was once a busy train station that has now been restored into a visitor center. Just note it is currently closed for rehabilitation, but it is due to reopen in 2026.

Now, exiting Mojave National Preserve onto Kelbaker Road and heading south onto the National Trails Highway, a 20-mile drive will take you to one of the most awe-inspiring stops on your route. This is Amboy Crater, an extinct volcanic cinder cone that rises 250 feet above the desert floor and is estimated to be around 79,000 years old, making it not only one of the best-preserved examples of volcanic activity in the country but also one of the oldest.

To get up close and personal with this amazing spot, head out on the Amboy Crater Trail, which is a 3.9-mile round trip that takes you to the top of the crater for unparalleled views. This trail also passes through an ancient lava field, offering some fantastic photo opportunities and while the hike isn’t particularly steep, it can feel challenging in the desert heat, so it’s best to go early in the morning or in the late afternoon. And, when you’re done, we recommend grabbing a bite to eat at Roy’s Motel and Cafe, where you’ll also find a vintage neon sign that has become another favorite photo spot for travelers visiting the area.

You’re now headed out on the longest section of this road trip so far, but it’s absolutely worth the effort! After around an hour on the road, you’ll arrive at Joshua Tree National Park, one of California’s most famous places and the spot where the Mojave and Colorado Deserts meet. One of the most popular attractions here is Hidden Valley, an easy one-mile loop that winds through some amazing rock formations and offers excellent opportunities for rock climbing and bouldering.

Or, for something completely unique, head to Skull Rock, where you’ll find a large granite boulder that has been naturally eroded into the shape of a skull. Not so keen on exploring the rocks? Take a trip to the Cholla Cactus Garden to see an impressive collection of plants, and if you visit at sunrise or sunset, you’ll get the chance to see the cacti in a whole new way as they glow against their golden backdrop.

We promised that this road trip was a pretty diverse one, and as you make your way from Joshua Tree National Park to Palm Springs, you’ll find a completely different atmosphere. Gone are the desert landscapes and rocks, replaced with upscale shops and restaurants, with opportunities to both explore and relax.

One of the best ways to experience this area is by taking a ride on the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, which takes you up into the cool alpine forests of Mount San Jacinto State Park on a 10-minute ride. Or, if you’ve had your fill of outdoor adventures and feel like spending a day or two kicking back a bit, a 20-minute drive from Downtown Palm Springs will take you to Desert Hot Springs, where you’ll find several mineral-rich pools that are perfect for a relaxing soak. Also, you can’t visit Palm Springs without a trip to Sherman’s Deli & Bakery and picking up some classic deli sandwiches before heading back out on the road.

It might be tempting to carry on from Palm Springs straight to the coast, but visiting Anza-Borrego Desert State Park is the ideal way to fit in one extra stop. This is the largest state park in California, and if you love off-the-beaten-path hikes, it’s well worth your time. One such hike is the Borrego Palm Canyon Trail, which leads you to a secluded oasis filled with native California fan palms, creating a striking contrast from the desert.

Another must-see attraction while you’re here is the Galleta Metal Sculptures. This isn’t a natural marvel, but a collection of over 100 massive metal sculptures created by artist Ricardo Breceda scattered throughout the desert that will have you reaching for your camera time and time again. Also, if you’re visiting during the spring, you might be lucky enough to catch Anza-Borrego’s famous wildflower super bloom, when the usually-barren desert is covered in color.

After several days of driving through the desert and visiting some of the most unique and remote spots in the country, arriving in San Diego feels like entering another world. Here, you’ll be greeted with an ocean breeze and beautiful coastal scenery, along with some fantastic opportunities to end your road trip in style.

Start with a visit to Balboa Park, where you can explore historic Spanish-style architecture and beautiful gardens. This is also home to the San Diego Zoo, which houses over 3,500 animals and exotic birds. Or, if you’re interested in history, head over to Old Town San Diego to catch live reenactments and learn more about the preserved 19th-century buildings. And as the sun sets on this epic adventure, there’s no better way to celebrate than with dinner in one of the Gaslamp Quarter’s fantastic restaurants or rooftop bars.

Whether you’re cruising the Strip or heading out to explore the desert, the right campervan makes all the difference. And guess what? It doesn’t have to cost a fortune. With an affordable RV rental in Las Vegas, you’ll have the freedom to travel comfortably without blowing your budget. All of our rentals include free unlimited miles as standard, too, so you can explore far and wide without worrying about racking up extra costs. So, what are you waiting for? The road from Las Vegas to San Diego is calling, and you should definitely answer!

Thinking of heading out on some other Las Vegas road trips? Here are a few other itineraries you might find useful:

• Las Vegas to Reno Road Trip
• Las Vegas to Los Angeles Road Trip
• Las Vegas to Grand Canyon Road Trip
• Las Vegas to San Francisco Road Trip

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