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Southern California: San Diego to Joshua Tree: 5-Day Plan You Can Actually Drive
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The 5-day version for March: every day fits real transit, opening hours and daylight. Prefer more or fewer days? 3-day plan · 4-day plan · 5-day plan · best time to go.
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5
days
285 km
distance
9.6 h
driving
22
curated stops
💡 Good to know for this plan
- ~11.8 hours of daylight in March — the plan keeps days inside a realistic window.
- Desert season proper: Joshua Tree's boulders warm without broiling, Palm Springs pools justify themselves, and a wet winter can detonate a spring superbloom.
Day 1 San Diego
- Transit
- 1h39
- Finish
- ~17:55
- Temperature
- 8.8°C–18.9°C
- Rainy days
- ~4
- Daylight
- 11.8h
09:00
10:50
12:55
Encounter a vast array of rare and endangered animals from around the world.
240 min · San Diego · $71/adult, $61/child, free for children under 3 (includes Guided Bus Tour and Bus/Aerial Tram rides; multi-park passes including admission to the San Diego Zoo …
open: 9AM–5PM (extended hours in the summer)
17:05
Stroll among beautiful Victorian-era buildings in the historic Gaslamp Quarter.
50 min · San Diego
Overnight here
e.g. Hilton La Jolla Torrey Pines · Hostel on 3rd
Day 2 Around San Diego
- Transit
- 1h18
- Finish
- ~16:35
- Temperature
- 8.8°C–18.9°C
- Rainy days
- ~4
- Daylight
- 11.8h
09:00
10:05
Discover lesser-known masterpieces from European, American, and Russian painters.
50 min · San Diego · Free
open: Tu-Sa 10AM-4:30PM, Su noon-4:30PM
11:05
Stroll through diverse collections spanning European, contemporary, and Latin American art.
50 min · San Diego · $12 adults, $9 seniors/military, $8 students, $4.50 children, free for children 6 and under
open: Th-Sa, M-Tu 10AM-5PM, Su noon-5PM (closed Wednesdays)
12:05
View captivating photographs from renowned artists and changing exhibitions.
50 min · San Diego · $8 adults, $7 seniors/veterans, $6 students, free for children under 12/active military (theater admission separate)
open: Tu-Su 10AM–5PM (open Thursdays until 9PM)
13:15
Visit San Diego's oldest brick building, famed for its haunted history.
50 min · San Diego · Daytime admission $13.30 adults, $9.50 seniors/children, free for children 5 and under. Nighttime admission more
open: Winter: Su-Tu 10AM-4:30PM, Th-Sa 10AM-9:30PM. Summer: Daily 10AM-9:00PM
14:45
15:35
Zia Gourmet Pizza ziagourmetpizza.com map ↗
Taste unique and delicious pizzas, from traditional to inventive creations.
60 min · San Diego
Overnight here
e.g. Hilton La Jolla Torrey Pines · Hostel on 3rd
Day 3 Palm Springs
- Transit
- 3h40
- Finish
- ~17:40
- Temperature
- 5.5°C–20.2°C
- Rainy days
- ~1
- Daylight
- 11.7h
11:45
Ride the tram for breathtaking mountain and winter views.
90 min · Palm Springs · Adults $26, children (3-10) $17, seniors (65+) $24
open: Sep to late May: first tram up M-F 10AM, Sa Su hols 8AM, last tram up 8PM and down 9:45PM; late May to Aug: M–Th first tram up 10AM, F-Su hols 8AM, Su-Th last …
13:40
View diverse artworks including pieces by Ruscha and Native artists.
50 min · Palm Springs
14:40
Learn about the history and culture of the Agua Caliente Tribe.
50 min · Palm Springs
15:45
Discover well-preserved World War II airplanes on display.
50 min · Palm Springs
16:50
Indian Canyons indian-canyons.com
Hike sacred Native American sites surrounded by desert landscapes.
50 min · Palm Springs
Overnight here
e.g. Vista Grande Resort · Best Western Inn at Palm Springs
Day 4 Joshua Tree
- Transit
- 3h01
- Finish
- ~17:40
- Temperature
- 8.0°C–23.3°C
- Rainy days
- ~1
- Daylight
- 11.7h
10:50
11:50
13:35
15:00
16:50
Overnight here
Day 5 Around Joshua Tree
- Transit
- none
- Finish
- ~14:00
- Temperature
- 8.0°C–23.3°C
- Rainy days
- ~1
- Daylight
- 11.7h
🔍 Check before you book
Every stop is a real, sourced place, but opening hours change, roads close and businesses move. Check anything you're paying for before you book.