There are drives, and then there is Highway 101 as it hugs the coast north out of San Diego. Pair it with the right car and a few hours becomes one of the best experiences Southern California has to offer. Here’s how we’d route it.
Start in La Jolla
Begin at La Jolla Cove, where the coastline curls around tide pools and sea caves. It’s a slow, scenic warm-up before the road opens up — and a good spot for photos before the top comes down for good.
Del Mar and the Coastal Bluffs
From La Jolla, the drive north into Del Mar rewards you with open ocean views on one side and the Del Mar racetrack on the other. This stretch is where a convertible earns its keep: wide sweeping curves, minimal traffic outside of summer weekends, and near-constant sightlines to the Pacific.
Cardiff and Encinitas
Keep heading north and the road narrows slightly through Cardiff-by-the-Sea and Encinitas, two beach towns with a laid-back surf culture that contrasts nicely with the car underneath you. Stop for coffee, watch the surfers, then keep moving.
Carlsbad and Beyond
By the time you reach Carlsbad, you’ve covered roughly 30 miles of some of the best coastal driving in the country. Turn around here for a half-day trip, or keep going toward Oceanside and Camp Pendleton for a longer full-day route.
The Right Car for the Job
This drive is built for a convertible. Something with real presence and a top that drops in under 20 seconds — a McLaren 720S Spyder or a Lamborghini Huracan Spyder both do the job beautifully, turning a scenic drive into an event. Wind, ocean air, and a naturally aspirated engine note bouncing off the coastal bluffs is not something you get in a daily driver.
Tips for the Drive
- Go early on weekends. Coastal Highway 101 gets crowded with beach traffic by midday.
- Fuel up before you leave — stations get sparse through the smaller beach towns.
- Bring a jacket. Coastal air cools down fast once the sun starts to set, even in summer.
Ready to plan your own coastal run? Browse our full lineup of luxury and exotic convertibles and book the car that fits the drive.