Scenic south coast: the coastline from San Diego to Los Angeles is Southern California at its sun-drenched, sandy-beach, family-fun best

Sunset, June, 2004

* DRIVING DISTANCE: 133mi/213km round trip

* DURATION: 1-2 days

* DON'T MISS: San Diego Zoo, Mission San Juan Capistrano, Catalina Island

* DID YOU KNOW: Huntington Beach, known as "Surf City," is home to both a surf museum and the sport's Hall of Fame.

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CORONADO. Just north of the Hotel del Coronado is Coronado City Beach, which is routinely ranked as one of the nation's best beaches. Cross the Coronado Bridge to 1-5, which leads north to ...

SAN DIEGO (5mi/8km). Must-see sights include Balboa Park, home of the San Diego Zoo and the House of Charm, and the Gaslamp Quarter, which offers great nightlife and restaurants. Don't miss Old Town SHP and Mission Bay, where you can ride the new Journey To Atlantis at SeaWorld. Continue north on 1-5, then exit at Ardath Rd. to reach ...

LA JOLLA (15mi/24km). Shop on Prospect Street, the Rodeo Drive of San Diego County. Continue north via North Torrey Pines Rd. past Scripps Institution of Oceanography to Torrey Pines SR, then return to 1-5 north and drive to ...

CARLSBAD (26mi/41km). Known for its gorgeous flower fields and LEGOLAND. From Carlsbad, you can take Hwy. 78 east to reach San Diego Zoo's Wild Animal Park, or continue north on 1-5 to ...

OCEANSIDE (4mi/6km). Stop in at the California Welcome Center, then enjoy Oceanside's beaches and beautiful Mission San Luis Rey. Travel 1-5 north to ...

SAN CLEMENTE (22mi/35km). Surfers love the north end of San Clemente SB. Continue on 1-5 north to ...

SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO (7mi/11km). Take Hwy. 74 (Ortega Hwy.) exit. Mission festivals celebrate the Return of the Swallows in March; enjoy Music Under the Stars each summer. Stay on Hwy. 74 west to Pacific Coast Highway/Hwy. 1, which turns north to ...

LAGUNA BEACH (10mi/16km). Every July the town hosts the acclaimed art event, Pageant of the Masters. Stay north on Hwy. 1 to ...

NEWPORT BEACH (12mi/19km). A year-round vacation town known for its waterfront resorts, shops, and restaurants. A little farther up Hwy. 1 is ...

HUNTINGTON BEACH (6mi/10km). Home of the International Surfing Museum and Surfing Hall of Fame. Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve supports 200-plus bird species. Continue north on Hwy. 1 to ...

LONG BEACH (15mi/24 km.). Kick back at one of Pine Avenue's sultry Latin clubs or upscale jazz lounges. A restored luxury line, The Queen Mary, is a hotel offering first-class cabins and suites. Visit Aquarium of the Pacific or take a gondola ride through the canals of Naples, one of the city's fashionable neighborhoods. Catch a ferry to Catalina Island, just 22 miles and an hour away. Or turn inland and take 1-710 north to 1-5 north to see the new Disney Concert Hall and other attractions in downtown ...

LOS ANGELES (25mi/40km).