Roadtrip with RVshare San Diego to Lake Havasu City

A San Diego to Lake Havasu City road trip features a lot of attractions that you can visit, especially if you are traveling between the cities in an RV. Before you leave San Diego, make sure you stop by sites like the USS Midway Museum and the San Diego Air and Space Museum. To begin this journey, take I-15 N, and then merge onto I-215 N. For the remainder of your road trip from San Diego to Lake Havasu City, you will mostly be taking CA-62 E. There are a national park, a few national sites, and state parks that you will definitely want to visit along the way.

Nearby National Parks

Joshua Tree National Park

If you want to include a national park on your San Diego to Lake Havasu City road trip itinerary, make it Joshua Tree National Park. The park is more than 1,200 miles right where the Colorado Desert and the Mojave Desert meet. The park has an elevation that varies as well. It ranges from 700 feet to over 5,000 feet. One of the park’s highlights is the Joshua trees, which have a cartoonish look. This is also a great place to hike, bike, bird-watch, and stargaze. In the summer, there are also opportunities to climb in the park.

Nearby State Parks

California Citrus State Historic Park

During your San Diego to Lake Havasu City RV road trip, one of the unique state parks that you can visit is the California Citrus State Historic Park. While at the park, you can learn more about the state’s citrus industry. You can take a tour of the orange grove that was started by two small navel orange trees. The soil in this part of the state and the constant moderate temperature make the perfect growing conditions to produce sweet, juicy oranges all year. If you take a tour, you can sample the fruit.

Wildwood Canyon State Park

Wildwood Canyon State Park features amazing panoramic views of the San Bernardino Mountains and the surrounding valleys. This California state park is a great place to hike, bike, and even ride horses. There are many kinds of wildlife that live in the park, and when you explore the five miles of trails, you will have the opportunity to see quite a few of them. 

Buckskin Mountain State Park

Buckskin Mountain State Park offers spectacular views of the mountains and options to explore the shores of the Colorado River. The park is full of trails on which you will see plenty of wildlife. Trails range in difficulty from a small loop trail that is relatively easy to trek to a more rugged 4.6-mile trail with more strenuous terrain. This is also a great park for bird-watching, canoeing, kayaking, and fishing. 

Lake Havasu State Park

Lake Havasu State Park is the last park that you will hit on this San Diego to Lake Havasu City RV road trip because it is located right near your destination. Since the park is located right on Lake Havasu, water activities are plentiful. Kayaks, canoes, paddleboards, and Jet Skis can be enjoyed on the lake, and if you don’t have your own, equipment can be rented in the park. Fishing is also a popular activity that many enjoy on the lake. If you prefer to stay dry, there is a myriad of trails that you can hike around the lake. 

Along the Way

SeaWorld San Diego

When you visit SeaWorld San Diego, you can explore all the exhibits on its 100 acres. You can see otters, whales, walruses, penguins, sharks, dolphins, sea lions, and more while you are visiting. At SeaWorld, there are interactive exhibits that are great for kids. There are also tours available and interactions with larger animals. You can meet, feed, and interact with dolphins, penguins, beluga whales, flamingos, sea otters, and sloths.

Southern California Railway Museum

If you or someone in your family is a fan of trains, then the Southern California Railway Museum is a place that you will want to visit. You can explore the largest collection of trains, locomotives, friend cars, and more on the western side of the country. The collection consists of more than 200 vehicles, and you can examine each one when you take a tour of the museum. In addition to exploring the museum, you can ride the trains and trolleys that are running.

Cabot's Pueblo Museum

If you love looking at buildings and their unique design, make sure to visit Cabot's Pueblo Museum. There is a fee to enter, but you can explore the outdoor areas free of charge when the museum is open. The home was built in 1941 and designed with 35 rooms that you can explore during your visit. 

Main Cities You Will Pass Through

Escondido, California

The first city you will want to stop and visit during your road trip from San Diego to Lake Havasu City is Escondido. One of the main reasons to visit this city is the scenery that it offers. There are a lot of exciting things to see in the city, like the California Center for the Arts, the San Diego Zoo Safari, Sikes Adobe Historic Farmstead, and San Pasqual Battlefield State Historic Park. Anglers will want to visit Dixon Lake and Lake Wohlford. 

As you explore the area and take the time to enjoy the sights, you are going to need to find one of the Escondido campgrounds with vacancies. Escondido RV Resort is close to a lot of the city’s attractions, and there is a dog park that your pet can enjoy. Many campgrounds in the area have a dump station that guests can use for free. If you are not staying at the campground, they will typically charge you a small fee to use the dump station.

Temecula, California

Temecula is located in Temecula Valley, where the wine is plentiful, and vineyards fill the valley. While you are in the city, make sure that you do some wine tasting. You won’t be disappointed. After you’ve had your fill of wine, you can check out the music at the Temecula Stampede or the Temecula Valley Symphony. Explore Old Town Temecula to get a taste of the town’s past, or take a hot air balloon adventure above the vineyards. Nature lovers will also want to visit Vail Lake Resort, the Santa Rosa Plateau Ecological Reserve, and Galway Downs to enjoy hiking on some nature trails.

If you have time to stay a few days in the area, there are several Temecula-area campgrounds. Choose one that has amenities that accommodate your family’s needs and allow you to relax at night after enjoying a full day at the local attractions. If you need a dump station, check to see if the campground you choose to stay at has full hookups or a dump station that you can use free of charge.

Twentynine Palms, California

Twentynine Palms is a military town in California, but stopping here is a great idea, especially if you would like to spend some time at a casino. Don’t worry if you have your kids with you; there are a bowling alley and a family fun center in the city that they will love. Make sure to visit the Sky’s the Limit Observatory and Nature Center while you are visiting. There is also a drive-in in the area that you can enjoy with the family.

There are plenty of campgrounds in the area where you can stay. If you are not looking for a lot of amenities during your visit, Joshua Tree National Park allows you to camp inside the park. You will also want to consider finding a dump station to get rid of your waste because this is about the midpoint of your trip.

Find Adventure from San Diego to Lake Havasu City

Find your One-Way Rental

When you follow this road trip itinerary from San Diego to Lake Havasu City, you will enjoy historic locations and beautiful scenery along the way. If you want to travel in comfort and style, consider an RV rental from RVshare. From large motorhomes to compact campervans, there is a rig that will meet your travel and budget needs. Once you hit the road, you are protected by our renter guarantee and 24/7 roadside assistance. Find the perfect vehicle for your travel needs in San Diego or Lake Havasu City.