Cars and beach cities go hand in hand, if you don’t believe us, just check out all the songs the Beach Boys wrote about cruisin’ around. San Diego is no exception! Our city has plenty of attractions for car enthusiasts, avid drivers, and those who like to feel the wind in their hair.
Feeling the rush of adrenaline as you navigate hairpin turns on an indoor kart is something both amateur racers and enthusiasts will thoroughly enjoy. K1 Speed is the premier location for semi-professional electric kart racing and they have a new location in downtown San Diego. Races start at $20 (after an initial $6 annual fee that covers helmet rentals), and you can buy multiple races at a discounted price ($35 for two, $45 for three, $75 for five, $100 for eight). They are open seven days a week, and thanks to an indoor course, the weather won’t affect the good times. Adult karts can hit speeds of up to 45 miles per hour, while the Junior karts will hit 20 miles per hour.
For a slightly slower pace, but still heavy on the fun, San Diego has some great options, where even the little ones can get behind the wheel. Boomers! has an outdoor course where you can race around a track for $8 a ride. Belmont Park has two automotive rides: Krazy Kars is perfect for little drivers (at least 42 inches tall), and Overdrive Bumper Cars is a modern take on an old-fashioned classic. Both attractions are $4 a ride.
‘Gearheads’ and history buffs will love visiting the San Diego Automotive Museum in Balboa Park. The museum has an impressive permanent collection that includes a 1911 Ford Model T, a 1932 coupe Cadillac, and a 1990 Ferrari Testaroosa, to name but a few. “Steve McQueen” is one of the fascinating exhibits on display now. The actor was one of the biggest movie and television stars of the 60s and 70s, but his love for racing both cars and motorcycles, almost had him walking away from Hollywood. Tickets start at $9 for adults; $6 for seniors, military, and students; $4 for kids ages 6 to 15 (children under 6 are free). The museum is open daily from 10 AM to 5 PM.
Those who want to get behind the wheel of the real thing, you’re in luck, San Diego has some of the most beautiful scenic drives in the world. Explore California is a site that posts free maps and guides of the whole state, including Three Different Routes you can enjoy in our town. These curated drives allow you to fully experience three very diverse neighborhoods at your own pace.
The new San Diego Visitor’s Information Center, located close to downtown, has gone one step further in creating a 59-mile scenic drive that winds through San Diego, highlighting 27 notable stops. Driving the entire course without breaks would take about three hours, however, we recommends taking a few days, exploring all the man-made and natural wonders you’ll see. The map costs all of 50 cents, and the staff at the Information Center are all very helpful and informative. This route has truly been well thought out, as every quarter mile of the drive is marked with a blue, yellow and white sign adorned with a seagull.
From the towering city skyline to the tree-lined streets of some of San Diego’s oldest neighborhoods to the sparkling Pacific Ocean, this drive is like a ‘Best of San Diego,’ as seen from a car. If you’ve got the need for speed, love taking the driver’s seat, or just want to ‘Get Around,’ like the Beach Boys sing, San Diego is the perfect place! Enjoy all the behind-the-wheel thrills from racing go karts, getting up close and personal with historic automobiles, or just putting your car in drive and hitting the open road. Book a four or five day stay with us in Mission Bay, and you’ll be in the perfect location to zip around town.
