State Scenic Highway 76 76
State Scenic Highway 76 is a scenic drive in California. Within California it covers roughly 70 miles. The map below shows its route. Use “Plan a drive” to open it in the Road Sorties route planner — already routing along State Scenic Highway 76 with scenic roads turned on, ready to add your own stops.
State Scenic Highway 76 runs 53 miles across San Diego County's North County, from Oceanside through the Pala and Pauma valleys. Heading east from Interstate 5, the highway follows the San Luis Rey River past rolling hills and agricultural fields before reaching the Pala Indian Reservation, home to Mission San Antonio de Pala Asistencia, an active Spanish mission outpost still serving its original congregation, and the Pala Casino. Continuing through Pauma Valley's citrus and avocado groves, the road also serves the Pauma, Rincon, San Pasqual, and La Jolla reservations before ending at Highway 79 near Lake Henshaw. Eligible for California's State Scenic Highway System along its full length, the corridor offers a leisurely, winding alternative to Interstate 15 for reaching the mountain towns above, with valley oaks and citrus orchards giving way to chaparral foothills as the road climbs toward Henshaw's reservoir at the route's eastern end.
- Oceanside to Lake Henshaw
- 53 miles
- Mission San Antonio de Pala
- Pala and Pauma valleys
- multiple Indian reservations
- eligible for CA Scenic Highway System
Plan a drive on State Scenic Highway 76 →
About this drive
This is a scenic drive — a road worth taking for the views and the journey itself rather than the quickest line between two points.
Where to Stay along State Scenic Highway 76
6 campgrounds and RV parks sit within about 5 miles of State Scenic Highway 76.
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