We’re taking the Model Y Performance south to San Diego. I’m heading down to meet up with the San Diego Tesla Club for their end-of-the-year celebration and a massive coordinated light show.
As always on this channel, we’re diving into the technical journey, the community connections, and the real-world data of what it’s like to road-trip and congregate in the EV world. From “Shared Charging” frustrations to the latest holiday software updates, let’s break down the trip.
The Journey: Model Y Efficiency and Charging
We left with 56% state of charge. Initially, the car predicted an arrival at 15%, but with the uphills and downhills on the route to San Diego, that number dropped to 11%.
The Escondido Supercharger Experience:
I stopped at the Escondido superchargers (which I last visited on my trip back from Mexico). Here’s the technical rundown:
- Starting SoC: 12%
- Speed: To be honest, it was horrendous. I only hit about 117–130 kW, which is way below the 250 kW rating of these V3 cabinets.
- The Culprit: The station seemed to be undergoing some kind of maintenance or update, as half the lights were off when I arrived. I only charged to 48% before pulling the plug—life is too short for slow charging!
The Main Event: San Diego Tesla Club Light Show
We met up at the second location (after the club got moved from their first choice by management—classic!). Despite the hiccups, the turnout was great, featuring everything from “Dune” colored Cybertrucks to refreshed Model 3 Highlands.
Setting Up the Show:
With the latest holiday update, syncing the light show is easier than ever.
- Turn off Sentry Mode.
- Go to Schedule > Light Show.
- Choose your track (we went with “Carol of the Bells” and “Auld Lang Syne”).
- Set a synchronized start time (we synced up for 6:08 PM).
One technical note: many of us were prepared to run the new 13-minute custom show from flash drives, but since the latest Holiday Update includes the light show natively, we were able to run it directly from the car’s software. However, keep in mind that software “branches” (like FSD v13) sometimes delay these holiday updates for certain users.
Community Legends: Tolak and SD Tesla Club
I caught up with my buddy Tolak (Charge Pozitive), who is a high-mileage legend with over 141,000 miles on his Model Y. He just came from covering the massive 120-stall Barstow supercharger opening.
I also spoke with Christian from the SD Tesla Club. If you’re in the area, they are a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit and a great way to stay connected with the local EV community. You can find them at sdteslaclub.
Technical Space Test: Model 3 Highland Cargo
Before heading home, I witnessed a space-saving miracle. A friend managed to fit four 20″ Model 3 Performance wheels and tires inside his new Highland.
- They fit entirely in the trunk and rear seat area.
- There was still enough room for a passenger in the front seat.
- Warning: He did mention the headliner got a bit dirty in the process—always use tire bags if you’re attempting this!
The Return: Trip Data and Final Thoughts
The drive home put the Model Y through its paces. It was cold enough that frost started forming on the hood during the charging session!
| Metric | Return Trip Data |
| Total Distance | 228 Miles |
| Total Energy Used | 72 kWh |
| Average Efficiency | 316 Wh/mi |
| Charging Cost | $0.47/kWh (San Diego rates) |
At 316 Wh/mi, my Model Y was creeping into Model X territory. I think my “heavy foot” and the cold San Diego night were the primary factors there.
