Is San Diego on the Way from LA to Reno?

No. San Diego lies south of Los Angeles, while Reno is north-east of LA. The direct route from Los Angeles to Reno follows I-5 North to CA-99 North, then I-80 East (or I-5 all the way to Red Bluff then CA-36/East). San Diego is roughly 120 miles (2 hours) away from this corridor, requiring a significant detour.

Quick Comparison

• LA → Reno (direct): ~450 miles, 7–7.5 hours
• LA → San Diego → Reno: Adds ~240 miles and 4+ hours

If you want to visit San Diego, plan it as a separate leg of your trip.