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The Road to San Diego (2006) movie poster

Timeline

The Road to San Diego (2006) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Release, runtime and language
2006 · 95 mins · Spanish
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Directed by
Carlos Sorin
Starring
Juan Villegas, Pascual Condito, Walter Donado, Silvina Fontelles, Miguel González Colman, Ignacio Benitez

A young Argentine learns that soccer star Diego Maradona is ailing in a Buenos Aires hospital, and resolves to bring him a tree root he’s discovered.

On this page (6)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 Events in order (14)
  3. 3 Timeline questions answered
  4. 4 Movie threads
  5. 5 Movies like The Road to San Diego
  6. 6 Every angle
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14 events in order · contains spoilers

The Road to San Diego Timeline: Events in Chronological Order

Every key event of The Road to San Diego (2006) in order, scene by scene, with when and where it takes place. Use it to untangle flashbacks, time jumps and parallel storylines, to refresh your memory before the sequel or to find the exact scene you are thinking of.

  1. Tati's life in Misiones

    Tati Benítez lives in Misiones Province as an Argentine lumberjack who has been laid off. He now makes a living by collecting wood for Silva, an artisan. He is married to his pregnant wife.

    Where
    Misiones Province
  2. Tati's Maradona devotion

    Tati is football-obsessed, wearing Maradona's number 10 kit and sporting a large 10 tattoo on his back. He keeps two parrots that shout Maradona at times, and his friends joke that he is married to Maradona.

    Where
    Misiones Province
  3. News of Maradona's heart problems

    Friends inform him that Maradona is suffering heart problems, igniting his decision to seek out the football legend. The news sets the stage for a personal quest rather than a routine journey.

    Where
    Misiones Province
  4. The mission is born: deliver a wooden tribute

    Tati's mission is to deliver an unusual piece of wood that resembles Maradona to the star at the Swiss-Argentine Hospital in Buenos Aires where Maradona is recuperating. The act is meant to show his devotion and connect with his hero.

    Where
    Misiones Province
  5. Choosing the wood

    He searches for an unusual piece of wood that resembles Maradona, preparing a tangible tribute for the journey. The chosen wood becomes the symbol of his lifelong devotion.

    Where
    Misiones Province
  6. Preparation for the journey

    Tati plans the trek to Buenos Aires, deciding to travel by foot, then by bus, and finally by ambulance to speed the trip. He gathers his materials and steels himself for the long journey.

    Where
    Misiones Province
  7. Departure from Misiones

    From Misiones, Tati sets off on his journey toward the capital, carrying the wood tribute and his fan heart with him. The departure marks the shift from ordinary life to a fan-driven pilgrimage.

    Where
    Misiones Province
  8. Travel by foot

    Tati traverses landscapes on foot, enduring the physical strain of the long walk toward Buenos Aires. Along the way, he encounters the people, the terrain, and the small challenges that test his resolve.

  9. Bus journey

    He rides buses through the countryside, exchanging stories with fellow travelers and continuing his mission. Each stop brings him closer to the hospital and to Maradona’s side.

  10. Ambulance leg of the journey

    At times he moves by ambulance, hoping to shorten the distance to Buenos Aires and to reach the hospital where Maradona recuperates. The ride adds urgency and a sense of tempo to his pilgrimage.

  11. Adventures along the way

    On his way, Tati runs into many adventures and encounters a variety of people who react to his fanatic devotion. These episodes reveal the humanity of fans and the unpredictability of a road trip.

  12. Arrival at the Swiss-Argentine Hospital

    Finally, he reaches the Swiss-Argentine Hospital in Buenos Aires where Maradona is recuperating. The journey culminates at the venue of his hero’s care, fulfilling a lifetime dream.

    Where
    Buenos Aires
  13. Delivering the wood to Maradona

    Within the hospital, Tati presents the wood to Maradona as a tribute and attempts to let him feel the fan’s dedication and love. The moment embodies the personal connection between a hero and his admirer.

    Where
    Swiss-Argentine Hospital, Buenos Aires
  14. Legacy of a fan’s journey

    The story emphasizes the power of devotion and the lengths a fan will go to reach his hero, highlighting a human bridge between football legend and everyday admirer. It underscores the idea that dedication can turn a simple journey into a narrative of hope and connection.

Last updated: February 20, 2026 at 12:10

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Timeline questions answered

The Road to San Diego Timeline Explained: Your Questions Answered

When does it happen, and why in that order? The questions people ask about the chronology of The Road to San Diego (2006): time jumps, flashbacks, cause and effect between scenes and the correct order of events, each answered with spoilers.

Q1

Why does Tati decide to bring wood to Maradona?

When Tati learns from friends that Maradona is suffering heart problems and is recuperating at the Swiss-Argentine Hospital in Buenos Aires, he decides to deliver a special piece of wood he found that resembles Maradona. It is his way of showing devotion to his hero, a tangible token meant to bridge the distance between a devoted fan and the legendary footballer he admires.

  • maradona heart problems
  • tribute
  • fan devotion
  • wood gift
Q2

Does Tati actually meet Maradona?

Yes. After traveling from Misiones Province to Buenos Aires on foot, by bus, and by ambulance, Tati finally reaches the Swiss-Argentine Hospital where Maradona is recuperating. He presents the wooden piece as a tribute, fulfilling his personal quest to connect with his hero.

Foreshadowing: The story establishes early on that Tati's devotion to Maradona is all-consuming, he wears the number 10 kit, has a tattoo, and his parrots even shout Maradona's name.

  • meeting Maradona
  • hospital visit
  • fan pilgrimage
  • Buenos Aires
Q3

What does the wooden piece represent in the film?

The unusual piece of wood that Tati chooses to deliver resembles Maradona himself. It becomes a symbolic vessel for Tati's lifelong devotion, a physical manifestation of his admiration that transforms a simple object into a meaningful token of connection between a fan and his idol.

  • wood carving
  • Maradona statue
  • symbol
  • tribute
Q4

How does Tati travel to Buenos Aires to reach Maradona?

Tati undertakes the journey using multiple modes of transportation. He starts on foot, traversing landscapes and enduring physical strain. He then rides buses through the countryside, exchanging stories with fellow travelers. At points, he uses an ambulance to shorten the distance and add urgency to his pilgrimage.

  • road trip
  • journey
  • bus
  • foot travel
  • ambulance
Q5

Why is Maradona in the hospital?

Maradona is recuperating at the Swiss-Argentine Hospital in Buenos Aires due to heart problems. The news of his health issues is what triggers Tati's decision to embark on his mission of delivering the wooden tribute.

  • Maradona health
  • heart problems
  • hospital
Q6

What makes Tati such an unusual Maradona fan?

Tati's devotion goes beyond typical fandom. He wears a kit with Maradona's number 10, has a large 10 tattooed on his back, and keeps two parrots that shout Maradona's name. His friends even joke that he is more married to Maradona than to his pregnant wife. He also stores vast knowledge of Maradona's statistics and life stories.

  • Maradona fan
  • number 10
  • tattoo
  • obsession
  • parrots
Q7

Is the movie based on a true story?

The movie is a fictional comedy and is not based on a true story. It is an Argentine film that uses the whimsical premise of a fan's pilgrimage to explore themes of devotion, fandom, and human connection through humor and heart.

  • based on true story
  • fictional
  • Argentine comedy
Q8

What happens during Tati's journey to Buenos Aires?

Tati encounters a succession of moments that test his resolve, reveal the kindness of strangers, and deepen his understanding of what it means to embark on a quest for someone he admires. The path includes small challenges, shared smiles, and fleeting encounters that illuminate the stubborn, hopeful spirit driving his pilgrimage.

  • adventures
  • strangers
  • journey
  • road trip encounters
Q9

Where does Tati live and what does he do for a living?

Tati Benítez lives in the Misiones Province of Argentina. He was a lumberjack who was recently laid off and now makes a living by collecting wood for Silva, an artisan. He is married to his pregnant wife.

  • Misiones Province
  • lumberjack
  • Argentina
  • wood collector
Q10

What is the tone of the film?

The film has a warm, grounded, and whimsical tone. It is a comedy that celebrates the protagonist's quirky obsession and the nature of his quest. The tone captures the quiet dignity of ordinary lives pushed toward an extraordinary act of admiration, with a blend of humor, resilience, and Argentine cultural rituals.

  • comedy
  • tone
  • whimsical
  • Argentine humor

Movie threads

More Movies Like The Road to San Diego, by Mood & Story

Curated lists built around what makes The Road to San Diego tick: the same mood, the same kind of story or the same emotional payoff. Each list explains why these movies belong together.

Whimsical quests like in The Road to San Diego

Charming journeys driven by one character's earnest and unusual mission. Find more movies like The Road to San Diego that feature quirky characters on heartfelt, unusual missions. If you enjoyed the lighthearted, optimistic tone and the steady pace of a personal road trip driven by devotion, these films offer a similar whimsical and comic vibe.

  • whimsical
  • lighthearted
  • quirky
  • optimistic
  • devotional
  • comic
  • Tone: whimsical, optimistic, comic
  • Pacing: steady, character-driven
Why these movies?

The story pattern: Narratives in this thread follow a linear, straightforward progression, often a literal or figurative road trip. The protagonist, driven by a singular, quirky goal, encounters a series of comic situations that test their dedication without introducing overwhelming conflict. The emotional arc is gentle, prioritizing charm and optimism over intense drama.

Why they belong together: Movies are grouped here because they share a specific blend of a whimsical tone, light emotional weight, and a central character whose comic devotion defines the story. They provide a comforting, low-intensity viewing experience focused on the joy of the journey itself.

Cultural road comedies like The Road to San Diego

Comic adventures that use a journey to explore a specific place and its people. Discover movies similar to The Road to San Diego that blend comedy with a journey through a specific cultural landscape. These films share a lighthearted tone and use a steady-paced road trip to offer a whimsical, optimistic glimpse into a local world and its people.

  • lighthearted
  • cultural
  • road trip
  • quirky
  • affectionate
  • optimistic
  • Tone: lighthearted, whimsical, affectionate
  • Pacing: steady, meandering
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative pattern involves a protagonist traveling through a distinct cultural setting, with the journey's purpose often secondary to the comic and heartfelt interactions with the people and places encountered. The structure is episodic, moving from one small adventure to the next, building a portrait of a community through a gentle, humorous lens.

Why they belong together: These movies are connected by their use of a journey to explore culture with warmth and humor. They share a low-intensity, steady pace, prioritizing atmosphere and charming character moments over complex plotting, resulting in a feel-good, immersive experience.

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Every angle

The Road to San Diego (2006) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

Everything about The Road to San Diego in one place: what happens in the plot summary, the timeline in chronological order, the characters and meaning and a spoiler-free summary. What's After the Movie adds the cast, box office and post-credit scenes.

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