If a dreamy, luxurious coastal getaway is what you’re after, you’re in the right place! In this local’s guide to La Jolla California, get an inside look at this southern California town as I reveal the details no one tells you. After all, who knows the area better than a local? Keep reading to discover the wow factor, get tips for your trip, and all your questions answered.
When my husband and I decided to relocate to San Diego from Missouri, we knew we wanted to live as close to the beach as possible. After all, we had just moved across the country to be near the coast! Not knowing much about the area before we moved here, we flew out one weekend to find a place to rent.
Little did we know, we would hit the jackpot and find an unbelievable spot 2 blocks from the ocean! Now 5 years later, we’ve learned the ins and outs of living in La Jolla, and all the coolest spots to hang out. And I’m sharing what I know with you! No holding back, it’s all here:
- things to do, where to stay and restaurants to try
- the “wow factor” places you cannot miss
- tips from a local (the things you haven’t already heard)
- answers to your biggest questions about La Jolla, California
Disclosure: Any tips or products shared are things I truly believe in. If you take action (ie make a purchase) after clicking one of the affiliate links, I’ll earn some money which helps me continue creating travel content for you. Thank you for your support!
Things To Do In La Jolla
1. Explore Downtown La Jolla
Without a doubt one of the best places to visit on your trip to La Jolla is the downtown area, also referred to as the “Village of La Jolla”. Boutiques, restaurants and cafes, art galleries, wall murals a few theaters and more! This area has both free and paid parking, is easily walkable, and located right on the ocean.
2. Hang Out At The Beach
This one is a given, right? In La Jolla, the main beach that most people go to is La Jolla Shores. It’s large, flat, has a big parking lot and fantastic views of Mt. Soledad, the highest point in La Jolla. Black’s Beach is another option, and it’s actually one of the biggest nude beaches in North America!
Local’s tip: for a less crowded, more intimate experience check out one of the smaller beaches like South Casa Beach, Marine Street Beach or Windansea Beach. They’re rocky beaches (which I love). Check the tides before you go to make sure you don’t get washed away!
3. Great Views At Mt Soledad Veteran’s Memorial
360 degree panoramic views of San Diego? Head to the top of Mt. Soledad. Not only is there a memorial to U.S. servicemen and women, but it’s also a great spot for photos and catching a cool ocean breeze. On a clear day, you can see all the way to Mexico.
4. See Seals At The Children’s Pool
Don’t let the name fool you – the children’s pool isn’t for kids, or for swimming. It’s a small cove originally built for swimmers, but is now where seals have their babies. A visit here is still fun though, and a great spot to observe the seals in their natural habitat.
5. Go Tidepooling
You can find all kinds of sea creatures on the rocky beaches of La Jolla. Shell Beach, Wipeout Beach, and the La Jolla Cove are all good spots to visit. Local’s tip: download a tides app and choose a day and time when there’s a negative tide. December through March is the best time for tidepooling!
6. Take A Scenic Drive
Why not see more of La Jolla by taking a scenic drive? One of my favorites winds south up and over Mt. Soledad from La Jolla to Pacific Beach. Another option is to start at Torrey Pines and head south to La Jolla. Both of these drives have fantastic views.
7. Walk Through Bird Rock
Bird Rock is a small, charming community on the southern edge of La Jolla. They have a small “main street” lined with boutiques, coffee shops and restaurants as well as small ocean overlooks sprinkled in. My favorite spots are La Jolla Hermosa Park, Don Bravo Mexican restaurant, and walking along La Jolla Boulevard.
8. Visit The Torrey Pines Gliderport
One of the most unique things you can do (not to mention to-die-for ocean views) is visit the Torrey Pines Gliderport, where hang gliders take flight. They offer lessons and tandem flights, or you can just observe and enjoy a snack from the cafe on their outdoor patio.
9. Venture Into The Sea Caves
Looking for some adventure? La Jolla has 7 sea caves, 6 of which can only be accessed by water (and 1 that you can see from land). Several local places offer kayak tours that take you directly to the caves, or you can visit Sunny Jim’s Cave Store in the Village of La Jolla, and pay $10 to enter the cave.
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10. Shop at UTC Westfield Mall
If you want to shop, the Westfield UTC is a large outdoor mall you won’t want to miss. It’s actually my favorite mall in all of San Diego! The ambiance is great with plenty of lounge chairs, flowers and plants, and art installations. They occasionally have musicians perform here too.
11. Hike Torrey Pines State Reserve
Home of the nation’s rarest pine tree, Torrey Pines State Reserve is a fantastic place for a coastal hike. You’ll see ocean, canyon, and ravines and there are multiple trails to choose from. There’s paid parking in the South Beach parking lot nearby, as well as a limited amount of free parking spots that line the beach below.
12. Walk Along The Coast At La Jolla Cove
One of the most popular destinations in La Jolla is the picturesque La Jolla Cove. It’s a gorgeous spot to swim, sunbathe, take photos or just walk along the coast.
13. Take An Art Walk And See The Murals
Something I really love about La Jolla (and Bird Rock) is all the art! You’ll see lots of wall murals in the Village, and more quirky pieces like embellished park benches and chairs in Bird Rock. It adds some fun and flavor to the area.
14. Explore Coast Walk Trail
Located adjacent to downtown (and just a teeny bit north of the La Jolla Cove is Coast Walk Trail. It’s a narrow, clifftop trail that starts near Sunny Jim’s Cave Store and winds north. Out and back the trail is about 1 mile total, and pretty easily walkable, although there are stairs, a bridge, and some big elevation changes.
15. Check Out La Jolla Shores Shops
After a day at La Jolla Shores Beach, the adjacent neighborhood is adorable and filled with sandwich shops, tour companies, restaurant outdoor patios and more.
16. Relax At A Park
Ellen Browning Scripps Park, Cuvier Park, and Calumet Park are a few nice, smaller parks in La Jolla. For a larger park with sweeping views, check out Kate Sessions Park on Mt Soledad.
Where To Stay in La Jolla
You’re probably wondering what the best hotels in La Jolla are and where to stay. Here are a few recommendations:
- In The Village: La Jolla Cove Hotel & Suites, Grande Colonial, Inn by the Sea at La Jolla
- Quiet Neighborhood Spots/Airbnb:
- Near Torrey Pines/UTC: Hilton La Jolla Torrey Pines, Estancia La Jolla Hotel & Spa
- Ocean Views: La Valencia, Hotel La Jolla
- Near the Beach: The Shoal, La Jolla Shores Hotel, Holiday Inn Express & Suites
I also recommend searching on Trivago, I love that they do all the legwork for you, and you don’t have to search through tons of sites to find a good deal. One cool feature is that you can search by landmark. For example, maybe in La Jolla you want to stay near the Cove (highly recommend, by the way!). You can type that into the search to make sure you find a hotel close by. Cool, right? If you use the search below to make a reservation, I’ll receive a small commission at no cost to you, which helps me produce travel content just like this. Thank you for supporting me!
Best Restaurants in La Jolla
You won’t have trouble finding great food in La Jolla, there’s a ton of variety and lots of different types of cuisine. Here are a few standouts I love:
- For Breakfast/Brunch: Harry’s Coffee Shop, Brockton Villa, Shorehouse Kitchen
- For Lunch: Caroline’s Seaside Cafe, Mendocino Farms, Bubba’s Smokehouse BBQ
- For Dinner: Hennessey’s Tavern , Piazza 1909
- For Dessert: Sugar and Scribe, Bobboi Natural Gelato
- For ocean views: George’s Ocean Terrace, Duke’s, Don Bravo’s Grill & Cantina
- Just for the ambiance: Herringbone, Parakeet Cafe
Tips From A Local
I love the crazy picture below for a few reasons – many people don’t realize that San Diego is desert terrain! There are lots of cacti and other beautiful desert plants all over the city, and in La Jolla. This picture was taken on a trail near Starkey Mini Park. And you’ll notice I’m wearing pants and a jacket – it does get chilly in the evenings and winter so remember to bring layers.
Here are a few other things to know (from a local’s perspective):
- The dress code is anything goes (within reason). A typical day in La Jolla you’ll see some people wearing swimsuits, gym clothes, etc. and others more dressed up.
- The biggest tourist hotspots that tend to get crowded are the cove, Village, and La Jolla Shores beach area. Go early to avoid the crowds!
- There’s not a ton of bars/nightlife besides happy hours at local restaurants
- The seals are a main attraction, but they smell really bad! I warned you. It can really be a turn-off if you’re dining in one of the cove-front restaurants
- Expect to see/hear construction work if you’re staying in a residential area or an Airbnb. Check before you book if you’re a light sleeper!
- Not everyone who lives in La Jolla is wealthy and snobby. Most of us are normal, friendly people who don’t mind tourists
- Traffic in and out of La Jolla can be a doozy! Try to avoid 3pm-6pm in general as this is the busiest time. Weekends, holidays, and summertime it’s busy all day long.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How far is La Jolla from San Diego? La Jolla is about 15 miles from downtown San Diego
- Why is La Jolla so popular? I think it’s the stunning, Mediterranean-like environment, the beach, and the great year-round weather conditions
- Is it safe to swim in La Jolla? Yes, there are lifeguards in most beach areas. However, it’s the ocean so be mindful of tides, rip currents, and sharks.
- What is there to do at the La Jolla Cove? Watch the seals, walk along the coast, take pictures and grab some good food.
- Is La Jolla expensive? To live here, yes. The average home price is 2 million dollars. To vacation, it doesn’t have to be. Visit during the off-season to save $$$.
- Is La Jolla walkable? It depends. The Village and surrounding neighborhoods are super walkable, but you’ll want to drive if you’re planning to explore Mt. Soledad, UTC, or the Torrey Pines area.
- What’s the weather like in La Jolla? Gorgeous almost year round, it’s usually 10-20 degrees cooler than inland San Diego and you get ocean breezes. We do have a rainy season Nov-April and May/June are the most overcast. Temps can dip to the low 50s in wintertime. Summer typically ranges 70-85 degrees on average.
Local’s Guide to La Jolla California
I hope you enjoyed this local’s guide to La Jolla California! I’m happy to share what I’ve learned living here for the past 5 years.
Have a question I didn’t answer? Drop it below and let’s chat.
