I’ve lived in La Jolla for over 25 years. I raised my daughter here, I book luxury hotels here for clients through my travel advisory, and I walk these beaches and trails year-round. This guide to things to do in La Jolla is written by someone who lives here, not someone who visited for a weekend and took notes.
I update it regularly because La Jolla changes: restaurants open and close, new murals go up, seasonal wildlife shifts, and what I recommend evolves with it.
Most of the experiences below are clustered along the coast and in The Village (our downtown area), making it easy to combine several into a single outing with minimal driving. You’ll find a mix of iconic La Jolla attractions, outdoor adventures, restaurants, shopping, and some experiences that are completely free. If you’re figuring out what to do in La Jolla, these are the activities I point friends and clients to first. Each entry includes where it is, what it costs, how long it takes, and when to go.
For a broader overview of where to stay and eat, see my La Jolla travel guide. I also have dedicated guides for La Jolla with kids, La Jolla with dogs, and free things to do in La Jolla.
30 Best Things to Do in La Jolla
Ranked by a 25-year resident
1. Spend the Day at La Jolla Shores Beach
La Jolla Shores · 8300 Camino del Oro
This is the beach I send everyone to. La Jolla Shores is the biggest stretch of sand we have. There’s space for everyone to spread out, even on the most crowded days. The ocean is typically calm and excellent for swimming, and surfing is allowed on the north side where the waves break gently enough for beginners. Book lessons through a licensed company like Surf Diva.
A playground and Kellogg Park (a huge grassy area) sit right next to the beach, making it easy for families to split time between sand and shade. You can walk a few blocks to the La Jolla Shores business district for restaurants. Grab a sandwich at The Cheese Shop and bring it back to the beach.
Katie’s Tip
The lot fills by mid-morning on peak days. Take an Uber. If you’re driving from far away, budget for the lot and arrive early. Street parking on the residential streets works too, but expect a walk.
→ Read my complete La Jolla beaches guide
→ Read my full La Jolla Shores Beach guide
2. Explore the La Jolla Underwater Park by Kayak, Snorkeling, or SUP
La Jolla Shores / La Jolla Cove
La Jolla Shores Beach is also the entry point to the San Diego–La Jolla Underwater Park, a protected marine area full of kelp forests, bright orange garibaldi (California’s state fish), leopard sharks, rays, and more. You can explore by swimming, kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, snorkeling, or scuba diving. The kayak tours to the seven sea caves are the signature La Jolla adventure.
Visit during mid to late summer when leopard sharks incubate in the shallow water at La Jolla Shores. You can walk out and see them in knee-deep water near the Marine Room restaurant. They’re completely harmless. It’s one of California’s most unique wildlife experiences.
Katie’s Tip
Mornings are best for kayaking. The water is calmer and visibility is better. If you’re visiting in summer, the leopard sharks are worth the trip alone. Read my full guide to seeing the La Jolla leopard sharks.
Save 20%
Everyday California
20% off kayak and snorkeling tours, lessons, and rentals.
Use promo code at checkout.
Everyday California is an affiliate partner, and I may earn a small commission if you book through my link, at no cost to you.
>
3. Visit La Jolla Cove and the Sea Lions
The Village · 1100 Coast Blvd
La Jolla Cove is the most popular attraction in La Jolla and it’s completely free. A small beach sits at the base of the cliffs, surrounded by rocky points where sea lions lounge, bark, and dive into the water. They’re always here, lounging on the rocks, barking, diving into the water, hauling themselves back up. The cove has tide pools at low tide, clear water for snorkeling and scuba diving, and a steep staircase down to the sand. But you don’t have to go down to the beach to enjoy it.
The coastal sidewalk wraps around the Cove with views from above, and continues south past Shell Beach toward Children’s Pool. It’s one of the best short walks in San Diego. The Cove sits at the southern end of Ellen Browning Scripps Park, a gorgeous strip of grass overlooking the ocean. From here, you’re a few minutes’ walk to shops, galleries, and restaurants along Prospect Street and Girard Avenue in The Village.
Katie’s Tip
The sea lions are always there unless it’s actively raining. You will see them. But please give them 50 feet of space. Report any harassment to the lifeguards.
Good to Know
In peak summer, parking near the Cove is a real challenge. My advice: take an Uber, or use SpotHero or the ACE Parking app to reserve a spot in advance so you’re not circling. If you do drive, the metered lots in The Village are your best bet. Just budget extra time. It’s a short walk to the Cove from there, and you’ll pass shops and restaurants on the way.
→ Read my full La Jolla Cove guide
4. See the Harbor Seals at Children’s Pool
The Village · 850 Coast Blvd
The famous La Jolla seals. Children’s Pool was originally built in the 1930s as a sheltered swimming area for children, funded by philanthropist Ellen Browning Scripps. A concrete seawall creates a protected cove, and over the decades, sand filled in behind it and harbor seals moved in. Today, the seals are the main attraction.
December 15 to May 15 is pupping season, when a rope barrier is placed along the beach to protect the seals and their pups from being disturbed. This is my favorite time to visit. You can stand at the railing just yards from mothers nursing their pups, and the photos are extraordinary. Even outside pupping season, the seals are usually here. You can walk the seawall when conditions are calm, though I wouldn’t recommend it for young children. It’s narrow and slippery.
Katie’s Tip
This is literally a 5-minute walk south from the Cove. Combine them: see the sea lions at La Jolla Cove, then walk south on the coastal boardwalk to see the harbor seals at Children’s Pool. Two La Jolla icons, one walk.
→ Read my full guide to the La Jolla seals
5. Hike Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve
Torrey Pines · 12600 N Torrey Pines Road
Torrey Pines is one of only two places in the world where Torrey Pine trees grow naturally (the other is Santa Rosa Island, off the coast of Santa Barbara). It’s one of the few remaining wild stretches of coastline in Southern California, with reserve status that protects it from development. The trails range from easy to moderate, and every one of them ends with a view of the ocean from the bluffs. On clear days, you can see dolphins, and during winter, migrating grey whales. The park is open daily from 7:15 a.m. to sunset.
Good to Know
Get here early, especially on weekends. The parking lot fills up and once it’s full, you’re out of luck. There’s no overflow. Water is fine to bring, but no food is allowed inside the reserve. Dogs are not allowed on the trails or the beach below.
Katie’s Tip
The Razor Point Trail has the best views for the least effort. If you’re with kids, they can earn Junior Ranger badges. Ask at the visitor center.
→ Read my full Torrey Pines Reserve guide
6. Learn About Marine Life at Birch Aquarium at Scripps
Torrey Pines / UCSD · 2300 Expedition Way
Birch Aquarium sits on a hillside above La Jolla Shores with panoramic views of the coast and Scripps Pier below. It’s the public outreach center for Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego, one of the oldest and most respected ocean research institutions in the world. The exhibits focus on local marine life, ocean science, and climate research. The outdoor tide pool plaza is a highlight for kids, and the kelp forest tank is mesmerizing for any age.
Their guided Tidepooling Adventures are some of the best family experiences in La Jolla. Offered during winter minus tides, a Scripps naturalist takes small groups to local tide pools and helps you spot and identify sea creatures you’d walk right past on your own. These sell out well in advance.
Katie’s Tip
Buy tickets online. They sell out on busy days and walk-ups aren’t guaranteed. If you’re visiting in winter, book a Tidepooling Adventure. Their naturalists are incredible at spotting creatures and explaining how tide pool ecosystems work.
→ Read my full Birch Aquarium guide
7. Step Into Sunny Jim Sea Cave
The Village · 1325 Coast Blvd, La Jolla, CA 92037
This is the only sea cave in California you can reach from land. Inside the Cave Store on Coast Blvd, a weathered wooden staircase descends through a hand-dug tunnel to a platform inside the cave. You’ll hear barking sea lions echoing off the rock walls and feel the ocean surging below. The whole experience takes about 15–20 minutes. It’s a quick side adventure, not a full stop. The tunnel work began in 1902, and the cave was named by L. Frank Baum (yes, the Wizard of Oz author) because the cave opening reminded him of a British cereal mascot called Sunny Jim.
Good to Know
The stairway is old and can be slippery. It’s not great for anyone with mobility issues. Lines get long on summer weekends. Go early or on a weekday.
→ Read my full Sunny Jim Sea Cave guide
8. Picnic or Play at Ellen Browning Scripps Park
The Village · 1100 Coast Blvd
A large grassy area with windblown trees said to have inspired the Truffula trees in The Lorax. Dr. Seuss (Theodor Geisel) lived in La Jolla for decades. This is where locals come for picnics, frisbee, yoga, and dog walks. The green huts along the shore are called belvederes, and they frame some of the best photos in town. Scripps Park sits right next to La Jolla Cove, Boomer Beach (where the sea lions hang out), and Shell Beach. Walk south and you’ll reach Children’s Pool in about five minutes. It’s the perfect place to spread a blanket and just be in La Jolla for a while.
→ Read my Ellen Browning Scripps Park guide
9. Experience the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego (MCASD)
The Village · 700 Prospect Street
Housed in the beautifully renovated former home of Ellen Browning Scripps, MCASD has some of the most spectacular ocean views of any museum in the country. The contemporary art collection rotates regularly, and the building itself — with its clean lines and walls of glass facing the Pacific — is worth the visit. Check the schedule for free guided tours. Don’t skip the gift shop, and if you’re hungry, The Kitchen has dining with a view.
Katie’s Tip
Ages 25 and under get free admission thanks to the Qualcomm Foundation. That’s a great deal if you’re traveling with college-age kids.
→ Read my La Jolla museums guide
10. Take Photos at Scripps Pier
La Jolla Shores · 8650 Kennel Way (walk to beach)
Scripps Pier is one of the largest working research piers in the world. Scientists at Scripps Institution of Oceanography use it to continuously monitor the Pacific Ocean, pumping up to roughly a million gallons of seawater a day into research tanks. But for most visitors, it’s La Jolla’s most popular photo spot: family portraits, engagement shoots, Instagram content, you name it. Shoot underneath the pylons at sunrise or sunset for those dramatic leading lines. You can’t walk on the pier itself (it’s restricted to researchers), but the beach at the base is wide open.
Katie’s Tip
Birch Aquarium occasionally offers Full Moon Pier Walks, a rare chance to actually walk the pier at night. Keep an eye on their events calendar.
11. Play with the Family at La Jolla Recreation Center
The Village · 615 Prospect Street
My daughter played here after preschool for years. Basketball courts, tennis backboards, pickleball, bocce, playgrounds, and classes ranging from theater to karate. You can check out sports equipment with a driver’s license. This isn’t a must-visit tourist stop, but if you’re staying at a nearby hotel with kids who need to burn energy, it’s perfect, and MCASD is right across the street.
12. Walk the Stuart Collection of Public Art at UC San Diego
Torrey Pines / UCSD · 9500 Gilman Drive
UCSD is my alma mater, so I’m biased, but the Stuart Collection is genuinely amazing. It’s a series of enormous public art installations scattered across campus, some integrated right into the architecture of the buildings. Walking the collection feels like an outdoor scavenger hunt. Download and print the map from the Stuart Collection website before you go. It lays out a circular walking route so you hit them all.
→ Read my full Stuart Collection guide
13. Watch Gliders or Fly Tandem at Torrey Pines Gliderport
Torrey Pines · 2800 Torrey Pines Scenic Drive
This is a hidden gem worth visiting even if you have no intention of flying. The Gliderport has over 100 years of flying history, and the panoramic ocean views from the cliffs are stunning, with colorful gliders and paragliders drifting overhead, it’s surprisingly relaxing to just sit and watch. Cliffhanger Cafe makes solid sandwiches and now has a bar with occasional live music. The vibe is casual, parking is usually easy, and it’s right near UCSD. Below the cliffs, a moderately challenging 0.6-mile trail leads down to Black’s Beach (note: part of it is clothing-optional).
→ Read my full Torrey Pines Gliderport guide
14. See Live Theater at La Jolla Playhouse
Torrey Pines / UCSD · 2910 La Jolla Village Drive
A Tony Award–winning theater on the UCSD campus where productions sometimes make it all the way to Broadway. I saw Rent here decades ago and was a season ticket holder for years. The quality is consistently excellent. This is one of the best regional theaters in the country. Check the calendar and book ahead, especially for new productions generating buzz.
15. Tee Off at Torrey Pines Golf Course
Torrey Pines · 11480 N Torrey Pines Road
The famous municipal course where Tiger Woods has won and where the PGA’s Farmers Insurance Open is held every year. The City of San Diego owns both the North and South courses, which border the ocean along stunning bluffs. It’s genuinely one of the most beautiful golf settings in the world, and it’s a public course. Tee times are available through the online booking portal.
Katie’s Tip
Golf Services at The Lodge at Torrey Pines helps overnight guests secure tee times. People stay at the hotel specifically for this. I can add on benefits like complimentary breakfast for two and more through CADENCE Travel.
16. Visit Mount Soledad Veterans Memorial
Mt. Soledad · 6905 La Jolla Scenic S Drive
I live near here, and the view never gets old. On a clear day you can see past Mission Bay all the way to Mexico, east over the mountains, and north to La Jolla Shores and Del Mar. More than 6,000 black granite plaques honor veterans from the Revolutionary War through current conflicts. Honorees include Ronald Reagan, Jimmy Stewart, and General Patton. Docents are usually on-site to share stories. There’s a grassy area for kids to run around, and it’s a peaceful place for a picnic.
→ Read my full Mt. Soledad guide
17. Relax or Surf at WindanSea Beach
WindanSea · 6800 Neptune Place
WindanSea is more of a local spot than a tourist beach, and it’s beautiful. The shore break is intense, not for kids or inexperienced swimmers, but the scenery is striking, with a nice patch of sand when the tides cooperate. The iconic WindanSea shack has stood here since 1946 (rebuilt several times) and is a registered historical landmark. It generates deep nostalgia for anyone who grew up in La Jolla. The shack area is one of the most popular spots in town for family photos, special occasions, and Instagram shots.
Good to Know
This is a surfing beach with a powerful shore break. Swim at La Jolla Shores instead if you have young kids. WindanSea is best for experienced surfers, sunset walks, and photos.
→ Read my full WindanSea Beach guide
18. See a Concert at the Conrad Prebys Performing Arts Center
The Village · 7600 Fay Avenue
The permanent home of the La Jolla Music Society. This state-of-the-art 500-seat hall has incredible acoustics and hosts a wide range of musical styles: classical, jazz, world, contemporary. They also offer family concerts, free workshops, and open rehearsals in the summer. Pair it with dinner at a walkable restaurant; The LOT is right across the street.
19. Go Tide Pooling (Winter and Early Spring)
Multiple Locations
When low tides fall during daylight hours, residents and tourists flock to La Jolla’s tide pools. Hermit crabs, octopuses, sea anemones, sea stars. The diversity is remarkable. Check the tide calendar and look for minus tides. The best spots are behind Children’s Pool and north of Scripps Pier at Dike Rock.
Katie’s Tip
Book a Birch Aquarium Tidepooling Adventure. We’ve done them personally. Their naturalists have a knack for spotting critters you’d walk right past on your own.
→ Read my full La Jolla tide pools guide
20. Walk the La Jolla Murals
The Village · Various locations
A privately funded community art program by the Athenaeum Music & Arts Library. Murals appear on billboards and buildings throughout the Village, each on display for up to two years before rotating. There are about 16 murals at any given time, and you can do a self-guided walk using the map at muralsoflajolla.com. On the last Wednesday of each month at 5:30pm, the Athenaeum leads a free guided walking tour covering roughly half the collection, about 90 minutes.
21. Play with Rescues at the Cat Lounge
Torrey Pines · 1006 Torrey Pines Road
A nonprofit where every cat has been rescued from a local high-kill shelter and is ready for adoption. Pay your admission, then read, relax, or play with the cats for your session. All revenue goes directly to rescue and care. Kids under 14 need an accompanying adult. Adoptions are available if you fall in love, and you might.
22. Take a Salk Institute Architecture Tour
Torrey Pines · 10010 N Torrey Pines Road
Designed by architect Louis Kahn in collaboration with Jonas Salk, who envisioned a research facility that would inspire creativity. It delivers. The brutalist concrete, open labs, and that famous courtyard — a narrow channel of water vanishing toward the horizon of the Pacific — make this a designated historic site and an architectural pilgrimage. The docent-led architecture tour is the best way to see it, and reservations are required.
23. Enjoy Local Flavors in Bird Rock
Bird Rock · 5600 La Jolla Blvd (heart of the neighborhood)
I live just up the hill and spend a lot of time in Bird Rock. It’s La Jolla’s most walkable neighborhood for food.
- Bird Rock Coffee Roasters is locally famous.
- Wayfarer Bread & Pastry sells out early. Get there for croissants and sandwiches, and come back later for pizza.
- Dodo Bird Donuts does fancy donuts and gourmet breakfast sandwiches.
- Beaumont’s is great for lunch, dinner, and weekend brunch.
- Wheat & Water has excellent pizza and salads.
- Bird Rock Surf Shop has been around forever.
- Hermosa Surf is newer, with sustainable boards, smoothies, a good vibe.
This is where locals eat.
24. Go Shopping in The Village
The Village · Prospect and Girard Streets
Prospect Street has been called the “Rodeo Drive of San Diego County,” and while it’s not quite that, the shopping is excellent. Boutiques, art galleries, and locally owned stores line Prospect and the intersecting streets (Girard, Ivanhoe). My favorite is Warwick’s, one of the oldest bookstores in the country and a great gift shop. You’ll also find Lululemon, Aviator Nation, Vuori (a San Diego brand), and other quality casual shops.
25. Browse the La Jolla Open Aire Market
The Village · 7337 Girard Ave (La Jolla Elementary School)
La Jolla’s Sunday farmers market. Fresh produce, flowers, olive oils, baked goods, crafts, and seafood. The prepared food is worth the trip on its own: avocado toast, burritos. Eat at the picnic tables or take it to go. Great place to pick up epicurean souvenirs. Arrive early for the best selection.
26. Learn About Our Past at the La Jolla Historical Society
The Village · 7846 Eads Avenue
Exhibition galleries in Wisteria Cottage on Prospect Street, with rotating exhibits honoring the people, events, and architecture that shaped La Jolla. In spring, the Historical Society hosts the Secret Garden Home Tour. I’ve volunteered at it. In April, they present the La Jolla Concours d’Elegance car show at the Cove. Year-round, they offer themed self-guided walks through different parts of the neighborhood.
27. Walk the Scenic Coast Walk Trail
The Village · 1325 Coast Blvd (near Cave Store)
A half-mile dirt path from the Village north to La Jolla Shores. The entrance is near the Cave Store on Coast Blvd, and the trail wraps along the coastline with gorgeous ocean views and sea lions on the rocks below. It’s an easy walk with benches along the way. A lovely, low-effort way to see La Jolla’s dramatic coast up close.
→ Read my full Coast Walk Trail guide
28. Watch a Movie at The LOT Luxury Cinema
The Village · 7611 Fay Avenue
A luxury movie theater where you order food and cocktails from plush reclining seats. It’s also a lifestyle space with a patio, restaurant, and bar. My friends and I go all the time. It’s our go-to when we want a low-key night out. Also a great rainy day option if La Jolla’s outdoor attractions aren’t cooperating.
Good to Know
There’s underground parking, but you MUST get your ticket validated or you’ll pay full price. Don’t forget.
29. Dine at Our La Jolla Restaurants
The Village · Throughout The Village and La Jolla Shores
→ See all my favorite La Jolla restaurants
La Jolla’s dining scene is one of San Diego’s best. Here are my go-to spots:
- George’s Ocean Terrace: Casual alfresco dining with seasonal menus and direct Cove views. The best lunch view in La Jolla.
- Brockton Villa: A historic cottage where the famous Coast Toast alone is worth the visit.
- Puesto: Elevated street tacos.
- Taco Stand on Pearl: The line forms for a reason; order the adobada.
- NINE-TEN: Award-winning farm-to-table dining; our date-night spot.
- Eddie V’s: Martinis, oysters, and a happy hour with a view.
- Trilogy Sanctuary — Yoga studio with a rooftop vegan restaurant that non-vegans love.
- Bobboi Natural Gelato: Artisanal gelato near the Cove.
- Sugar and Scribe — Cupcakes, cookies, and breakfast; where I meet friends.
30. Take a Guided Sightseeing or Food Tour
Multiple Locations
If you want someone else to handle the planning, La Jolla has excellent guided tours.
- The SoCal Riviera Electric Bike Tour by San Diego Flyrides covers hills, coastline, the Cove, and the seals.
- Segway tours hit the beaches, murals, seals, and boutiques in about two hours.
- The La Jolla Historical Society offers free self-guided walks.
- For food, So Diego Tours runs a newer food walking tour (use promo code lajollamom for $5 off).
- Guided kayak tours of the sea caves launch from La Jolla Shores.
It’s the signature La Jolla adventure.
Best Time to Visit La Jolla
Peak season. Longest days, warmest water, leopard sharks in the shallows at La Jolla Shores. But also the most crowded. Parking is difficult everywhere, and June can be grey until noon (locals call it June Gloom; it usually clears by July). Book everything in advance.
The best-kept secret. Warm, sunny days (often warmer than summer), significantly fewer crowds, and the ocean is at its warmest. September and October are arguably the best months to visit La Jolla, and you can do most of the things to do in La Jolla without fighting for parking. The only downside: the leopard sharks are starting to head out for the season.
Whale watching season (grey whales migrate along the coast. You can sometimes spot them from the Torrey Pines bluffs). Harbor seal pupping season begins December 15. Minus tides bring excellent tide pooling. Cool but pleasant weather (60s). La Jolla is quiet and beautiful.
Seal pups are still at Children’s Pool through mid-May. Wildflowers at Torrey Pines. La Jolla Concours d’Elegance at the Cove in April. The Secret Garden Home Tour in spring. Weather is mild. Crowds begin building again toward Memorial Day.
Getting Around La Jolla
My advice? Take an Uber or Lyft, especially if you’re visiting for a half day or shorter. Parking is the single most frustrating part of doing things to do in La Jolla, particularly around The Village and the Cove in summer. If you’re driving, budget time for it and know that the demand-based parking at Torrey Pines can hit $25 on peak days.
From the San Diego airport, La Jolla is about 20 minutes north without traffic (longer during rush hour on I-5). If you’re staying in a La Jolla hotel, many activities in The Village and along the coast are walkable from your hotel. That’s one of the best things about staying here versus visiting on a day trip.
Good to Know
Most locals use SpotHero or the ACE Parking app to reserve and pay for parking in advance, especially in summer when the metered spots near the Cove and Village fill up fast. It’s the difference between a smooth visit and 30 minutes of circling. I’m working on a dedicated La Jolla parking guide. Stay tuned.
Where to Stay
For All of This
- The Lodge at Torrey Pines: my top pick overall, if the trip deserves a splurge
- La Valencia Hotel: walk to most of this list from the heart of the Village
- La Jolla Shores Hotel: directly on the sand at the family beach
Book the Lodge through me and VIP benefits are included, I currently have a discount at La Jolla Shores Hotel, and all 17 places to stay are ranked in my full guide to La Jolla hotels.
Frequently Asked Questions
Answered by a local
Is La Jolla worth visiting?
As a 25-year resident: absolutely. La Jolla means “The Jewel” in Spanish, and it fits. We have some of San Diego’s best restaurants, stunning coastline, boutique shopping, wildlife you can see for free, and a laid-back vibe for an upscale community. Most San Diego locals make day trips here regularly. That tells you something.
What can you do in La Jolla for a day?
A lot. The short version: morning at Torrey Pines or kayaking at the Shores, afternoon at the Cove and Children’s Pool, evening dining and shopping in The Village. For a full plan, see how I’d spend one perfect day in La Jolla.
What is La Jolla famous for?
The coastline — specifically La Jolla Cove, the sea lions and seals, and the sea caves. Also Torrey Pines (both the golf course and the state reserve), the Salk Institute, and the dining scene. It’s often called the jewel of San Diego.
What are the best free things to do in La Jolla?
Most of La Jolla’s best experiences are free: La Jolla Cove, Children’s Pool seals, Torrey Pines hiking, tide pooling, Scripps Pier, the Coast Walk Trail, WindanSea Beach, Mt. Soledad, and the La Jolla Murals. I have a dedicated post: free things to do in La Jolla.
What is there to do in La Jolla for couples?
The best La Jolla date ideas revolve around dinner and sunset. That’s the scene here. The Marine Room is the classic splurge (waves literally crash against the windows at high tide). George’s Ocean Terrace has sunset views over the Cove. Eddie V’s does excellent happy hour oysters and martinis. NINE-TEN is our go-to for a quieter farm-to-table evening. La Jolla doesn’t have much nightlife, but a sunset walk on the Coast Walk Trail or photos at the WindanSea shack at golden hour is more romantic than any bar. Kayaking the sea caves together is a great daytime date.
Where’s the best place to walk around in La Jolla?
The Village. Once you park (or Uber in), everything is walkable: the Cove, Children’s Pool, restaurants, shopping on Prospect and Girard, MCASD, and the murals. The coastal sidewalk from the Cove south to Children’s Pool is the most scenic short walk. For a longer walk, take the Coast Walk Trail north toward La Jolla Shores.
Is La Jolla Beach swimmable?
Yes, at most beaches. La Jolla Shores has the calmest water and is best for families and beginning surfers. La Jolla Cove is swimmable but there’s no surf. It’s better for snorkeling. WindanSea has a dangerous shore break and is for experienced surfers only. Children’s Pool is closed to swimming during pupping season (Dec 15 – May 15).
How do I get to La Jolla from downtown San Diego?
It’s about 20 minutes by car via I-5 North (longer in rush hour). Uber or Lyft is the easiest option. The bus (MTS Routes 30 and 150) connects from downtown, though a car or rideshare is more convenient for getting between La Jolla’s different neighborhoods.
What is the best time of year to visit La Jolla?
September and October. Warm weather (often warmer than summer), significantly fewer crowds, and the warmest ocean temperatures of the year. See my seasonal guide above.
Is La Jolla Beach free?
Yes. All of La Jolla’s beaches are free to visit year-round. The only cost is parking. Free street spots are limited in peak months, so you may need a metered lot or paid garage. I recommend using SpotHero or the ACE Parking app to reserve in advance, or just take an Uber.
What are the best things to do near La Jolla?
La Jolla’s central San Diego location puts you close to several major attractions: the San Diego Zoo and Balboa Park (20 minutes), downtown San Diego and Little Italy (20 minutes), Mission Bay and SeaWorld (10 minutes), and Del Mar and Solana Beach (15 minutes north). LEGOLAND in Carlsbad is about 30 minutes. You can also take the Amtrak train from Old Town toward Anaheim (transfer for Disneyland) or downtown Los Angeles.
In the Torrey pines state park photo, there is a whale above and to the left of the boat.
This was the MOST helpful article of all I read while planning our trip (kids 9 and 6). Now to talk them out of Legoland!! Thank you thank you!
Love your recommendations!!
Would love a couple of restaurant suggestions in La Jolla and San Diego!
Your website was extremely helpful for last minute vacation in La Jolla with kids, from finding the best place to stay to attractions and beach activities. Thank you so much!!!