Travel Advisor & La Jolla Mom Owner
Favorite Place in San Diego
La Jolla Cove area
Favorite theme park
San Diego Zoo (Disneyland, a close second)
Favorite hotel
Four Seasons Hong Kong
Hi, I’m Katie Dillon. I’ve lived in beautiful La Jolla, California, for a long time, dating back to when I was a student at UC San Diego.
I’ve left only a few times (once to live in Del Mar). My husband and I were expats in London and Hong Kong for seven years. My daughter was born in Hong Kong. We bought and renovated our house in La Jolla while overseas (I don’t recommend this) and then eventually moved in. Each of these moves has defined this site.
I started La Jolla Mom as a place to write about lifestyle and motherhood topics to keep my brain active. It evolved into a travel business after I began covering tips for flying with kids and reviewing hotels we stayed in.
Living in a hotel apartment in Hong Kong is not unusual, so that’s what we did, and we stayed a lot longer in the hotel than most people do. It just happened to be Four Seasons Hong Kong. I’m very loyal to the brand because of our over four years in that fabulous property. And, I know a lot about hotels.
Eventually, readers started asking me for advice on San Diego travel. I added tips and things to do — becoming a resource for visitors and locals. (I’m a certified San Diego destination specialist by our tourism board.) San Diego has four of the nation’s best theme parks, so people started asking me for ways to buy discounted tickets.
I partnered with aRes Travel in Pacific Beach, down the hill from my house, to offer people cheaper tickets. I also aligned myself with Cadence Travel in La Jolla (where I am in the top 20% of advisors for 2024, 2023, and 2022) to bring travelers VIP hotel perks in San Diego and beyond.
That’s how I wound up covering our three main topics: San Diego, theme parks, and hotels. I want you to get the most out of your trip—whether by saving on tickets, enjoying added hotel perks, or using our resources to self-plan—so you always feel your vacation or day out is worth your time and money.
Recent Writing
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A travel advisor and New York University parent’s guide to 17 hotels near campus, ranked by walking distance to Washington Square Park.
Town & Country Resort delivers three pools, a four-story waterslide, five restaurants and bars, and a trolley stop steps from the lobby. Here’s what to know before you book.
Compare LEGOLAND Florida Silver, Gold, and Elite Annual Passes side by side. See which pass offers the best value for your family based on parking, blockouts, perks, and pricing.
LEGOLAND California sells a skip-the-line pass called Fastrack. Here is what each tier costs, which rides it covers, and when I would not bother.
A weekday morning in spring or fall is ideal, when crowds are lightest and animals are most active. But any day works if you know what to expect.
What to expect Jungle Bells and Wild Holidays with verified 2025-26 dates, must-see light shows, and parking info for the San Diego Zoo & Safari Park.
My review is based on immersive, behind-the-scenes time with the people who shape the guest experience. I’ll share what I like, things to be aware of, and help you choose a room.
Why you shouldn’t cancel your plans and how to have the best day ever (rain or shine) at San Diego Zoo.
I enjoyed my stay at The Dominick and book it for clients. Here I give you a peek inside my room and tell you how to book with VIP amenities.
