Katie Dillon
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
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.
Memberships
San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance
Birch Aquarium
SeaWorld San Diego
LEGOLAND California
San Diego Tourism Authority (Certified San Diego Destination Specialist)
Virtuoso Family & Ultra Luxe Communities
Certified Universal Studios Hollywood Specialist
Media Features
Parents Magazine
San Diego Magazine
NBC San Diego
Fun Facts
Mom to a rescued pitbull named Ruby.
Volleyball travel team parent.
Knows more about San Diego hotels than anyone out there.
Articles by Katie
What It’s Like to Take Cairo to Luxor Day Trip by Air
It’s a long day but you can see most famous sights on a Cairo to Luxor day trip by air with a private guide. Here’s our itinerary.
Review: Egyptair Business Class (737-800) From Athens to Cairo
We flew EgyptAir business class on multiple flights but most of this review centers on our excellent Athens to Cairo 737-800 experience.
Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World Resort Review & How to Book
See why Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World Resort is one of the most well-thought-out luxury hotels for families that I’ve ever been to.
Review: British Airways Club Europe Business Class
British Airways Club Europe regional business class is an efficient and pleasant way to fly short haul from London to Paris and elsewhere in Europe. Here is our review based on flights to multiple cities.
17 Things to Know Before Traveling to Egypt
Things to know before planning Egypt travel and what to expect after arriving in Cairo. I share why our trip was flawlessly executed and how to prepare.
Is Buying Duty-Free Hermes at the Istanbul Airport Less Expensive?
Residents outside of the EU and Turkey can save on Hermes handbags and more by shopping duty-free in the Istanbul Airport (IST). Here’s the math.
12 Best Theme Parks in Orlando, Florida
The best theme parks in Orlando for your Florida vacation full of Disney, Universal, animals, thrill rides, and water parks you’ll love regardless of age.
15 Best Theme Parks and Amusement Parks in California
Find fun rides, food, characters and more at 15 of the best theme parks in California (amusement parks, too) from San Diego to Northern CA and in between.
10 Best Universal Studios Hollywood Rides That You Can’t Miss
From family-friendly to 4D, here are the Universal Studios Hollywood rides to add to your list for the most fun day ever (and how to skip lines).
18 Best Things to Do in Encinitas, California
Many of our clients choose to stay in Encinitas because of the fun activities on this list. Here’s what you can do whether a family, couple or solo traveler.
10 Best Hotels in Encinitas for Your Beach Vacation
Encinitas hotels mirror the laid-back surf town. They’re B&Bs, inns, family-owned motels and budget chains to suit travelers seeking a chill beach vacation.
Where to Stay in San Diego: A Local Travel Advisor’s Guide to the Best Areas
A curated guide to the best San Diego neighborhoods to stay in, based on the areas travelers ask me about most and how they work for various travel styles.
