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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My best tips on where to eat at San Diego Zoo Safari Park for sit-down, snacks, and fast-casual meals.
I’ve spent years exploring the Safari Park with my family and know the best ways to navigate its 1,800 acres in every season. My insider tips cover tickets and tours to kid-friendly breaks and animal encounters, so you can enjoy the park like a pro.
After an unexpected visit, I found The St. Anthony to be a solid historic luxury hotel choice at a good price and with Marriott STARS VIP benefits.
I finally stayed at The Marlton Hotel in Greenwich Village, checking in with the same VIP benefits I extend to clients: upgrades, late checkout, and daily credits. Here’s what the petite rooms, cozy lobby, and buzzing Chez Nous dining scene are really like.
As a longtime Safari Park member, I love the free Africa Tram and feel that you don’t need a paid safari to have a great visit. But for families who want a deeper, more hands-on experience, our clients consistently say these tours are a highlight of their San Diego trip. Here’s what to know before you book.
The Soho Grand is a downtown icon, but is it the right fit for your NYC trip? My review breaks down the rooms, the scene, who this hotel is a fit for and how to book with valuable VIP privileges.
I spent a week at The Mercer Hotel in NYC’s Soho. See what I liked and things you should know. Book through us to get our exclusive benefits like daily breakfast for two and hotel credits.
A curated list of no-cost experiences locals enjoy and families of all travel styles include in their San Diego itineraries.
You won’t find endless tour options for families in San Diego—but the really fun ones? They’re all right here.
