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
Page 33 of 95
The best San Diego resorts reviewed with a critical eye by me that provide a true self-contained experience on the beach, near golf courses, and more.
I’m a member and a mom with many tips for maximizing a day at San Diego Zoo for kids and toddlers while keeping parents sane and seeing the popular animals.
We list the best things to do in Orlando with kids from toddlers up to teens including theme parks, museums, outdoor fun and even free activities.
These are the fantastic beaches, museums, restaurants, wildlife experiences, tours, and outdoor activities you’ll love, handpicked from my firsthand experience living in La Jolla.
The best San Diego hikes wind their way along coastlines, up gorgeous mountains, occasionally through snow and to the highest point in town.
Learn the health benefits of drinking lemon water first thing in the morning, how others say it has helped them and a recipe for how best to make it.
Using the best travel hashtags can help you find a community on Instagram and other social media platforms who loves to vacation as much as you do. Learn how to find them with these tips.
My reviews of San Diego beaches for kids are based on my experience raising a child here PLUS valuable feedback from local hotel concierges and our thousands of clients who visit as tourists.
I’m a former AP holder and have been enjoying the best Disneyland rides and attractions for four decades. I rank the top 40.
