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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Enhance your visit or learn something new about where you live with cool San Diego virtual tours, shows, cams, and activities that can be enjoyed at home.
Things to do in Anaheim with kids extend far beyond Disneyland. See what else you can do with the family in and near this popular Southern California destination.
Why these best San Diego tourist attractions from scenic places to museums are worthy of your sightseeing itinerary.
Learn more about Hotel Marisol Coronado from what’s included to how to book at this popular boutique hotel in San Diego.
This sightseeing pass saves up to 50% on San Diego attractions. I’ve used it and a lot of my clients use it. My review of who I recommend it for.
A list of fun beach games for kids and adults to elevate a day on the sand. Some are classic games while others are certain to be new to you.
Our favorite exhibits at the National Museum of Anthropology (Museo Nacional de Antropologia), where all ages learn about Mexico’s pre-Columbian heritage (in person or via virtual tours)
I live in La Jolla and visit the Cove area often. Here’s what to do, best restaurants, how to see the seals and sea lions, where to park and more insider tips.
Everything I tell visitors about Children’s Pool Beach: how to see the harbor seals respectfully, where to park, the seawall’s 100-year backstory, and what to do nearby in The Village.
