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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I share the most popular Coronado Island hotels based on personal stays, reader and client feedback, and tips from our on-property contacts.
A firsthand guide to Four Seasons Punta Mita—where to stay, what to expect, and how to book with exclusive benefits through a trusted Four Seasons advisor.
I’m a San Diego mom and travel advisor who books families into Coronado Island hotels. I cover everything you need to know, including family-friendly beaches and activities, transportation, dining, and where to stay.
Is a LEGOLAND Annual Pass truly worth it for your family this year? In this insider guide, I crunch the numbers and compare crucial benefits – like parking and discounts – across all tiers so you can confidently choose the best value for your family.
Turn your LEGOLAND California trip into a fun scavenger hunt with minifigure trading! Swap your way to cool new LEGO characters. Our guide covers the rules, best trading spots, tips for families, and how to get started.
We stay up-to-date on the best ways to buy discounted admission to Castle Park so you don’t pay gate prices.
I’ll show you how to unlock one of San Diego’s best-kept secrets for affordable fun! Your free library card grants access to the Discover & Go program, offering free admission to amazing local spots.
I’ll help you decide where to park at San Diego airport because you have multiple options depending on preferred location and price point.
Gate admission at Gilroy Gardens is $80 per adult, but you don’t have to pay full price. Here are six ways to save on tickets.
