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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After booking your flights and hotel, tackle these TEN important things next to ensure flawless execution of your San Diego trip.
Hotel 50 Bowery in New York City’s Chinatown is a reasonably priced hidden gem you can book with our Hyatt Prive benefits. Learn how in my review.
Pick up a Museum Month pass at your local library to enjoy February museum visits for less, with a breakdown of where the pass works, how to use it, and easy itinerary ideas.
I know which sightseeing passes our clients buy and why they choose them. Get our insider tips on whether to choose San Diego CityPASS or Go City San Diego Pass.
Six Flags Over Texas discount tickets are easy to buy through authorized sellers so that you can visit this fun theme park on the cheap.
Everything you need to know about Jungle Bells at the San Diego Zoo, including 2026-2027 dates, entertainment, holiday lights, food, parking, and tips from a local Zoo member.
Here’s a guide on the San Diego Zoo food policy, bag rules, pet restrictions, and camera tips. Know what’s allowed, and how to make the most of your visit!
Black Friday/Cyber Monday travel deals in San Diego and beyond include theme parks, hotels, airfare, and gear savings. Many are still TBD but we’re keeping track!
Seeing the pandas costs nothing beyond Zoo admission, so the planning is all about timing. Like any animal at the Zoo, they can go off exhibit at any time, which is worth knowing before you build a day around them.
