La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club has been a treasured San Diego destination since 1927. This landmark oceanfront resort with 90 rooms and suites sits on the sand at La Jolla Shores Beach.
It is a members-only club, so you can only use it as a member, a member’s guest, or a guest staying in one of its rooms or suites. Hotel guests share the club’s private beach, heated junior Olympic-size pool, 13 championship tennis courts, and nine-hole par-3 golf course with its members. When you stay, you can also host up to four visitors a day, registered with the resort in advance, for a fee charged to your room.
Family-friendly La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club (LJBTC) offers a quintessential San Diego beach vacation and is a place that generations of families return to every year. It’s one of the La Jolla hotels we book for clients who want to be right on the beach. Here is what you need to know before you book.
Book Through Us
How to Book La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club
We have access to a lower rate here. Book it yourself in our hotel booking tool and look for the Internova discounted rate. Request the tool’s password once, and it is sent to you right away.
If you have questions before you book, about the renovation or anything else, send them to us. I know who to ask at the resort, so we can help you find out which rooms are finished and what work is going on near the one you are considering. There is no fee for our assistance.
What I Love
- Rooms and suites that are as close to the beach as you can get in San Diego
- Private beach with food and drink service
- Beach cookouts
- Junior tennis and junior golf programs
- Expansive home-away-from-home-style accommodations
- Children’s playground and bocce ball court
- Summer Kids Club for ages 4 to 10
- High Tide Dinners at The Marine Room
- Laid-back vibe
Good to Know
- The pool area is renovated and much nicer than it used to be.
- Early mornings and around midday, the pool is set aside for adult lap swimming.
- Unrenovated rooms are basic in nature, and some could use some TLC.
- Ground-floor beachfront rooms can have foot traffic noise (but families like the easy beach access).
- You will hear the ocean at night.
- No full-service spa, though you can book a massage or facial.
- The nightly resort fee covers parking, Wi-Fi, beach service, tennis and pickleball courts, the fitness center, coffee, and the first hour of a bike rental.
- Location and experience command premium pricing during peak season.
- Nearby Avenida de la Playa has many local water sports businesses with diving, kayaking, snorkeling, paddleboarding, and surfing tours and rentals.
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La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club Rooms and Suites
The quick answer
Pick your room by what you need:
Beachfront Suites, with one to three bedrooms and a full kitchen.
Ocean view
Club Guestrooms With Kitchenettes, which sleep three and are a short walk from the beach.
Small kitchen
Accessible Beachfront One-Bedroom Suites, with a king bed and a pull-out sofa.
Ocean view
La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club rooms range from 250-square-foot Club Guestrooms to sprawling three-bedroom beachfront suites with full kitchens, and every room has Wi-Fi, a flat-screen TV, and a coffeemaker. The décor in rooms still awaiting renovation is classic California coastal—think ocean blues and sea foam greens, wood furniture, and beach-inspired touches.
A note on style: These rooms are comfortable and well-maintained but not cutting-edge modern. Guests have described them as a bit dated but very clean and spacious. Think vintage California beach resort charm rather than boutique hotel polish. That is changing room by room as the renovation moves through the property, so if you are booking before it wraps up, ask us which rooms are finished.
Beachfront Suites
Top Pick
650 to 1,300 sq ft · One to three bedrooms plus a sofa bed · Ocean view · Sleeps 4 to 8
Every suite has a separate living room and a full kitchen with a dining area. The Two-Bedroom Deluxe Suite is the largest two-bedroom, at 1,150 square feet.
Beachfront Studios
350 sq ft · King bed · Ocean view · Sleeps 3
You get a sitting area and a kitchenette, and the beach is right outside. Some guests find them smaller than they expected.
Beachfront Guestrooms
250 sq ft · Queen bed · Ocean view · Sleeps 2
The most affordable beachfront room is basic but clean, with a small sitting area.
Spindrift One-Bedroom Suites
560 sq ft · One bedroom plus a living room · Property view · Sleeps 4
These suites feel more residential and sit back from the beachfront, so the walk to the sand is longer. Each also has a kitchen and a dining area.
Club Guestrooms
250 sq ft · King, queen, double, or twin beds · Garden or grounds view · Sleeps 2
A short walk from the beach and away from the ocean noise, these suit light sleepers on a budget.
Club Guestrooms With Kitchenettes
250 sq ft · King, queen, double, or twin beds · Garden or grounds view · Sleeps 3
The kitchenette lets a small family on a budget cook simple meals. I was just in one and it’s still pretty great.
Private Cottages
900 or 1,100 sq ft · Two bedrooms · Golf course and garden views · Sleeps 6
Both cottages sit near the front entrance, a short walk from the sand, and each has a full kitchen and a private patio with a BBQ and firepit. They are the only pet-friendly accommodations on property.
Accessible Beachfront One-Bedroom Suites
650 sq ft · King bed plus a pull-out sofa · Ocean view · Sleeps 3
Each suite has a separate living room, a kitchenette, and either a roll-in shower or a sit-in tub with grab bars. You also get lowered controls and switches, plus hearing and visual accessibility kits. The resort’s booking system lists three guests, but its accessible rooms page says up to four, so ask us before you book for four.
Insider Tips · Booking a Room
Room location. Seven nights or longer is the only way to lock in a specific room location, and since I know the property well, we can help you make that request. For shorter stays, rooms are assigned from whatever is open, and not even the front desk can hold a particular spot.
Outdoor space. Not every room has a balcony or terrace. Request one if it matters to you, though with so many longer-stay guests holding rooms, it comes down to what is available.
Ground-floor beachfront rooms. They offer the easiest beach access (major win with kids), but you’ll hear the ocean—which most people find soothing, though sensitive sleepers have noted it can be loud. You may also catch occasional BBQ smoke when the wind shifts.
Busy beach. During peak times (weekends, summer), the beach area gets busy with club members using the barbecues and facilities. If foot traffic or early morning beach activity bothers you, request an upstairs room.
No elevators. Upstairs rooms mean stairs, so factor that in before you request one.
Cottage traffic. Some guests note the street near the cottages gets delivery truck traffic, so they are not as quiet as you might expect from a residential-feeling cottage.
Dining at La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club
The Marine Room
The Marine Room at La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club has been a San Diego icon since it opened in 1941. It sits right on the beach, steps from your room at LJBTC, and during the seasonal High Tide Dinners, the waves crash against its windows.
This is where to go for refined coastal cuisine, impeccable service, and some of the best sunset views in San Diego. The menu features fresh local seafood and seasonal ingredients with presentations that match the setting.
The Marine Room is open to the public, so reservations are essential even for hotel guests. It opens for dinner Wednesday through Sunday, and the dress code is business casual (nice jeans are fine).
Because of its upscale menu and prices, it’s a special-occasion restaurant for many San Diegans. It’s also one of my favorite places to be at sunset, with a drink and a few light bites in The Lounge.
The Shores Restaurant
Walk next door to La Jolla Shores Hotel, the resort’s laid-back sister property, and you’ll find The Shores Restaurant with an oceanfront patio that feels like someone’s very casual beach house front yard.
This is coastal California dining without fuss, open daily from breakfast through dinner, with a menu that works whether you’re in a beach cover-up at breakfast or dressed for sunset dinner.
The Shores is also open to the public, and it is where you go for good food and ocean views without needing to book weeks in advance.
Club Dining
The heart of the resort’s dining scene, Club Dining overlooks the Pacific from its oceanfront perch and serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner, with brunch on weekends. Its refreshed dining room is brighter and has more seating along the ocean-facing windows.
The menu leans coastal California, and the wood-fired pizza patio and the Club Market (for coffee and grab-and-go food to take down to the sand) are right beside it. Club Dining is for members and hotel guests only, so it never fills with the public.
The Walnut Lounge
The Walnut Lounge is the resort’s oceanfront bar, serving handcrafted cocktails and light bites. It’s open to hotel guests and club members ages 21 and over, so it is an adults’ spot even at this family resort. Footwear and cover-ups are required.
Beach Dining
At La Jolla Beach and Tennis Club, you can dine right on the private beach. Order your meal from Club Dining to be served on the sand, or reserve your own beach barbecue through Beach Services.
A barbecue setup includes the grill, utensils, a serving table, and a dining table with chairs. Order from the resort’s shopping list at least 48 hours ahead, and your food is delivered to your spot on the beach. Over holiday periods, barbecue reservations are handed out by lottery, and shopping-list delivery is not available.
Heated Swimming Pool
The junior Olympic-size swimming pool is heated to 80 degrees year-round and sits just steps from the sand.
The refreshed deck has seven private cabanas and family seating areas, all first come, first served, plus a wood-fired pizza oven on the patio. I can vouch for the pizza—it’s excellent.
The pool is reserved for adult lap swimming early in the morning and around midday, so plan family swims for mid-morning or the afternoon.
Private Beach
La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club has one of the only private beaches in Southern California. Guests have exclusive access to this stretch of sand at the southern end of La Jolla Shores Beach.
Beach amenities are included, with lounge chairs, tables, umbrellas, and fresh towels. Beach Services staff handle setup and provide food and beverage service throughout the day.
Private fire pits can be rented through Beach Services from September through June, and community grills are available seasonally.
The Beach Hut operates seasonally on the sand, serving casual food and drinks. Year-round food and beverage service is also available from Club Dining and the Walnut Lounge.
Fitness Center & Spa Treatments
The fitness center is open daily to guests ages 18 and older, and the resort runs small yoga and fitness classes you can reserve ahead. Personal training is also available, and the Spindrift walking trail loops through the grounds.
There’s no full-service spa, but massages and facials are offered in the resort’s treatment room. Book them by phone or email ahead of your stay.
Championship Tennis Courts + Pickleball
La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club is home to 13 championship tennis courts and hosts tournaments every year, including the Pacific Coast Men’s Doubles Championship.
The resort’s USPTA-certified professionals offer lessons, clinics, and programs for all ages and skill levels. Weekly mixers and game matching are available, and the Junior Academy provides tennis training and summer camps for kids.
The resort also features five dedicated pickleball courts at the Spindrift Pavilion, with additional tennis courts available for pickleball play. Pickleball lessons and clinics are offered for all skill levels. Tennis racquets and pickleball paddles are available for rent.
All courts are lighted for evening play, and court time is included for registered hotel guests and club members. Reserve them in the resort’s Court Reserve app, up to three days ahead.
La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club Golf
The nine-hole, par-3 Spindrift Golf Course is ideal for beginners learning the game and experienced players working on their short game. Holes range from 57 to 84 yards with tree-lined fairways, slanted greens, and sand bunkers.
The course is open daily and includes practice greens and driving nets. Private and group golf lessons are available for all ages and skill levels. Contact the resort for lesson details and current hours.
The golf course is exclusive to registered hotel guests, club members, and their guests. Clubs are complimentary, and a per-round fee is charged to your room.
Children’s Playground
The Captains Club playground at La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club sits among lawns and picnic tables and gives little ones somewhere to burn off energy between beach sessions.
Nearby, beside the Spindrift Pavilion, is a bocce ball court for older children and parents, open daily from sunrise to sunset.
Summer Kids Club
La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club runs a summer Kids Club for children ages 4 to 10, Monday through Friday until early September. You can book full days, half days, or a Friday evening session with pizza and popcorn, and it is open only to hotel guests and club members.
Spaces are limited and cost less when you reserve at least 48 hours ahead, so sign up before you arrive. The resort also runs summer tennis and golf camps.
The La Jolla Shores Neighborhood
A hilly, seaside neighborhood, La Jolla is an affluent community that curves seven miles along the Pacific coastline. It is surrounded by beaches and ocean bluffs on three sides, and La Jolla Shores is one of its most popular spots for water sports and activities. In fact, the La Jolla Underwater Park and Ecological Reserve is located just a few yards from the resort.
Several nearby adventure companies offer guided kayaking tours of the Ecological Reserve, which also explore the seven caves of La Jolla Cove. Scuba diving, snorkeling tours, surfing, boogie-boarding, and stand-up paddleboarding lessons and tours are also available.
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The neighborhood is also popular for land activities like hiking and biking at Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve, paragliding at the Torrey Pines Gliderport, and golfing at the renowned PGA championship Torrey Pines Golf Course.
When you want to get out of the sun for a while, La Jolla offers you art, culture, science, and fashion. Go shopping in the Village of La Jolla, along Prospect Street, at Westfield UTC, or at the La Jolla Farmers Market.
Explore ocean life at family-friendly Birch Aquarium. You can get your fill of culture and the arts at La Jolla Playhouse, La Jolla Athenaeum Music & Arts Library, and the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego’s La Jolla location, among other notable La Jolla attractions.
La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club FAQs
Do you have to be a member to stay at La Jolla Beach and Tennis Club?
No. The club runs a 90-room hotel, and hotel guests use the private beach, pool, tennis and pickleball courts, golf course, Club Dining, and Walnut Lounge alongside members. Club membership is a separate program.
Which room is best for families at La Jolla Beach and Tennis Club?
For space, the Beachfront Suites sit steps from the sand with one to three bedrooms, a sofa bed, and a full kitchen. On a tighter budget, a Club Guestroom with a kitchenette sleeps three and lets you cook simple meals. It also sits away from the ocean noise and barbecue smoke that reach the beachfront rooms.
Is La Jolla Beach and Tennis Club open during the renovation?
Yes. The room work is staged so the resort never closes, and it should wrap up by Memorial Day 2027. The beach, pool, courts, and restaurants are operating as usual in the meantime.
Can you bring a dog to La Jolla Beach and Tennis Club?
Only in the two private cottages, which are the resort’s only pet-friendly accommodations. Service animals are permitted.
Does La Jolla Beach and Tennis Club have elevators?
No. If stairs are a concern, ask for a ground-floor room or one of the accessible beachfront suites when you book.
