La Jolla Travel Guide

We may have more than our fair share of multi-million-dollar homes and some of San Diego’s most beautiful beaches. Still, my community is also home to silly barking sea lions, the best restaurants in the county, and a spectacular underwater ecological reserve.

On this page, I’ve collected all my best La Jolla travel tips, including where to stay, what to do, and where to go in La Jolla, California, whether traveling alone or with kids.

Katie Dillon headshot

Hi, I’m Katie. I’ve lived in La Jolla for nearly two decades, but my connection to the neighborhood spans more than thirty years. This is the place I call home — and this guide reflects what I personally recommend to friends, clients, and fellow travelers.

What you’ll find here

La Jolla Hotels

Neighborhoods

Things to Do

Where To Eat

Beaches

Kids

Free Activities

Shopping

Resources

Travel Tips

FAQ

All Articles

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My Favorite La Jolla Hotels

The best places to stay in La Jolla are award-winning boutique properties and no-frills family-owned beach hotels. It may surprise you to know that there are more wallet-friendly options, too.

Please Note:

La Jolla (aka “The Jewel” of San Diego) has multiple neighborhoods you’ll need to drive between. Most tourists stay in The Village near La Jolla Cove, La Jolla Shores, or closer to the I-5 freeway by Torrey Pines Golf Course and UC San Diego.

Get Our VIP Perks at These Hotels

The Lodge at Torrey Pines

The Lodge at Torrey Pines building exterior and pool lit at dusk.

Location: Torrey Pines

One of the best boutique hotels in the state with priority tee times at Torrey Pines Golf Course.

LJM Perks:

  • $100 hotel credit
  • Daily breakfast for two
  • Upgrade & extended check-in/out times if available
  • Slight discount

Estancia La Jolla

Estancia La Jolla hotel has probably the most impressive landscaping of any San Diego hotels.

Location: Across from UCSD

The closest to a true resort in La Jolla with a great spa, pool, dining across the street from campus.

LJM Perks:

  • $100 hotel credit
  • Daily breakfast for two
  • Upgrade & extended check-in/out times if available

Read My Other Reviews

La Jolla Beach and Tennis Club

Aerial view of beachfront La Jolla Shores Hotel, a San Diego family hotel

La Jolla Shores Hotel

La Valencia

Exterior of Grande Colonial hotel in La Jolla at sunset

Grande Colonia La Jolla

Hotel La Jolla, Curio Collection by Hilton has an outdoor poolside lounge.

Hotel La Jolla

The Empress Hotel La Jolla boasts an awesome location, one of La Jolla's best restaurants and nice rooms at a reasonable price.

Empress La Jolla

The outdoor swimming pool surrounded by tropical landscaping.

Sheraton La Jolla

Pool view looking out toward the golf course.

Hilton La Jolla Torrey Pines

Best Hotels in la jolla

Research and Book on Your Own

We offer two tools if you’d like to research hotels with VIP programs on your own.

In both cases, you’ll need to understand the occupancy and bedding of the room or suite you’re booking. You can find this information on a hotel’s website directly. We’ll receive your reservation within minutes and will follow up to help make sure everything is correct.

Virtuoso

You will need to create a free account and log in to see the most accurate rates.

Book with Virtuoso

Travelwits

This tool allows you to see other VIP rates, such as Four Seasons Preferred Partner and Hyatt Prive, in addition to Virtuoso.

Book with TravelWits

Popular La Jolla Neighborhoods to Stay In

As a longtime La Jolla local and travel advisor, I know how much the right neighborhood can shape your stay. Whether you want to be near the beach, close to dining, or in a quieter residential area, this guide will help you choose where to stay in La Jolla based on what matters most to you.

  • The Village of La Jolla

    Often referred to simply as “The Village,” this is the bustling heart of La Jolla where you’ll find a mix of luxury shopping, fine dining, and art galleries, all within walking distance of the ocean. It’s the central business district of La Jolla, where visitors and locals mingle in beachside cafes and parks overlooking the sea.

  • My daughter walks our dog on La Jolla Shores Beach, one of the best La Jolla beaches for kids.

    La Jolla Shores

    Known for its expansive sandy beach and family-friendly atmosphere, La Jolla Shores offers a relaxed vibe with beachfront dining and kayaking opportunities. It’s popular among families and ocean enthusiasts for its gentle waves and beautiful sunsets.

  • An aerial view of La Jolla's Bird Rock neighborhood.

    Bird Rock

    Located on the southern end of La Jolla, Bird Rock is known for its laid-back family-friendly community, surf spots,  and unique coastal shops. You’ll see more locals than tourists here at the cafes and restaurants. There’s one motel and probably vacation rentals.

  • Windansea shack and beach on a summer July day.

    WindanSea

    The famous surfing beach is surrounded by a residential neighborhood that features a mix of charming beach cottages and newer, upscale homes, and a few budget hotels.

  • La Jolla Village

    This neighborhood, distinct from The Village of La Jolla, is located closer to the University of California, San Diego. It features more residential accommodations, shopping centers (Whole Foods), and business parks, catering largely to students and professionals.

  • Palm trees in La Jolla

    La Jolla Farms

    This exclusive neighborhood boasts sprawling estates and spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean. Adjacent to the University of California, San Diego, and near the Torrey Pines Golf Course, it offers privacy and prestige.

Fun Things to Do in La Jolla, California

We have the prettiest beaches (each one is different), an urban seal rookery, snorkeling (rare in California), boutiques, and mild hikes. There is something for everyone, and the best activities are free.

The Attractions I Take All My Visitors To

  • La Jolla Cove
  • La Jolla Seals and Sea Lions
  • Birch Aquarium
  • La Jolla Underwater Park
  • La Jolla Shores Beach
  • Museum of Contemporary Art, San Diego

The most visited attraction in La Jolla is La Jolla Cove, where beautiful views of the Pacific Ocean are the backdrop against which sea lions frolic and gulls take flight. It’s a great place to take photos, but if you’re game to go in the water, it’s also good for snorkeling.

This is because you enter the La Jolla Underwater Park here to see orange Garibaldi (California’s state fish), sea stars, anemones, and many other animals to check out underwater. There’s also open water swimming under the watchful eyes of lifeguards and scuba diving.

The kayak and snorkel tours to the seven La Jolla sea caves leave from La Jolla Shores beach. Speaking of La Jolla Shores Beach, it’s the best spot for a day out at the beach.

If visiting with kids, you must visit the Birch Aquarium, which showcases research by the Scripps Institution of Oceanography in awesome aquarium habitats and hands-on exhibits.

However, the most famous attractions in this neighborhood are probably the La Jolla seals and sea lions.

These cute and noisy residents of the rocky coastline are a real treat to watch whether you’re watching them from the Children’s Pool, along Coast Boulevard, or by the Cave Store.

Browse Activity Articles

Full things to do in La Jolla Guide

Where To Eat in La Jolla

La Jolla is widely recognized as a foodie hub where you’ll find some of the best seafood, California cuisine, and Japanese fusion, along with great pizza and the freshest tacos around.

It’s hard to choose the best La Jolla restaurants because there are many, but some of our favorites are George’s at the Cove, Catania, and Himitsu. I also have some good news for anyone traveling with kids: almost all La Jolla restaurants are family-friendly — even the higher-end spots.

The list of places we like to eat at is long but here are a few ideas:

  • George’s Ocean Terrace
  • The Marine Room
  • Sugar and Scribe
  • El Pescador
  • Taco Stand
  • Puesto
  • Queenstown Village
  • NINE-TEN
  • Piatti
Best Restaurants in La Jolla

Insider Tips for Going to the Beach

La Jolla has seven miles of rugged coastline — most rocky, not sandy. That said, there are various sandy beaches along the coast, including some of the best beaches in San Diego. Which one you go to depends on what you want to do.

Families head to the Children’s Pool, where the seawall has created a beautifully calm spot, but not so much for swimming anymore. It’s a rare urban seal rookery since flocks of harbor seals now hang out here.

The place to see sea lions is down the boardwalk at La Jolla Cove, a beach close to the Sunny Jim Sea Cave and awesome scuba diving and snorkeling spots. Both are located in The Village.

For swimming and calm surf (plus lifeguards, picnic spots, bathrooms, and showers), look no further than La Jolla Shores Beach. There are play structures, kayaking tours, paddleboard rentals, great snorkeling spots, and a big parking lot, which is a rarity around here (though it can fill up quickly in the summer). This La Jolla beach offers plenty of sand for a glorious San Diego beach day.

Shell Beach is a great choice if you want to explore the famous La Jolla tide pools in winter. There are plenty of tide pooling spots in San Diego, but Shell Beach and Wipeout Beach (in The Village), a few paces south, have some of the most colorful and interesting aquatic life. There are sea anemones, sea stars, crabs, and fish. La Jolla Shores is home to Dike Rock near Scripps Pier, a tide pool area studied by researchers and where Birch Aquarium naturalists lead public tide pool tours.

And for surfing, check out Windansea Beach, considered one of the best surf spots in San Diego. That said, it’s not exactly beginner-friendly because the waves vary with the tides, and it’s hard to predict what the swell will be like on any given day. La Jolla Shores near Scripps Pier is another hot spot where you can take a surfing lesson.

Popular La Jolla Beaches

  • La jolla cove

    La Jolla Cove

  • cropped-la-jolla-shores-beach-sunset.jpg

    La Jolla Shores Beach

  • A green belvedere at Shell Beach in La Jolla

    Shell Beach

  • The Windansea Beach Shack sits on the bluff with the ocean in the background.

    WindanSea Beach

  • Things to do in La Jolla

    Children’s Pool Beach

  • View from the cliffs down to Black's Beach in La Jolla.

    Black’s Beach

Visiting La Jolla with Kids

La Jolla with kids is easy, and I say that from much experience personal experience on this particular topic. We have many excellent playgrounds, plenty of kid-friendly restaurants with happy hours where the whole family can kick back and relax. My town is clean, and lifeguards patrol the beaches you’d take kids to.

An aerial view of snorkelers swimming with tons of black leopard sharks in La Jolla's clear water.

If your kids are interested in oceanography, we are your destination. Yes, we have seals, sea lions, leopard sharks, tide pools, and an underwater park. But, you can learn tons about all of the above thanks to fantastic programming though Birch Aquarium at Scripps onsite at the aquarium and offsite through guided grunion runs, whale-watching tours, summer camps, and more.

My La Jolla with Kids Guide

The Best Free Activities In La Jolla

Do you have to spend much money to have a great time in La Jolla? Absolutely not. There are plenty of free things to do in La Jolla. While going to the beach is one of them, there are playgrounds, farmer’s markets, and some of the best tide pooling in California—just be sure to bring rubber-soled shoes.

Want to relax? You can sit back in the grass and watch the parasailers lift off at Torrey Pines Gliderport or have a picnic at Ellen Browning Scripps Park. I’d also recommend checking out the Stuart Collection sculptures at UC San Diego and taking a walking tour of the beautiful murals of La Jolla.

Free Things to do in La Jolla

My Favorite Shopping in La Jolla

Beautiful beaches and gorgeous views aren’t all La Jolla has to offer. The shopping in La Jolla is some of the best in San Diego. La Jolla offers many upscale boutiques and high-end shopping destinations, so plan to enjoy some retail therapy during your stay.

You can, of course, shop for souvenirs, but you can also enhance your wardrobe with staples from American and European designers, both well-known and obscure. Most of the best shopping in La Jolla is in The Village.

You can easily hit Prospect Street, Ivanhoe Street, Herschel Street, and Girard Avenue shops during a single pleasant stroll. Along the way, you’ll pass many wonderful cafes and restaurants where you can recharge your batteries in the middle of your shopping spree.

About Shopping in La Jolla

Sightseeing Discounts

Sometimes, there isn’t one clear way to buy. I’ll tell you where to crunch numbers.

Go City San Diego

Save up to 50% on over 50 attractions including La Jolla water sports rentals and Birch Aquarium. Use promo code GOSDO5LJM for 5%.

Use Go City

CityPASS

Includes Birch Aquarium, USS Midway, Seaworld, LEGOLAND and a few others.

Use Citypass San Diego

Everyday California

Explore the underwater park with Everyday California by kayak, SUP or snorkeling! Get a 20% discount with promo code LJMOM20.

Use Everyday California

So Diego Tours

Our culinary and craft beer scene is booming and the best tours for foodies are with So Diego. Use promo code lajollamom for $5 off.

Use So Diego Tours

La Jolla Travel Tips

While La Jolla is often associated with the million-dollar homes that dot the cliffs overlooking San Diego’s gorgeous beaches, this neighborhood is actually laid back. Many tourists add it to their sightseeing itinerary as a day trip or spend their entire vacations here.

The vibe is relaxed, and you’ll be fine in your athleisure, even though it’s notable for having the Rodeo Drive of San Diego (Prospect Street) and being an art incubator.

HOW TO SAY LA JOLLA

La Jolla is pronounced La HOY-ah.

THE VILLAGE

The Village of La Jolla is our downtown. It’s not to be confused with La Jolla Village, a retail and residential area between Gilman Drive and I-5 freeway.

Transportation

Many people who stay in La Jolla have rental cars. You can also rely on Uber. Drive time to San Diego Airport is about 20-25 minutes without traffic.

PARKING

It’s challenging. We have paid parking lots if you can’t find free street parking.

BEST TIME TO VISIT

For weather, come between July–October. For price, come in shoulder seasons of September (after Labor Day)–beginning of November or January–beginning of March. Avoid major golf tournament dates.

ONLY BEACH & BOUTIQUE HOTELS

There are no big sprawling resorts in La Jolla. The most highly-rated hotel is The Lodge at Torrey Pines.

A La Jolla Resident Answers Your FAQs

I live in La Jolla, California, and answer questions about it daily. Here’s some of what people want to know.

You can also read my popular What and Where Is La Jolla, CA Anyway, which has answers to even more FAQs.

Get more answers

La Jolla is a seaside community in the City of San Diego. It has its own zip codes with the main one being 92037.

So technically, it is the same as San Diego but, in reality, very different. And people passionate about it lobby to break the community away from the City (long story short).

La Jolla is special for many reasons but is most recognized for its special beaches. La Jolla Cove is one of the most photographed and popular places for tourists, no matter where they stay in San Diego County.

It’s also very pretty and well-kept, thanks to its affluence.

When people ask if La Jolla is close to San Diego, they typically want to know how long it takes to get here from downtown San Diego or the airport specifically.

Depending on where you are in La Jolla, it takes 20-25 minutes to get to the airport.

La Jolla means The Jewel in Spanish.

A lot of new restaurants have been popping up lately, but here’s a quick run-down of the places we frequent the most.

  • Puesto: Mexican street food that we also get delivered through Doordash.
  • Sugar and Scribe: For breakfast and desserts to-go.
  • George’s Ocean Terrace: The best place to take out-of-town guests.
  • NINE-TEN: Finer dining — excellent.
  • Isola: Great wood-fired pizza and casual for kids
  • El Pescador: A seafood market with excellent sandwiches.
  • Taco Stand: If you can handle the line or can go at off-peak times.
  • Bobboi Gelato: Dessert at The Cove.
  • Froglanders: Local kids love this fro-yo.

La Jolla Articles

coronado La Jolla Downtown San Diego Balboa Park Mission Beach/Mission Bay Pacific Beach Del Mar Encinitas Carlsbad Oceanside

    A docent shares insight on art at Museum of Contemporary Art La Jolla.

    La Jolla Museums: Explore Our Art, Local History, & Sea Life

    Learn which museums in La Jolla we love from MCSAD La Jolla to Birch Aquarium and a few hidden gems with free walking tours and exhibits!

    An aerial view of La Jolla's Bird Rock neighborhood.

    How to Get to La Jolla, California: Guide to Public Transportation & Directions

    Find the best ways to get to La Jolla from other San Diego County areas by car, bus, trolley or train.

    Brockton Villa Coast Toast Recipe

    18 Best La Jolla Breakfast & Brunch Spots: A Resident’s Restaurant Guide

    A resident’s guide to the best places to eat breakfast or brunch in La Jolla that suit all appetites and price ranges. My community excels at morning meals!

    View of La Jolla from the Dike Rock tide pools near Scripps Pier.

    La Jolla Tide Pools: Local Naturalist Tips & Best Spots (2026)

    We’re regular visitors to the La Jolla tide pools. I share everything to know from directions to visible sea life — with tips from a Birch Aquarium expert.

    Aerial view of Ellen Browning Scripps Park in La Jolla, California

    What to Know about Ellen Browning Scripps Park

    What to know before you visit Ellen Browning Scripps Park near La Jolla Cove including history, directions, things to do & more.

    Wildflowers bloom near the La Jolla Coast Walk Trail on a sunny day.

    How to Take the La Jolla Coast Walk Trail & What You’ll See

    Learn how to take the La Jolla Coast Walk Trail and why it’s one of my neighborhood’s hidden gems.

    Aerial view of the La Jolla sea caves

    La Jolla Sea Caves: History and How to See Them

    What to know about the seven La Jolla sea caves including their names, history, and how to see them from land or by tours.

    View from the cliffs down to Black's Beach in La Jolla.

    9 Interesting Facts About Black’s Beach La Jolla

    Black’s Beach in La Jolla is far more nuanced than most visitors realize. Learn what sets this San Diego beach apart and how to get there.

    People enjoy La Jolla Shell Beach on a sunny summer day.

    Shell Beach La Jolla: 6 Reasons to Love It From Tide Pools to Shells

    A local’s guide to Shell Beach La Jolla including tide pools, beachcombing for shells and sea glass, location, ocean tips, and more.

    The pretty grassy area where weddings are held at Estancia La Jolla.

    Estancia La Jolla Hotel & Spa Review: Top Amenities, Dining & Insider Tips

    I live in La Jolla and have a lot of experience with Estancia La Jolla as a day and overnight guest. I’m delighted also to share that we now have VIP benefits here for you to use.

    When in San Diego, you must explore La Jolla's Underwater Park ecological reserve. Here's why.

    La Jolla Underwater Park: Water Sports and Sea Life Galore

    Learn why the La Jolla Underwater Park is one of San Diego’s best attractions, how to explore it, and what sea life might be visible.

    Aerial view of La Jolla, California beaches, businesses and homes.

    What and Where Is la Jolla, California Anyway — Your FAQs Answered

    Answers to FAQs about San Diego’s seaside community of La Jolla, California for those who are unfamiliar with its unique qualities and attractions.