La Jolla is a renowned tourist destination on the coast near San Diego. It has about 40,000 inhabitants and overlooks the Pacific Ocean. La Jolla, famous for seals and sea lions resting in the sun on the beach and rocks in front of the town, is one of the most popular tourist resorts in the county. The large beach of fine sand, the small coves between the cliffs, and an underwater ecosystem that appeals to snorkelers make it always crowded during the summer.
Reaching Jolla from San Diego is really easy. If you are driving there, all you have to do is follow the coast, but if you are short on time, you can also get there by heading north on the San Diego Freeway. However, if you are planning to use public transportation, Bus 30 will take you directly to the center of La Jolla without having to change buses. How far is La Jolla from San diego? From downtown San Diego, it takes about an hour to get to La Jolla.
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Best Things to Do in La Jolla
La Jolla is a small area, but it is very lively and it is pleasant to walk among the small shops as well as in the well-kept gardens along its promenade. In contrast to the hustle and bustle of San Diego, here in La Jolla, there is a much more relaxed and peaceful environment, where people come to spend a carefree summer vacation.
Downtown
La Jolla is classy and stylish, like other coastal resorts in California. The palm trees and the numerous green areas make it a pleasant place to walk around even on hot days, but it is also nice to wander around in the evening, when the streets light up the souvenir shops as well as the elegant boutiques.
The two main streets are Prospect Street and Girard Avenue, but the whole area deserves to be visited. Here you will discover that in La Jolla there is more to do than just going to the beach. The Museum of Contemporary Art (700 Prospect St) has a collection of about 5,000 works of contemporary art. The museum is currently closed for restoration (august 2021), but some of its works are temporarily on display at the San Diego Museum of Contemporary Art.
Among the most characteristic areas of downtown La Jolla is undoubtedly Cuvier Park (590 Coast Blvd S), also known as “The Wedding Bowl”, since many couples choose this location as the place to say “I do”. Those who have an interest in geography will be fascinated by the Map & Atlas Museum (7825 Fay Ave), whose aim is to create awareness and appreciation for the artistic beauty of ancient maps and atlases. You can visit it free of charge on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and on the 1st and 3rd Saturday of the month from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm.
Although it may not attract as many tourists compared to nearby Sea World, La Jolla has its own aquarium overlooking the ocean. At the Birch Aquarium (2300 Expedition Way), in addition to seeing the classic tanks, you can also participate in interactive activities. If you are traveling with children, you could consider it as a cheaper alternative to SeaWorld and it can also be visited quicker. The aquarium is open from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm and costs $18.50 for adults, $14.00 for children from 3 to 11 years old, and $15.50 for seniors (60+).
La Jolla also boasts a truly impressive example of religious architecture (Mormon architecture to be precise). The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (7474 Charmant Dr) is only accessible to Mormons, but I still highly recommend stopping to take a picture outside of the silhouette of the white spires against the blue sky.
La Jolla Cove
The main point of interest is actually a short distance from La Jolla. It is La Jolla Cove, a bay with a promenade framed by cliffs, where a long white beach flanks a stretch of rocky coastline interspersed with small flat rocky coves on which seals and sea lions rest. It is certainly one of the most famous and photographed beaches of San Diego.
La Jolla Cove is a 9-square mile ecological reserve that contains four different habitats. For this reason, it is not possible to fish, collect shells, use floating devices, or practice water sports. To get as close as possible by car, you can park along Coast Boulevard for free (3-hour limit).
Between the residential area and the cliff, there is the verdant Ellen Browning Scripps Park, named after the person responsible for the construction of the barrier of the Children’s Pool, which I will tell you about shortly. In the summer, it’s the best place to cool off, but it’s also fun to walk to the gazebo on the cliff from which you can admire the Seal Rock. As you can tell by the name, seals love to relax here in the sun. You will also see noisy seagulls and pelicans that are not intimidated by humans.
Sunny Jim’s Sea Cave
In California, Sunny Jim’s Sea Cave, located right in La Jolla, is the only sea cave accessible by land. To get there, there is a short path that includes a steep 143-step staircase and a tunnel that allows you to reach it while enjoying a magnificent panoramic view of the ocean. The tunnel, designed in 1904 by the German engineer Gustaf Schultz, was used during Prohibition to smuggle alcohol. The entrance fee is $5 ($3 for children under 16). An alternative way to visit the cave is by sea on a canoe tour.
About canoe tours of sea caves in La Jolla
La Jolla Shores
La Jolla Shores, located north of La Jolla, is a sandy beach over one mile long. It is frequented by many surfers, kayakers, and especially divers. From here you can easily access the protected marine area underwater. If you stay overnight in La Jolla, come here in the evening after dinner. There are bonfires that allow you to see the beach at night.
You can take a short path that is about 660 ft long to climb up the cliff, from where you can enjoy a beautiful view of the ocean. Instead, if you walk for about 2-2.5 miles, you can reach Seal Rock from the beach. This second option is definitely a nice walk on the coast.
Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve
The Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve is a 3-square mile coastal state park with pristine beaches, a lagoon for migratory birds, and cliffs overlooking the coast, all of which can be visited via trails of varying lengths and difficulty. It is an ideal place for birdwatching, but also to see other animals such as red lynxes, foxes, rabbits, raccoons, and coyotes. From the cliffs, you can see whales during the migratory season.
Mount Soledad
Not far from La Jolla, just beyond the beautiful residential area, there is Mount Soledad (6905 S La Jolla Scenic Dr), an exceptional vantage point. At the top of the 823-ft hill stands a 42-ft concrete cross, the prominent feature of a memorial that honors Korean War veterans.
The Children’s Pool and La Jolla Tide Pools
The southernmost area of La Jolla is known for the Children’s Pool. This pool built into the sea with a concrete pier was designed for children, but seals and sea lions also like to come here and spend their afternoons rolling in the sun on the small beach.
Near the Children’s Pool, we find the La Jolla Tide Pools, which are created between flat rocks. At low tide, seagulls and pelicans come here to feast on small fish and shells.
Best Time To Visit La Jolla
This stretch of coast is characterized by a fairly dry climate, despite the ocean. Since it is windy and there is little precipitation, the sky is almost always clear. It is also because of its climate that La Jolla is called the jewel of South California. If you’re planning a road trip on the West Coast, take a look at the article dedicated to California’s climate, but if you’re only visiting San Diego and its surroundings, you can read more about the best time to go to San Diego.
Events in La Jolla
La Jolla is a lively resort, which in addition to its natural beauty also offers events and initiatives throughout the year. Here are some of the most characteristic events.
- Concours d’Elegance. Vintage car shows, artisan stalls, and dinners in various locations around the city take place in La Jolla in April. The event aims to raise funds for La Jolla Historical Society, an organization that preserves the local historical heritage, and for this reason, the purchase of a ticket is required to access the event area.
- 4th of July Fireworks at La Jolla Cove. If you’re in or around San Diego on the 4th of July, I recommend you go to the 30-minute fireworks show at La Jolla Cove. The best view is from Ellen Browning Scripps Park.
- Luau and Legends of Surfing International. As I mentioned, La Jolla is a popular destination for surfers. In August, the beach is filled with surfers who compete in teams. The greatest surfing legends often attend the event. The event continues at sunset with the luau, which consists of Hawaiian musical entertainment accompanied by dinner. Usually, the funds raised during the event are donated to the Moores Cancer Center in San Diego. You can watch the surf competition for free.
- Christmas parade. In Southern California, the Christmas holidays are celebrated differently than on the East Coast. Here the central streets of the city come to life during the afternoon parade, band performances, inflatable balloons, and Santa Claus, who seems a bit out of place among the palm trees.
Where to Eat in La Jolla
Finding where to eat in La Jolla is not difficult and there is something for everyone. If you’re just passing through, you can grab a burrito at a Mexican fast food restaurant, but if you plan to stay longer and want to dine out, here are some recommendations. The Marine Room (2000 Spindrift Dr) is a refined restaurant with a spectacular panoramic view of the ocean. The restaurant, which has won many awards, changes its menu seasonally and serves fish, American cuisine, but also international dishes. At George’s at the Cove (1250 Prospect St) the food is Southern California-inspired. This restaurant with views of the ocean is divided into three levels. On the first floor, the atmosphere is more intimate and contemporary, on the second floor it is more casual, and on the third floor, there is a rooftop terrace.
Duke’s La Jolla (1216 Prospect St) is named after Hawaiian Olympic champion and father of modern surfing Duke Kahanamoku. The restaurant has an island beach vibe and serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The menu includes pancakes, omelets, coconut shrimp, filet, sandwiches, chocolate cake, and milkshakes. If you fancy a good sandwich, go to the Burger Lounge (1101 Wall St). It serves all kinds of burgers, even vegetarian ones, made with simple and quality ingredients. You can’t help but appreciate the warm hospitality of the staff!
Where to Stay in La Jolla
La Jolla has many excellent hotels. The Grande Colonial Hotel (910 Prospect St), built in 1913, is located in the heart of downtown renovated according to its historical past. The rooms and suites, some with kitchens, have wi-fi and views of either the ocean or the garden. The property features a heated outdoor pool, a restaurant, concierge service, indoor and outdoor meeting spaces, laundry service, and valet parking ($30 per day).
Near the coast, in the downtown area, we recommend the Empress Hotels (7766 Fay Ave), which combines features of a Southern California beachfront property with more luxurious features. This is also noticeable in the rooms and suites, which have both European and beach decor. The hotel is pet-friendly and accommodates pet friends at a cost of $75 for the duration of your stay. Concierge service, a restaurant, a meeting room, a business room, laundry, and valet parking ($28 per day) are available.
The Scripps Inn (555 Coast Blvd S) is a B&B with 14 rooms, each with its own style, and some of them have a kitchenette. From the rooms with a view of the water, you can see dolphins, seals, and sea lions all year round, and in the winter, you can even see whales. Other perks are the veranda overlooking the ocean and the fact that this place is pet-friendly.
