La Jolla

Travel Guide

La Jolla featuring a beach, general coastal views and swimming
La Jolla
La Jolla
La Jolla
La Jolla

This Californian beach town attracts luxury travelers, newlyweds and surfers with gorgeous palm tree parklands, secluded nudist beaches and spectacular waves.

Experience the upscale beach life of La Jolla, where San Diegans go to relax. This seaside community lives up to its affectionate nickname, the “Jewel City,” with excellent restaurants and pristine swimming coves.

La Jolla first became popular in the 1880s when developers realized the value of the region’s protected beaches. Bring the family to La Jolla CoveOpens in a new window, which has serene waters for swimming, snorkeling and diving. Let the kids play safely at La Jolla Children’s Pool. This cove is occasionally occupied by an adventurous pack of seals. Find the best waves at Windansea Beach, which is famous for its reef breaks and exquisite sunset views.

Enjoy the luscious lawn and tall palms of Ellen Browning Scripps Park, which commemorates one of the town’s most beloved philanthropists. Visit Scripps’ former residence to find the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego, where a 20th-century collection consists of more than 4,600 pieces.

Experience the coastal vistas with a long walk along Broken Hill Trail, which has intermittent access to the sands of Black’s Beach. This secluded shoreline is popular with nudists, who enjoy the gorgeous natural landscape punctuated by sandstone cliffs and springtime flowers.

Alternatively, try the easier trails of Razor Point and Parry Grove, which follow the coastal cliffs of Torrey Pines Natural Reserve. Nearby, play a round of golf at the Torrey Pines Golf Course, a championship course with sweeping views overlooking the Pacific Ocean.

Relax after a walk at one of many spa facilities in La Jolla or get your nails done with a full manicure-pedicure. Browse perfumes, jewelry and antique maps alongside brand-names clothes and curios in La Jolla’s bustling shopping district. This area also has a wide selection of restaurants serving gourmet Italian, Thai fusion and French cuisine.

La Jolla is located 15 miles (23 kilometers) north of downtown San Diego. Access the area by car or public buses that run frequently.

Where to stay in La Jolla

Birch Aquarium showing marine life and interior views

La Jolla Shores

5/5(4 area reviews)

If you're spending some time in La Jolla Shores, La Jolla Beach and Birch Aquarium are top sights worth seeing.

La Jolla Shores
La Jolla Cove which includes rugged coastline and general coastal views as well as a small group of people

Village of La Jolla

4.5/5(9 area reviews)

Seaside community offering scuba diving, surfing, and picturesque beaches like La Jolla Cove. Explore Mount Soledad, Museum of Contemporary Art, and indulge in upmarket dining and shopping along Prospect Street and Girard Avenue.

Village of La Jolla
Driving South on the old coast hwy 101 I stopped and parked my car to capture this awesome sight for the first day of Spring in San Diego. #roadtrip

Torrey Pines

4.5/5(6 area reviews)

Boasting the highly-ranked Torrey Pines Golf Course, this coastal neighborhood offers 42% parks and open spaces, with easy access to I-5. Explore nearby Torrey Pines State Park and beach for stunning ocean views.

Torrey Pines
Beautiful sunsets of San  Diego.

Country Club

While Country Club might not have many sights to explore, venturing just a little farther will lead you to top things to see and do like La Jolla Cove and Mount Soledad National Veterans Memorial.

Country Club
La Jolla

Beach Barber Tract

4.5/5(6 area reviews)

While visiting Beach Barber Tract, you might make a stop by sights like Windansea Beach and Marine Street Beach.

Beach Barber Tract
Low tide love.

Bird Rock

If you're spending some time in Bird Rock, Pacific Beach and Mission and Pacific Beaches are top sights worth seeing.

Bird Rock
San Diego Marriott La Jolla
San Diego Marriott La Jolla
4 out of 5
4240 La Jolla Village Dr, La Jolla, CA
The price is CA $258 per night from Aug 7 to Aug 8
CA $258
CA $297 total
Aug 7 - Aug 8
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in La Jolla. Enjoy breakfast (surcharge), a 24-hour fitness center, and valet parking (surcharge). Our guests praise ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,909 reviews)
"It was a nice and clean place. But the elevator was too slow."

Reviewed on Jul. 10, 2025

San Diego Marriott La Jolla
Hilton La Jolla Torrey Pines
Hilton La Jolla Torrey Pines
4 out of 5
10950 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA
The price is CA $295 per night from Aug 4 to Aug 5
CA $295
CA $394 total
Aug 4 - Aug 5
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star golf resort in La Jolla. Enjoy room service, a fitness center, and valet parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff in our ...
7.8/10 Good! (1,011 reviews)
"The ocean view is really good enough. And golf club is cool."

Reviewed on Jul. 9, 2025

Hilton La Jolla Torrey Pines
Sheraton La Jolla Hotel
Sheraton La Jolla Hotel
3.5 out of 5
3299 Holiday Ct, La Jolla, CA
The price is CA $259 per night from Aug 7 to Aug 8
CA $259
CA $297 total
Aug 7 - Aug 8
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3.5-star business-friendly hotel in La Jolla. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff and ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,011 reviews)
"The photos are decieving. Its not that large. No room service. 18$ drinks.not really in the TOWN of la jolla"

Reviewed on Jul. 8, 2025

Sheraton La Jolla Hotel
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
La Jolla Shores Beach Bungalow. Steps to the Beach, Shopping, Restaurants & more
La Jolla Shores Beach Bungalow. Steps to the Beach, Shopping, Restaurants & more
San Diego
Book a stay at this beach apartment in La Jolla. Enjoy free WiFi, a beach locale, and cable/satellite TV service. Popular attractions Mission Bay and Mission ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (9 reviews)
Fantastic location and great space!
"We spent a long weekend here for UCSD graduation weekend. It's a great location near the bus route to campus, a block to the beach, and right on the main block with restaurants and shops. We didn't hear much noise but were using the AC. The condo was modern, clean and perfect for our needs. Note ..."

Reviewed on Jun. 27, 2025

La Jolla Shores Beach Bungalow. Steps to the Beach, Shopping, Restaurants & more
Great Family Home/A/C/Hot Tub/Close to All
Great Family Home/A/C/Hot Tub/Close to All
La Jolla
Stay at this vacation home in La Jolla. Enjoy a water park, a garden, and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Mission Bay and Mission Beach are located ...
Great Family Home/A/C/Hot Tub/Close to All
La Jolla Cottage by the Sea
La Jolla Cottage by the Sea
La Jolla
Stay at this apartment in La Jolla. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and balconies. Popular attractions Mission Beach and Mission Bay are located ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (117 reviews)
"The property was perfect for our stay. Loved the quiet mornings reading on the balcony. Easy walk to a coffee shop and a short drive to the beach. The owners are super nice and helpful (they even mailed back my lost AirPod). This is the second year in a row we’ve stayed there and the experience, ..."

Reviewed on Jul. 5, 2025

La Jolla Cottage by the Sea
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Reviews of La Jolla

4.5
Top destination
5 - Excellent
25
5 - Excellent 60%
4 - Good
14
4 - Good 33%
3 - Okay
3
3 - Okay 7%
2 - Disappointing
0
2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
1 - Terrible 0%

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Sleepy beach town, lots of cute and gorgeous beach homes. Would be interested to see what summer is like here!

4/5 - Good

Maggie

Love the small downtown area of La Jolla. Great restaurants and walks

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

The Ocean walk is spectacular, with broad grass lawns, rugged beaches and seals and sea lions galore. The seals do sometimes smell up certain areas but just keep walking and it disappears.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Scenic and relaxing.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Very nice, lots of things to do for everyone.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Is a place worth going again

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