La Jolla is one of the most beautiful seaside coasts in San Diego. Known for its beautiful beaches, abundant marine life, and nature reserves, you don’t want to miss it if you’re planning a trip to San Diego. Just a half hour from Gaslamp, it’s a gorgeous break from the bustle of downtown and gives you everything the San Diego coast has to offer. Beloved by locals and tourists alike, keep reading for my top recommendations and advice for making the most of your trip to La Jolla, California.

La Jolla Travel Guide

best time of year to visit La Jolla

While La Jolla is a year-round tourist destination. the best time to visit La Jolla is spring (March, April) and fall (September, October). The weather is sunny and you don’t have to deal with peak summer crowds or higher hotel rates. There’s an abundance of overcast, gloomy weather in May and June, and while July/ August has lots of sunny weather and ideal beach temperatures, crowds are at a peak.

The water is also typically clearer in the fall, which is nice if you plan to snorkel, dive, or kayak. The winter months have mild temperatures; you can still walk/ explore outside without needing to bundle up. The water is a little too cold to swim in, but there’s a chance you may see gray whales migrating offshore.

things to see and do in La Jolla

Children’s Pool - Known for its unique seawall that harbors seals, you won’t want to miss this. Limited swimming to protect the animals, but everyone loves watching the seals lounging on the beach, playing, and swimming.

Birch Aquarium - Unique from other aquariums as it features groundbreaking research done by Scripps Institution of Oceanography, which has global impacts. Hosts large exhibits, touch tanks, and has a focus on conservation, so you can feel good visiting. To save money, buy your ticket online ahead of time and if you book for a later entry (after 3pm), it’s even cheaper. The aquarium closes at 5, but 2 hours felt like plenty of time for me to see everything without rushing.

Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego - On the smaller side; focuses on art from 1950 to today with modern, rotating exhibits. Closed Mon-Wed, admission is free on the second Sundays and third Thursdays of the month.

Sunny Jim’s Sea Cave - Fun, but simple. It’s about 150 wooden, slippery steps to climb down (then back up), but only around 20 minutes total to experience. Kids can do this, too, but it’s a narrow staircase so you do have to pause and lean to the side if another group is going up while you’re going down (and vice versa).

Mount Soledad Memorial Park - Breathtaking panoramic views of San Diego, and a unique memorial with over 6,500 granite plaques that honors veterans. Open later than most memorials (7AM-10PM), so I recommend catching the sunset here.

Torrey Pines Natural Reserve - There are a few trails you can hike; Guy Fleming is easiest, Torrey Pines Beach trail isn’t super difficult, but gets crowded and its best to time it with low tide.

Torrey Pines Golf Course - Home to the PGA Farmers Insurance Open, tee times go quickly so book in advance.

Torrey Pines Glideport - Watch the hang gliders/ paragliders or schedule your own tandem fly (advance reservation required). It’s basically across from UCSD, so students tend to gather here to watch the sunset.

Kayak Tour - Immersive experience that gets you up close and personal with the sea caves and ecological reserve.

Tide Pools - Lots to see during low tide! There are a few places you can go; anywhere closer to the Cove is more crowded, so I recommend heading to the actual Tide Pools instead (just past Children’s Pool).

Belvedere Street - Mentioning this for the social media people; this street is a nice photo spot with lots of palm trees and a hint of the ocean in the background.

best beaches in La Jolla

La Jolla Cove - Small and can get crowded, but the best spot to snorkel, swim, and scuba dive as it’s known for its calm, protected waters.

La Jolla Tide Pools - Time your visit with low tide to see starfish, anemones, and crabs. Best for exploring, not swimming.

Windansea Beach - Strong currents, known for being a surf spot. Ideal for sunsets and scenery.

where to eat in La Jolla

coffee shops

Bird Rock Coffee Roasters - They have a few locations in La Jolla. Bold coffee with an emphasis in sustainability, you can taste the quality. Also love their chai!

il giardino di Lilli - Fresh coffee and Italian pastries, their sandwiches are delicious, too. Calm, cozy vibe with indoor/ outdoor seating.

Parfait Paris - They also serve brunch, but I’m listing it as a coffee shop because their coffee/ pastries are what I recommend.

Rosemonts Cafe - Locally owned. Good if you want a coffee on the go, but service can be slow and I haven’t loved any of the pastries I’ve ordered here.

Honey Cafe - Super cute with family-friendly vibe. Fresh food with indoor/ outdoor seating and small goods you can shop.

Surf Lounge - Hidden gem; they also have surf rentals. A few blocks away from downtown, so it’s a local favorite.

Seaside Surf Cafe - Charming, neighborhood vibe; there’s outdoor patio seating but I prefer grab-and-go since it can get crowded. I only recommend coffee/ tea and acai; skip the food. Service can be hit or miss, unfortunately.

breakfast and brunch

Harry’s Coffee Shop - Old school diner with big portions and good food. Local favorite.

Cody’s La Jolla - Relaxed, beachy vibe with beautiful views and a welcoming environment. Solid food and fair prices/ decent portions. I prefer their breakfast menu over the lunch options, which isn’t typical for me.

Brockton Villa - Go for the view or soufflé-style French toast. Service can be hit or miss when they’re busy. A little overpriced for what you get, but on par for La Jolla.

Cove House - Has a little bit of everything (brunch, tacos, burgers, and a kid’s menu), and open until 6PM, which is nice if you want a full meal at a random time after exploring. You get a mini view of the ocean if you sit outside, and it’s not too noisy.

Froglanders Crepes and Yogurt - Laid back, order at the counter space. It’s a frozen yogurt shop, but they have great crepes (sweet and savory), plus smoothies. Ideal if you want a quick, light breakfast that won’t break the budget.

Girard Gourmet - A true neighborhood bakery and deli; not the cutest spot but it’s family owned and feels cozy and genuine. Homemade soup and sandwiches, and their pastries are always fresh.

Beach Break Market - Grab and go organic market; stop by if you want something quick that’s still healthy.

Lark and Owl - Walk-up shack for acai bowls, smoothies, salads, and pizza. Love going here before/ after beach days.

lunch and dinner

Zoya - One of the best restaurants in La Jolla, hands down. Mediterranean with an Italian twist, service is top-tier, the food is incredible, and the vibe is warm and welcoming. Love it here for date night and sharing a few plates.

Queenstown Village - My personal favorite. Gorgeous inside and outside seating, and the food (which has a New Zealand influence) is really good. Their fries are perfectly seasoned; I’m obsessed.

Puesto - More artesian than authentic. Pricey; they offer unique tacos you can’t get anywhere else that definitely fill you up. The margaritas are consistently raved about; don’t skip the guacamole sampler, either.

Eddie V’s Prime Seafood - Upscale, attentive service, and fresh food. Nice happy hour, but for dinner, book a reservation in advance and request a table with a view if you can.

La Dolce Vita Ristorante - Big portions, delicious pasta, and attentive service, even if you’re in a large group. One of the best Italian restaurants in the area.

A.R. Valentien - Fancy dinner spot with golf course views. Features some locally sourced ingredients, I recommend it for special occasions; time your visit so you can watch the sunset.

dessert

Scoops La Jolla - They serve Van Leeuwen ice cream, so expect a handful of unique flavors you can’t find at other ice cream shops. Vegan options, too.

Bobboi Natural Gelato - A local shop with a beach view (limited outdoor seating). Genuinely kind and enthusiastic staff that encourages you to try pretty much every flavor. Line moves quick; the dragon lemon flavor is my favorite.

Parfait Paris - Cute, kid-friendly. Yummy gelato and macarons, also nice if you want a latte or coffee as a night cap.

Girard Gourmet - I’ve already mentioned their deli sandwiches, but honestly, their cookies are my favorite. They’re picture-perfect, but also taste good. They’re fresh and not crumbly or overly sweet.

best shopping in La Jolla

If you’re set on shopping, your best bet is to visit Westfield UTC, the local open-air mall that has plenty of upscale stores and smaller boutiques. If you’re exploring the village, these are the shops you won’t want to miss out on:

Sisstrevolution - Surf brand with clothes/ swim for men and women; love their styles and quality is great. Perfect if you want a souvenir that isn’t a souvenir, if that makes sense.

Faherty Brand La Jolla - Upscale clothing store for men and women.

Warwick’s - America’s oldest continuously family-owned and operated bookstore, with new releases, classics, and souvenir knick-knacks.

Hammit - One of just two flagship stores, they produce high quality, small-batch leather goods (purses, backpacks, wallets).

gorjana - You may have one of these jewelry stores near you, but it’s a gorgeous space and you can customize some of the pieces, which makes for a thoughtful souvenir you’ll actually use.

Decker’s Dog and Cat - You can’t go on a trip without bringing something home for your pets, right?

Bird Rock Bookshop - Cutest children’s book store; love supporting local businesses whenever I can.

Lavande - Wellness boutique full of candles, smudge sticks, incense, and crystals.