10 Amazing Things To Do in La Jolla, California

There are endless things to do in La Jolla, a sun-drenched city in San Diego that has so much to do you could make a whole vacation just hanging out there. I should know, we almost did just that recently having spent the majority of our 5-Day trip to the sunny, perfect-weather coast of San Diego on our first vacation in over a year.

La Jolla (pronounced lah-hoy-yah) is right in the middle of San Diego and has miles of rocky coastline to explore as well as tons of shopping, great restaurants, and incredible views that will stay with you for years. Here’s what to do in La Jolla, California.

1: Visit Rocky Coasts & Breathtaking Beaches

There are several beautiful beaches within the La Jolla city limits. While all are beautiful, some stand out a little more than others. I always try to visit the beaches that have some type of visual element that makes them unique. Below are some of my favorite beaches in town. Be sure to look up the tide charts on your visit as most of these beaches are best visited during low tide so you can access the beach and tide pools.

La Jolla Coves

Visit | 1100 Coast Blvd. (at Girard Ave), La Jolla, California

This was the first taste of La Jolla I had years back. The Coves are a beautiful, rocky nook that many sea lions, pelicans, and cormorants, among other birds call home. The sea lions sunbathe and relax in the sun as the waves crash nearby and the birds nest along the cliff edges surrounding the cove. During low tide, you can explore the coves and small, rock-filled coast. Listen to the sea lions honk at each other and watch scuba divers swim out in the sea. I find the coves to be most enjoyable very early in the morning or later in the evening when the least amount of people are around as it gets very busy mid-day.

Windansea Beach

Visit | Neptune Place and Nautilus Street, La Jolla, California

This is a long stretch of sandy beach with some rocky elevated plateau, a random but iconic palm-covered surf shack. Popular with surfers and sunbathers alike.

La Jolla Tide Pools

Visit | 303 Coast Boulevard, La Jolla California

This beach is primarily covered in flat, rocky surfaces with many nooks, dips, and crevasses in which sea life gets left behind during low tide. Sealife ranges from the sea anemone, small fish, crabs, seaweed and, if you’re lucky, maybe a starfish or other larger sea life. Be sure to check when the tide is low as the higher the tide the less there is to explore.

Children’s Pool

Visit | 850 Coast Boulevard, La Jolla California

A beautiful viewpoint with a round nook that is the home to many multi-color Harbor Seals resting on a protected beach. There’s an observation walkway perfect to catch a sunset on and be in the middle of some wild, crashing waves.

La Jolla Shores Beach & Scripps Pier

Visit | Camino Del Oro and Calle Frescota La Jolla, California

Another long stretch of beach that has the famous Ellen Browning Scripp’s Memorial Pier is perfect for photo ops. The surrounding area is full of beautiful plant life and a walkway perfect for ocean views.

Torrey Pines State Beach

Visit | 12600 N Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla California

The drive along the coast heading south is one of the more breathtaking views you can have of the coast from the road. Known for its rare and protected Torrey Pine trees, rugged sandstone cliffs, and a beach full of round, polished stones, this beach should be on everyone’s must-visit list.

Other Beaches in La Jolla: Black’s Beach (bathing suit optional), Marine Street Beach (secluded with massive waves), Boomer Beach (hidden beach gem), Shell Beach (perfect for tide pools), Wipeout Beach (known for its caves and tidepools)

2: Eat Delicious Food

There are so many restaurants in town, here are a few I’ve been to and some on my to-visit list.

Sugar & Scribe

Visit | 7660 Fay Avenue, Suite 1, La Jolla California

Delicious breakfast spot with a big outdoor patio and a small bakery inside full of yummy treats. Huge marshmallows, Rice Krispy treats, and other baked goods. They have the prettiest pancakes you have ever seen complete with flower petals and edible glitter. So nice we ate there twice!

The Cottage

Visit | 7702 Fay Avenue, La Jolla California

A popular breakfast and brunch destination so be prepared for a wait. Tasty basic breakfast items.

Puesto

Visit | 1026 Wall Street, La Jolla California

A Mexican restaurant whose food is packed with incredible flavor. It’s the kind of meal I started to eat slower to savor longer as I didn’t want it to end. Up there with the few unforgettable restaurants we’ve been to in our travels.

Barbarella

Visit | 2171 Avenida De La Playa, La Jolla California

Yummy Italian food, kitschy movie poster decor, in a chill part of the neighborhood where the street became a huge outdoor area for a few of the nearby restaurants.

Scoops

Visit | 2179 Avenida De La Playa, La Jolla California

A small, independent shop serving up ice cream from New York’s Van Leeuwen artisan ice cream (yum!). We’ve had it in NYC and knew it was good so had to get a scoop while in town.

Places on my list I want to visit next time: Dukes, Piatti, Ciao Ciao Piadina, Galaxy Taco, Parakeet Cafe, Trilogy Sanctuary, Wayfarer Bread & Pastry, Cody’s, Cove House, Cheese Shop, Semola, Mary’s Gourmet Salads, Bobboi Natural Gelato

3: Visit Sunny Jim’s Sea Cave

Visit | 1325 Coast Boulevard, La Jolla California

Explore the tunnel once dug by laborers to connect a residence to a sea cave back in 1902, a piece of San Diego history. Be prepared to descend and climb back up 145 stairs to experience the sea cave for yourself. I’m not posting a photo of the cave, you’ll have to visit to see that.

4: Find the secret Swing(s)

I love secret swings! If a city I visit has one, you know I’m going to find at least one of them. We found one of the three secret swings I’ve heard of online on our most recent trip. The one we were able to find was a small hike up a hill for the Birch Aquarium. You can see more about this on Instagram with #lajollasecretswing. Expect a line of people waiting to take pictures and/or take a turn swinging.

5: Shopping

Shop at one of the many specialty boutiques in town: Warwick’s independent bookstore, Geppetto’s toy store, Balboa Candy, Hi Sweetheart gift boutique, Sweet Paper stationery store, Gracie James artful living, and Everyday California just to name a few. There are also art galleries and familiar retail chains in town.

6: Find the Murals around town

Murals in La Jolla tend to sneak up on you and are pleasant surprises. Check out this site to find them all: Murals of La Jolla

7: Outdoor Activities

Snorkeling, kayaking, hiking, surfing, and beyond. The outdoors are huge in La Jolla, there’s so. much you can do and enjoy outside.

Even more things to do: Visit the Salk Institute for amazing architecture, check out the Birch Aquarium at Scripps, visit The Comedy Store for good laughs, and book a Pop-Up Picnic to enjoy a premade picnic.

8: Observe the Sea Lions & Harbor Seals

While you can find them in many coastal areas, La Jolla is known for its sea lions and seals.

9: Enjoy the Incredible Landscaping & Plant Life

Especially if you live somewhere that you don’t have this kind of plant life – or you are just obsessed with the particular plant life that thrives in San Diego. I took more photos of cacti and plants than I will admit to.

10: Catch The Most Incredible Sunsets

La Jolla is a coastal town in San Diego giving you infinite opportunities to capture some of the most incredible sunset views around. I love getting a view with palm trees silhouetted, but nothing beats being at the ocean and watching the sun sink into the sea.

Enjoy!

There are so many things to do in La Jolla and this is just a small sample from my perspective. Hopefully, this helps inspire your to-do list! Did I miss any La Jolla gems? Let me know in the comments.

Here are some more California posts we think you’ll like:

• A Day At Point Dume State Beach (Plus A Hidden Beach!)
• My Top Coastal California Destinations
• A Quick Trip To Big Sur, California

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