Overview
La Jolla (pronounced: La HOY-yah) is an upscale beach neighborhood of 48,000 people (2010) in San Diego that, while part of the city, is often viewed as its own distinct community. La Jolla is home to the University of California, San Diego campus, beautiful beaches, and gorgeous scenery. Fans of brutalist architecture will not want to miss two of the world's most significant works in that style, the Geisel Library at UCSD and the Salk Institute.
9 sights · 9 things to do · 10 places to eat · 1 bars & cafés · 10 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about La Jolla
Birch Aquarium at Scripps
The public center for the renowned Scripps Institution of Oceanography (of University of California, San Diego), this aquarium has many fantastic exhibits, with oceanic species from all over the Pacific Ocean displayed, …
Children's Pool Beach
This beach is a favorite breeding spot for harbor seals. The beach is closed Dec 15-May 15 during breeding season, but you can still observe the seals from a safe distance. This beach used to be the children's beach, and…
Mount Soledad
A prominent landmark just to the east of La Jolla, overlooking much of San Diego. The top of the mountain is adorned by the Mount Soledad Easter Cross and Veterans Memorial. It is home to many rabbits and couples. Sunris…
Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego La Jolla
Permanent and changing contemporary art exhibits.
Salk Institute of Biological Studies
Near UCSD is this architectural monolith; the structure for this noted institution is built out of unfinished concrete and perched atop the cliffs overlooking the ocean. It is one of famed modernist Louis Kahn's most imp…
University of California, San Diego
A combination of a small liberal arts college and a large research university, UCSD has a good reputation locally and offers some interesting sights. You can take a walk around the campus and observe a number of famous a…
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Jan–Dec. Summer highs reach about 77°F; winter lows dip to about 50°F. Wettest: Feb and Jan. (climate data from nearby San Diego)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- SAN San Diego International Airport, San Diego — 9 mi away (major hub). Directions
- CLD McClellan-Palomar Airport, Carlsbad — 20 mi away. Directions
La Jolla is off the I-5 freeway, north of downtown San Diego and Pacific Beach. There are several ways to get there:
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
- Places to stay listed here: about $200–$250 a night (typical $205), from 8 listed prices.
- Typical meal: about $12 per person at listed restaurants.
- Estimated daily budget per person (room, two meals, local transport and an activity): budget ~$230, mid-range ~$260, comfortable ~$380.
Options are grouped as Budget, Mid-range, Splurge in the Sleep guide ↓.
Sample 3-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Athenaeum Music & Arts Library, La Jolla Cove, Children's Pool Beach
- Lunch Marketplace Grille
- Afternoon Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego La Jolla, Marine Street Beach
- Dinner The Taco Stand
- Evening Gata
Day 2
- Morning Salk Institute of Biological Studies, Torrey Pines Gliderport, Black's Beach
- Lunch Caroline's Seaside Cafe
- Afternoon Torrey Pines Golf Course, Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve
- Dinner Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar
Day 3
- Morning Birch Aquarium at Scripps, La Jolla Shores
- Lunch Shores Restaurant
- Afternoon Mount Soledad
- Dinner The Marine Room
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Understand
Visitor information
Get in
By car
La Jolla is off the I-5 freeway, north of downtown San Diego and Pacific Beach. There are several ways to get there:
- La Jolla Parkway to Torrey Pines Road from I-5 North (there is no exit to La Jolla Parkway from southbound I-5) or westbound State Route 52
- Northbound Mission Boulevard and La Jolla Boulevard from Pacific Beach
- Southbound Torrey Pines Road from Del Mar
- Westbound La Jolla Village Drive to southbound Torrey Pines Road from southbound or northbound I-5. La Jolla Village Drive from I-5 can also get you to University City (east), or UCSD (west).
By public transit
San Diego's public transit outfit, the Metropolitan Transit System (MTS), operates a small hub of bus routes at the UTC shopping mall in University City. Route 30 serves the La Jolla village, connecting to Pacific Beach and Old Town to the south (as well as Downtown on weekdays) and UCSD and UTC to the east, stopping within walking distance of many of La Jolla's attractions, such as the Cove and the Birch Aquarium. North County Transit District's Route 101 serves UTC and UCSD and runs north on Torrey Pines Road and up the coast of Northern San Diego County, connecting to Torrey Pines State Park and other destinations around there.
MTS also operates the UCSD Blue Line of the light rail system, connecting La Jolla to the San Ysidro border crossing via downtown. Trains stop around the UCSD campus and UTC.
Get around
When you're in the La Jolla "village" area (near the Cove), the best way to get around is not to drive. This area is dense enough that you can easily walk, bike, or roller skate around the neighborhood. Plus, parking can get a little difficult to find, so once you get a spot you might not want to risk losing it.
For the areas of La Jolla outside the "village", such as around UCSD or Torrey Pines, a car will be the easiest way to get around due to the distances and hilly terrain of the surrounding area.
See
See Birch Aquarium at Scripps
The public center for the renowned Scripps Institution of Oceanography (of University of California, San Diego), this aquarium has many fantastic exhibits, with oceanic species from all over the Pacific Ocean displayed, as well as sharks, a tide pool, a large kelp tank, and a coral reef (with actual living coral). The museum also has some spectacular views of the ocean and La Jolla as well as some nifty tide pools where you can touch tide-pool animals.
See Children's Pool Beach
This beach is a favorite breeding spot for harbor seals. The beach is closed Dec 15-May 15 during breeding season, but you can still observe the seals from a safe distance. This beach used to be the children's beach, and there is an ongoing dispute between animal rights supporters and others who disagree about who should own the beach. Depending on the current turn of events, swimming may or may not be permitted. Occasionally, the seals vanish, but move a few hundred feet to the right, close to the cove itself.
See Mount Soledad
A prominent landmark just to the east of La Jolla, overlooking much of San Diego. The top of the mountain is adorned by the Mount Soledad Easter Cross and Veterans Memorial. It is home to many rabbits and couples. Sunrise and sunset are the two favorite times to go here. The twisty roads leading to the hill are full of plant life and give access to multimillion dollar hobbit homes which look much smaller from the street than from down below, as they are on a sloping hill. There are a few hairpin turns and tight bridges that are worth finding.
See Salk Institute of Biological Studies
Near UCSD is this architectural monolith; the structure for this noted institution is built out of unfinished concrete and perched atop the cliffs overlooking the ocean. It is one of famed modernist Louis Kahn's most important works. Two symmetrical buildings stare at each other across a courtyard, the length of which runs a wide river which reverses into a pool and, through a small waterfall, down towards the dining hall seating area. The building is surrounded by a moat, and sports orange trees in the courtyard. In addition, many doors are deliberately unlabeled to encourage scientific exploration. The Salk gives tours, but you must schedule them (they are early in the morning).
See University of California, San Diego
A combination of a small liberal arts college and a large research university, UCSD has a good reputation locally and offers some interesting sights. You can take a walk around the campus and observe a number of famous artworks and architectural structures.
- Be sure to see the Geisel Library, named for the noted author Theodore Geisel (you may know him as Dr. Seuss!) This library is truly outstanding and looks a bit like a giant UFO. Seeing it at dusk is preferable, when the lights are on and the spaceship look is complete. On one side of the library, a sidewalk paved to look like a giant snake brings you down to a sculpture of a book. The floors in the library are quieter as you go higher up, with almost zero tolerance for noise on the eighth floor. The building's design was used for the snow fortress set at the end of the 2010 science fiction film Inception.
- Also look for some of the campus artwork, such as "Stonehenge", which is a realistic sculpture of stonehenge, and the SunGod statue, which is bright, flamboyant and huge, but somehow camouflaged in a dark lawn.
- There's also a Che Cafe and Porter's Pub, which should entertain some amount of counterculture. Next to Porter's Pub there's an outside glass blowing facility attached to a coffee shop, so you can sip coffee while watching people blowing glass. Adjacent to that is a blacksmith and pottery workshop.
- UCSD also has many food joints, dining halls and restaurants that are open to the public. Be sure to hop into Price Center, which is very close to Geisel Library and Gilman Drive. There you will find a Burger King, a Subway, Round Table Pizza, Bombay Coast, Rubio's and more.
- UCSD offers tours for prospective students Monday through Saturday, as well as visitor tours most Sundays.
Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve
A 2000-acre reserve consisting of a plateau with steep cliffs overlooking small canyons and the beautiful Torrey Pines State Beach. There are a number of hiking and beach-access trails, and a variety of wild flora and fauna, including the rare Torrey Pine tree, for which the park is named. There's also a wide variety of animals. Rabbits, foxes, raccoons, coyotes, hawks, hummingbirds, and owls are all a part of the landscape, so sightings are common -- especially as sunset approaches. From agave and freesia, to sage and strand, visitors will also see plenty of wildflowers and plant life along the way.
There is a visitors center with a small museum on top of the plateau. Here you can pick up a map, check out a few exhibits, and gather any information that you may need before preparing for a hike down to the beach. The hike down from the visitor center offers excellent views of the ocean, but there are several other trails, such as the Broken Hill Trail, leading to the beach also with great views of the ocean - if you're lucky, you may spot Gray Whales in the winter or bottlenose dolphins. The beach itself is at the base of scenic cliffs and is excellent for swimming. It is also one of the least crowded beaches in the area, and is also great for picnics, walking, and relaxing.
Do
Beaches
Do La Jolla Cove
A very popular beach for swimming, scuba diving and snorkeling, set against beautiful sea cliffs. In 2026, it was ranked by TripAdvisor as no. 1 in the United States and no. 7 in the world. The bluffs above the beach are grassy, making a great spot for picnics. Keep in mind that La Jolla Cove is part of the San Diego-La Jolla Underwater Park Ecological Reserve, so fishing, scavenging, or "swimming devices" (surfboards, boogie boards, inflatable mattresses, etc.) are not allowed. You may also find a very large number of sea-birds and animals flying, walking and lazing around the area in the daytime.
Do Windansea Beach
This beach has no facilities, but is notable for playing host to a great number of talented and famous surfers. The simple "Surf Shack" structure there has been designated a historic landmark. There are huge, smoothly sculpted rocks on this beach that are fun to climb on and look at.
Do Marine Street Beach
A local beach with some rough and dangerous surf. This is a great spot for body surfing and body boarding. No facilities are available here.
Do La Jolla Shores
In north La Jolla, this beach has some of the gentlest waves of any beach in San Diego. The beach is notable for being near the Scripps Institution of Oceanography campus and it contains the Scripps Pier. This is one of the only beach boat launching areas in La Jolla, so it's a popular spot for kayaking and surfing.
Do Black's Beach
Set against high cliffs, Black's Beach is the largest nude beach in the country. There are two parts of the beach. There is the southern part in the City of San Diego, where nudity is not allowed (although this rule is rarely enforced), and the northern part in Torrey Pines State Park, where clothing is purely optional. Black's Beach has one of the most powerful beach breaks in Southern California, making it a popular, but dangerous, surfing spot. To get down to the beach, you have three options. First, you can walk from La Jolla Shores, which is a long stretch. Second, you can go to the Gliderport and take a breathtaking path on the side of the cliff that goes straight down. Don't come in high heels, although it's a safe enough path for surfers to run by you with their surfboards. The top is a great spot to watch the sunset! Third, you can drive along the cliffs north from the Gliderport. Park in the last allowable spot, and take another breathtaking path down. The second path is less beautiful but takes you farther towards the unexplored parts of the beach. The second path forks at the very bottom of the cliff. If you take the fork, which goes into the canyon, you will arrive via a twisty path at the bottom of a hidden waterfall which is home to hummingbirds. It's a few hundred feet in and well worth the walk. The full moon drum circle goes on here each month. Look for it on a rainbowgathering website. It starts at dawn and goes till dusk. People bring tents and sleeping bags, though most go back up the cliffs. This is a no alcohol event, but feel free to bring wood, a drum, juice and a trashbag to clean up.
Do Torrey Pines State Beach
Stretched along Torrey Pines State Park and set against gorgeous cliffs, this beach is one of the most beautiful around. A salt marsh at the north end of the beach empties into the ocean. The beach is also a popular one for surfing and body boarding.
Golf
Buy
There are high-end shops and art galleries along Prospect Place and Girard Streets in downtown La Jolla.
Eat
Eat Brockton Villa
Well known for their breakfast and lunch menus.
Eat Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar
For when you are feeling laissez-faire with the credit card and want some filet mignon or ribeye.
Eat Marketplace Grille
Lebanese grill with kebabs and salmon bowls, etc.
Eat Shores Restaurant
Offering seasonal cuisine, oceanfront views and a great selection of wines. Delicious American comfort food.
Eat Caroline's Seaside Cafe
Casual cafe situated right next to the beach on the UCSD-SIO campus. The cafe serves breakfast items including eggs, pancakes and lunch items including sandwiches and burgers. Seated is first-come-first-served casual setting (so no waiters only servers). Parking is limited and may need a UCSD parking pass on weekdays, however, 2-hr street parking is available.
Eat Don Carlos Taco Shop
Small Tex-Mex/Mexican taco shop that also serves burritos, tortas, quesadillas, and enchiladas. Specializes in variants of California burritos including vegetarian ones. Limited parking nearby.
Eat The Taco Stand
La Jolla location of the medium-sized chain of taco shops featuring hand-made tortillas. Also serves burritos and churros and also has vegetarian options. The location typically has long lines, but online ordering and pickup is available.
Eat The Marine Room
Fine dining establishment right by the water, it also serves as an event venue for private events and more. Connected to the La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club, Inc. Since 1941.
Eat Raymundo's Taco Shop
Mexican restaurant. Reasonable food with loads of staple options. No public restroom.
Eat Verdes El Ranchero
Locally owned longstanding Mexican restaurant. Great decor and good food inside. Margaritas are good and the food is reasonably priced for the area.
Drink
Drink Gata
Wine and tapas bar in downtown. Serves a big selection of wines, with a good atmosphere.
Sleep
Budget
Mid-range
Splurge
Stay The Lodge at Torrey Pines
Rustic alpine-style hotel adjacent to the PGA Championship Torrey Pines Golf Course. This is a high-end resort and spa. The A. R. Valentien restaurant, named for the California artist, overlooks the 18th hole of the Torrey Pines golf course. Works by Valentien are on exhibit throughout the dining room.
Stay Residence Inn La Jolla
A very pleasant suite-style hotel. It is in a quiet area of La Jolla, very close to the University of California at San Diego. The rooms are spacious, with full kitchens. It includes a pool and hot tubs located close to the rooms. There are BBQ grills in the small common patio between the buildings. Within walking distance there is a nice shopping center with several restaurants and grocery stores. Free high speed internet access.
Go next
- Pacific Beach lies just to the south, on the coast.
- Del Mar is to the north, past Torrey Pines State Park.
Nearby
Del Mar
City / town · 13 listings · 8 mi away
Solana Beach
City / town · 13 listings · 11 mi away
Coronado
City / town · 30 listings · 12 mi away
Encinitas
City / town · 34 listings · 14 mi away
National City
City / town · 13 listings · 15 mi away
La Mesa
City / town · 10 listings · 16 mi away
Poway
City / town · 4 listings · 16 mi away
El Cajon
City / town · 17 listings · 19 mi away
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