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Things to do in La Jolla

Things to do in  La Jolla

Welcome to La Jolla

Marine life meets California cool in La Jolla, a chic San Diego suburb known for its multimillion-dollar mansions perched above the rocky shores of a protected marine reserve. Travelers can enjoy a sea life encounter at the Birch Aquarium, or eschew the walls entirely at La Jolla Cove, a popular breeding site for California sea lions. For a break from beach-combing, downtown La Jolla offers an array of things to do, from upscale shopping to oceanfront dining.

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star-55-Star activities in La Jolla

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Top 9 attractions in La Jolla

#1

Children's Pool Beach

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As the name suggests, this stretch of sand in San Diego’s upscale La Jolla neighborhood was once a swimming spot for families, thanks to a seawall that shelters the cove. Nowadays, Children’s Pool Beach is a favorite resting and breeding ground for harbor seals and a popular wildlife-watching area.More
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#2

Sunny Jim Sea Cave

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Along sunny San Diego’s La Jolla coast, there are numerous sea caves carved into cliffs rising from the ocean. What’s unique about Sunny Jim Sea Cave is that it’s the only sea cave there you can access by land in California. Walking through the man-made tunnel leads you to not only the cave itself, but also seven other natural caves carved by the force of the ocean.The cave took its name from Wizard of Oz author Frank L. Baum, who noted its resemblance to a British cartoon character called Sunny Jim. The tunnel to the cave — which once smuggled liquor during Prohibition — took two years to dig through. Once you emerge into the cave, many more years of carving are noticeable…200,000 or so, in fact! Its estimated by fossil imprints and waterlines that the cave walls have been standing for up to that length of time. The cave walls are also decorated with many different natural colors from a variety of mineral deposits.More
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#3

Ellen Browning Scripps Park

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Nestled between La Jolla and the coast, Ellen Browning Scripps Park is often called San Diego’s most photographed spot and it’s easy to see why; it’s the park is home to three sandy beaches, a wide- open lawn for picnicking, and a scenic walkway along the bluff overlooking the Pacific Ocean with viewpoints for whale watching and beautiful California sunsets.More
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#4

Birch Aquarium at Scripps

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Explore the depths of the sea without getting wet at San Diego’s Birch Aquarium at Scripps, and see more than 5,000 species of fish and marine life. Learn about the ocean through interactive displays, hands-on exhibits, and daily feeding demons, and observe cutting-edge research, underwater photography exhibits, and art installations.More
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#5

Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve

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A wild piece of the California coast just north of San Diego, Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve encompasses more than 1,500 acres (607 hectares) of unspoiled beaches, hiking trails, oceanfront bluffs, Torrey pine trees, and other native vegetation. Visitors find a pristine environment treasured by local nature enthusiasts.More
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#6

Windansea Beach

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With 17 miles (27 kilometers of coastline, San Diego has no shortage of beaches, but they each have their own character and attributes, making it hard for visitors to choose. Windansea Beach, located north of the city center, is one of the city’s top beaches for surfing.More
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#7

Mt. Soledad National Veterans Memorial

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In a city known for its beaches, Mount Soledad stands out as the mountain worth visiting. The highest coastal point in sunny San Diego overlooks the palm tree–lined Pacific Beach and the bluffs of Torrey Pines. The mountain is home to the the Mt. Soledad National Veterans Memorial, which honors living and deceased veterans from the Revolutionary War to the present day. On a clear day, 360-degree views of the La Jolla shores, the bridge to Coronado Island, Mission Bay, and even the mountains of Mexico can be seen.More
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#8

Torrey Pines Golf Course

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Overlooking the Pacific Ocean from the coastal bluffs of La Jolla, Torrey Pines Golf Course is not only a scenic spot to play a round of golf, but also one of the top courses in the country, having hosted the Farmers Insurance Open on the PGA Tour since the 1960s, among other tournaments. The municipally owned Torrey Pines is, in fact, home to two 18-hole courses, the north and the south courses, both designed by legendary course architect William P. Bell. Of the two, the south course is the most challenging and in demand among expert golfers; however, hole No. 6 on the north course is Torrey Pines’ signature hole.More
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#9
Salk Institute

Salk Institute

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The Salk Institute is a leading medical research facility known as much for its scientific breakthroughs as its unique structure and design. Named for Dr. Jonas Salk, the creator of the polio vaccine, the building was commissioned by Salk in 1959 and designed to have a monumental feel and spiritual impact. Standing at the edge of the series of uniform buildings, one can really feel the expanse of possibility and the inspiration of the design.The architect researched monasteries worldwide to build what he referred to as an “intellectual retreat,” which it certainly seems to be today. Standing mostly in concrete and glass, its symmetry and simplicity seems the perfect blank canvas for original thought.The research undertaken here seeks to find a deeper understanding of biological processes, so that we might discover new cures to existing diseases. Through a spark in imagination and with three Nobel laureates on staff, the institute is breaking ground in immunology, genetics, and neuroscience. The structure itself and the institute both make for an inspiring visit.More

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All about La Jolla

When to visit

La Jolla is blessed with near-perfect weather year-round. When and how to visit depends on your choice of outdoor activity: getting out on the water in summer, hiking coastal trails in spring, and golfing any time of the year. Winter is not a lost cause in La Jolla, either. It’s chilly with a chance of rain, but December to February is also whale-watching season, when gray whales pass by on their migrations. They make the return trip in mid-March.

Getting around

As is the case with most beach towns, cars and bikes are the most efficient way to get around. La Jolla Village, however, lends itself to walking—among tide pools, between beach coves, and along posh shops on the waterfront. Most public transportation converges on the University of California, San Diego campus, situated just south of Torrey Pines Golf Course, with regular bus service and the San Diego Trolley system’s Blue Line leading the charge.

Traveler tips

The beach town of La Jolla exudes an earnest surfer vibe charm. But beyond the sand, there’s a worthwhile art and culture scene. The Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego has a branch next to Wipeout Beach. Iconic Warwick’s on Girard Avenue is one of the oldest family-run bookstores in the US. And the La Jolla Playhouse puts on Tony Award-winning musicals on the campus of the University of California, San Diego.

Currency
US Dollar ($)
Time Zone
PST (UTC -8)
Country Code
+1
Language(s)
English

La Jolla information

Number of Attractions

9

Number of Tours

28

Number of Reviews

1,397

Currency

USD
Frequently Asked Questions
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