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Welcome to

La Jolla

Where a spectacular coastline and upscale village atmosphere define San Diego's Jewel by the Sea

One of the top beach destinations in the world

With a dramatic coastline boasting incredible views, it's no surprise that La Jolla is one of the most popular beach destinations in California. Surrounded on three sides by the sea and backed by the steep slopes of Mt. Soledad, La Jolla's natural beauty, abundance of activities and upscale village lifestyle ensure that it lives up to its nickname as "the jewel" of San Diego.

Consistently voted one of the top beach destinations in the world, La Jolla offers a wide range of accommodations from luxurious hotels to casual coastal retreats, along with museums and art galleries, one-of-a-kind boutiques, great restaurants and a slew of outdoor activities. Home to the famous Torrey Pines Golf Course and The Lodge at Torrey Pines, the scenic cliff area offers well-groomed hiking trails with spectacular views, and world-class golf. At Torrey Pines Gliderport you can soar out over the beach cliffs on a hang glider or just relax and watch the action above.

Along the dramatic coastline lies Scripps Park, where families can picnic throughout the summer, while enjoying Fourth of July fireworks and concerts under the stars. Just south of the park is the Children's Pool, where a seawall was originally built to protect kids from incoming waves, but has been long taken over by a local seal colony. People are no longer permitted to swim here, but you can walk out along the seawall for a close-up view of the wildlife.

La Jolla is also home to Birch Aquarium at Scripps Institute of Oceanography and plenty of cultural attractions including the La Jolla Playhouse and the Museum of Contemporary Art, all situated in close proximity to The Village. The University of California San Diego, which hosts the popular Geisel Library and the Salk Institute for Biological Studies, are both located in La Jolla as well.

La Jolla's biggest draw for locals and visitors alike are the beautiful beaches. During the summer and autumn months, the surf is relatively gentle, with warm waters in 70s. Swimmers, snorkelers, scuba divers, kayakers and surfers can enjoy the golden sands of La Jolla Shores, the Cove and Windansea. And be sure to keep an eye out for migrating whales off the coast as they travel to and from Baja California.

Play San Diego: La Jolla

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Book online or call 1-800-350-6205 to speak with a local expert

Getting to La Jolla

The seaside community of La Jolla occupies 7 miles of coastline along the Pacific Ocean within the north county of San Diego. It is surrounded on three sides by ocean bluffs and beaches. The main route in and out of La Jolla is the I-5 freeway, from the south exit at La Jolla Village Drive and from the north exit La Jolla Parkway.  It is approximately 14 miles from the airport with an average drive time of 20 minutes. La Jolla is serviced by multiple bus routes and Old Town Trolley Tours offers a La Jolla option with on and off privileges.  

Explore La Jolla

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Make a splash in La Jolla

Take a tour with Alana Nichols - Gold Medalist, Motivational Speaker, Water Enthusiast

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Torrey Pines Natural Reserve

Get back to nature and enjoy one of the most beautiful coastal hikes in America. 

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Shopping La Jolla

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Sip, Savor and Sea - La Jolla Food Tour

Jun 9 - ongoing

Get to know La Jolla with a local guide as you are led on a beautiful walk throughout the Village and Cove, stop in at a local restaurant for a food sample and a full craft cocktail, an art gallery, and dessert.  La Jolla is known as one of the most pristine neighborhoods in San Diego, and you wouldn't want to miss out on some of the lesser known sights and fascinating stories of this area.  Meet the sealions at the Cove, hear about the manmade sea cave, and learn about how and why La Jolla became known for its arts and science culture, and what continues to make it one of the world's most innovative destinations for bio science research. 

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The California State Games

Jul 13 - Jul 20, 2025

The California State Games, managed by Sports San Diego,is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization and the largest amateur sports festival in the state. As a community-based member of the United States Olympic Committee, we have hosted our Olympic-style event since 1988

 

The California State Games includes 19 sports competitions in San Diego on July 17-20, 2025. The highlight of the event is Opening Ceremonies presented by Kaiser Permanente, at Pechanga Sports Arena with an athlete parade, Lighting of the Cauldron, and fireworks. The California Winter Games are also held in San Diego in February and March with three participating sports.

 

Our vision is to increase participation in amateur sports and improve the skill levels of all amateur athletes in California by including athletes from all communities and reg

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Shark Summer at Birch Aquarium

Jul 5 - Aug 10, 2025

Shark Summer Returns to Birch Aquarium!

This summer, Birch Aquarium is making a splash with the return of Shark Summer! Dive into the world of these amazing animals, with fin-tastic fun for shark fans of all ages! Shark Summer celebrates the vital role sharks play in the ecosystem, while shining a light on the important conservation work and research being done to protect them. Shark Summer kicks off on July 5 and runs through August 10. Offerings vary by day, check the Daily Schedule at aquarium.ucsd.edu for the latest. 

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Private Chauffeured Vineyards Adventure

Apr 29 - ongoing

Private Chauffeured Vineyards Adventure includes many attractions in ONE! The finest local wines; delicious farm-to-table food; hidden gems; sightseeing; history; culture; fully guided tour for the all-inclusive price of only $234 per person (includes all fees and gratuities).

PERFECT for teambuilding, corporate groups. 3 to 6 hour food and wine tasting experiences available. Timing and offering can be fully customized.

• Enjoy the local (close-by) San Diego County wineries, not Temecula (San Diego is the original California Wine Country)

• With thousands of 5-STAR reviews, you’ll receive top-notch treatment!

• Serving tens of thousands of happy guests since 2010.

 

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What's Hot

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Make a splash in La Jolla

Discover

Torrey Pines Natural Reserve

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Shopping La Jolla

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What's On

View More Events

Sip, Savor and Sea - La Jolla Food Tour

Jun 9 - ongoing
Discover

The California State Games

Jul 13 - Jul 20, 2025
Discover

Shark Summer at Birch Aquarium

Jul 5 - Aug 10, 2025
Discover

Private Chauffeured Vineyards Adventure

Apr 29 - ongoing
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La Jolla on Instagram

 

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