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

Find a place to stay

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

Book Now

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.

Get Directions

Explore

Explore La Jolla

What's Hot|

What's On|

Make a splash in La Jolla

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

Discover

Torrey Pines Natural Reserve

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

Discover

Shopping La Jolla

Discover

View All

San Diego Restaurant Week

Sep 23 - Sep 30, 2018

San Diego Restaurant Week returns Sunday, September 23rd through Sunday, September 30th with a FEAST for the senses at over 180 participating restaurants. Dine deliciously at restaurants offering prix-fixe menu options throughout San Diego County. This foodie-favorited week is the perfect time to take a culinary tour throughout the diverse and thriving food culture of San Diego.

Discover

Full Day Coastal Experience

Aug 14, 2018 - ongoing

Ride with us on our unique B.Y.O.B full day coastal adventure. Start the day off at our pick up location, Liberty Public Market. We recommend guests to show up early so they can roam around the market before we venture up north to Encinitas and begin our tour down the famous highway 1. Our stops include some of San Diego's best beaches, beach bars, and local eats. We want you to see and feel the amazing laid back lifestyle we live for here in San Diego. Here's whats included... Local tour guide. Bottled water and small snacks. Beach games on board to encourage some active fun at our beach stops. Cooler with ice to keep your beverages nice a cold. Music and TV on board for entertainment. USB charging ports in every seat so no need to worry about your phones dying from all the pictures you'll want to take!

Discover

Haunted Aquarium: Sea Monster Mash

Oct 26 - Oct 27, 2018

Enjoy close encounters with Scripps Institution of Oceanography scientists and search the galleries for unusual underwater creatures rarely seen at Birch Aquarium.

Discover a sea of glowing beasts (big and small), get sticky with slime, and enjoy spooky stories, all while boo-gieing down to live music and having a monstrously good time.

Recommended for ages 2+

Activities:

- Scripps Institution of Oceanography Scientists showcasing exciting, and sometimes spooky, research
- Slime: Make your own seaweed slime to take home
- Frankensquid: Get up close and personal with a squid and learn what makes it unique inside and out
- Spooky species including skeleton shrimp and sea spiders
- Family-friendly costumes encouraged
- Glow Critters: Witness creatures that create their own light

Discover

Hopper - Hop on & off tour

Jul 2 - ongoing

No parking? No problem. Sit back and relax as we drive you to see and learn about some of San Diego’s greatest sites on a convenient, reliable schedule. The Hopper allows you to customize your day by hopping on & off our buses at any of our conveniently located stops throughout San Diego. Our talented Tour Concierge and premier amenities will have you at ease while you learn about the city and get to your Next Stop: Paradise!

Discover

View More Events

Make a splash in La Jolla

Discover

Torrey Pines Natural Reserve

Discover

Shopping La Jolla

Discover

San Diego Restaurant Week

Sep 23 - Sep 30, 2018

Discover

Full Day Coastal Experience

Aug 14, 2018 - ongoing

Discover

Haunted Aquarium: Sea Monster Mash

Oct 26 - Oct 27, 2018

Discover

Hopper - Hop on & off tour

Jul 2 - ongoing

Discover

La Jolla on Instagram

Summer in Balboa Park

The Cultural Heart of San Diego

Summer is a time to relax, explore and enjoy – and there’s no better place to experience all summer has to offer than Balboa Park. From evening concerts to extended museum hours to food truck feasts to gardens and picnics and more, Balboa Park is the destination for summer fun – all day and into the night.

Discover

History & Heritage

Historische Abenteuer in San Diego

Der Vergangenheit auf der Spur

San Diegos Geschichte wird anschaulich im Old Town State Historic Park, dem „Geburtsort Kaliforniens“, der Mission San Luis Rey in Oceanside sowie weiteren historischen Wahrzeichen in San Diego County erklärt.

Discover

Festivals

Lights, Camera, Action

San Diego Film Festivals Not to Miss

Film lovers can find a festival or a movie screening catering to their tastes almost every weekend of the year in San Diego. Hundreds of movies are shown at festivals, showcasing the best cinema from around the world.

Discover

Music

Music and Sunshine

San Diego’s Guide to Outdoor Music

The live music scene is popping in San Diego, and the venues are as exciting and eclectic as the artists who rock them. Many of these venues take advantage of the beautiful San Diego weather, hosting awesome shows on sun-soaked, outdoor stages. Local music critic Jeff Terich gives the scoop on some great places to catch a show, San Diego style.

Discover

Stay in touch

Sign up to receive the latest news, events, and updates about San Diego. Our monthly and weekly newsletters will keep you informed about the latest and greatest happenings in the destination.

Visitor planning guide

For the ultimate guide to planning your San Diego vacation, view and download the San Diego Visitor Planning Guide, packed with useful information that will help you plan the perfect San Diego getaway.