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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.

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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.

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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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La Jolla Half Marathon & Shores 5K

Apr 28, 2019

The La Jolla Half Marathon is one of America's most picturesque and beautiful point-to-point races. Starting at the Del Mar Fairgrounds, the course follows a scenic coastal route before reaching the challenging climb to the summit of Torrey Pines State Park. The course then rolls atop Torrey Pines mesa, continues down through residential La Jolla Shores, and finishes at La Jolla Cove.

For those interested in a shorter option, the La Jolla Shores 5K offers a mostly downhill course and features some of the most scenic views of the last 3.1 miles of the half marathon course.

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San Diego Surf Film Festival

May 8 - May 11, 2019

The 8th Annual San Diego Surf Film Festival (SDSFF) invites everybody to come celebrate the passion that we all share for simply being in and around the ocean.

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Beer Tasting Party

Dec 10, 2018 - ongoing

This fabulous 2 hour interactive beer tasting party includes ample tastes of local craft brews paired with tantalizing gourmet appetizers and seasonal menu favorites.

You can even add a guided walk through the beautiful town of La Jolla before or after the party. This is a great way to learn local history as well as see the beautiful area we call home!

This Beer Tasting Party includes:

- 4-course luncheon or dinner (including dessert)
- Each course paired with superb, local, craft beers.
- A guided historic walk of scenic La Jolla by-the-sea (by request and availability)
- Beer tasting tips, trivia, and prizes!

Get a group of your favorite beer lovers together and make your night extra special! Call to learn more about this unique party!

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By The Barrel: Wine

May 23, 2019

Enjoy a decadent coursed pairing dinner prepared by Estancia's locally-celebrated Executive Chef Vincent Savignano. While savoring your dinner, the winemakers will lead you through a selection of award-winning red and white Trinitas treasures, with time in the evening to experience Estancia's Trinitas Cellars Wine Bar, the winery’s only Southern California tasting room.

TICKETS AVAILABLE FOR $125
Includes endless food and beverage experiences and complimentary valet parking

Tickets will not be sold at the door. Must be 21+ and present valid ID at check-in.

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Make a splash in La Jolla

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Torrey Pines Natural Reserve

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Shopping La Jolla

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La Jolla Half Marathon & Shores 5K

Apr 28, 2019

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San Diego Surf Film Festival

May 8 - May 11, 2019

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Beer Tasting Party

Dec 10, 2018 - ongoing

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By The Barrel: Wine

May 23, 2019

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La Jolla on Instagram

San Diego Arts and Culture

Positively Passionate!

Here's just a brief look at why this city by the beach is earning a reputation as a vibrant, culturally rich and culture-loving destination.

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Surfing & Stand Up Paddleboard

San Diego Surf Events

Buzz-Worthy Boarding

There’s always a wave to ride in San Diego, but there’s also bound to be a surf event worth catching too. With a surf scene this exciting, there’s always something going on. From amateur contests to pro competitions, concerts to surfing dogs, you can find the surf event that fits your vibe. Then just ride the good times.

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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.

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Music

4 Intimate Clubs for Live Music

Dimly lit local dives with exciting live music

While stadium-filling headliners make their way through San Diego, it's in intimate clubs and dives where you'll find some of the most exciting live music.

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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.