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

Hopper Plus - Transportation & Attractions

Jul 2 - ongoing

Looking to do it all in one convenient package? The Hopper Plus Transportation & Attraction package is for you. Enjoy all the perks from the Hopper™, hop on & off tour, as well as, admission to several unique attractions around San Diego. Our Hopper Plus package allows you to customize your day by hopping on & off our buses at any of our conveniently located stops throughout San Diego as well as receive admission to top attractions along the route. 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

San Diego International Film Festival

Oct 10 - Oct 14, 2018

The San Diego International Film Festival (Oct 10-14, 2018) is the region’s premier film event and one of the leading stops on the independent festival circuit. SDIFF offers a totally unique film experience; including world premieres, never before seen studio releases, the best in independent filmmaking and a full schedule of glamorous parties and intimate events with filmmakers. Join us Downtown at the Balboa Theater for opening night, Regal Cinema and the ArcLight UTC for screenings and featuring the beautiful Pendry San Diego as one of our venues.

Attend the 2018 San Diego International Film Festival! Enter To Win a 5 Day Fest Pass!
ENTER TO WIN: http://sdfilmfest.com/2018-festival-contest

Discover

Half Day Coastal Tour

Aug 14, 2018 - ongoing

Feel like you live here on our 3-3.5 hour beach day cruise with a local guide to keep you company. Don't forget to BYOB if you want to have a drink while your on the bus!

What you get:

- Cooler with Ice onboard to keep your drinks nice and cold!

- Bottled water and small snacks

- Music and TV for entertainment inbetween stops

- Local guide

Stops:

- 1 Beach

- Lunch (various options from tacos to hawaiian and more)

- 1 Beach bar

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

Hopper Plus - Transportation & Attractions

Jul 2 - ongoing

Discover

San Diego International Film Festival

Oct 10 - Oct 14, 2018

Discover

Half Day Coastal Tour

Aug 14, 2018 - ongoing

Discover

La Jolla on Instagram

Experience San Diego Art with a Self-Guided Tour

Eight walkable itineraries rich in colors, flavors and sounds

San Diego has an energetic art scene with a diverse range of influences — from our Spanish and Mexican roots, to our long tradition of seafaring, through current strengths in science and technology. You can fill an afternoon or an entire day touring the creativity in these artistic zones.

Discover

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.

Discover

Beaches & Bays

San Diego Surf Scene - Inside Scoop

Local tips and information to help you get into the surf

Ready to surf San Diego-style? Check out some of our local tips and information to help you get into the surf effortlessly.

Discover

Parks & Gardens

Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve

Enjoy ocean views at every turn

Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve, located on the cliffs above Torrey Pines State Beach, is a 1,750 acre reserve dedicated to preserving its namesake, the Torrey Pine tree and other indigenous wildlife in its native environment. A coastal wilderness of pine forests and sandstone canyons, the park has a series of well-kept trails that wind along the cliffs offering breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean. With both easy, family-friendly paths and more advanced trails, the park provides a great hiking experience for all levels.

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.