With its year-round idyllic climate and gorgeous postcard setting on the Pacific Ocean, La Jolla, "The Jewel" of San Diego, is an appealing recreational playground with endless outdoor activities. La Jolla's sparkling turquoise waters beckon visitors to swim, surf, snorkel, kayak, stand up paddleboard and more from two of San Diego's most popular beaches, La Jolla Cove and La Jolla Shores. On land, picturesque parks and bluffs feature just as many diverse offerings including golfing, hiking, bicycling and soaring like a seagull into the clear blue skies.

The following are just a few of the exciting outdoor activities that sun-kissed La Jolla has to offer.

SURF & TURF

La Jolla's beautiful beaches and coastline are world-renowned. In June 2014, AARP ranked La Jolla #9 in its "Top 15 Beaches in the World." La Jolla's waters provide a plethora of options for fun, adventure and relaxation.

• La Jolla Cove, a lovely patch of sand tucked between weather-sculpted sandstone cliffs, is popular for families with its shallow waters, tide pools and gentle waves. The area's breathtaking views are a favorite subject of photographers and painters. In 2013, Trip Advisor's Travelers' Choice Awards ranked La Jolla Cove #8 in its "Top 10 Beaches in the United States."
• Offshore, the La Jolla Underwater Park - the first coastal underwater preserve on the West Coast - teems with aquatic life, including sea lions, bright orange Garibaldi fish, sea bass and lobsters. Snorkeling, scuba diving and kayaking are great ways to discover the wonders of La Jolla Cove, including seven sea caves. Sunny Jim Cave is the only known land access sea cave on the California coastline.
• The Children's Pool, a small crescent-shaped beach partially protected by a large seawall, sits just south of La Jolla Cove. Originally intended as a protected swimming area for children, today the sandy cove is home to dozens of seals that seek out the sheltered beach to birth and raise their pups. A pathway on the seawall provides a scenic overlook to photograph the area's fascinating marine life.
• South of La Jolla Village, scenic Windansea Beach is best known for its hard-breaking surf due to huge underwater reefs. Sunbathing is popular here, as large sandstone rocks create a secluded setting. Windansea is also home to a legendary Polynesian-style surf hut, built in 1947 by pioneer Windansea surfers and registered as a San Diego Historic Site. The hut provides an excellent vantage point to enjoy the scenic views below.
• North of La Jolla Village, La Jolla Shores was recognized by the Travel Channel as one of the most family-friendly beaches in San Diego County. A wide boardwalk, which separates the beach from a large grassy park ideal for picnicking and volleyball games, parallels its mile-long sandy shore. The light waves along the Shores also make it an ideal spot for beginning surfers to "hang ten."
• Blacks Beach, a two-mile long sandy strip situated at the base of majestic sandstone cliffs, is north of La Jolla Shores and part of Torrey Pines State Beach. Because the cliffs tower up to 300 feet high, access to the beach is limited and difficult. The beauty and privacy of Blacks Beach have made it popular for nude sunbathing, a practice that is not officially sanctioned but prevalent.
• Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve is a 2,000-acre reserve dedicated to preserving the Torrey Pine tree, one of the world's rarest conifers, and other indigenous wildlife in its native environment. Visitors can hike eight miles of trails, encountering native chaparral plants, wildflowers, birds, reptiles and butterflies. The reserve includes a historic lodge-turned-visitor center and hosts guided nature walks on weekends and holidays.

GOOD SPORT

Recreational enthusiasts can enjoy a wide range of outdoor activities in La Jolla, from paragliding above the Pacific to teeing off on an internationally recognized golf course.

• La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club on La Jolla Shores has 12 championship tennis courts available to guests and members and has hosted national championships, tennis legends and amateur players for more than 75 years. It is consistently rated as a "Top Tennis Resort" by Tennis Magazine.
• Perched above Blacks Beach and established in 1928, Torrey Pines Gliderport is America's most popular coastal soaring site. The Gliderport offers tandem hang gliding and paragliding for thrilling birds-eye views of La Jolla.
• At the Torrey Pines Golf Course, site of the 2021 U.S. Open Championship, golfers marvel at panoramic views of the coastline atop cliffs towering above the Pacific, north of La Jolla Shores. With its two PGA Championship 18-hole golf courses, Torrey Pines is recognized as one of the nation's foremost municipal golf courses. Golf Links Magazine selected Torrey Pines as one of the "Must Play" courses in the world. Torrey Pines hosts the annual Famers Insurance Open, attracting the world's top golfers every January. The Lodge at Torrey Pines offers Torrey Pines Golf Packages throughout the year.
• Kayaking and stand up paddleboarding are very popular at La Jolla Cove, with tour companies launching from La Jolla Shores and paddling to sea caves to the south and Scripps Pier to the north. Rentals are available and daily guided tours are provided by numerous companies including Bike & Kayak Tours-La Jolla, La Jolla Kayak, Hike Bike Kayak Sports La Jolla and Everyday California. Partnering with Bike & Kayak Tours, the landmark La Valencia Hotel in La Jolla Village offers a "Bed & Kayak Package" that includes a kayak tour of La Jolla Cove and the sea caves, an ocean view guestroom and tote filled with sun amenities for the kayak adventure.
• In late summer, hundreds of harmless leopard sharks are spotted off of La Jolla Shores spawning in the warm waters. Bike & Kayak Tours-La Jolla offers a Leopard Shark Encounter snorkeling tour, as does La Jolla Kayak and Everyday California; adventuresome travelers can see these shy spotted creatures up close.
• Surf Diva, the world's first all-women's surf school, teaches surfing for women - and men - of all ages and ability levels with surf camps and private and coed lessons at La Jolla Shores. Menehune Surf School also offers surf lessons at the Shores.
• There's no better way to take in the beauty of La Jolla than from the seat of a bicycle. La Jolla Kayak's Soledad Slide Bike Tour and Bike & Kayak Tours' La Jolla Freefall Bike Tour begin at Mt. Soledad, La Jolla's highest point (822 feet) with breathtaking 360-degree views of the region. The ride continues down the mountain, past luxurious mansions and along La Jolla's iconic coastline. San Diego Fly Rides also offers guided bike tours of Jolla on electric bicycles.