La Jolla is truly one of my happy places. There’s nothing like waking up at your San Diego beachside hotel, throwing a swimsuit on, grabbing your snorkel and walking across the street for a morning swim in La Jolla Cove.
Followed by hiking before lunch on a rooftop overlooking the ocean, kayaking in the afternoon, laying on the beach, and catching amazing sunsets over dinner. And then repeating, for a whole week straight. San Diego trips are always magical and makes me wish I could stay forever.
15 Top Things to Do in La Jolla: Unveiling California’s Coastal Gem
In this travel guide, we’re going to go over all the best things to do in La Jolla Shores + La Jolla, so that you can plan the best California getaway!
Beach & Water Activities
You can’t go to La Jolla without hitting the beach – even if it’s only a day trip! The beaches offer a little something for everyone, and these are our top picks!
1. Snorkeling La Jolla Cove
Who doesn’t love to find things to do in La Jolla for free? Which is why snorkeling at La Jolla Cove is one of my FAV things to do in the area! Just pack a snorkeling tube, some flippers, and a bathing suit and you’re all set to discover the amazing marine life in La Jolla.
If you don’t want to worry about bringing your own equipment and swimwear because you can rent all of that at Water Sports San Diego for $55 per adult. The rental will provide you with everything you need including dive gear and wetsuits to keep you warm in the cool waters. This is also a guided tour that starts at the La Jolla shoreline and makes its way to Emerald Cave, so no need to stress if you’ll hit all the right areas.
This experience lasts for 1 hour and 15 minutes and can accommodate up to 10 people per group, so you can totally make this a fun bonding activity with the girls! Participants do need to know how to swim, but the waves are relatively not choppy.
And there are sea lions here! There are A LOT, so it’s a cool phenomenon to see that you don’t get from other beaches. Do keep in mind that while these sea lions spend a lot of time around people, they are still wild animals that will bite. Have you seen that one viral video where a sea lion is chasing a group of people on a beach? Yea, that was at La Jolla, so remember to not get close and to observe them from a distance. But I just know that you’ll have the absolute best time seeing all the beautiful fish and marine life up close!
If you’re feeling extra brave, you can even go snorkeling with leopard sharks!
2. Tide Pooling at Shell Beach
Shell Beach is no ordinary beach spot; it’s one of the best places to see La Jolla tide pools. Tide pooling is one of the coolest natural phenomenons you can see at beaches and would be so fun to explore with friends and family. When you visit, make sure that it’s low tide to see the tide pools. Besides that, you can find some cool seashells on the beach or in between the rocks!
This is right by Ellen Browning Scripps Park, so you can bet that there are seals and sea lions nearby. Even though it’s one of the smaller beaches, its understated beauty is worth the visit!
3. Children’s Pool
Another amazing spot to check out the seals without going snorkeling is at Children’s Pool. This protected sandy cove is just a few minutes away from Ellen Browning Scripps Park and is home to many harbor seals. It’s so cool to see so many seals and pups sunbathing out on the shore and it’s a rare opportunity to be so close to them in their natural environment.
Despite the name, this beach isn’t best for kids since the tide can be stronger here, but there’s a nice walkway around the beach that’ll allow you to view the seals without going down to the sand. I personally enjoy sitting on one of the many benches nearby and just listen to the relaxing waves and take in the ocean breeze. There truly is never a bad time to visit this peaceful area (plus parking is free and easy to find)!
4. Windandsea Beach
It wouldn’t be a trip to San Diego without visiting one of its famous beaches and there are so many to choose from, but Windandsea Beach is my absolute favorite. What isn’t there to love about this beach from its sandy shores to its unique rock formations and calming ambiance.
This beach is popular amongst surfers for its great waves and while I don’t surf myself, it’s so cool to see so many surfers shredding the waves. This is also another fantastic place to view the sunset and would make for some unforgettable photos.
If you get hungry I’d recommend walking to one of the nearby cafes and restaurants rather than driving since it can be difficult to find parking. And while I find that this beach isn’t as busy as the ones closer to La Jolla Cove, it can still get crowded during the summer season, so I recommend heading there earlier in the day to beat the crowd because I def wouldn’t want to miss visiting this beautiful beach.
5. La Jolla Shores Beach
Would it really be a trip to La Jolla without visiting THE La Jolla Shores Beach? This is arguably one of the best beaches in San Diego and I’d have to agree! I love just laying on the beach in my swimsuit and sunnies with my headphones and a good book. This beach stretches one mile and there’s volleyball courts, parks, restrooms and showers–everything you could need for a perfect beach trip! Since this is a bigger beach, it’s perfect to bring kids so they can play in the sand.
The parking lot is so close (literally right next to the beach), but as always, head there early if you go on weekends and peak season. There’s also several nearby restaurants of every cuisine from Italian to sushi, which would be great to check out after a day of swimming!
6. Sea Kayaking
I love going kayaking because it’s a great way to get in a fun workout while also appreciating the amazing region I am in. With this tour guide, you get to explore La Jolla’s Ecological Reserve and Seven Sea Caves, which is part of San Diego’s Marine Protected Area.
The tour is about one and a half hours and includes safety equipment. Prices are $110 for a group of up to two. You can double kayak, which is perfect for doubling up with friends. If you’re not keen on swimming, I’d highly recommend checking out this opportunity instead so you can be up close to San Diego’s diverse marine life!
Nature & Adventure
Craving adventure? La Jolla offers a playground for nature lovers. From beautiful hikes overlooking the Pacific Ocean or kayaking alongside playful marine life, these are just a taste of the exhilarating experiences that await.
7. The Cave Store
The Cave Store is only a few minutes away from La Jolla Cove and sells a variety of fun trinkets, beach supplies, and souvenirs. But the star of the show is the 145 step tunnel that leads to the Sunny Jim Sea Cave.
The tunnel is a bit narrow and the steps can be slippery, so be wary if you’re claustrophobic or a clutz (like me). But the view at the bottom is so worth the trek! You don’t have to worry about getting soaked by a wave because you’re standing on an elevated platform and you still get really close to the waves crashing against the rocks.
You get an amazing view of the surfers, kayakers, and swimmers out in the ocean, and if you’re lucky you may even glimpse some sea lions in the cave. After you make your way up the stairs, shop around the store for some souvenirs to take home or buy bottled drinks and ice cream for a refreshment.
The store opens early at 9am, but also closes early at 4:30pm, so I would try to head there as early as possible (lines can get quite long during peak hours but moves quickly). Admission is $10 for adults and $6 for minors.
8. Ellen Browning Scripps Park
After having an adventure at La Jolla Cove, head over to Ellen Browning Scripps Park for a picnic and watch enjoy the stunning views of the San Diego coastline. The park consists of a spacious grassy field that’s great for people watching and just soaking in the sun without having to go down to the beach.
It would be lovely to come here midday for lunch, but I’d also recommend checking out the park during sunset. The sun coming down beyond the horizon of the ocean makes for spectacular views and Instagram-worthy photos.
This is also another great location to catch sight of the local sea lions and other wildlife like seagulls and pelicans. If you are looking to catch a closer view of the sea lions, you can head down the stairs to the sand, but remember that the sea lions can bite! I usually like to stand behind the rails on the balcony and I find that I can see the sea lions plenty well while also being able to appreciate the rest of the ocean views!
9. Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve
San Diego is most well-known for its beaches, but did you know that La Jolla also has some great hikes that really show off how beautiful the rest of San Diego is. One place that I don’t hear people talking enough about is Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve, which offers different scenery with breathtaking views. This entire stretch of land has everything from trails, beaches, restaurants, a hotel, and the famous Torrey Pines Golf Course.
Open hours are from 7:15 to sunset and guided tours are at 10am on weekends and holidays. Coming here will be like taking a break away from the crowds–don’t get me wrong, I love the hustle and bustle of city life, but it’s so refreshing to have a pick-me-up in nature!
There’s also several beaches here like Peach Beach and Black’s beach (beware, clothes aren’t mandatory, so it’s not best for kids), so you won’t be missing out on the waves, but it’s definitely quite a long walk, so wear comfortable walking shoes and bring water. Close by there is also Torrey Pines Gliderport for paragliding and Torrey Pines State Beach.
Keep in mind that this is a reserve, not a park, so conservation of the land and its animals is essential. This means no food or drinks and don’t leave any trash behind. This is the perfect time to disconnect from the Internet and really take in the wildness of Southern California’s coast!
Arts & Culture
La Jolla boasts a diverse and fun art and culture scene – everything rom exploring local museums to beautiful local art fixtures!
10. Birch Aquarium at Scripps Institute of Oceanography
I always feel like a little kid whenever I visit an aquarium–no matter what age I am, the marine life in aquariums never ceases to amaze me. When I visited Birch Aquarium, I was so fascinated by how many different species they have at Birch Aquarium from sharks, sea turtles, colorful fish, and adorable penguins.
They also have an outdoor aquarium that allows visitors to touch different species like starfish. Not to mention that the views from the balcony are beautiful–you can see the entire shoreline from up there. Birch Aquarium deserves all the love and attention that San Diego Zoo receives.
When I went, it was a weekend afternoon so parking was pretty packed, but we got lucky. I would also recommend reserving tickets if you plan on going during peak hours on a weekend since you have to choose your entry time. Ticket prices vary depending on your age, but it’s $30 for adults (if you’re a current student, show your student ID for a discount). And by buying a ticket here, you’ll be supporting the funding at UC San Diego, so that they can continue to study and protect wildlife!
It also shares a name with Scripps Pier – one of the most photographed piers ever, and for good reason.
11. Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego
If you need a break from all the water activities, I highly recommend checking out the Museum of Contemporary Art. This museum features some really cool and funky modern/contemporary art installations. I honestly feel like a fancy art critic when I come here (even if I don’t know too much about modern art) and just have the best time studying all the fun pieces. They also occasionally have new art exhibitions and events, so I’d check online to see what’s upcoming. Plus the museum has HUGE windows that provide lovely views of the coast and streets below.
The museum is open Thursday to Sunday from 10am to 4pm. Best part–tickets for people under 25 years old are free!! That’s such an amazing deal AND every second Sunday of the month is free. Don’t worry, even if you’re older than 25, this museum is still a great opportunity to escape the San Diego sun and appreciate some really cool art. It’s not out of the way (a few minutes away from Children’s Pool), so I’d def check it out if you’re in the area.
Eat & Drink
La Jolla’s culinary scene is a delightful mix of casual and upscale. Savor fresh seafood, or explore trendy cafes brimming with gourmet coffee and delectable pastries.
12. Better Buzz Coffee Shop
I ALWAYS need a caffeine boost if I’m going to be spending the whole day at the beach or exploring a city. A great place to get your caffeine fix is at Better Buzz Coffee, a hip and trendy coffee shop that sells coffee, beer, fruit/yogurt bowls, smoothies, and sandwiches. Their signature item is their “Buzz” or blended iced coffee that comes in multiple flavors including coconut and caramel.
The interior is also SO CUTE, it’s on theme with bees (hence, the name “buzz”) and my favorite part is that it’s open-air meaning that there’s no doors. This is such a unique coffee shop set up and really immerses you with the beach life aesthetic. Plus, there’s an outdoor seating area that’s great for people watching.
Hours are from 6am to 7pm and they do get pretty busy so allow time in your schedule to drop by!
13. The Marine Room and Lounge
There is nothing like a fancy upscale restaurant by the beach to really take a vacation up a notch and this one is literally right by the water. The Marine Room is a stunning restaurant that offers a unique experience of having floor to ceiling windows where the waves crash onto. Sounds kinda scary, but it actually creates the most magical dining experience and makes for some cool pictures.
This is called High Tide Dining on their website and is only available on select dates. You can reserve your dinner in either the dining room, where they serve seafood-centric dishes, or the lounge, where they serve small dishes. If you plan on coming, I would reserve as soon as possible so you don’t miss out on this super unique dining experience.
14. George’s at the Cove: Ocean Terrace
If you’re looking for something more laid back with that SoCal charm, we love this rooftop dining for great food and views. The Ocean Terrace is located on the top level of George’s at the Cove and offers amazing views of La Jolla Cove from above.
They’re open from 11am to 10pm and it would be great to go any time during the afternoon since they have umbrellas to shield you from the sun, but you can’t beat sunset hour. They have an extensive menu that serves everything from seafood sandwiches, steaks, and fish tacos– makes me hungry just thinking about it! Have a drink or two with friends and enjoy the stunning views of La Jolla!
15. Shore Rider Bar
I have to recommend the BEST tacos and beers in all of La Jolla right here at Shore Rider Bar. For some reason, going to San Diego always makes me crave tacos and I’m starting to realize that it’s because they serve some of the best tacos I’ve ever had.
I love a good fish taco like their baja style fish or grilled fish, but they also have chicken and pork tacos if you don’t love seafood. Pair that with one of their starters and one of their many beer selections and you’ve got a perfect coastal meal.
16. La Jolla Underwater Park
La Jolla Underwater Park is a 6,000 acre marine reserve that is the perfect adventure for anyone interested in exploring the beautiful reefs of San Diego.
The park includes the Ecological Reserve, a small “no take” area that bans fishing and surfing, as well as the Marine Life Refuge, located near Scripps Pier Beach. Along the shore there are the 7 caves of La Jolla, which are only accessible by kayaking, usually from La Jolla Shores Beach. Sunny Jim Cave via the Cave Store, which we mentioned earlier, is the only cave accessible by foot.
The reserve is a fun way to explore the hundreds of unique marine species by kayaking, snorkeling, paddleboarding, and surfing! Just remember to never leave a trace and don’t take any marine life or geographical resources, such as rocks and shells, from the area.
As you can see, there are SO MANY La Jolla attractions to choose from that are great for any occasion. Whether you’re looking for things to do in La Jolla with kids or things to do in La Jolla at night, the possibilities are truly endless.
The San Diego area in general is just a beautiful place and one that I’ll never get tired of. So check out one of the many beachfront hotels, book some tours, or go on a coast walk trail and appreciate all the La Jolla has to offer.
