La Jolla, a cute beach town in Southern California, offers visitors picture-perfect soft sand beaches, a budding sea life, and so many other things to see and do. La Jolla is a terrific place to get away for the weekend because there so many fun and exciting activities! You will want to come back again and again!
Without further ado, here are the best 15 things to do in La Jolla.
La Jolla Beaches
There are plenty of gorgeous beaches in La Jolla. Picking the perfect beach spot depends on what you plan to do. If you prefer to swim in smaller, gentler waves, you might like La Jolla Shores. However, if you prefer a big shore break, you might want to visit WindanSea Beach or Black’s Beach, where the surfers ride the waves all day long.
Ecological Reserve and Underwater Park
La Jolla is home to a 600-acre ecological reserve that spans from Scripps Park to Torrey Pines. Scuba divers and snorkelers flock to the Underwater Park to see the spectacular and varied marine life. While swimming, snorkeling, or scuba diving, you might see garibaldi, sea lions, leopard sharks, octopus, and stingrays. Plus, thousands of pregnant leopard sharks gather near La Jolla Cove from June through December, where the water is warmer and generally calmer. Don’t freak out though, leopard sharks are usually friendly and not known to attack humans. If you are looking for a little additional adventure, try nighttime scuba diving!
An easy way to access the Underwater Park is to swim in at La Jolla Cove (pictured above). It’s easy to find. Just follow the scuba divers and swimmers walking along the Coast Trail in the Village.
A winter visit offers the opportunity to go whale watching. From December through early April, you might see one of the 20,000 gray whales migrating from Alaska to Baja, California
Kayak the Seven Sea Caves
Sea Caves By Ocean
A highlight in La Jolla is kayaking through the seven sea caves. You can kayak to the sea caves at low tide (and calm waters), where you can see plenty of marine life and enjoy the sandstone cave formations.
During our visit, the swell was too big to access the sea caves safely. Although tons of kayakers paddled out, they stayed a safe distance from the sea cliffs and waves. Because we could not go in the caves, we decided to skip this adventure and save it for our next trip.
- Pro Tip
Ask about the sea conditions before you book your kayak tour.
I appreciated the honesty from La Jolla Kayak about the inability to access the sea caves. I will be sure to book with them the next time I visit.
if you plan to do multiple things in La Jolla like kayaking and surfing, consider purchasing a Go City Card. It is designed to help travelers get the most out of their trip, at a discount.
Sea Cave By Land
If the swell is too big, you can access Sunny Jim’s Cave, the largest sea cave, from land! Head to the La Jolla Cave and Shell Shop in the Village, where you can climb down 134 rock stairs to reach the cave entrance.
- Pro Tip
Make a reservation in advance. I didn’t and was unable to trek down the stairs to hear the waves crashing around me. If you visit Sunny Jim’s Sea Cave, let us know about your experience.
Surfing
Grab a board and paddle out to one of La Jolla’s famous surf breaks like Black’s Beach, Windansea, or La Jolla Shores. With beaches facing north, south, and west, there is almost always swell in La Jolla. My husband had a blast surfing near La Jolla Shores.
To capture your surf session, you might want to hire a surf photographer. I cannot say enough good things about surf photographer Nathan Petty. As a surfer himself, he knows just the rights spots to take great photos, so you do not have to think about positioning yourself while surfing. Plus, he is a great photographer, knows the local surf breaks, and is a nice guy.
Hiking / Walking Trails
If surfing is not for you, there are many other things to do. There are several hikes with gorgeous views in La Jolla. For an easy walk, take the Coast Walk trail. You can start your walk/hike at the Cave Store and continue along the bluffs for a spectacular view toward La Jolla Shores and the La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club.
If you are looking for a more rugged hike, head out to Torrey Pines State Park, where you can view the Torrey Pine and hike down to the beach. The Torrey Pine once thrived along the California coastline. Highlights of Torrey Pines State Park include the Torrey Pines as well as the ocean views. There are multiple hikes in Torrey Pines State Park. However, the best hikes overlook the ocean!
Biking
La Jolla caters to bike riders and offers endless bike paths. A popular and scenic bike route starts at Mt. Soledad, where you can take in the panoramic views from Orange County to Mexico. Once you have had a chance to enjoy the breathtaking views, it’s time to feel the wind in your hair as you ride down into Pacific Beach.
If you prefer to stay local, try the City Loop. Start your journey on Prospect Street and follow the signs as they lead you to Bird Rock and the Pacific Beach Boardwalk.
If you decide last minute to take a bike ride, you can even have a bike delivered to your hotel.
Golfing
Golf courses in Torrey Pines offer some of the best views. Torrey Pines is located on the cliffs above the Pacific Ocean offering golfers stunning views. The Lodge at Torrey Pines has a 36-hole facility owned by the City of San Diego and makes my list of best luxury hotels in La Jolla.
La Jolla’s Secret Swings
Did you know there are secret swings in La Jolla? I happened upon one just below the bridge on the Coast Walk trail. It was a little slippery getting to the swing, but I’m glad I made an effort. I could not get enough of the view and the swing.
There is another swing, so I am told per Google maps (see below), near the Birch Aquarium on Expedition Way. Keep an eye open for a parking lot on your left side. Enter the parking lot and walk towards the cul-de-sac. You should see two trees with a small wooden bridge between them. Follow the path, and you should find the tree swings to your left.
Art and Culture Scene
La Jolla and the surrounding areas are a mecca for art and culture enthusiasts. Broaden your horizons on your next visit and stop by the San Diego Museum of Contemporary Art or one of the many art galleries that line the streets in the Village.
For theatre lovers, La Jolla offers the La Jolla Cove Theatre and the La Jolla Playhouse (on the UCSD campus).
Shopping
Trendy upscale stores line the storefronts on Prospect Street. La Jolla offers shoppers a variety of high-end boutiques and merchandise. It’s your go-to place for designer clothing, purses and shoes, fine art and antiques, jewelry, cosmetics, and gourmet food.
If you prefer shopping outdoors, check out the La Jolla Open Aire Market, open on Sundays from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm. The market showcases local artisans, fresh produce, and delicious food.
In addition, when you shop at the La Jolla Open Aire Market, you are shopping for a good cause! Proceeds fund various initiatives for the local elementary school.
Beachside BBQ / Bond Fires at La Jolla Shores
A favorite past time in La Jolla is enjoying a bonfire on the beach. There are six fire pits available.
- Pro Tip
Since bonfires are incredibly popular here, you’ll want to come early, especially on the weekends, to secure your spot.
If you stay at La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club, (one of the best luxury hotels in La Jolla), you can enjoy a barbeque on their private beach. You can either bring in your own food or select the food you want to grill from La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club’s shopping list menu. We chose to barbecue and had a fantastic night of fun and relaxation under the stars. To top off the night, we barbecued s’ mores!
La Jolla Cove / Children’s Pool
There is no shortage of ocean-related things to do. Walk around La Jolla Cove to see the seals sunning themselves on the rocks or wander over to the Children’s Pool, where the gentle waves invite the seals to bask on the beach. You will find swimmers, scuba divers, and snorkelers at La Jolla Cove. However, swimmers are discouraged from entering the water at the Children’s Pool due to the large seal population, water quality, and safety.
Hang Glide / Paraglide
Adventure seekers can try paragliding from the 350-foot cliffs of Torrey Pines Park and Glider Port. Tandem flights with an instructor are available for those new to the sport.
Stephen Birch Aquarium
There are more options if you prefer to keep your feet on the ground. Visitors at the Stephen Birch Aquarium can see about 3,000 species of fish, including standouts such as the venomous lionfish, moray eels, sharks, and a giant octopus.
Visit one of La Jolla’s Parks
There are several parks for visitors to enjoy.
Kellogg Park
Kellogg Park spans seven acres and sits just north of the La Jolla Shores Hotel. The seven-acre park includes both a beach and grassy area just beyond the by palm trees.
La Jolla Colony Private Park
Don’t let the name fool you. Colony Private Park is open to the public. Because the park is not well known, it is often less crowded and quiet. The park is three miles and includes 20 fitness stations to help keep you in shape while on vacation. You can even bring your dog as long as you keep your dog on a leash.
The Best Places to Stay
Now that you have lots of options for things to do, it’s time to find a place to stay. Check out my post about the best luxury hotels in La Jolla to find the perfect accommodation for your vacation!
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We do love to visit La Jolla when we are in San Diego. The beaches, great food and sea lions have always been a big draw. But I must admit we have not brought snorkel or scuba gear to explore the ecological reserve or kayaked to see the caves. I am glad there are lots of great spots to watch the surfing!
Wow! Your description of La Jolla helps me relive an extraordinary family vacation! Thanks Michelle!
We had a terrififc time!
Such a useful article and the pictures are gorgeous. I want to check out the secret swing next time I am in SD. Thanks, Michelle!
You’re welcome! I love hearing you found the article useful!
Wow there are so many interesting things to do in La Jolla! We’ve been in the area but didn’t take advantage of these, I’d love to go back and hike and see the seals especially. Thanks for the great info!
You’re welcome!
We loved kayaking and snorkeling in La Jolla. I have never heard of the swings, so that is a fun new adventure we’ll have to check out. 🙂
Michelle,
As always, I enjoyed your article. While I have been to San Diego and Carlsbad, I’ve never explored La Jolla. Now I know there’s a lot to see and do. I want to stay at La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club, so Bob and I can enjoy a barbeque on their private beach; sounds great! How was the barbeque? Thanks for sharing, and Happy Traveling!
Roselyn, thank you so much for your kind words. I am so happy to hear you want to stay at La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club and enjoy their beach barbeque! It was a standout experience and one I highly recommend. Having dinner on the beach under the stars was the perfect way to celebrate my husband’s birthday! I hope you get to have a similar experience soon.
I’ve never been but this looks like an awesome place to visit with some beautiful places to see and explore!
Great blog article Michelle! So informative and interesting! Reading this makes me want to take a trip to the West coast!! Beautiful. Glad you enjoyed your trip and thanks for sharing the experience!
Thank you, Alyson, for the kind words! I hope you get a chance to visit the West Coast soon and are able to enjoy La Jolla!
Love this! La Jolla is one of my favorite places- there is so much to do and see. There are also tide pools to see at low tide located past the pier.
I didn’t know about the swings- we will have to check that out next time we go!
Visiting the tidepools is a great idea! Thanks so much for sharing.