La Jolla is a picturesque beachside town ideal for anyone looking to relax and unwind. With incredible weather, idyllic seaside towns, and luxurious hotels, La Jolla is a fabulous place to stay. Whether you are looking for a vacation, staycation, or an adventure, there are several luxury hotels in La Jolla that can satisfy every traveler.
La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club makes my list of the best luxury hotels in La Jolla for its private beach experience and outstanding service. Our weekend at La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club was fabulous! We stayed in a beachfront one-bedroom suite that had a gorgeous view of the ocean. The beachfront rooms, which are beachy, but not fancy, are just a few steps away from the private beach.
Private Beach
Yes, that’s right. La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club is on a private beach! Guests are treated to a complimentary setup of beach chairs, towels, and umbrellas. Plus, guests can enjoy beachside food and drink service. Because the hotel is on a private beach, beach service includes alcoholic beverages. You can easily spend the whole day at the beach relaxing on a lounge chair or playing in the gentle waves.
Beach Barbecue
We took part in one of their most favored traditions – the beach barbeque experience.
Guests can order from the shopping list and have prepared food delivered so you don’t have to lift a finger. Alternatively, guests can order from the shopping list and barbecue themselves (which I recommend). Either way, you are in for an unforgettable experience.
We ordered from the shopping list and enjoyed a cheese plate, a salad, brochettes, roasted potatoes, grilled zucchini, and s’ mores for dessert. The quality of the food was top-notch.
Grilling under the stars with your toes in soft powdery sand is the perfect dining experience. I cannot think of a better way to celebrate my husband’s birthday.
Hotel Amenities
Even if you are not a beach person, the La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club has other spectacular amenities for you and your family, such as on-site tennis and golf, fitness center, spa, pool, table tennis, a jogging path, a children’s playground, and ocean view Club Dining. At this family-friendly hotel, there are several additional room amenities too.
Local Surf Breaks
If you are a surfer, there are several famous breaks within walking distance from the hotel. My husband surfed twice a day without getting in the car.
Neighborhood: La Jolla Shores
La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club is a five-minute walk to Avenida De La Playa, which is lined with delicious restaurants and ocean adventure centers.
From La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club, it’s about a 25-minute walk to La Jolla Village along the Coast Walk Trail. The trail is perched on the seaside cliffs giving you unobstructed views of the ocean below.
La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club is about 12 miles north of downtown San Diego.
Reason to Stay
The proximity of the guestrooms to the sand and the private beach make La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club an excellent place to stay. The private beach and complimentary beach set up was priceless.
- Pro Tip
The beach barbecue is a must-do activity. Members of the Club can also book a beach barbecue, and their tablescapes can be the envy of hotel guests. You can spruce up your table with flowers and tea candles for ambient lighting.
- Pro Tip
As for a guestroom tip, try booking a beachfront room on the second floor for more privacy and excellent views.
The timeless craftsman charm of The Lodge at Torrey Pines offers guests a refined and luxurious experience. The Lodge at Torrey Pines overlooks the world-renowned Torrey Pines Golf Course (36 holes) and the Pacific Ocean. As a AAA Five Diamond-rated resort, The Lodge at Torrey Pines offers world-class dining, a full-service spa, and unparalleled service. With these features, The Lodge at Torrey Pines makes the list of the best luxury hotels in La Jolla.
The Lodge at Torrey Pines offers unique services ideal for families such as the Arts & Crafts Kids program. This customizable childcare program can help children with remote learning, schoolwork, and facilitating fun activities. Additional activities include guided hikes, yoga, and a concierge ready to help you plan your perfect getaway.
The Lodge at Torrey Pines is dedicated to minimizing waste, conserving energy, and protecting natural resources.
Neighborhood: Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve
The Lodge at Torrey Pines is close to the 1,750 acres Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve, where you can hike, enjoy the beach, and view the Torrey Pine tree.
A trip to La Jolla Shores and the beach is a short three-mile drive.
Reason to Stay
The golf courses over looking the Pacific Ocean and spa top the list of reasons to stay at the Lodge at Torrey Pines.
Hotel Amenities
The Lodge at Torrey Pines offers Egyptian Cotton Linens, down feather duvets/pillows, 24-hour room service, signature toiletries, and turndown service. A full list of hotel room amenities can be found here.
- Pro Tip
You can ship your golf clubs directly to the Lodge at Torrey Pines. Your clubs will be held in storage until your arrival.
La Valencia Hotel is a coastal retreat in the heart of La Jolla Village. From the Mediterranean-style architecture to the ocean-view pool, La Valencia makes the list of the best luxury hotels in La Jolla. Located on La Jolla’s famed Prospect Street, La Valencia Hotel continues to be a centerpiece of La Jolla Village, welcoming guests, including the Hollywood elite, since 1926.
With her signature pink exterior and iconic tower, the elegant “Pink Lady” remains a renowned landmark offering elevated culinary experiences. Guests can enjoy the Bubbly Brunch Series with Veuve Clicquot, paired with unbeatable ocean views!
You can also learn to make a watermelon margarita inspired by La Valencia Hotel!
La Valencia Hotel offers 114 pet-friendly rooms, suites, and villas with various options, including cozy boudoirs, a gorgeous penthouse, or exclusive villas.
Neighborhood: La Jolla Village
La Valencia Hotel is conveniently located on Prospect Street in the heart of La Jolla Village.
Reason to Stay: Location, location, location!
La Valencia Hotel is walking distance to high-end boutiques, art galleries, ocean view restaurants, walking trails, snorkeling and scuba diving spots, La Jolla Cove, and more!
The beach at La Jolla Shores is about a 25-minute walk or a short drive.
Hotel Amenities
Amenities include contactless in-room dining, overnight self-parking, pet-friendly ($50 per pet per day), ocean-view outdoor pool, pool cabana with food and beverage service, and COOLA sun care products. For the full list of amenities, click here.
- Pro Tip
Reserve a room with an ocean view!
Estancia La Jolla Hotel & Spa is an upscale hacienda-style resort near La Jolla set on 10 acres of lush landscape. Throughout the property, guests are treated to courtyards, meandering garden paths, and outdoor fireplaces. The expansive and scheduled grounds are home to 210 casually elegant guest rooms and suites. Estancia La Jolla Hotel & Spa offers world-class dining and an award-winning spa. The spa features nine indoor treatment rooms, including a couple’s bungalow with a private deck and an outdoor soaking tub for two.
While staying at Estancia La Jolla Hotel & Spa, you can try the garden games library package, which includes Reserve bottles of wine, cocktails, and take-home games. The games are designed to re-connect with your loved ones and relax. Choose from games such as the 39 Questions in Love, Twister, or even classics like Monopoly, Connect Four, and Clue.
Neighborhood
Estancia La Jolla Hotel & Spa is close to UCSD and located between La Jolla and Del Mar. It is a short drive to the beach and Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve.
Reason to Stay
With its scheduled and romantic setting, guests at Estancia La Jolla Hotel & Spa can unplug and unwind. Relax with a visit to the world-class spa, enjoy the pool, or wander through the lush grounds. For these reasons, Estancia La Jolla Hotel & Spa makes the list of the best luxury hotels in La Jolla.
Hotel Amenities
Amenities include an in-room bottle of Trinitas wine, two daily bottles of water, fitness center access, weekend yoga, heated saltwater pool, and pet-friendly options. For additional amenities, click here.
Perfectly located in the heart of La Jolla and perched above the seaside cliffs, the Grande Colonial hotel has been serving guests since 1913. The Grand Colonial is a European styled Four-Diamond Hotel. The beautifully appointed rooms and suites were all renovated in 2019. Some even have fully-equipped kitchens and fireplaces. Grande Colonial features exceptional service and the award-winning NINE-TEN Restaurant. NINE-TEN earned the prestigious Michelin Plate Distinction award in 2019.
The Grand Colonial hotel is committed to its guests’ health and safety and has developed rigorous COVID-19 protocols to keep guests safe without sacrificing guests’ experiences.
Neighborhood: La Jolla Village
Within La Jolla Village, the Grande Colonial hotel is conveniently located near high-end shops and restaurants. If you prefer ocean adventures, Grand Colonial is also close to superb scuba diving and snorkeling.
Reason to Stay
The location in La Jolla Village is spectacular as it is just steps from luxury shops, restaurants, and bars. Plus, if you are into ghost stories or exploring the unknown, you have come to the right place. There are numerous stories about ghost sightings and strange occurrences in unoccupied guest rooms. Thankfully, there has never been an untimely death or a heartsick lover left alone gazing out to sea.
Hotel Amenities
Guests can arrange for transportation within La Jolla Village in a London Cab or Golf Cart. In addition, guests are given daily guest passes to the La Jolla Sports Club, the use of hotel bicycles, and beach gear including towels, chairs, and umbrellas. Click here for a full list of amenities.
- Pro Tip
Book a room with a view. The Grande Colonial hotel is at the top of the hill giving guests the option for unobstructed ocean views.
I hope you enjoy your weekend in La Jolla as much as we did. Check out some of the other activities we did while in La Jolla!
If you are planning a road trip, don’t forget to check out my 35 road trip essentials and my tips for planning the perfect road trip!
I’d love for you to subscribe to The Trav Nav!
To subscribe, just fill out your first name and email address below.
I’ve got an upcoming La Jolla trip, this is so helpful, thanks! La Valencia looks amazing!
Have a great time!
Great article – as a long time La Jolla resident, I think you hit it right on the nail – for best places to stay and for things to do. Our little slice of paradise.
Thank you! Your comment is so nice and means so much to me!