La Jolla

La Jolla in southern California is north of San Diego off the Pacific Coast Highway and has museums, restaurants, hotels, beaches, and the Birch Aquarium.

Donna Dailey in La Jolla, California, photo (c) Mike Gerrard

Donna in La Jolla. Photo (c) Mike Gerrard
All Other Photos (c) Donna Dailey

La Jolla is a few miles north of San Diego, off the Pacific Coast Highway, and is definitely one of our favorite PCH destinations. It has great shopping, good restaurants, a range of hotels, beaches, wildlife, the impressive La Jolla Museum of Contemporary Art (an offshoot of the one in San Diego), and the really enjoyable La Jolla Aquarium (officially called the Birch Aquarium at Scripps). It’s great for a romantic break, great for families – great for everyone, really.

Our Pick of the California Guides

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We love its laid-back feel. We had heard and read that it was a little snooty, and that it had been called the Beverly Hills of San Diego. Well, that certainly wasn’t our impression. We loved just walking along the sea front, watching the wildlife.

Sometimes it’s the little things you like about the place, and for us it was constantly seeing pelicans flying over. There’s just something pleasing about a pelican. It looks odd, for one thing, and they always make us smile. Then you see a flock of them flying over, and you wonder where they’re going. Then another flock flies the other way. Is it the same guys going back? Trying to take a photo of them in flight was quite a challenge.

Seals and pelicans in La Jolla, California, photo (c) Donna Dailey

Hanging Out in La Jolla

Getting to La Jolla

From downtown San Diego the quickest way to La Jolla is along I-5, taking Exit 26-A, the West La Jolla Parkway. If there’s no traffic it should take you about 25-30 minutes to do the 15-mile drive, but beware the rush-hour traffic. A lot of people commute between La Jolla and San Diego.

From Mission Beach, definitely the most popular beach in San Diego, it’s a pleasant 7-mile, 20-minute drive to La Jolla along Mission Boulevard and then La Jolla Boulevard.

From Los Angeles it’s about 125 miles to La Jolla, which you should be able to do in less than three hours, though with stops you could make the drive last all day. It’s a pleasant trip along the Pacific Coast Highway, passing through places like Huntington Beach, Newport Beach, Laguna Beach, and Dana Point. 

How Long to Spend in La Jolla?

Well, how long have you got? It’s a great place to kick back and relax, and you could easily spend several days there. If you’re on a tight schedule and planning a Pacific Coast Highway road trip, then we’d recommend 1-2 days here, if you can. We think the Birch Aquarium is a must-see, and that will take a couple of hours.

Even if you’re not interested in contemporary art, or you don’t fancy the exhibition that’s on when you visit, you should try to see the colorful Sculpture Garden at the Museum of Contemporary Art. You’ll also need time to walk along the sea front, watch the seals and other wildlife, maybe go to the Sea Caves, and browse in the great shops that La Jolla has. 

Where to Eat in La Jolla

There are several top-end restaurants in La Jolla, including NINE-TEN Restaurant at the Grande Colonial, George’s at the Cove, and The Marine Room. But you can eat cheaply too if you’re on a budget, and there are lots of fun restaurants and bars serving great food at affordable prices.

When we were there we didn’t book ahead but just strolled around till we found somewhere we liked the look of, and liked the sound of the menu. We decided on The Spot (incredibly tasty Duck Reuben and Chorizo Burger).

Where to Stay in La Jolla

There’s a wide range of accommodation options to suit all budgets, but we stayed at the Grande Colonial. It’s right downtown, and walking distance from most things you would want to see. We can definitely recommend it from personal experience, and you can read all about our visit in our review of the Grande Colonial here.

La Jolla Hotels

More Information
You can find out more about La Jolla by visiting the
Promote La Jolla Visitor Information Website.

To get further up-to-date information on La Jolla and news of what’s happening, visit the La Jolla Travel Information website, written by experienced travel writer and long-time La Jolla resident, Elizabeth Hansen.

Other La Jolla pages

  • One of the best California coast guides is the California Coastal Access Guide, describing the coast’s beaches, National Parks, State Parks, with many maps.

    California Coast Guide

    One of the best California coast guides is the California Coastal Access Guide, describing the coast’s beaches, National Parks, State Parks, with many maps.

  • The Lighthouse Inn at Point Cabrillo is a romantic, historic guesthouse on the Mendocino California coast, on the Pacific Coast Highway.

    Lighthouse Inn at Point Cabrillo

    The Lighthouse Inn at Point Cabrillo is a romantic, historic guesthouse on the Mendocino California coast, on the Pacific Coast Highway.

  • The La Jolla Aquarium, officially known as the Birch Aquarium at Scripps overlooks the Pacific Ocean, with sea creatures from seahorses to sharks.

    La Jolla Aquarium

    The La Jolla Aquarium, officially known as the Birch Aquarium at Scripps overlooks the Pacific Ocean, with sea creatures from seahorses to sharks.

  • Pacific Coast Highway Travel recommends some of the top wildlife spots along the California coast.

    Top Wildlife Spots on the California Coast

    Pacific Coast Highway Travel recommends some of the top wildlife spots along the California coast.

  • Newport Beach is a small city on the Pacific coast of southern California, right on the Pacific Coast Highway and noted for its beaches and surfing.

    Newport Beach

    Newport Beach is a small city on the Pacific coast of southern California, right on the Pacific Coast Highway and noted for its beaches and surfing.

  • Monterey in California is off the Pacific Coast Highway and home to the Monterey Bay Aquarium, Cannery Row, Fisherman’s Wharf, and Monterey State Historic Park.

    Monterey, on the Pacific Coast Highway in California

    Monterey in California is off the Pacific Coast Highway and home to the Monterey Bay Aquarium, Cannery Row, Fisherman’s Wharf, and Monterey State Historic Park.

  • Dana Point in California is the official start or end of the Pacific Coast Highway, and its attractions include whale watching, and Doheny State Beach.

    Dana Point

    Dana Point in California is the official start or end of the Pacific Coast Highway, and its attractions include whale watching, and Doheny State Beach.

  • Pismo Beach is a small beach town on California's Central Coast, a resort famous for surfing and clams.

    Pismo Beach

    Pismo Beach is a small beach town on California's Central Coast, a resort famous for surfing and clams.

  • PCH Travel picks the best time to visit Mendocino, with a monthly summary of the weather, plus hotel prices and special events to help plan a visit.

    Best Time to Visit Mendocino

    PCH Travel picks the best time to visit Mendocino, with a monthly summary of the weather, plus hotel prices and special events to help plan a visit.

  • Bodega Bay is a small California coastal town on the borders of Marin County and Sonoma County, and the filming location for Alfred Hitchcock's the Birds.

    Bodega Bay

    Bodega Bay is a small California coastal town on the borders of Marin County and Sonoma County, and the filming location for Alfred Hitchcock's the Birds.

  • There are lots of free things to do on the Pacific Coast Highway and here's our list of ten of them including wildlife, the best free views, and free museums.

    Free Things to do on the Pacific Coast Highway

    There are lots of free things to do on the Pacific Coast Highway and here's our list of ten of them including wildlife, the best free views, and free museums.

  • Santa Catalina Island, or Catalina Island, is off the shore of Southern California and reachable from Long Beach, San Pedro, Newport Beach, and Dana Point.

    Santa Catalina Island

    Santa Catalina Island, or Catalina Island, is off the shore of Southern California and reachable from Long Beach, San Pedro, Newport Beach, and Dana Point.

  • There are plenty of Santa Cruz downtown wine tastings including Beauregard Vineyards,Storrs Winery and Pelican Ranch Winery,all with tasting rooms.

    Santa Cruz Downtown Wine Tastings

    There are plenty of Santa Cruz downtown wine tastings including Beauregard Vineyards,Storrs Winery and Pelican Ranch Winery,all with tasting rooms.

  • The Casa Laguna Hotel and Spa in Laguna Beach is right on the Pacific Coast Highway and has luxury rooms, a swimming pool, and real gourmet breakfasts.

    Laguna Beach Inn and Spa

    The Casa Laguna Hotel and Spa in Laguna Beach is right on the Pacific Coast Highway and has luxury rooms, a swimming pool, and real gourmet breakfasts.

  • Whale watching in California is one of the most popular things to do along the Pacific Coast Highway, in places like San Diego, San Francisco and many more.

    Whale Watching in California

    Whale watching in California is one of the most popular things to do along the Pacific Coast Highway, in places like San Diego, San Francisco and many more.

  • Unique Inns on the Pacific Coast Highway include some of the best independently-owned boutique hotels, spas, and lodges in California, Oregon and Washington.

    Unique Inns on the Pacific Coast Highway

    Unique Inns on the Pacific Coast Highway include some of the best independently-owned boutique hotels, spas, and lodges in California, Oregon and Washington.

  • The Grande Colonial La Jolla luxury hotel is downtown, close to restaurants and shopping, with historic charm, and a highly acclaimed restaurant.

    La Jolla Luxury Hotel

    The Grande Colonial La Jolla luxury hotel is downtown, close to restaurants and shopping, with historic charm, and a highly acclaimed restaurant.

  • A walk around the Point Lobos State Reserve near Monterey and Carmel provides lots of photo opportunities, especially of the Harbor Seal Birthing Area.

    Point Lobos State Reserve near Carmel and Monterey, with photos

    A walk around the Point Lobos State Reserve near Monterey and Carmel provides lots of photo opportunities, especially of the Harbor Seal Birthing Area.

  • San Simeon is a tiny town of a few hundred people close to Hearst Castle on the California coast midway between San Francisco and Los Angeles.

    San Simeon

    San Simeon is a tiny town of a few hundred people close to Hearst Castle on the California coast midway between San Francisco and Los Angeles.

  • The Pacific Coast Highway goes right through Laguna Beach, a relaxed artsy beach resort whose attractions include shopping, galleries, dining, and beaches.

    Laguna Beach

    The Pacific Coast Highway goes right through Laguna Beach, a relaxed artsy beach resort whose attractions include shopping, galleries, dining, and beaches.

  • The Stanford Inn by the Sea in Mendocino on the California coast is an eco-resort with yoga classes and the award-winning Ravens Restaurant.

    Stanford Inn by the Sea Mendocino

    The Stanford Inn by the Sea in Mendocino on the California coast is an eco-resort with yoga classes and the award-winning Ravens Restaurant.

  • San Luis Obispo in California is half-way between Los Angeles and San Francisco, on the Pacific Coast Highway and with lots of things to do and see.

    San Luis Obispo

    San Luis Obispo in California is half-way between Los Angeles and San Francisco, on the Pacific Coast Highway and with lots of things to do and see.

  • San Clemente in California is a small city on the Pacific Coast Highway midway between San Diego and Los Angeles, noted for its beaches and surfing.

    San Clemente California

    San Clemente in California is a small city on the Pacific Coast Highway midway between San Diego and Los Angeles, noted for its beaches and surfing.

  • The Point Reyes National Seashore is an hour’s drive northwest of San Francisco on the Pacific Coast Highway and is maintained by the National Park Service.

    Point Reyes National Seashore

    The Point Reyes National Seashore is an hour’s drive northwest of San Francisco on the Pacific Coast Highway and is maintained by the National Park Service.

  • Mendocino in Mendocino County is a small but pretty California coastal town, popular with artists and with travelers. It has featured in many songs and movies.

    Mendocino

    Mendocino in Mendocino County is a small but pretty California coastal town, popular with artists and with travelers. It has featured in many songs and movies.

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