Location: La Jolla
Top Things to do in La Jolla
Top 6 Beaches in La Jolla, California (CA)
Topnotch golf courses, art galleries and seals share the dramatic oceanside landscape of La Jolla, an affluent community 15 minutes from downtown San Diego. Swimmers, snorkelers and kayakers dip into La Jolla Cove, where the protected waters shield an abundance of bright orange Garibaldi fish and sea caves indent the cliffs. The Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego, the family-friendly Birch Aquarium and the acclaimed La Jolla Playhouse deliver breaks from the sun.
Restaurants in La Jolla
1. Windansea Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 578 reviews
A famous beach for surfing.
Reviewed By 453karinl - Doha, Qatar
A must when you visit La Jolla or the San Diego area ... a beautiful and serene beach filled with surfers and sunbathers .. you'll spend a most relaxing and enjoyable day!!!
2. Tourmaline Surfing Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 60 reviews
Each serving as a center of water-sports and recreation in La Jolla, this beach and Windansea Beach were immortalized in Tom Wolfe's famous novel, "The Pumphouse Gang."
Reviewed By alexandracT3255KF - San Diego, United States
This is a magnificent example of California this beach is so very peaceful and beautiful.A wonderful place to find peace an tranquility.
3. La Jolla Cove
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 13,465 reviews
San Diego's most desirable spot for swimming, diving and snorkeling. The water is calm and the cove is ecologically protected. There is also a world famous dive site that is located in the La Jolla ecological preserve.
Reviewed By westcoastcat - Vancouver, Canada
San Diego has 70 miles of beautiful coastline and there are endless ways to enjoy the beaches, but this little cove in La Jolla "the Jewel" is perhaps the most unique. You can explore the tide pools on Shell beach, a soft Sandy beach with caves tucked into the cliffs, or you can admire the antics of the playful seals and California sealions on the rocks and on the Children's Beach. I loved strolling along the shoreline watching the waves come crashing in and spraying water high up into the sky, while the surfers hung out in the water waiting for the perfect wave to ride in.
4. La Jolla Shores Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,697 reviews
Mile-long beach features gentle waves during the summer months, making this spot a prime spot for novice scuba divers.
Reviewed By lisavG7902AD - San Diego, United States
Traveling to San Diego and want the perfect, iconic beach experience? This is it. Originally named the Strand, this is a very long, white sand beach. That said, there is mica in it which clings to your skin. A great beach for children of all ages with designated swim and surf area overseen by a great group of life guards in a tall lifeguard tower. Parking is usually difficult and hard won. Know how to parallel park. There's a large but woefully inadequate parking lot for this very popular beach. If you are able, take the bus. The beach is bounded by low wall and wide sidewalk bordered by a large grassy area with famous Torrey Pines providing some shade and a great picnic area. Thanks to La Jollan Mary Coakley, there's a wonderful children's playground and glass art installation, a mural of the National Undersea Park just off of the Shores, at the south ends well as bathrooms adjacent to the playground and just north of the tower. Continue to walk south long the beach and to you'll come to the private La Jolla Beach and Tennis Club. A strip of beach close to the hotel is private but long the beach is public. The little cluster of public buildings in this area comprises the community of The Shores. Here you'll find convenience store for drinks and snacks. La Jolla Kayak if you'd like to rent a kayak and go out on the ocean (do this!!!) and several great restaurants for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. The north end of the beach is noted for Scripp's Pier and there you'll find beach volleyball, and a bigger break again with designated areas for surfing and one for swimming and bodysurfing overseen by a second lifeguard tower, There are no facilities or stores at this end but SIO (Scripp's Institution of Oceanography) has a cafeteria style restaurant just off the beach (walk up the stairs by the tower).
5. Children's Pool
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,342 reviews
It was supposed to be a children's pool, but the harbor seals took over and it's a main tourist and local attraction. Great picture spot.
Reviewed By gregm75460 - Niagara Falls, Canada
This was such a cool spot to visit. Seeing the seals in their natural habitat was amazing. There were several times in which the seals were within a few feet of us. There is a really cool cave store nearby. My family enjoyed walking through the tunnel to a sea cave opening. Only downside was a slightly foul odour in the area.
