Getting to La Jolla

Whether you’re traveling by car, plane, train, or by bus, La Jolla is easy to get to with a little planning!

Visitors flying into California can rent a car at San Diego International Airport, which is the closest airport to La Jolla. From there, it’s about a 30-minute (14 miles) drive north to downtown La Jolla. Public bus transit is easily accessed in La Jolla Village and downtown La Jolla.

Driving Directions to La Jolla

Arriving from the North

From Del Mar, Los Angeles, or beyond: Take I-5 South. Exit La Jolla Village Drive and turn right. Make a left onto Torrey Pines Road, and then another slight left to stay on it. Turn right onto Prospect Street, then stay right to take Cave Street. Continue onto Coast Blvd., where you will see street parking. La Jolla Cove will be on your right, easily accessible via stairs.

Arriving from the South or the San Diego Airport

From Chula Vista: Coming from Chula Vista or south of La Jolla, take I-5 North. Take the exit for La Jolla Parkway. Continue onto Torrey Pines Road. Take a right onto Prospect Street, and a slight right onto Cave Street. From there, continue onto Coast Blvd. and find street parking. La Jolla Cove will be on your right.

Arriving from the East

From Julian or nearby areas: Take the 79 South to the I-8 West. Take exit 17 for State 67/Magnolia Ave toward Downtown; merge onto CA-67 North. Exit Prospect Avenue and follow signs for CA-52 West. Use the left 2 lanes to take the La Jolla Parkway exit. Continue onto La Jolla Pkwy, which becomes Torrey Pines Road. Turn right onto Prospect Street, then a slight right onto Cave Street. Follow that until it becomes Coast Blvd.; La Jolla Cove will be on your right.

Public Transit in La Jolla

By Bus: The number 30 MTS (San Diego Metropolitan System) bus connects downtown San Diego with La Jolla.

To get to La Jolla Village, you can hop on the 30 bus at any bus stop in downtown San Diego, Old Town, or North County. Get off at the bus at the Silverado and Herschel stop in downtown La Jolla. You can walk from there to the restaurants and shops on Girard and Prospect, as well as to La Jolla Cove. (Tip: Monday-Friday, the #30 bus makes a complete trip from downtown San Diego to La Jolla and back several times a day. The ride is about 35 minutes each way, depending on traffic).

By Train: If arriving via Amtrak or the Coaster, La Jolla is located between the Old Town Transit Center in Old Town, San Diego and Sorrento Valley Coaster Station. Taxis and other shuttle services are available at both stations to take you into La Jolla.