

La Jolla is known for its beach, its cliffs and – therefore – photo worthy views.
Find the ultimate views in downtown La Jolla by:
Hotels Near Downtown La Jolla | ||
La Jolla Cove Suites | $$$ | Check Price |
Estancia La Jolla Hotel & Spa | $$$ | Check Price |
Grande Colonial La Jolla | $$$$ | Check Price |
Hilton La Jolla Torrey Pines | $$$ | Check Price |
La Jolla Cottage | $$ | Check Price |
When visiting downtown La Jolla, you want accommodations to match your ideal experience. That’s why we recommend these exceptional Downtown La Jolla Hotels:
La Valencia is not only a luxury resort in La Jolla, it hosts premier event space in San Diego. With both indoor and outdoor space available, have the dream oceanside wedding you’ll never forget. It’s also easy to have a great corporate retreat, business conference or corporate meeting. With fantastic views, great cuisine and oceanside atmosphere, you can expect a laid-back yetelegant experience. Check Price
From business meetings and events to dream weddings, the Grande Colonial has many great options for hosting the perfect event. Enjoy the best this hotel has to offer by ordering in-room spa services, taking a dip in the heated swimming pool, enjoying happy hour or having the concierge help with any or all trip planning. Also, the Grande Colonial is a green-conscious hotel with many sustainability-based policies in place. Check Price
The Pantai Inn allows you to visit Bali within Southern California. This elegant yet laid-back hotel offers a calm atmosphere and a variety of amenities. In addition to regular rooms, you can enjoy modern luxuries such as deluxe villa or suite that boasts a beautiful ocean view. Plus – their bonfire pits are perfect for nighttime hangouts. Check Price
These all-you-need suites are great for families and those seeking a more long-term experience. In addition to breakfast in their breakfast room or rooftop, most suites have a kitchen for prepping your own meals and snacks. It’s nestled near the downtown village, perfect for shopping and exploring, and just above La Jolla Cove – ideal for activities such as swimming, sunbathing and snorkeling in La Jolla. Check Price
From art galleries featuring world famous artists to one of the most acclaimed playhouses in all America, find high quality art and performances in La Jolla.
The La Jolla Village Art Walk is home to stunning, locally-owned art galleries. Find your way to Prospect Street and Girard Avenue and begin strolling.
Pick up a paintbrush yourself and create a masterpiece at a local class, such as those offered at My Art Shed. (This studio downtown offers classes for both adults and children, as well as camps.) Over 300,000 sold!
To experience the finest of music and concerts in La Jolla, we recommend:
Revel in history, art and more at local La Jolla museums.
*** NOTE: The MCASD La Jolla location is closed for renovations until further notice, as of January 2017***
The La Jolla branch of the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego has continually rotating exhibits, offering a variety of unique and ever changing displays. It also hosts fantastic ocean views and an inspiring garden.
This free music and arts library has many books, magazines, CDs, DVDs and other materials on a wide range of artistic and musical genres. By becoming a member, you can even take materials home.
This cozy museum, hosted in a cottage in downtown La Jolla, is run by the La Jolla Historical Society. For over 100 years, this venue has been a home, a school, a bookstore and, since 2005, a museum.
The Historical Society also hosts events, such as the The Secret Garden Tour of La Jolla; it is a tour that lets you explore the most luxurious gardens around town, normally closed to the public.
Take a stroll around the Jewel. We recommend exploring:
Artists from across San Diego were commissioned to create breathtaking murals around the city – creating hidden gems that contribute beauty and energy to the neighborhood. We beckon art lovers to come and take a walk from painting to painting.
Get insight into the past of this Southern California City on a walking tour. The La Jolla Historical Society offers a variety of self-guided walking tours in La Jolla here.
The Secret Garden Tour of La Jolla, which happens annually each spring, is a rare opportunity for members of the public to visit some of the most secret gardens in La Jolla. Normally more concealed, it is a chance to dive into these secret treasures.
For a more intense walk or hike, we recommend these 5 Best Hikes in La Jolla.
We invite you to explore breathtaking La Jolla Cove, the ocean cove located along the edge of downtown La Jolla.
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Learn more about the Cove and all it has to offer, including where to rent gear and take tours, at our Complete Guide to La Jolla Cove.
As Virginia Woolf once said, “One cannot think well, love well, sleep well, if one has not dined well.”
You’ll feel spoiled when you visit a La Jolla cafe, bar or restaurant – whether attending a delicious brunch, sipping cocktails at happy hour or savoring authentic cuisine for dinner.
Start the day off right at one of these top spots for coffee and/or breakfast in La Jolla:
Take a cooking class in La Jolla. There are great venues with highly acclaimed chefs that will walk you through the process, step-by-step. Such classes are also a great date night or girls’ night out. We recommend the cooking classes at Sur La Table.
Find the best of San Diego shopping in La Jolla’s downtown. Throughout the Village, peruse:
These independently owned businesses in the heart of La Jolla Village offer unique products and services to visitors and locals.
Head to Herschel Avenue for an exploration into La Jolla’s design scene. Find unique interior design opportunities and source the best furniture. You’ll be able to customize your home to its very finest.
Explore La Jolla art galleries to find your next piece. You’ll find many throughout the village, especially on Prospect, including our top recommendations at 3 Must See Spots for Art Lovers in La Jolla.
Stroll downtown La Jolla and discover boutiques offering unique gifts and products.
Find the latest from the brands you know and love, such as:
Massages. Manicures. Haircuts. Luxurious treatments. Pamper yourself with the best downtown La Jolla salons.
There are a variety of parking options in La Jolla.
Your furry friend is sure to have a fantastic experience in downtown La Jolla, especially upon discovering spots like:
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This dog store also hosts dog-based events, such as “Yappy Hour” and meet ups for pet breeds and their dog-loving owners. Find upcoming events here.
BOUTIQUE FITNESS STUDIOS & YOGA STUDIOS IN LA JOLLA
Live up the active Southern California lifestyle with one or more of the great fitness studios in downtown La Jolla.
This spacious studio is housed within La Jolla Sports Club; membership here grants you access to the gym and all it has to offer.
The perfect, protected cove in La Jolla offers the ideal arena for outdoor activities, especially for families with kids. You can:
This small beach, slightly south of Children’s Pool, is a great spot for tide pooling at low tide. Plus, it has Seal Rock Reserve – a place where seals and sea lions come to bask in the sun. Learn more about best La Jolla Beaches here.
A short distance from the heart of downtown Village, find Marine Street & Whispering Sands. It’s not as well known as the Cove and so, typically, less crowded. Located at the end of Marine Street, it’s a great place to enjoy a long beach walk, watch the sunset and – due to its extreme shorebreak known as the Whomp – a fantastic place for both board and body surfing.
– It is predominantly known as the Marine Street Beach; the Whispering Sands area is the Northern end.
A serene area nestled between the heart of downtown La Jolla and Bird Rock neighborhood, Windansea Beach is a great spot for surfing, unwinding with a good book or having a romantic date
Families will find a variety of activities that please parents and children alike.
There is always a healthy lineup of great events for kids in La Jolla at the Rec Center. From variety shows to weekly sports programs, such as youth children and youth flag football, peruse the upcoming La Jolla Rec Center events.
Stop by Geppetto’s Toy Shop – This quaint toy shop has the feel of small-town Italy – just enough toys to please every child, but without the overwhelming eye-popping, madness of bigger chain stores. This La Jolla toy store loves working with vendors to order and ship in requests for any toys not available.
Go to the Children’s Pool for a day of outdoor beach fun. Ellen Browning Scripps donated the funds to form the seawall that creates a open ocean pool with calm waters. Though initially intended for children, it has now become a much beloved spot for seals. Walking out onto the seawall is a great way to get a La Jolla ocean view!
At Children’s Pool, you’ll find helpful amenities on site like:
Take a Local Segway Tour from an organization like We Love Tourists.
Looking to find your next piece of real estate in La Jolla – perhaps a vacation home? Find top resources for these needs here to search the best La Jolla real estate and vacation homes.
Organic to the max. Get fresh produce, local cuisine, fresh flowers and more at the weekly farmer’s market in La Jolla each Sunday from 9 am to 2 pm.
In summer, make sure to:
This late night run is a complete blast for children and parents alike. Each year in Southern California, grunion (a breed of silvery fish) ride waves to the coast in order to spawn. Many thousands appear at the shoreline at random, specific dates from early spring to early fall.
Come to the Cove each July 4th to experience the beautiful Independence Day La Jolla fireworks.
The annual La Jolla Art & Wine Festival features over 150 artists from Southern California, in addition to other activities fun for the whole family. Expect a silent auction, musical entertainment, a wine & beer garden and things to do for kids.
At Halloween time, local stores in the downtown La Jolla Village give out treats to kids in the annual event – Pillage the Village.
Experience the best of Southern California designers and fashion entrepreneurs with Fashion Week San Diego, which celebrates the San Diego fashion and beauty industry. It’s focused in a week of fashion events, however, there are variety of happenings for Fashion Week San Diego throughout the year.
Each autumn, typically in October, enjoy incredible cuisine and support local La High School at this food-centric event. Purchase tickets online here.
Enjoy the La Jolla Christmas Parade & Holiday Festival. This event of holiday spirit and family fun typically happens in early December.
This automobile event is centered around the best of cars, from classic favorites to the latest models. Sponsors from all around join forces with the La Jolla Historical Society to host this event that has origins tracing back to the 17th century. However, there is far more to do than simply look at cars at La Jolla’s Concours d’Elegance. From cocktail receptions to decadent lunches, there’s something different happening each day.
Whether you’d like to watch, support or enter, the La Jolla Half Marathon is a point-to-point race that’s considered one of the best in all America. It starts up north at the picturesque Del Mar Fairgrounds and winds down – along the coast – through La Jolla. It ends at the beautiful La Jolla Cove.
Bring the kids and go Easter egg hunting at the La Jolla Recreation Center.
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