The Perfect La Jolla Day Trip Itinerary

The Ultimate La Jolla Day Trip Itinerary

Let’s talk through how to spend one day in La Jolla, CA. 

Parking Tip: Finding parking on and around Prospect Street and Coast Boulevard can be tricky, especially if you’re visiting the area during peak season! If you are unable to find a street spot in town, there are a few paid garages and lots. Alternatively, if you don’t mind walking 5 to 10 minutes, you can find street parking in the surrounding neighborhood streets. When street parking, be sure to pay attention to the signs, as some streets have time limits and other restrictions! 

Grab a Coffee in Town

Before you start exploring La Jolla, stop for a coffee or tea. Better Buzz is a super popular option right in town (I love their horchata iced latte), and I’m also a big fan of Parakeet Cafe (they have a great cacao chai latte!). 

Walk Along the Coast & Stop at La Jolla Cove (and See the Sea Lions!) 

Start off your day trip with a walk along the water. There is a scenic walking path that hugs the coastline and Coast Boulevard, going by some of the most popular spots in La Jolla.  

I recommend starting your walk by Whispering Sands Beach, which is one of the best places to go tidepooling in La Jolla. The optimal time of year to see the La Jolla tidepools is from the late fall to early spring. If you’re visiting during this time, I recommend walking down to the sand to check them out! 

Tidepooling Tip: Be sure to refer to the tide charts before you visit. You’ll want to see the tidepools during low tide.  

As you walk north, you’ll pass by some of La Jolla’s best beaches. This includes the Children’s Pool, a small beach that is protected by a seawall. It closes down annually from mid-December to mid-May during harbor seal pupping season. While you can’t go down to the sand during this time, you will be able to see these marine mammals from the walking path!

You’ll eventually pass by Ellen Browning Scripps Park and Boomer Beach. This is where you’ll get a glimpse of the La Jolla sea lions hanging out on the sand!

Just past this park is the famous La Jolla Cove – one of the most scenic beaches in San Diego.

Note: If you end up near a seal or sea lion on the beach, please do your part to keep them (and yourself) safe. While it can be tempting to get a close up look of these creatures, keep your distance – the San Diego Sierra Club says it’s best to stay at least 50 feet away. Of course, never try petting, following, or shouting at these animals. 

La Jolla Cove Beach | Sea Lions | The Children’s Pool

Continue Walking Down the Coast Walk Trail (& Potentially Visit The Cave Store)

Once you pass La Jolla Cove, continue walking along Coast Boulevard and make your way to the start of the Coast Walk Trail. The short and sweet trail is just over half a mile long. It goes along the coastal bluffs, offering incredible views of the sea caves and La Jolla Shores Beach (as well as Scripps Pier in the distance). 

At the start of this trail is The Cave Store. Inside this iconic spot is a bootlegger’s tunnel that dates back to the early 1900s. Today, visitors can descend the 145 steps to go down into Sunny Jim’s sea cave.  

This is a fun spot to explore, but it is one of the more popular La Jolla attractions, so it does get busy! Tickets are available at the door on a first-come, first-served basis, and they don’t take advanced reservations. There’s been a line at the door nearly every time I’ve passed by, so if you’re interested in visiting, be ready to wait for a bit. 

Stop for Lunch & Visit the Shops in the Village of La Jolla

After walking along the coast, make your way into town. As you walk around, you’ll see plenty of familiar stores – think Lululemon, Ralph Lauren, Vuori, and Quiksilver. 

That said, there are also a variety of local shops and smaller brand stores. A few I recommend checking out include Gracie James (an eclectic home goods and jewelry shop), Ascot Shop (a men’s clothing store), We Olive (a wine bar and olive oil shop), and Ark Antiques (it’s on the outer edges of town, but well worth the visit if you’re into antiquing!) 

There are also plenty of art galleries in town, particularly on and right off of Prospect Street. 

For lunch, I recommend going to one of these local eateries:

• The Cottage – a cozy restaurant set in an old home, with menu offerings including sandwiches, salads, burgers, tacos, and more.
• Brockton Villa – an ideally located restaurant (pictured below with the orange umbrellas) in a beach bungalow right across from La Jolla Cove. Menu items include seafood dishes, sandwiches, and burgers, as well as all-day brunch offerings (I love their vegan breakfast tacos!). 
• The Taco Stand – this casual taco spot is about a 10-minute walk from the center of town, but it’s worth a visit! Their guacamole is great, and I’m a big fan of their mushroom tacos. 

Choose Your Adventure: Go Hiking or Get Out on the Water

There are so many amazing outdoor activities to enjoy in San Diego, with many options being right in the heart of La Jolla! 

If you want to get in the water, here are some options to consider: 

• Sea Caves Tandem Kayak Tour (Or Single Kayak Tour): Kayaking is a super popular way to explore the La Jolla shoreline. On this tour, a guide will lead you through the kelp beds of the La Jolla Ecological Reserve – a 6000-acre marine protected area that is home to an abundance of marine life, including leopard sharks, garibaldi fish, and dolphins. You’ll also get to kayak into the sea caves, pending ocean conditions.
• La Jolla Cove Snorkeling: Another great way to explore the water is by renting snorkeling gear and swimming through the natural beauty of La Jolla Cove.  
• Surf Lessons: Tap into San Diego’s beach culture by taking a beginner-friendly surf lesson! These small group lessons are hosted at La Jolla Shores Beach. The beach has predictable and smaller waves, making it a great place to learn how to surf. 

Can’t decide between snorkeling or kayaking? You can also book a combo kayak and snorkeling tour! A knowledgeable guide will lead you out into the La Jolla Ecological Reserve and take you to the optimal snorkeling spots.

If you’d prefer to stay on land, I highly recommend hiking at Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve (which is one of my favorite places to hike in San Diego County!). It’s on the north end of La Jolla, and about a 20-minute drive north of the Village of La Jolla. 

This reserve is situated on a coastal bluff, and offers incredible scenic views of the water. There is a system of trails within the reserve. Guy Fleming Trail and Yucca Point Trail are both great shorter hike options. 

The Yucca Point Trail (as well as other trails within the reserve) also connects to the Beach Trail, which leads all the way down to the sand. If you choose to hike down to the beach, be sure to check the tides first – you’ll only want to go during low tide. 

Parking Tip: This is a popular reserve, and parking near the trailheads is very limited. You may need to park at the Torrey Pines Beach Parking or the North Beach Lot (both of which are paid lots), or street park on N Torrey Pines Road. From there, you can walk up to the trailheads. 

Watch the Sunset at the Torrey Pines Gliderport

The Torrey Pines Gliderport is the perfect place to end your quick La Jolla trip! This scenic spot (which is about a 15-minute drive north of the Village of La Jolla) is situated right above Black’s Beach, and offers views of La Jolla Shores Beach (to the south) and Torrey Pines Reserve (to the north). 

As you watch the sunset, you may also see hang gliders and paragliders launching from the port. I recommend getting there at least 20 minutes before sunset to fully enjoy the view!

Enjoy Dinner in Town

If you’ll be staying for dinner, end your day trip on a high note with a meal in town. Here are a few of my go-to dinner spots in La Jolla:

• Sushi Nekosan – a well-loved sushi restaurant (and a personal favorite!) serving both traditional and specialty sushi dishes. They also have an extensive vegan menu.
• George’s at the Cove – this seaside restaurant is the ultimate spot for dinner with a view. The menu has an abundance of seafood options, as well as additional entrees and shareable plates. 
• Marisi – a beautifully designed (and very Instagram-worthy) Italian restaurant serving handmade pasta dishes (including gluten-free, vegetarian, and vegan options), as well as additional main dishes and appetizers. 

Pro Tip: If you are planning on visiting La Jolla as part of a larger San Diego trip, consider purchasing a San Diego Go City Pass. This pass (which can be customized to your needs and trip length) allows you to see some of the biggest San Diego attractions at a major discount. There are more than 50 attractions available, including the San Diego Zoo and Safari Park, USS Midway, Legoland, and the Birch Aquarium. 

Additional Things to do in La Jolla

Of course, there is so much more to do in La Jolla. I created this day trip itinerary to hit some of the most popular attractions and activities in the area. That said, if you want to customize the itinerary to fit your interests, here are some additional ideas: 

• Enjoy a Laid-Back Beach Day: If you’re looking for a more chill La Jolla visit, consider planning a beach day at either La Jolla Shores (an expansive beach just north of the Village of La Jolla) or Windansea Beach (a scenic, rocky beach south of the village that’s popular among surfers). 
• See a Show at the La Jolla Playhouse: I’ve been lucky enough to see many plays and musicals at the La Jolla Playhouse. It is one of the premier theaters in San Diego – many shows do a pre-Broadway run at this venue! 
• Visit Mount Soledad: This national veteran’s memorial is situated high above La Jolla, offering beautiful views of the coast. 
• Explore Birch Aquarium: Learn more about marine life at this popular public aquarium, which is associated with the Scripps Institution of Oceanography. 
• Check Out the Museum of Contemporary Art: Located right in the Village of La Jolla (and right across from the beach), this museum features more than 4700 pieces of post-1950 work across all mediums.

Where to Stay in La Jolla

If you’ll be staying overnight, here are a few hotels worth considering: 

• La Valencia – an elegant, Mediterranean-style 4-star hotel in the heart of La Jolla
• Orli La Jolla – a charming 2-star boutique hotel that is just steps from the beach and the best shops and restaurants in the area
• Estancia Hotel and Spa – a beautiful luxury resort that is just about a 15-minute drive north of the Village of La Jolla