La Jolla coast and beaches
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The Locals Know Best

La Jolla: Plan Your Trip in Two Clicks

Itinerary, hotels, tours, cars, CityPASS, beach gear, homes, and more.

La Jolla Belvedere The caves at La Jolla Cove La Valencia Hotel Children's Pool Shops on Prospect Street La Jolla sunset at Windansea
🧭 Step 1

Build Your Personalized Itinerary

Pick your dates and interests and we'll map out a fun local plan (mornings, afternoons, evenings, meals).

Your plan will appear here...

* Always confirm venues listed in your plan to avoid errors or closures.

Map
🧭 Step 2

Ready to book your trip?

Jump straight to hotels, tours, special passes, beach gear, cars, and housing all in one place.

⚡ Pro-Tips

Quick Guides – The Locals Know Best!

Short, no-fluff pages, answering what most visitors ask locals about La Jolla. Useful before or after you book!

La Jolla FAQs

What is the easiest way to plan a La Jolla trip?
Use our Itinerary-Builder above: pick dates and interests (beaches, sea caves, wildlife, hikes) and you'll get a quick plan with handy links.
Do I need a car in La Jolla?
A car helps for Torrey Pines, UCSD, and greater San Diego. Inside the Village, Bird Rock, or La Jolla Shores, bikes and walking generally work fine, or rideshare from one to the other.
Top things to do?
Kayak the sea caves, snorkel the Cove (leopard sharks in season), watch sea lions at Children’s Pool, stroll the Coast Walk Trail, and catch sunset at Scripps Park or Windansea, plus food and treats and coffee!
What makes La Jolla different from San Diego?
La Jolla feels like a self-contained village — walkable, with boutique shops, coastal parks, and seals & sea lions right in the Cove — compared with the larger, urban feel of downtown San Diego.
Where’s the best spot to see seals and sea lions?
You’ll find them lounging at Children’s Pool and La Jolla Cove. Early mornings and late afternoons are the best times to watch them up close.
Is La Jolla good for kids?
Yes! Families love Kellogg Park with its big grassy playground, the Birch Aquarium, easy beaches for tidepooling, and plenty of ice cream stops in the Village or La Jolla Shores.
Where do locals eat?
Some favorites include Puesto and The Taco Stand for tacos, El Pescador for seafood, the Cottage and Sugar & Scribe for breakfast and baked treats. For finer dining, there's Eddie V's, George's, Nine-Ten, and Duke's on Prospect in the Village, and Paradisaea in Bird Rock.
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