One Perfect Day in La Jolla, California
Lolla is one of Southern California’s most beautiful and underrated destinations. La Jolla is only a short 20-minute drive from downtown San Diego and a 2-hour drive from Los Angelos, making it a perfect day trip. Placed along the pacific ocean, La Jolla encompasses the natural beauty of the United State’s west coast. This beautiful town full of ocean views and good vibes is the perfect place to visit.
From the sandy beaches to the seafood restaurants and everything in-between, La Jolla is a destination you don’t want to miss. Here is a look at how to spend one perfect day in La Jolla, California.
Start with a Cute La Jolla Breakfast Cafe
I would definitely suggest starting your day with Brick & Bell Cafe. It is the perfect place for a quick but delicious bite to eat. Fresh coffee and an award-winning scone is the best way to start an adventurous day. There is a location right in downtown La Jolla and one in the La Jolla Shores business district.
Hit Up One of La Jolla’s Beautiful Sandy Beaches
You can’t come to La Jolla and not experience one of their beautiful beaches. La Jolla shores beach is the best place for water sports and activities including kayak tours, paddle boarding, parties at night, the list goes on. Black’s Beach is a popular nudist beach only a short drive from downtown La Jolla. My favorite beach, however, is at La Jolla Cove. La Jolla Cove is within walking distance from downtown La Jolla and is a perfect beach spot.
Go Snorkeling at La Jolla Cove
Whether you visit the beach at La Jolla Cove or not, you don’t want to miss the epic snorkeling the pacific ocean has to offer. The water here is part of a marine reserve. La Jolla Cove is an easy starting point for beginners because it is usually very calm waters and underwater visibility can be up to 30 feet deep. With that being said, there can be times when the water is too rough to swim in. If you see the waves crashing or no one snorkeling, I would definitely avoid swimming, we learned the hard way.
OR Go Snorkeling on a Kayak and Snorkeling Tour
Next See the Sea Lions at La Jolla Cove
La Jolla cove is also known for its incredible sea lions. The sea lions are usually sun-bathing on the rocks just offshore. The children’s pool, originally built as an area to seclude child swimmers, is now home to many sea lions. It is a sight to see!
Go Explore the Tide Pools
Have lunch at Ocean Terrace at George’s at the Cove
This is a perfect place to have a bite to eat with a beautiful view of La Jolla Cove. George’s at the Cove is located right on Prospect street, the heart of La Jolla. Their meals are light, flavorful, and they have something everyone will love.
Visit The Birch Aquarium
Watch the Sunset at the Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve
The Torrey Pines Natural Reserve is north of La Jolla, just a short drive from the La Jolla center. It is full of beaches and cliffs with piercing ocean views. Taking any of the paths starting at the top of the hill will lead to the pacific ocean but do note some paths will be harder than others. A nice stroll during sunset is just what you need to end your eventful day, and Torrey Pines will ensure a beautiful sunset view. Torrey Pines is also home to the Torrey Pines Gliderport which is where you can try para-gliders, glider planes, and everything in-between. So, whether you visit during your day trip for an adrenaline rush or a relaxing sunset hike, Torrey Pines is a beautiful attraction in La Jolla.
Dinner at Dukes La Jolla
This incredible restaurant is where my husband (boyfriend at the time) and I had out first date. It is the perfect place for dinner because of it’s incredible food. You will find both land and sea options on the menu. Not only is the food incredible, the ocean view is to die for. Have yourself a Duke’s Mai Tai and Seafood Hot Pot and just enjoy.
Have a Night Out on Prospect Street
Girard Avenue and Prospect Street are two strips that make up the heart of La Jolla. This part of town is definitely the most upscale part of San Diego. During the day you can find classy shopping boutiques and at night, fine dining, and fun bars. Some spots to enjoy are La Sala Lounge, The Spot La Jolla, and Birdseye Rooftop Restaurant and Bar.
Tips for Visiting La Jolla
Parking is definitely not the easiest, there aren’t many parking lots so you will mostly only have street parking. If you do want to stay over, I would suggest staying The Shoal La Jolla Beach Hotel, it isn’t too expensive but still a great stay. At night, La Jolla gets chilly, even in the summer. I ended up having to buy a sweatshirt when the sun went down. La Jolla is beautiful year round making it a great place to visit whenever.
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