One Day in La Jolla: Our Guide to the Perfect Itinerary
Whether you’re a tourist looking to explore a gem beach town, or a local trying to plan a day staycation, a day trip to La Jolla is the perfect place to escape the rat race and enjoy an upscale beach town. With just one day in La Jolla, you can enjoy fine dining, boutique shopping, swimming in stunning waters, and even spotting sea lions, dolphins, and more wildlife!
If you’re looking for what to do in La Jolla for a day, we’ve rounded up a list of items for you to enjoy from morning to night in our guide to the perfect La Jolla itinerary.
MORNING ACTIVITIES
FIND PARKING
First thing’s first when going to La Jolla — get there early to find a parking spot. If you’re looking for free parking, you can find spots along La Jolla Cove and Prospect Street near La Jolla Recreation Center that are free for 3-hour parking. If you don’t mind moving your car a few times or strategically plan to spend part of the day at the Cove and then the other at the Shores, this option will work for you. Make sure you do not exceed the time limit though because they are strictly enforced.
If you want to just park one time, there are many paid parking lots offering a flat fee for all-day parking. If you are just near La Jolla Cove during dining hours, many people also choose to valet their cars at George’s at the Cove. Here is a list of parking places available in La Jolla: https://lajollabythesea.com/visitor-information-2/
FYI: La Jolla Cove / La Jolla Village and La Jolla Shores Beach are not walking distance from one another. You can drive your car to the next spot on your itinerary or take a quick Lyft between the two.
GET YOUR COFFEE BUZZ
Coconut Buzz & 3-Seed Avocado toast | Via Better Buzz Facebook
One of our favorite ways to start off a day in La Jolla is grabbing a coffee to take on a walk down to La Jolla Cove. You can head to Better Buzz, a San Diego coffee fave on Prospect Street, and grab their famous “Best Drink Ever” along with some avocado toast for your small trek downhill to the Cove. Another popular local spot on Prospect to grab a cup of joe before you go is the Living Room Cafe. They have a robust menu of coffees, teas, cappuccinos, smoothies, and light breakfast items for you to snag as well.
HEAD TO LA JOLLA COVE
After you’ve enjoyed your coffee buzz, head down to La Jolla cove to scope out the sea lions and seals that call La Jolla Cove home. They love to lounge on the sand, the nearby beaches, or the rocks.
Make sure you get here early, we’d recommend no later than 9 a.m. to beat the crowds, since La Jolla Cove is a main tourist attraction, a popular snorkeling site, and a prime exercising place for the locals and even their dogs.
A walk along the path by La Jolla Cove to the south will take you near the La Jolla Tide Pools, Shell Beach, and the Children’s Pool. You can see even more seals and sea lions along the way, and can take a detour to get closer to the water.
The La Jolla Tide Pools are an amazing place to see things like hermit crabs, fish, and even some seals, but you need to be careful – the moss-covered rocks can be slippery. Locals will tell you that Shell Beach is not the best for children or unskilled swimmers, Children’s Pool is the better option for those scenarios.
TAKE A BRUNCH BREAK
All of that walking, and maybe even an early dip in the water, works up an appetite. La Jolla has no shortage of amazing breakfast/brunch restaurants to choose from. Here are a few of our recommendations:
Brockton Villa
Known for their Coast Toast (brioche French toast with cream and berries), Brockton Villa is located in one of La Jolla’s original beach cottages. Enjoy a mimosa and views of the cove when you stay at this La Jolla institution.
Cove House
Beach vibes abound at the adorably chic Cove House. Enjoy breakfast or brunch on their outdoor patio and do some prime-time people watching as everyone walks to and from the cove. As an homage to La Jolla resident Dr. Seuss, Cove House serves the “Sam I Am” green eggs!
Sugar & Scribe
This Irish-inspired restaurant has some of the Irish faves — such as the Full Irish Breakfast, Shepherd’s Pie, biscuits and gravy, as well as eggs benedict and Brioche French Toast. You can sit down for a full meal, and get some sweet treats from the award-winning bakery and coffee #2 to-go!
MIDDAY ACTIVITIES
From this point, you can spend the midday in a myriad of ways. Here are some of our recommendations:
GO TO THE BEACH
Bring the entire family back down to La Jolla Cove or one of the smaller La Jolla Beaches in this area. La Jolla Cove can get quite crowded on really sunny days, so you can try out the La Jolla Shores for a full-fledged beach day. You can rent chairs, boogie boards, kayaks and much more from the many vendors along the main drag as you enter La Jolla Shores beach. For La Jolla Shores, there is a parking lot near the beach (but this fills up often), so you can also find a spot in the neighborhoods for free.
TOUR THE WATERS
With nice weather almost year round in Southern California, you can take advantage and spend some time on and in the waters! There are many different companies that can help you explore the waters Pacific Ocean with activities such as kayaking and snorkeling.
If weather permits, on a few kayak tours you can even venture into the iconic Seven Sea Caves, while a guide gives you a breakdown of La Jolla history, the wildlife, and more. Or, you can rent some gear and take a dive under the sea snorkeling. The ocean between La Jolla Cove and La Jolla Shores is home to the Underwater Park. This stretch of water is unusually clear, which means snorkelers and divers can see the wildlife swimming around like Garibaldi and leopard sharks.
You can also parktake in two of the locals’ favorite pastimes — paddle boarding and surfing. Many places will rent you gear and even provide lessons.
TOUR THE LAND
Photo via Birch Aquarium Google page
Although the water is the main La Jolla attraction, there is so much to do on land as well. You can rent a Bird scooter and move about La Jolla taking in the sights, or you can join a more curated experience, such as a segway tour to be escorted around popular La Jolla spots.
VISIT BIRCH AQUARIUM
If you’d like an even more up-close look at over 5,000 different types of marine life, head to Birch Aquarium in the Scripps Institution of Oceanography. Whether with the kids or just the adults, everyone involved will enjoy exploring the aquariums, the touch tide pool, and other interactive exhibits to develop a deeper appreciation for La Jolla ocean life. The kids will especially love being able to interact with sea stars, hermit crabs and more incredible sea creatures at the Tidepool Plaza, which overlooks the Pacific.
HIT UP THE SHOPS
A lesser known thing about La Jolla is that it’s a premiere boutique shopping destination. The shops in La Jolla open at 10 a.m. Here are a few of our favorites:
- Vuori – The local athleisure brand Vuori makes premium performance apparel inspired by the active Coastal California lifestyle, with a fusion of surf, sport, fitness, and art.
- La Donna — This boutique clothing and accessories shop has one-of-a-kind dresses, shirts, accessories and more with exclusive access to European designers.
- Lissilaa Boutique – Haute couture and European streetwear can both be found at this highly curated boutique clothing store.
- Whiskey x Leather – This boutique has double the girl power — the two owners came together to form Whiskey x Leather, which carries an eclectic collection of clothing, shoes and home items.
- GK Fashion House — This luxury boutique is home to exclusive, vibrantly colored clothing pieces handcrafted in the U.S. and Italy, and places an emphasis on elegance, comfort, and timelessness through fashion.
- Gracie James – Located in the heart of La Jolla Village, this carefully curated boutique is filled with home goods, art, furniture, clothing, jewelry, succulents, and apothecary.
- Legends Gallery – This fine art gallery on Prospect Street specializes in the art of Dr. Seuss, Mackenzie Thorpe, and Tom Everhart along with local artists.
VISIT THE MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY ART SAN DIEGO
MCASD has two different locations in San Diego, one is in Downtown, and the other is right in the heart of La Jolla. If you’re an art lover, the flagship art museum is a perfect stop on your La Jolla itinerary. This iconic art museum has been in La Jolla since 1941 and pays homage to the beauty of art and nature. The exhibitions change throughout the year, so even if you’ve been in the past, you will likely encounter new pieces. Visit the MCASD-La Jolla site for info on current and upcoming exhibitions.
They are open to the public Thursday-Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and admission is $25 for Adults, $20 for SD County and Tijuana residents, $15 for students and seniors, and free for military members, kids under 17, and SNAP/EBT card holders.
AFTERNOON
The afternoon is the perfect time to pause for lunch or tackle more items on your La Jolla itinerary that you couldn’t get to earlier in the day, or hit up even more fun activities.
TAKE A LA JOLLA FOOD TOUR
Kill two birds with one stone on a La Jolla walking tour — get a taste of a carefully-curated selection of beach bites as well as the local’s insight to the history of La Jolla. Here are a few of the delectable stops on the SoDiego Signature La Jolla food tour.
Spiros: Enjoy fresh and healthy food from the Mediterranean coast. Your sampling typically includes Spanakopita with Tzatziki Drizzle, and Roasted Red Bell Pepper Feta Dip served with Pita & Small Greek Sangria!
Puesto: Next, we will take you south of the border for delectable Mexican fare from Puesto. This family-owned restaurant is known for its handmade blue corn tortillas and their authentic tasting food. To get a taste of Puesto, we recommend their carnitas tacos and a margarita.
La Dolce Vita Ristorante – The hidden gem La Dolce Vita Ristorante is known for its quaint and romantic atmosphere. This Italian food is bar none, and offers the perfect location to celebrate a special occasion. You’ll get Bruschette Golosa for the table, a sample of the fan fave Linguini Bolognese, and a glass of red or white wine.
If you’re interested in immersing yourself in the other parts of the city, or want to plan a future trip, check out the other available Signature tours:
ENJOY HAPPY HOUR
Here are a few of our favorite places to grab a drink at happy hour!
- Catania — Views of Downtown La Jolla, the city, and ocean along with delicious cocktails. They offer happy hour daily from 3:00 – 6:00 on their rooftop patio.
- Nine-Ten — This casually elegant restaurant with indoor seating or sidewalk tables on Prospect Street offers a unique seasonal California cuisine Happy hour is offered Monday – Friday from 3:30 – 6:30 pm.
- Duke’s La Jolla — Expansive ocean views and a “Barefoot Bar” are two of the main features of the iconic Duke’s. They offer an “Aloha Hour” from 3:00 – 6:00 pm Monday – Friday.
- The Shores Restaurant — If you’re up in the La Jolla Shores area, don’t miss the chance to dine on the shores at this hidden gem! They feature happy hour Sunday – Friday from 3:00 – 6:00 pm. Favorites are their Shores Margarita, Sea Salt Pretzel Bites served with beer cheese, and house mustard and the Angus Beef Short Rib Sliders!
- George’s at the Cove: This critically acclaimed restaurant has a million dollar view on their Ocean Terrace. Dine on some California classics and sip cocktails overlooking the Pacific.
- The Mediterranean Room: Soak up the ocean view and Mediterranean vibes within La Valencia Hotel at The Mediterranean Room! They have an all-new menu inspired by the Cali coast and seasonally-driven, locally-sourced ingredients. Brunch is every Saturday and Sunday from 9am to 2pm!
EVENING
ENJOY GOLDEN HOUR
One of the best things about visiting La Jolla is being able to soak up the amazing sunset views. In the hour before the sun drops, golden hour, you can get some amazing photos of the family or your special someone that are definitely worth printing! Walk again along La Jolla Cove to pick out a spot for sunset, or if you’re at the Shores, take a stroll to Scripps Pier, which is also another perfect photo op location.
DINNER WITH A VIEW
Photo via Marine Room
Nine-Ten
NINE-TEN Restaurant & Bar offers farm-to-table California cuisine dreamt up by MICHELIN Award-winning Chef Jason Knibb and Pastry Chef Jose Alonzo III. The unique part of their menu is that it showcases seasonal foods dictated by the local harvest, so no year is ever the same! Enjoy a meal in their casually elegant, modern restaurant, or al fresco on the sidewalk patio and terrace — both of which have stunning ocean views of La Jolla.
Catania
2022 Michelin Star awardee Catania is a posh retreat on the top floor of the Plaza Center, featuring Mediterranean colors and ceramic tiles, as well as a large terrace with panoramic coastline views. Stop by early for cocktails and their aperitivo. Enjoy top-notch Italian dishes with modern twists including the orecchiette mingled with slow-braised duck ragù accented by tomato coulis, or Neapolitan-style pizza from their wood burning oven.
Marine Room
The Marine Room has become a La Jolla institution with over 75 years in business. This has been a favorite of tourists, celebs, and world figures alike. The restaurant is on the same level as the La Jolla Shore’s waves, giving you the perfect opportunity to enjoy a one-in-a-million sunset along with world-class cuisine. Some popular dishes in both the lounge and main dining room are the Moroccan Lamb Lollipops, the Dry Aged Bluefin Tuna Carpaccio, and the 32 oz. Dry Aged Prime Tomahawk.
Honorary Mention: Paridisaea
Newcomer Paradisaea has quickly left their mark on La Jolla’s food scene. Housed in the historic Piano Building, Paradisaea is a fusion of food, cocktails, art, and warm hospitality brought to the vibrant Bird Rock community. Their California cuisine menu ranges from dishes such as Baja oysters with frozen passion fruit sangria, to Dungeness crab tagliatelle with local sea urchin, and poached white sea bass in a green chili-Szechuan peppercorn broth.
FAST AND FAMILY FRIENDLY
If you’re wanting something a bit on the casual side — perhaps because of the kiddos — a great option is The Taco Stand. This San Diego fan fave doesn’t have indoor seating, so we’d recommend taking your food to go and snagging a picnic table at the cove or laying out a blanket at Ellen Browning Scripps Park (right by La Jolla Cove). Taco Stand has the famous California Burrito, as well as a wide selection of taco options. Their street corn is also amazing. Make sure to get there on the earlier side if you don’t want to compete with other tourists and college students in line for your food!
TIPS FOR A SUCCESSFUL DAY TRIP
If you want to maximize your La Jolla itinerary, here are a few of our quick tips:
- Come on a Sunday morning — parking is always free on Sundays, so if you come early enough, you can snag a spot for the day, or worry less about losing out on money driving back and forth to different public parking areas.
- Walk if you can — if you can’t come on a Sunday morning, you will notice that the public parking lots and the streets fill up quickly. Your best option is to come early enough to use a paid day parking spot and explore La Jolla by foot so you can just leave your car put for the day. If necessary, you can either rent a Bird Scooter, e-bike, or take an Uber to get places in La Jolla not walking distance from one another.
- Wear comfy shoes — when you’re walking around La Jolla all day, you don’t want your feet to be barking at you. Throw on some tennis shoes, or anything you find comfortable to walk at least a mile or two in throughout the day.
- Bring a change of clothes — even if you don’t plan on going in the water, bring a change of clothes and a towel. Sometimes you change your mind about hopping into the beautiful waters, or a wave can go rogue and get you wet. That way you can dry off and freshen up to go to the activities in La Jolla Village.
- Sunscreen — you don’t want to be SPF’ed after going the entire day in the sun and get burnt. La Jolla is very close to Mexico, so the sun is much more intense than other parts of California — even with some cloud coverage.
- Time your visit right — La Jolla is gorgeous all year, but the best time to get sunny skies and clear water is from July to October.
There is no shortage of things to do in La Jolla — in fact you likely won’t fit this all into one day trip. Guess you just have to come back again! But no matter what you decide to do on your La Jolla itinerary, there is absolutely no way you can go wrong.
Written by: Melissa
Melissa hails from San Jose, CA, and has been a San Diego local for five years now after a 10-year long pit stop in Los Angeles. In L.A., she began her writing career crafting digital content for a wide range of clients, including The Real Talk Show, Sharon Osbourne, Hank Azaria, Time Life, and Cardinal Financial. She’s excited to be able to use her passion for writing to introduce people to some of the best spots in San Diego, many of which she has already frequented or has on her ever-expanding list of things to do … In her spare time, she enjoys taking her puppy Milo to all of the best dog beaches in SD, grabbing a glass of wine or a cup of joe at new places, and hosting watch parties for The Bachelor/ette TV show.
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