La Jolla (aka “the jewel” of San Diego) is that part of town where you’ll start wondering if you accidentally walked onto a postcard. From sea lions to sunset cliffs, it’s got that perfect mix of bougie and beach bum. You’ll feel fancy one minute and sandy the next. Here’s what to see, where to walk, and how to pretend you live here full-time.
Here’s a rundown of the best stuff to do while you’re here.
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Mt. Soledad National Veterans Memorial
Way up on a hill overlooking San Diego, Mt. Soledad gives you 360-degree views and a reality check about how good this city looks. It’s also a powerful memorial honoring veterans from every U.S. war. You can see the memorial with stories on plaques that’ll make you pause between selfies.
Visit La Jolla Cove
La Jolla Cove is basically a postcard brought to life—crystal water, dramatic cliffs, and sea lions that act like they own the place. It’s one of the best beaches in San Diego. It’s a great spot for snorkeling or just laughing at tourists who try to selfie too close to the seals.
The nearby Children’s Pool Beach is a protected area that’s turned into a hangout for seals and sea lions—adorable, loud, and surprisingly smelly. Early morning visits mean fewer crowds and calmer seas. Between June and December, you might even spot harmless leopard sharks cruising near shore.
The Children’s Pool is a must-visit spot in La Jolla that tells a tale of conservation and controversy. Originally designed as a safe swimming area for children, protected by a seawall, it has become a favored resting ground for seals and sea lions, turning it into a fascinating wildlife viewing area.
Explore La Jolla Shores
La Jolla Shores is where the locals go when they want to feel like they’re in a postcard but don’t want to climb cliffs to get there. The beach stretches wide and flat — one of the best La Jolla beaches — perfect for swimming, kayaking, and pretending you’re athletic with a surfboard under your arm. It’s family-friendly, mellow, and always buzzing with beach volleyball, bonfires, and the occasional group of tourists in matching rash guards. Walk over to Kellogg Park if you want grass instead of sand between your toes — it’s picnic central on weekends.
Just across the street is the La Jolla Tennis Club, one of the oldest and friendliest in San Diego. Even if you don’t play, it’s a fun local scene to stroll through — people here take their serves and their tans equally seriously. Afterward, hit up The Cheese Shop or Shorehouse Kitchen for a casual lunch that’s as SoCal as it gets.
Visit the Birch Aquarium
Located on the UC San Diego campus, Birch Aquarium is like a mini-SeaWorld without the guilt. It’s packed with colorful reef fish, hypnotic jellyfish, and seahorses that seem to judge you from behind the glass. The outdoor tide-pool terrace offers one of the best ocean views in San Diego — seriously, it’s postcard-level. Kids love touching starfish, while adults pretend they came “for the science.”
You’ll find a huge tank filled with leopard sharks and rays cruising around like they pay rent. The exhibits are modern, easy to explore, and surprisingly relaxing if you go before noon. It’s one of those La Jolla spots that feels both educational and totally Instagram-worthy.
Enjoy a sunset at Windansea Beach
With its golden sands, magnificent cliffs, and stunning views of the Pacific Ocean, Windansea is one of the best spots in San Diego to enjoy a sunset.
Don’t miss a change to see the Windansea Surf Shack which is one of the oldest beach landmarks in San Diego. The shack is made of palm trees and was first built in 1945 by Woody Ekstrom, Fred Kenyon and Don Okey.
Salk Institute
Even if you don’t care about science, you’ll love the Salk Institute. Designed by architect Louis Kahn, it’s all concrete, symmetry, and serenity—like a temple for smart people.
The courtyard perfectly frames the Pacific, and the minimalist vibe makes you want to whisper. It’s free to walk around, though tours inside require advance planning. The place radiates calm genius energy, and it’s one of the most photogenic spots in San Diego.
Torrey Pines Gliderport
If you love adventure and excitement, then Torrey Pines Gliderport is the place for you. This popular hang gliding spot allows visitors to soar high above the beaches and cliffs of La Jolla on a glider with an expert pilot.
Hang gliders launch off 300-foot cliffs while you sip coffee and wonder if you could ever do that. (You can’t.) The Cliffhanger Café serves sandwiches with unbeatable ocean views — one of many restaurants in San Diego with a view, and the sunset here feels like a movie ending. Bring a sweater—it’s breezy and you’ll look cooler pretending it’s intentional.
Ho Chi Minh Trail
Located just outside of La Jolla in San Diego County, the Ho Chi Minh Trail is one of the best hikes in San Diego and a great spot for camping in Southern California. With its rugged terrain and stunning natural scenery, this trail offers up some truly amazing views of the local landscape. This trail is not for beginners and has a cliff with a steep dropoff.
Make sure you are wearing close-toe shoes with good grip.. but don’t be surprised to see a local surfer in flip-flops running past you. At the end of the trail, you will be on Black’s Beach, which is a nude beach! This is one of the most popular local beaches, so you won’t want to miss the opportunity to go for a swim in the Pacific Ocean and soak up some sun! So pack your sunscreen, water bottle, and hiking boots, and don’t forget to bring your camera – the Ho Chi Minh Trail is waiting!
Geisel Library
Located in the heart of La Jolla, Geisel Library is one of the most iconic landmarks in San Diego County. This world-renowned library not only houses an impressive collection of books, but also serves as a meeting and event space for students, faculty, and visitors alike.
Whether you want to relax on the lawns with a good book or attend a lecture by an esteemed scholar, Geisel Library is the perfect place to spend your day in La Jolla. So if you are looking for a quiet and inspiring place to study or simply want to learn more about this beautiful coastal city, be sure to check out this iconic library during your visit!
Mushroom Beach
Just south of Mushroom Beach, tucked into the cliffs, sits one of La Jolla’s most legendary landmarks — the Mushroom House. Built in the 1960s as a futuristic beach getaway, it looks like something straight out of The Jetsons.
The round concrete home was designed to withstand cliff erosion and the occasional wave crashing right at its base. It’s technically private property, but you can see it clearly from the beach below or from the cliffs above at Goldfish Point. Locals love to hike down the steep trail for a closer look (and a great photo), though the path can get sketchy — flip-flops not recommended. It’s quirky, iconic, and probably the most photographed house in La Jolla that no one actually lives in.
You can park your car in the neighborhood just east of it. There is a white stairway to walk down to the rocks.
Scripps Pier
Scripps Pier, an iconic landmark in La Jolla, is part of the renowned Scripps Institution of Oceanography. The pier, extending over 1,000 feet into the ocean, offers a unique vantage point to appreciate the beauty of the surrounding coastline.
One particularly awe-inspiring event occurs during the equinox, which happens twice a year. During this time, photographers flock to the pier to capture the magical moment when the sun aligns perfectly with the pier’s symmetrical structure, creating a stunning visual effect. This phenomenon, known as the “Scripps Pier Solar Alignment,” is a must-see event for both locals and visitors to La Jolla. While the pier itself is not open to the public, you can still enjoy the view and take incredible photos from the adjacent beach.
La Jolla Hills (Munchkin House & Views)
Take a slow drive around hills like Roseland Drive and Hillside Drive for cliff-side mansions and sweeping views. You’ll spot the famous “Munchkin House” and think: “Yep, this counts as sightseeing.”
Windows face the ocean, roofs sparkle in the sun and you’ll wonder how people live here. Just drive respectfully—these are homes, not your playground. Pull over at safe viewpoints, snap some photos, and dream of your own cliff-top life (or at least pretend).
Wear La Jolla Like a Local
Love La Jolla? Same. We made shirts about it. Check out our La Jolla-inspired designs—perfect for repping the jewel of San Diego whether you’re dodging parking tickets on Coast Boulevard or just missing the view from your couch.
- 🏎️ La Jolla Ferrari Logo T-Shirt — For the neighborhood where the cars cost more than the condos. Almost.
- 😂 La Jolla “La HOYA” T-Shirt — Dedicated to every tourist who’s confidently mispronounced it.
Hoodies, tank tops, and more styles available at shop.sandiegohumor.com.
