Things to do in La Jolla San Diego

By <a href="#author-bio">Stuart Bak</a>
By Stuart Bak
Published: July 18, 2024
Museum of Contemporary Art - La Jolla

Sun, sea, and miles and miles of golden Californian sands... San Diego’s picturesque La Jolla neighborhood is famed for its wild, verdant hills and epic 11-kilometer stretch of Pacific coastline that’s perfect for surfing, sunbathing and seal-spotting. Add to that some fine boutique shopping and gourmet dining and you’ve got the recipe for a perfect sunshine break. Dive in to discover our favorite things to do in La Jolla San Diego.

Fun in the Sun

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There’s much to enjoy in La Jolla, especially if you’re the outdoor type. This coastal neighborhood is set in pine-scented hills around 20 kilometers north of San Diego’s downtown, and is chock-full of great walks, sandy beaches and hidden coves. Hit the hiking trails through Torrey Pines Nature Reserve, 2,000 acres of wild plateau and rugged cliffs named for its incredibly rare Torrey pine, a species you won’t find anywhere else on the planet. Pop to the visitor center for guided hikes of the reserve or pick up a map and go it alone: there are a number of unchallenging walks along marked trails. In the best tradition of American nature reserves, you can expect colorful wildflowers, giant rock and sandstone formations and viewpoints with sensational panoramic views of the coastal bluffs and beach below. Head up to Yucca Point Overlook for what are generally considered the best in the park. If you’re lucky you may even spot whales and dolphins breaking surface out at sea and native bobcats, lizards and raccoons skulking among the cacti.

La Jolla’s mild climate makes time spent on the beaches here an absolute joy. Seasoned surfers can show off their board skills at the aptly named Windansea and Wipeout beaches, while beginners should head to the calmer waters of La Jolla Shores beach. The palm-fringed crescent of soft golden sand here is also great for family days out. There’s a huge grassy park bordering the beach and plenty of waterfront restaurants and snack bars; bikes, kayaks, surfboards and snorkeling gear are also all available to rent nearby. Don’t forget to grab a snap or two gazing out to sea from between the giant struts under Scripps Pier: it’s one of the most popular selfie spots in the area, and not without good reason. Visit at sunset for the very best views and Instagram-friendly shots like this one.

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Under the Sea

Budding marine biologists can search for sea urchins, anemones and hermit crabs in the tide pools at Dike Rock, while the nearby Birch Aquarium at Scripps has residents including leopard sharks, a loggerhead Sea Turtle and the world’s biggest octopus species. Don’t miss the two-story kelp forest here, where bright orange Garibaldi fish dart among the enormous green tendrils. Or get even closer to some of the planet’s most amazing critters on a scuba diving tour to the kelp forests at La Jolla Cove and Point Loma, where you might come face to face with moray eels, blue sharks, sea lions and California spiny lobsters. Just round the coast, Children’s Pool is one of La Jolla’s best beaches for seal-spotting. You shouldn’t have to look too hard: a colony of around 200 harbor seals call this particular stretch of coast home.

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Art and Culture

If there’s a better spot for a contemporary art museum than high on the bluffs overlooking the Pacific, we’ve yet to find it. Reopened in 2022 after a $105m renovation and expansion, La Jolla’s branch of the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego runs the full gamut of Pop Art, Minimalism and Abstract Expressionism, with a special focus on the city’s connection to Tijuana and Latin America in general. The museum boasts the world’s biggest collection of works by American installation artist Robert Irwin, while other highlights include Earth Bolts, a masterclass in dark abstraction by Dorothy Hood, Miriam Schapiro’s boldly feminist Big Ox #2 and a satanic marionette by Tijuanan Benjamín Serrano.

Outdoors, the Stuart Collection comprises over 20 astounding works of public art dotted around the La Jolla campus of the University of California in San Diego. Try to spot them all on the relatively short walking trail. Here, a 23-foot-tall teddy bear made from boulders looms into view as you come round the bed, there a tiny cottage teeters precariously on top of a university building. This astonishing collection also features trees that recite poetry and play music as you pass, as well as important works by the likes of Ian Hamilton Finlay, Kiki Smith and Robert Irwin.

Also on campus, La Jolla Playhouse is the place to take in a show. This multi-award-winning theater has birthed many plays and musicals that went on to find success on Broadway, including Jersey Boys, Thoroughly Modern Millie, and The Who’s Tommy.

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Shopping and Leisure

Head down to La Jolla Village for some of the best independent boutique shopping in the neighborhood. No faceless department stores here: for those you’ll need to head out to the sprawling Westfield UTC complex, home to stores galore including the likes of Macy’s, LEGO and Apple, plus dozens of bars and restaurants and a whopping 14 (count ‘em) cinema screens.

Meanwhile, back in La Jolla Village it’s all about up-and-coming designers and one-off vintage thrift-store discoveries. Get your fashion fix on Girard Avenue and Prospect Street, pick up books and gifts on Ivanhoe Street and pause to recharge your batteries and people-watch over coffee and homemade cake at any one of the several laidback cafés here.

Golfers will be in seventh heaven at the Torrey Pines Golf Course. Here, a pair of courses unfold across undulating landscapes atop cliffs overlooking the Pacific. The challenging South Course has hosted the US Open Championships twice (most recently in 2021) and will test even the most seasoned swinger. The slightly more forgiving North Course has the better views although, up here in the clean California sea air, such observations are perhaps all relative.

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Stuart Bak
Stuart Bak
Freelance travel writer

Stu caught the travel bug at an early age, thanks to childhood road trips to the south of France squeezed into the back of a Ford Cortina with two brothers and a Sony Walkman. Now a freelance writer living on the Norfolk coast, Stu has produced content for travel giants including Frommer’s, British Airways, Expedia, Mr & Mrs Smith, and now Go City. His most memorable travel experiences include drinking kava with the locals in Fiji and pranging a taxi driver’s car in the Honduran capital.

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The Best Day Trips From San Diego

Our guide to the best day trips from San Diego includes sipping cab sauv in the Temecula vineyards, hiking the mountainous landscapes of Cleveland National Forest, seeking your fortune in the gold-rush town of Julian, and ogling twisted trees and epic boulder formations in the otherworldly Joshua Tree National Park.
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A Guide to Whale Watching in San Diego

Due to its ideal location along the Pacific coast, San Diego is one of the premier spots for whale watching in the U.S. Travelers will be amazed at the variety of whales that swim majestically along their migratory patterns through the Pacific Ocean, passing San Diego on their long treks. In fact, roughly 20,000 gray whales make a 10,000-mile round-trip journey from Alaska to Baja California each year! If you’re interested in going whale watching in San Diego, there are a few things to keep in mind before heading out into the open ocean. Check out our guide to San Diego whale watching for important info and tips. When is the best time to go on a Whale Watch? There are two primary seasons for whale watching cruises in San Diego: summer/fall, and winter/spring. During the summer months (mid-June through September), you're more likely to see a greater variety of whales. You could see whales including minke whales, fin whales, humpback whales, orcas, and the largest animal on earth—the blue whale. During the winter whale watch season (mid-December through April), you'll mainly see the remarkable gray whales. Other animals frequently spotted on San Diego whale watches include a diverse array of dolphin species, including bottlenose dolphins, Pacific white-sided dolphins, and common dolphins. You could also see sea lions and several types of sea birds like herons, gulls, and pelicans. Essentially, if you have the freedom to decide what time of year your trip to San Diego will occur, you can arrange it around which kind of whale you’d like to see the most. What to Bring on a Whale Watch? While San Diego’s climate is renowned for being temperate, it’s still chilly out on the open ocean. Bring layers and prepare for unpredictable wind and weather. You’ll be out on the ocean during the day, so it’s also important to wear sunblock and protective eyewear/headwear. As mentioned, it can get breezy and the ocean reflects a tremendous amount of light. (Even on cloudy days.) You should also bring a camera or recording device, ideally a waterproof one. Newer smartphones are usually reliably good for these kinds of photo opportunities, too, if you don’t want to spring for a nice camera. One thing you won’t have to bring is snacks. Most whale watch companies offer their own onboard food and drink, and usually prohibit outside fare anyway. Where Does the Whale Watch Go? Depending on the time of year you’ve selected for your cruise, whale watching ships in San Diego can travel a varying distance away from the coast. During the beginning of the whale watching season (starting in December), gray whales migrating south to warmer waters will stay nearer to the coast. At that time of year, you may only need to sail a few miles offshore to reach their routes. However, later in the spring and into the summer, whales tend to stay further away from the coast so your captain may choose to take the ship about ten or more miles from shore. If you choose a summer whale watch, you may see more diverse marine life as well. Many whale enthusiasts also like to venture further up the coast towards Los Angeles in search of these amazing but elusive creatures. If you choose a whale-watching cruise that departs from Newport Beach, you’ll sail out to one of the largest protected marine parks in the region, located just outside Newport Bay. Whale Watching San Diego Tips Research your whale watching company wisely. Some companies are more of a commercial venture, while others employ real marine biologists from respected institutions like the San Diego Natural History Museum. Certain companies also fail to practice eco-friendly and sustainable behavior toward whales. Therefore, it’s important to choose an ethical whale watch. Be patient. It often takes quite some time for whales to surface around human vessels. Be prepared to sit offshore for a while before sighting any of these gentle giants. This behavior is often the reason whale watch cruises usually last between 3 to 4 hours. Appreciate the other creatures. Whales aren’t the only marine life you’ll come across on your nautical adventures. Keep a careful eye out for cavorting dolphins, swooping birds, and glistening sunfish. They’re just as much fun to see as the star attraction, and are usually more plentiful. You can also see some whales from land. While it’s hard to beat the appeal of being out on the open ocean so close to these impressive creatures, you can also see gray whale migration from places just on the Pacific, like the Birch Aquarium at Scripps or Torrey Pines State Reserve. Whale watching is a great family activity. Kids of all ages will love the chance to catch glimpses of marine mammals several hundred times their size. Just remember to pack things to keep them occupied during the time you’ll be waiting for the whales to breach—even if you think the novelty of being on a boat will be sufficient entertainment. Share Your Adventure with Us Tag @GoCity in your vacation photos and we'll feature you on our page. Follow the Go City Instagram and Facebook pages for competitions, special offers, and events and inspiration for your chosen destination too!
Katie Sagal
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Things to do Alone in San Diego

Solo travelers are in for a treat in San Diego, a vast playground of world-class museums, fine global cuisine, craft beer microbreweries and wonderful wildlife. Not to mention the dozens of beautiful beaches, canyons and coastal trails to explore around the city. Pack a map, some sunscreen and a sense of adventure and leap in to our pick of the 10 best things to do alone in San Diego. Sunbathe out Front of a San Diego Icon Affectionately known as ‘The Del’, Hotel del Coronado is a San Diego Institution that has been hosting major celebs, royals and politicians since Victorian times. Its distinctive conical turrets inspired the Emerald City in L. Frank Baum’s The Wonderful Wizard of Oz and its said there’s even a resident spook stalking its grand corridors and halls. Throw down your towel on the hotel’s golden sands overlooking Point Loma and soak up some rays as the waves lap gently at the shore. Keep your eyes peeled for the local Sandcastle Man, a renowned sculpture artist who can often be found building his extraordinary masterpieces here on Coronado Beach. Go on a Gaslamp Quarter Walking Tour The Gaslamp Quarter walking tour takes place every Thursday at 1PM and is a great way to discover the history of this fascinating neighborhood – as well as making some new friends! You’ll visit many of the beautiful historic buildings on 5th Avenue, including the Louis Bank of Commerce, an impressive Baroque Revival confection with protruding turrets, and the Art Deco Yuma Building with its soaring twin spires. The tour also calls at the Gaslamp Museum inside downtown San Diego’s oldest surviving building. Here since the mid 19th Century, the Davis-Horton House also, of course, boasts its very own ghost. Sightsee by Segway Spread across a whopping 1,200 acres, Balboa Park has enough museums, gardens and hiking trails to exhaust even the fittest of walkers. Take the edge off by joining a Segway tour and zipping round some of the park’s top sights. You’ll get a chance to take selfies against a backdrop of glorious Spanish Colonial architecture along the stunning El Prado boulevard, as well as seeing artists at work in the Spanish Art Village. Other must-see sights on your tour include San Diego Zoo, the traditional century-old carousel, and the Air and Space Museum, its entrance flanked by supersonic Lockheed A-12 and Convair YF2Y-1 Sea Dart airplanes. Take a Hike Walking opportunities abound in San Diego, thanks to its varied landscape of canyons, cliffs and coastal trails. Strike out northeast of Downtown for the Mission Trails Regional Park, home of Cowles Mountain, the highest point in San Diego. Don’t let the word ‘mountain’ put you off though! The hike to the summit is a relatively easy 1.5 miles, making it a really popular route with walkers of all abilities and one of the best things to do alone in San Diego. The expansive 360-degree views across the city and San Diego County are more than worth the effort. Have Lunch in Little Italy You could spend weeks eating your way through San Diego’s wealth of great cuisines, from cute Tijuana-style taquerias to deli brunches and sizzling street food in the frequent neighborhood markets. Head downtown to Little Italy on market days to browse dozens of stalls selling art, flowers, local artisan jewelry and more before heading to India Street for the best pizza and pasta in town. Lively Sorrento and Isola serve up authentic Neapolitan-style thin and crispy pizza, while Civico 1845 is the place for traditional Calabrian favorites including pasta al forno and sweet cannoli. Hop on (and off) the Old Trolley Bus San Diego’s brightly colored green and orange trolley buses run a 25-mile loop around the city’s biggest attractions, with 12 stops along the way, including the Hotel del Coronado, Balboa Park, Little Italy, the Old Town, the Gaslamp Quarter and the harbor. An expert commentary provides the lowdown on San Diego, and you can hop on and off the trolley as you please along the route. It’s a great way for solo travelers to get to know the city. Stroll Across the Spruce Street Suspension Bridge Those with a head for heights will find much to enjoy on a wander across the Spruce Street Suspension Bridge, an impressive feat of 1912 engineering that spans the verdant Kate Sessions Canyon in Bankers Hill, just west of Balboa Park. The iconic landmark is beloved of San Diego locals and remarkably well concealed considering its 375-foot length. Enjoy commanding views across the canyon and brace yourself for a bit of a bumpy ride on windy days, when the bridge has been known to sway and shake. Steady shattered nerves with a beer in nearby Hillcrest’s brewpubs afterwards. Hit the Art Trail San Diego is chock-full of fab street murals. You need only take a short stroll through hip ‘hoods like North Park, Hillcrest and Ocean Beach to view great street art gratis. For public art on a truly grand scale, seek out La Jolla’s Stuart Collection, an assortment of larger-than-life sculptures dotted around the campus of the University of California in San Diego. Think giant teddy bears made out of boulders, a poetry-reciting tree and a cottage that teeters precariously atop a university building and you might start to get the general idea. Artists featured in the project include household names such as Robert Irwin and Ian Hamilton Finlay. Scare Yourself Silly Branded ‘the most haunted house in America’ by LIFE magazine, The Whaley House in San Diego’s Old Town is said to be built on the site of a former gallows. And its various inhabitants have certainly experienced their fair share of grisly deaths across the decades. Set your pulse racing on an evening ghost tour of the house if you dare. Or join a haunted bus tour of San Diego’s spookiest neighborhoods as your theatrical hosts regale you with bloodthirsty tales of former residents who have returned from the grave to stalk the city streets once more. See Whales and Dolphins If you’ve ever wanted to see majestic whales or sleek seals and dolphins up close, you’ve come to the right place! San Diego’s warm waters are prime territory for aquatic animals, with gray whales migrating to and from Mexico’s lagoons for calving season in winter and spring and blue whales often seen off the coast during summer and fall. Colonies of native harbor seals and pods of dolphins mean you rarely have to wait long before a sighting. Boat tours depart daily from Downtown and Mission Bay, with many guaranteeing a refund in the highly unlikely event you do fail to see anything. Save on things to do alone in San Diego Save on admission to San Diego attractions with Go City. Check out @GoCity on Instagram and Facebook for the latest top tips and attraction info.
Stuart Bak
Stuart Bak

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