La Jolla
•Select Dates
Choose dates
Recent Searches
Clear
Close
Explore La Jolla
La Jolla Tours
All La Jolla Tours
Art & Culture
Close
Back to main
La Jolla Tours
All Art & Culture
Arts & Design
Close
Back to main
Art & Culture
All Arts & Design
Architecture Tours
Art Tours
Culture
Close
Back to main
Art & Culture
All Culture
Cultural Tours
Historical Tours
Underground Tours
Audio Guides
Classes & Workshops
Close
Back to main
La Jolla Tours
All Classes & Workshops
Active & Outdoor Classes
Close
Back to main
Classes & Workshops
All Active & Outdoor Classes
Sports Lessons
Surfing Lessons
Yoga Classes
Wellness Classes
Close
Back to main
Classes & Workshops
All Wellness Classes
Yoga Classes
Food & Drink
Close
Back to main
La Jolla Tours
All Food & Drink
Dining Experiences
Close
Back to main
Food & Drink
All Dining Experiences
Lunch
Restaurants
Likely To Sell Out
Outdoor Activities
Close
Back to main
La Jolla Tours
All Outdoor Activities
Active & Outdoor Classes
Close
Back to main
Outdoor Activities
All Active & Outdoor Classes
Sports Lessons
Surfing Lessons
Yoga Classes
Extreme Sports
Close
Back to main
Outdoor Activities
All Extreme Sports
Bouldering
Fun & Games
Nature and Wildlife Tours
Close
Back to main
Outdoor Activities
All Nature and Wildlife Tours
Dolphin Watching
Nature Walks
Whale Watching
On the Ground
Close
Back to main
Outdoor Activities
All On the Ground
Climbing
Hiking Tours
Motorcycle Tours
Mountain Bike Tours
Scavenger Hunts
On the Water
Close
Back to main
Outdoor Activities
All On the Water
Boat Rentals
Kayaking Tours
Surfing Lessons
Surfing Lessons
Water Equipment Rentals
Tours, Sightseeing & Cruises
Close
Back to main
La Jolla Tours
All Tours, Sightseeing & Cruises
Cruises & Sailing
Close
Back to main
Tours, Sightseeing & Cruises
All Cruises & Sailing
Ports of Call Tours
Shore Excursions
Whale Watching
How to Get Around
Close
Back to main
Tours, Sightseeing & Cruises
All How to Get Around
Bike Tours
Bus Tours
Car Tours
E-Bike Tours
Motorcycle Tours
Mountain Bike Tours
Rentals
Segway Tours
Self-guided Tours
Sidecar Tours
Walking Tours
Water Tours
Private and Luxury
Sightseeing Tours
Close
Back to main
Tours, Sightseeing & Cruises
All Sightseeing Tours
Adventure Tours
Private Sightseeing Tours
Whale Watching
Tours by Duration
Close
Back to main
Tours, Sightseeing & Cruises
All Tours by Duration
Day Trips
Full-day Tours
Multi-day Tours
Overnight Tours
Travel & Transportation Services
Close
Back to main
La Jolla Tours
All Travel & Transportation Services
Transfers
Close
Back to main
Travel & Transportation Services
All Transfers
Airport & Hotel Transfers
Port Transfers
Transportation
Close
Back to main
Travel & Transportation Services
All Transportation
Bus Services
Private Drivers
Transportation Services
Unique Experiences
Recommendations
Close
Back to main
All Recommendations
Things to do in La Jolla

Things to do in  La Jolla

Welcome to La Jolla

Marine life meets California cool in La Jolla, a chic San Diego suburb known for its multimillion-dollar mansions perched above the rocky shores of a protected marine reserve. Travelers can enjoy a sea life encounter at the Birch Aquarium, or eschew the walls entirely at La Jolla Cove, a popular breeding site for California sea lions. For a break from beach-combing, downtown La Jolla offers an array of things to do, from upscale shopping to oceanfront dining.

Learn more

Top 9 attractions in La Jolla

#1

Sunny Jim Sea Cave

star-568
Along sunny San Diego’s La Jolla coast, there are numerous sea caves carved into cliffs rising from the ocean. What’s unique about Sunny Jim Sea Cave is that it’s the only sea cave there you can access by land in California. Walking through the man-made tunnel leads you to not only the cave itself, but also seven other natural caves carved by the force of the ocean.The cave took its name from Wizard of Oz author Frank L. Baum, who noted its resemblance to a British cartoon character called Sunny Jim. The tunnel to the cave — which once smuggled liquor during Prohibition — took two years to dig through. Once you emerge into the cave, many more years of carving are noticeable…200,000 or so, in fact! Its estimated by fossil imprints and waterlines that the cave walls have been standing for up to that length of time. The cave walls are also decorated with many different natural colors from a variety of mineral deposits.More
Tours & Tickets
#2

Children's Pool Beach

star-5101
As the name suggests, this stretch of sand in San Diego’s upscale La Jolla neighborhood was once a swimming spot for families, thanks to a seawall that shelters the cove. Nowadays, Children’s Pool Beach is a favorite resting and breeding ground for harbor seals and a popular wildlife-watching area.More
Tours & Tickets
#3

Ellen Browning Scripps Park

star-4.583
Nestled between La Jolla and the coast, Ellen Browning Scripps Park is often called San Diego’s most photographed spot and it’s easy to see why; it’s the park is home to three sandy beaches, a wide- open lawn for picnicking, and a scenic walkway along the bluff overlooking the Pacific Ocean with viewpoints for whale watching and beautiful California sunsets.More
Tours & Tickets
#4

Birch Aquarium at Scripps

star-310
Explore the depths of the sea without getting wet at San Diego’s Birch Aquarium at Scripps, and see more than 5,000 species of fish and marine life. Learn about the ocean through interactive displays, hands-on exhibits, and daily feeding demons, and observe cutting-edge research, underwater photography exhibits, and art installations.More
Tours & Tickets
#5

Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve

star-310
A wild piece of the California coast just north of San Diego, Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve encompasses more than 1,500 acres (607 hectares) of unspoiled beaches, hiking trails, oceanfront bluffs, Torrey pine trees, and other native vegetation. Visitors find a pristine environment treasured by local nature enthusiasts.More
Tours & Tickets
#6

Mt. Soledad National Veterans Memorial

star-4.5625
In a city known for its beaches, Mount Soledad stands out as the mountain worth visiting. The highest coastal point in sunny San Diego overlooks the palm tree–lined Pacific Beach and the bluffs of Torrey Pines. The mountain is home to the the Mt. Soledad National Veterans Memorial, which honors living and deceased veterans from the Revolutionary War to the present day. On a clear day, 360-degree views of the La Jolla shores, the bridge to Coronado Island, Mission Bay, and even the mountains of Mexico can be seen.More
Tours & Tickets
#7

Torrey Pines Golf Course

star-00
Overlooking the Pacific Ocean from the coastal bluffs of La Jolla, Torrey Pines Golf Course is not only a scenic spot to play a round of golf, but also one of the top courses in the country, having hosted the Farmers Insurance Open on the PGA Tour since the 1960s, among other tournaments. The municipally owned Torrey Pines is, in fact, home to two 18-hole courses, the north and the south courses, both designed by legendary course architect William P. Bell. Of the two, the south course is the most challenging and in demand among expert golfers; however, hole No. 6 on the north course is Torrey Pines’ signature hole.More
Tours & Tickets
#8

Windansea Beach

star-4.522
With 17 miles (27 kilometers of coastline, San Diego has no shortage of beaches, but they each have their own character and attributes, making it hard for visitors to choose. Windansea Beach, located north of the city center, is one of the city’s top beaches for surfing.More
Tours & Tickets
#9
Salk Institute

Salk Institute

star-00
The Salk Institute is a leading medical research facility known as much for its scientific breakthroughs as its unique structure and design. Named for Dr. Jonas Salk, the creator of the polio vaccine, the building was commissioned by Salk in 1959 and designed to have a monumental feel and spiritual impact. Standing at the edge of the series of uniform buildings, one can really feel the expanse of possibility and the inspiration of the design.The architect researched monasteries worldwide to build what he referred to as an “intellectual retreat,” which it certainly seems to be today. Standing mostly in concrete and glass, its symmetry and simplicity seems the perfect blank canvas for original thought.The research undertaken here seeks to find a deeper understanding of biological processes, so that we might discover new cures to existing diseases. Through a spark in imagination and with three Nobel laureates on staff, the institute is breaking ground in immunology, genetics, and neuroscience. The structure itself and the institute both make for an inspiring visit.More

Explore La Jolla by interest

star-55-Star activities in La Jolla

See all experiences

Explore our promoted experiences

Operators have paid Viator more to have their experiences featured here

All about La Jolla

When to visit

La Jolla is blessed with near-perfect weather year-round. When and how to visit depends on your choice of outdoor activity: getting out on the water in summer, hiking coastal trails in spring, and golfing any time of the year. Winter is not a lost cause in La Jolla, either. It’s chilly with a chance of rain, but December to February is also whale-watching season, when gray whales pass by on their migrations. They make the return trip in mid-March.

Getting around

As is the case with most beach towns, cars and bikes are the most efficient way to get around. La Jolla Village, however, lends itself to walking—among tide pools, between beach coves, and along posh shops on the waterfront. Most public transportation converges on the University of California, San Diego campus, situated just south of Torrey Pines Golf Course, with regular bus service and the San Diego Trolley system’s Blue Line leading the charge.

Traveler tips

The beach town of La Jolla exudes an earnest surfer vibe charm. But beyond the sand, there’s a worthwhile art and culture scene. The Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego has a branch next to Wipeout Beach. Iconic Warwick’s on Girard Avenue is one of the oldest family-run bookstores in the US. And the La Jolla Playhouse puts on Tony Award-winning musicals on the campus of the University of California, San Diego.

Currency
US Dollar ($)
Time Zone
PDT (UTC -8)
Country Code
+1
Language(s)
English

People Also Ask

What is La Jolla known for?

La Jolla, a coastal city in San Diego, is known for its upscale atmosphere, seaside scenery, world-renowned beaches, excellent restaurants, and boutique hotels. There are nice shopping centers and art galleries, too. More than 300 days of sunshine make it an ideal destination for sun-seeking tourists.

...More
What is so special about La Jolla?

La Jolla is a coastal city known for its well-kept beaches and history as a resort area. To appreciate the natural beauty of La Jolla, walk along the shores of Windansea Beach, explore Sunny Jim’s Sea Cave, or view sea life in the Birch Aquarium at Scripps Institution of Oceanography.

...More
How can I spend a day in La Jolla?

Start your day with a walk or bike ride along La Jolla’s coastline. From there, stroll through the famous La Jolla Cove and have a picnic lunch with views of the Pacific Ocean. Conclude with sunset views at La Jolla Cove.

...More
Is La Jolla worth visiting?

Yes, La Jolla is worth a visit. From beaches to restaurants to shopping, there’s plenty to do in this coastal San Diego city. Immerse yourself in culture at La Valencia Hotel or Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego in La Jolla. Enjoy the sunset while walking along Scripps Pier.

...More
How do you explore La Jolla?

Explore La Jolla with a leisurely hike or ride along its bike trails, which offer up views of ocean cliffs. Those looking for something more thrilling can try sea kayaking, scuba diving, or surfing, while others can stroll through one of La Jolla’s art galleries or quaint village shops.

...More
Does La Jolla have a downtown?

Yes, La Jolla has a downtown. Referred to as the village center by locals, this area houses retail stores, restaurants, cafés, and entertainment venues. It’s perfect for visitors who want to explore the city’s offerings without having to drive. La Jolla’s downtown is becoming an increasingly popular destination.

...More

La Jolla information

Number of Attractions

9

Number of Tours

29

Number of Reviews

1,445

Currency

USD
Frequently Asked Questions
The answers provided below are based on answers previously given by the tour provider to customers’ questions.
Q:
What are the top things to do in La Jolla?
A:
Q:
What are the top things to do near La Jolla?
A:

More Tours in La Jolla