La Jolla is the perfect weekend getaway from LA! It’s about a 3-hour drive, depending on when you head that way.
Where to Stay!
We always stay at the La Jolla Shores Hotel and LOVE it! It’s the ideal location, right on La Jolla Shores Beach. This beach is peaceful and beautiful and the hotel provides complimentary beach chairs, towels, and umbrellas. They’ll set them up for you wherever you’d like! Also, the La Jolla Shores sunsets are stunning!
Amenities
The hotel provides a free shuttle that takes you around La Jolla, to the Cove, and wherever you may want to go. We took it to dinner and back, it’s so easy and super nice not to have to worry about driving or having to pay for an Uber or Lyft.
We’ve gone in the winter every time, so the hotel pool is heated, which is awesome! They also have a nice hot tub, a bar and two restaurants right on the beach.
Another awesome amenity is the La Jolla Beach and Tennis Club at their sister property! You simply reserve a time slot with the front desk, and you can play for an hour or two, depending on availability.
Where to eat in La Jolla Shores and La Jolla Cove
My favorite area is the little street right behind our hotel called Avenida de la Playa, an adorable part of La Jolla Shores! It’s a small street lined with outdoor restaurants, beach bars, and cafes. They’re all dog friendly, and there’s a cute little grocery store and fro-yo place as well! This street has a very European vibe, that I absolutely love! Our favorite little beach bar for brunch is called the Shore Rider. Don’t forget to order the bucket of mimosas here!
In La Jolla Cove, I recommend Herringbone La Jolla. The ahi tuna is delicious and the atmosphere and décor are awesome as well!
La Jolla Cove
I love watching all the sea lions swim and play near La Jolla Cove. They’re everywhere, it’s incredible! You can also snorkel, kayak, surf, or swim here! There are multiple caves and coves to kayak through, where you’ll see sea lions swimming next to you along the way! You can actually rent kayaks right on Avenida de la Playa, behind the hotel, or take an inflatable one with you!
The water is gorgeous here! It’s much more clear and blue than in Los Angeles. If you’re in the cove in the evening, find a good spot on the cliff to chill, have a glass of wine, and watch the sunset. It’s a beautiful end to an awesome weekend!
Skydive San Diego
If you’re interested in an extra heightened experience in this area, Skydive San Diego is the place to go! We had a blast here! They made me feel super comfortable for my first skydive adventure, and I can’t wait to do it again!
To Sum it Up!
La Jolla is a perfect, quick weekend getaway from LA. With so many beautiful places to explore and water activities to indulge in. Use these tips and suggestions for a stress-free La Jolla and La Jolla Shores adventure! For more awesome California weekend getaways, be sure to check out my recommendations for Lake Tahoe, Mammoth Lakes, Avila Beach, Sycamore Springs, Los Alamos, Hearst Castle, Cambria and Morro Bay!
If you have any further questions about La Jolla, or if I left anything out, please feel free to put them in the comments below, and as always, have a blast when you go!
