La Jolla Neighborhood Snapshot

Top Experiences

• Promenade above the cove: The winding pathways above La Jolla Cove offer stunning views of the surf and sea lions.
• Shop ’til you drop: La Jolla's chic boutiques and galleries are San Diego's answer to Rodeo Drive. Watch for celebrities as you browse on Prospect Street and Girard Avenue.
• Aquatic adventures: Grab a kayak or scuba gear to explore the San Diego–La Jolla Underwater Park Ecological Preserve.
• Luxe living: Visit top-notch spas and restaurants, or gawk at multimillion-dollar mansions and their denizens in Ferraris.
• Torrey Pines State Beach and Reserve: Play the links, hike the trails, relax on the beach, or hang glide off the cliffs.

Getting Here

If you're traveling north, take the La Jolla Parkway exit off I–5, which veers into Torrey Pines Road, and turn right onto Prospect Street. If you're heading south, take La Jolla Village Drive exit, which also leads into Torrey Pines Road. For the scenic route, head north from Pacific Beach on La Jolla Boulevard and Camino de la Costa. Signs direct drivers and cyclists past many of La Jolla's famed vistas and coveted homes. As you approach the village, La Jolla Boulevard turns into Prospect Street.

Planning Your Time

La Jolla's highlights can be seen in a few hours with a visit to La Jolla Village and the cove followed by a scenic drive along the coast and through Torrey Pines. A day allows for beach time, a hike in Torrey Pines, and some shopping.

The village and La Jolla Cove can be explored on foot, but it's a steep walk. Parking is tough, too.

Great Drive

The portion of Coast Highway 101 that runs south from North County into La Jolla is one of San Diego’s best drives. Start at South Carlsbad beach at Tamarack Avenue and continue through Leucadia, Encinitas, Cardiff, Solana Beach, Del Mar, and, finally, La Jolla. Any turn west will take you toward the beach. The drive offers intermittent glimpses of the sea; views from Carlsbad and Cardiff are especially beautiful. The grand finale is at Torrey Pines, where the waves roll into the misty, high-bluffed beach.

Visitor Information

Find It La Jolla. This app offers information on local events and discounts for local businesses and attractions. La Jolla, San Diego, California, 92037. 858/454–7939; www.lajollabluebook.com.