I just returned from my wonderful 1 night stay in La Jolla. I did stay at the Hotel La Jolla and was pleased with the choice. The room rate for an Oceanview King Room with AAA discount was 189.00 for the 1 night. I did request a room on the north end of the hotel as suggested by Tahititams but they did not have a King Oceanview available. I was given a room on the 9th floor at the very opposite end of the hotel. The 9th floor stood well above most of the trees in the parking lot! Since it was an end room it had 2 sliding glass doors with small porches. So I had a beautiful view of the ocean and the mountains.

The room was adequate and clean. The only bummer was there was no mini bar in the room. Check in was at 3:00 and I had spent the entire day from 11:30-3:00 walking the beach before checking into the hotel. I was really hoping to grab a refreshing cold beer from the mini bar when I got there but as I said there was no mini bar. I would have gladly paid $6.00 for that beer So plan B was so shower and check out Elario's at the top of the hotel.

Elario's was very nice! I enjoyed a beautiful view of the ocean with a nice cold beer. The service was very good and a band was setting up to play later in the evening. I decided to have 2 beers because I was so comfortable and it was happy hour from 4-7. I checked out the menu while I was relaxing and picked out my appetizer for later. The prices were expensive. $12-$15 for appetizers and dinners were $20.00+.

After a refreshing drink(s) I decided to take the courtesy shuttle into La Jolla shopping district. It was late on Sunday but there were a few stores open and I could scope out the area for my last day in town the following day.

I stayed in town for about an hour and a half and called for the courtesy shuttle back to the hotel. (The driver was nice enough to stop at a Vonn's for me so I could pick up a few things for the room). It was enough time to buy a sweatshirt and check out the area shops. I went right up to Elario's and ordered my appetizer - tenderlion filet skewers. Delicious with a nice cold beer. I retired to the room and was pleased that the band had stopped playing early. I will say the street traffic was loud. Not bothersome for just 1 night but if I were to stay in La Jolla longer I would choose a hotel closer to the beach and shops.

Next morning I packed early and took the courtesy shuttle back in to town to shop a liitle more and scope out more of the town. I had to check out at noon. Got to town about 10:00 and full-filled my shopping desires. I went to take pictures of the park and cave and the ocean but forgot to bring extra film. I had one picture left on my camera. (Yes - I still use 35 mm) My plan after checking out was to drive north from the hotel to Torrey Pines State Park which I wanted to see but since I forgot my film I decied I would check out and come back into town with more film. I called at 11:00 for the shuttle and waited 45 minutes for it to pick me up. Good thing I was already packed.

Checked out and went back into town with film! Took beautiful pictures of the seals and the ocean and the cave visible from the road. That is when I found the Cave Store. I decided to go into the cave. It was a great idea! Neat! Then I found the foot trail that follows the ocean and was stunned by the beauty of La Jolla. This is where the beauty was! The cliffs were amazing. It was a great hike and I'll have great photos of it.

Now my time was limited so I passes on the drive north and decided to fins Wind and Sea Beach. (My shuttle driver mentined how much he liked it). I followed the ocean south through town and through residental areas until I found it. It was beautiful and looked natural. There were surfers catching some great waves. I walked the beach in both directions taking pictures of the beautiful rocky coast. It was worth the adventure in every way. This was where I spent my last hours in California. Ahhhh. I parked myself on a secluded rock and meditated to the sound and smell of the ocean.
It was a great adventure! I will definetaly come back to La Jolla with my husband.

Hope this helps and I hope I did okay with the report. It's my first!
Annika

Hi annikany..
Glad that you had a blast in La Jolla!
I am so happy that you found the Cave/Shell Shop and the foot path that I told you to go and walk..Isn't it just so stunning! It's our little local secret that is so peaceful and scenic..
Glad that the Hotel worked out for you and being the height of summer you couldn't of gotten a more Northern room but hey for $189 a night in LJ in the summer is a great deal...
Would love to see some of your photos when you are ready..
I am so happy Annika that you had a wonderful time in our lovely La Jolla!
Best,
TahitiTams

Thank you Tahititams!
It really was lovely there. I did also find the Brockton Villa restaurant but the opportunity to dine theredid not present itself although I would make a point to stop there when I visit La Jolla again. I really never would have found the trail if not for your advice. Thank you so much! My husband would have loved it! He loves heights! I was actually getting a little light headed walking this trail I did talk to some nice people on the trail and some lady offered to take my picture. The smell of jasmine/gardenias? was wonderful! For such a short stay I saw a lot. My legs were so sore from all the walking I did but I couldn't stop myself. There was beauty around every corner. I wish I could show my photos but I am too inexperienced to do it. It's to bad because everyone I know always comments on how beautiful my photos are. If I can figure out how to do it I will send them along. I'll ask my husband for help.
You are right about the Hotel La Jolla being a good price! I believe it was a bargain. I will say that with all the traffic in town I was able to find parking each time I ventured around town. Not always close to where I wanted to be but that was okay because I didn't mind walking.
I did also stop at George's at the Cove for a drink but found it to be a little intimidating by myself since it was packed with couples. So I found a place called Bull and Bear Pub across the street. Cozy little bar with cheap burgers and fries. I did also stop at a place called The Top of the Cove on my way out of town for a drink. I found this place more relaxing in atmosphere than George's at the Cove. If I had more time I would have liked to have had dineer there. Great ocean view! As I said I saw a lot in 1 and a half days!
Thanks for all your help.
Annika

annikany - thanks for the report and your stay at Hotel La Jolla. Nicely done.

Sandy

Hi Annikany,
Great report, thanks! My husband and I are going to SD for a few days in August and are staying at Pacific Terrace. I see from your other post that you stayed there last year. How does PB and Pacific Terrace compare to the La Jolla area? We have an ocean front room with a balcony, which is important to us since we're celebrating our 25th. Still, never having been to So Cal before, it was hard to decide which area to stay in!!!

Pacific Terrace..Great location & hotel in North PB and you are going to have a great time.. You have a place in August which is so difficult to find..rent some bikes and go along the beach boardwalk and bay and stop along the way for drinks or soda..(Lahaina's or the Pennant in South Mission)
Kono's for breakfast at the beginning of the pier is hands down the beach right down at the boardwalk and eat oceanfront and cheap and good..Locals Favorite! For lunch or dinner, The Green Flash..
La Jolla could be for the next time but it's the next town up so don't miss it to shop and walk around the coast..
Go see the seals and the LJ Cove..
Also, Tower 23 Hotel is awesome too!
tower23hotel.com Jordan restaurant
lajolla.com
Have a wonderful 25th Anniversary..

Jayneann-
You will love the Pacific Terrace Hotel and PB. Great choice for your 25th anniversary. La Jolla is more expensive than PB. La Jolla I would say is more beautiful than PB too but you have to seek it out. It's beauty is not evident from the road. If I hadn't walked so much I would have missed it's beauty. It's more of an adventure trip IMO. Enjoy your stay at Pacific Terrace and PB and congratulations on your 25th anniversary!
Annika

Thanks TahitiTams and Annikany!!! We are excited we are finally going to experience San Diego (and are also going to Santa Monica) so I'm glad we chose a good hotel. The website looks great! Also thanks for the links and the suggestions. We'll probably stop in LJ on our way up to Santa Monica. Thanks again,
Jayne