When La Jolla gets wet, don’t cancel your visit. We’ve got the perfect way to spend a rainy day in La Jolla, with plenty of activities and things to do.
It doesn’t happen often, but sometimes the weather in La Jolla turns a bit rainy, whether due to winter storms or a spring shower. Most visitors will scatter but those in the know head to La Jolla spots where cozy vibes abound and heads stay dry. Read on for our best tips for handling the rare rainy day in La Jolla.
Culture and curiosity
1. Exploring the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego
Image via mcasd.org
The Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego is a force for art both inside and out. Taking shelter from a storm here means discovering MCASD as a dedicated platform for exploring and showcasing contemporary art in a building rife with historical creativity.
MCASD offers a journey where art converges with the scenic beauty of its surroundings – even in the rain. With diverse exhibition spaces and immersive experiences, the museum maintains its status as a dynamic hub presenting groundbreaking exhibitions and public programs.
2. Athenaeum Music & Arts Library
Image via Athenaeum Music & Arts Library/Facebook
You’ll find an unexpected sanctuary in the Athenaeum Music & Arts Library, brimming with an unparalleled array of resources, programs and cultural events. Curl up in a corner to peruse the age-old, enthralling books and artifacts, wander the rotating exhibits, or get cozy among Southern California’s most significant collections of artists’ books. This hidden haven of treasures is perfect for a respite from inclement weather.
3. Birch Aquarium
Image courtesy of Birch Aquarium
Birch Aquarium at UC San Diego’s Scripps Institution of Oceanography is a terrific rainy day activity in La Jolla for ocean lovers, families and visitors of all ages, offering educational and immersive experiences
(check out our visitor’s itinerary). Much of the aquarium is indoors, allowing you to peer into the exciting mysteries of the ocean without getting wet (though if the weather clears, the Preuss Tide Pool Plaza is a great place to plunge yourself into hands-on learning).
4. The Cave Store
For a truly special way to be outside while staying dry, enter The Cave Store, a seemingly charming, vintage souvenir shop on Coast Boulevard. Behind the modest wooden door lies one of La Jolla’s most adventurous secrets: a hand-dug tunnel leading 145 steps down through the sandstone cliffs into Sunny Jim’s Sea Cave.
One of a few sea caves in California accessible by land, the cave’s staircase began as a tunnel dug in 1902. Descend the always-damp steps for a thrilling peek at the open ocean from the bottom of the cavern. When finished, explore the store at the top, a treasure trove of local art, jewelry and sea-themed curios.
Getting cozy: Coffee and books
5. Browsing the stacks at DG Wills Books
Step into a La Jolla time capsule of academic gems, art archives and historic visitors inside DG Wills Books, a Village mainstay.
Shop owner Dennis Wills sells the new and notable along with shelves and shelves of older books dappled with old typewriters, analog televisions and historical wonders, all lined up under Polaroids showing 46 years of special visitors. Lose yourself in the stacks and while the afternoon away, quietly entertained.
6. The La Jolla/Riford Library
Gone are the stuffy, silence-focused libraries of old. The La Jolla/Riford Library runs on creativity and comfort, with a large children’s section to keep kids awash in wonder and comfortable, welcoming spaces throughout for folks of all ages to curl up with a story or browse thousands of materials.
7. The Living Room La Jolla
Find refuge from a rainy day in La Jolla at The Living Room, a cafe and restaurant with a long history of comfort. The newer, larger space on Prospect Street means plenty of room, with relaxing nooks and plush upholstery at every turn. Order a warm beverage and chat with a loved one or enjoy live music and a delicious plate of food.
8. Coffee Shops in La Jolla: Our top 10
The simple pleasures of La Jolla’s coffee and books scene are amplified during the rain at any one of our numerous coffee shops. On our list of the top 10 cafes, find the best sips to escape the weather.
Luxury and leisure
9. Catching a movie at The Lot
Rain or shine, a luxury cinema experience awaits at The Lot La Jolla, where reclining leather seats and dine-in service accompany the latest blockbusters. Choose from a diverse menu and indulge in a wide selection of drinks from the full bar, further enhancing your cinematic escape.
10. La Sala Lounge
Image courtesy of La Valencia Hotel
With a large, arched window to view the stormy seas, La Sala Lounge at La Valencia Hotel deals in luxurious comfort. Take a seat and enjoy a warm beverage as the historical surroundings inspire your creativity and relaxation.
Find your retreat and take heart: Blue skies will return to La Jolla soon!
