Spend a day with us in La Jolla Shores and explore breathtaking views, experience the ultimate in seaside activities and nourish your body and soul.
From cows to cowabunga, La Jolla Shores is a hotspot of La Jolla history and a hotter spot for residents and vacationers alike. A neighborhood distinct from The Village and Bird Rock, La Jolla Shores – dubbed “The Shores” by the locals – is a large portion of La Jolla with a big personality, inviting all for sun-drenched views, endless recreation and quintessential experiences in coastal life.
La Jolla Shores is bounded in the southwest by Princess Street and Hillside Drive, east to Via Capri just north of Mount Soledad Memorial Park and Gilman Drive, and north to the border of the UC San Diego campus.
Much of The Shores is residential, and it’s no wonder, with views from many of the homes perched on bluffs and hills and set so close to one of California’s best beaches.
Most of the action in The Shores, however, is contained to a small but bustling area from La Jolla Shores Drive west to the water, where all the restaurants, retail and more commerce are contained.
Keep reading to learn more about this entertaining slice of La Jolla and how to make the most of a day in La Jolla Shores.
The history and development of La Jolla Shores
San Diego History Center
San Diego HIstory Center
La Jolla Shores began as “Long Beach,” with early land developers arriving locally in the late 1800s to originally Kumeyaay land.
One of the earliest – and most iconic – historical photos of The Shores is “Cows at the Beach,” a 1906 image of bovines, part of the once-prolific Holliday Dairy Farm, laying on the sand without the thousands of tourists there today.
The Shores quickly became home to the now-named Scripps Institution of Oceanography, its Scripps Pier, the Birch Aquarium and more, while continuing to attract residents and visitors who built homes and sought adventure in what would become the La Jolla Underwater Park.
The rich diversity of marine life underwater, along with an idyllic offering of recreational activities in a beautiful, accessible setting, continues to attract tourists, now estimated in the millions annually.
A day in La Jolla Shores: Where to eat and what to do
Start your day near the top of La Jolla Shores Drive with coffee and a treat from the newly opened Destiny Coast, which banks on its culinary talent but also that iconic shoreline vista. Though technically on UCSD property and not in The Shores, it’s a birds-eye view of La Jolla Shores and beyond to Del Mar in the north and La Jolla Cove in the south.
From there, wander – or should we say meander – to the Scripps Coastal Meander Trail, a 1.75-mile trail also located on the UCSD/SIO campus with unbeatable coastal views of La Jolla.
The trail, a short, easy stroll worthy of your Instagram feed, features a pristine wooden boardwalk, native plant species and benches along the way. Don’t miss the set of rocks with cutouts that, during solstices and equinoxes, line up perfectly with the setting sun.
If you’re still under-caffeinated, let your feet take you a few yards south to Pinpoint Cafe, which also shows off brews and views, a perfect place to admire the Scripps Pier and ocean beyond.
When you’ve had your fill of La Jolla Shores from above, it’s time to get better acquainted with the myriad, unforgettable species that call La Jolla home. Book yourself a kayak tour from companies like La Jolla Sea Cave Kayaks – La Jolla Shores has the only beach boat launch in the city of San Diego – and get going.
Depending on the time of year, you’ll encounter leopard sharks, stingrays, green sea turtles, kelp forests and so much more as you paddle through sea caves for an up-close visit.
If you’ve worked up an appetite, steps from The Shores tideline is Avenida de la Playa, a short but dense two-block stretch with plenty of food to satisfy any craving. Sandy feet are no problem at most – La Jolla has even closed down the street for outdoor dining – so find yourself a table at Sushi Mori, Shore Rider and more, where they understand the assignment for a casual, coastal vibe with terrific food and friendly service.
Catch dessert at Scoops La Jolla and stroll the shops on Avenida de la Playa before finding yourself a spot on the sand at La Jolla Shores Beach or the grass at Kellogg Park: it’s time to relax!
This is the place where worries dissipate into the sunbeams. Lay out, walk the boardwalk, read, dig and play. It’s true: life is better at the beach!
Once you’ve melted away your stress, shower off and have a La Jolla Shores sunset feast to remember. We love The Marine Room for an upscale dinner where only the window glass separates you from the crashing waves, but we’re also partial to Sea & Sky, a penthouse experience where the food and cocktails are matched by the panorama.
Getting to La Jolla Shores
La Jolla Shores is vast, but drivers can park off La Jolla Shores Drive and Biological Grade if heading to SIO or UCSD, or further south off La Jolla Shores near Avenida de la Playa and surrounding streets. Kellogg Park and the beach have a free parking lot (street parking is also free), but most spots fill up quickly so bring your patience when looking for a space.
If you’re using public transportation, the San Diego MTS line 30, Old Town to UTC via Pacific Beach, runs north and south along La Jolla Shores Drive.
La Jolla Shores events
Any holiday weekend is an event in La Jolla Shores, attracting droves of folks to the area. Especially busy is Independence Day weekend, particularly for the drone show, during which hundreds of drones light up the sky around 9 pm on July 4 in patriotic themes.
La Jolla Shores hotels
Staying in La Jolla Shores after a busy day of enjoyment is as simple as booking yourself a room at the La Jolla Shores Hotel or La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club for a prime, beachside oasis or a room at Hotel La Jolla Curio Collection by Hilton, where skyward views are king.
Looking for more La Jolla hotels or events? We have you covered: click here and start planning!
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