La Jolla’s Coast Walk Trail: A gentle hike through history

Last Updated on May 1, 2025

Take a stroll above La Jolla’s bluffs on Coast Walk Trail and experience the best of the local coastline.

Seasoned La Jollans will tell you one of the best ways to experience La Jolla’s natural beauty and history is to walk Coast Walk Trail.

An easy stroll along a mostly dirt path overlooking the shoreline, Coast Walk Trail is a gentle hike above La Jolla Cove that allows for exercise and enjoyment.

The origins of Coast Walk Trail, or what would become the trail, is intertwined with the origins of La Jolla. For eons before recorded history, the area we call La Jolla was the home of the Kumeyaay, San Diego’s coastal Indigenous people, even through the eventual encroachment by the Spanish.

As Spanish rule evolved into Mexican rule, which then transitioned to California becoming part of the US, the Kumeyaay name for the area, “Matlahuayl [pronounced mat-oo-la-hooy]” became La Jolla.

As La Jolla developed as part of the city of San Diego in the 1880s and population went from zero to a few hundred, Coast Walk Trail and its footbridge and former staircase down to the beach were carved out as a unique feature of the coast.

The trail is known at the city as a “paper street,” listed in city records under the Transportation Department as it was once planned for vehicular travel but has always remained a pedestrian path.

Designated historic by the city of San Diego in 1990, Coast Walk Trail is also included in the 2024 national historic designation of the La Jolla Park Coastal Historic District, an eight-acre area of coastal land from Coast Walk south to the end of Coast Boulevard.

Read on for everything to know about this piece of La Jolla’s past and present, including how to make the most of your visit to Coast Walk Trail.

How to access Coast Walk Trail

If you’re coming into La Jolla by car, limited parking for Coast Walk Trail (fewer than a handful of spots) is available near the northwest end of Coast Walk, a short residential street, or the Prospect Street trailhead at the intersection with Park Row,

There are several other places to park a short walk from the trailheads as well.

On foot, your La Jolla Coast Walk Trail adventure begins either from the trailhead located just outside of The Cave Store, the Prospect Street trailhead or from the end of the Coast Walk road pavement.

The trail is 0.6 miles each way, and has a tame incline, making this an easy hike; you’ll find tourists and residents alike leisurely strolling with coffee in hand. The path is also dog-friendly and a terrific activity for children.

To a point, the trail is ADA-accessible: there are stairs at the northern end near the historic footbridge and the trail is not paved.

What you’ll see from Coast Walk Trail

For views of La Jolla, Coast Walk Trail is one of the best places to start. The stunning scenery includes the La Jolla shoreline, the sea caves, the towering bluffs and changing tides. On a clear day you’ll be able to see quite far up the San Diego coast.

You’ll also spy the beachgoers at La Jolla Shores and kayakers exploring in the water below.

Coast Walk Trail is also a great lookout point for seeing larger marine wildlife; the trail sits over the La Jolla Underwater Park, which is home to the greatest biodiversity in the country including sea lions, sharks, dolphins and whales, so bring the binoculars or camera.

The terraced cliffs are also full of nesting bird residents from cormorants, gulls and even a falcon.

Protecting Coast Walk Trail

A volunteer cleans up invasive plants along La Jolla's Coast Walk Trail, surrounded by vibrant yellow flowers and ocean views, preserving the trail's beauty.

Photo by Provisions Media

To maintain and preserve the trail’s beauty and access, nonprofit group Friends of Coast Walk Trail was founded in 2010.

The organization carries out tasks like removing invasive foliage and replanting native trees, and requests and coordinates funding and support from local leaders.

Friends of Coast Walk Trail also leads tours of the trail and hosts fundraisers like its annual Cocktails on Coast Walk party.

Beyond Coast Walk Trail

With the short but sweet hike finished, head south to further explore La Jolla Cove and Scripps Park (don’t forget to pop into The Cave Store for more history and to try the historic stairs down to the water) or wander into The Village for shopping and food.

For more views, dine at Eddie V’s just above the trailhead or George’s at the Cove for another iconic spot. Other dining suggestions can be found on our blog.