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Hotels in La Jolla: The Ultimate Guide for 2023
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The 20 Best Hotels in La Jolla | The Ultimate Guide for 2023
Visiting San Diego soon? If yes, consider staying at some of the top hotels in La Jolla. Our stunning coastal city is a hotspot for tourists and locals who want to enjoy this gorgeous city. La Jolla is located along the Pacific Ocean in California. It’s known for its many beautiful beaches, great restaurants, fantastic ocean views, and a long list of things to see and do. For example, visitors can enjoy surfing, hiking, snorkeling, swimming, and kayaking.
Visitors can also visit museums, art galleries, theaters, concerts, and other seasonal activities. Hotels in La Jolla are plenty, with each offering a different experience. So whether you want something casual, luxury, boutique, or a stay on the beach, there’s a hotel for you.
In this Guide
In this ultimate guide, you’ll learn about the variety of hotels in La Jolla, the different areas within La Jolla, and what they offer. In addition, the guide will cover activities and places you can explore during your stay year-round and some of the best restaurants in La Jolla that you’ll definitely want to make time for. We’ll also give you some insights on what events in La Jolla usually happen every month and those that occur every year around the same time so you can make the most of your trip.
At the end of this guide, we share a note about rates and some options for getting around La Jolla.
Hotels in The Village of La Jolla
Why stay in the Village?
The Village of La Jolla is considered the heart of La Jolla and is the perfect area to stay in if you’re looking for a convenient launch point for daily adventures, and the place is packed with things to see and do. Staying in the Village of La Jolla is excellent if you want to go to the beach, snorkel, swim, shop, explore the tide pools, art gallery hop, and go out to eat and drink–the Village of La Jolla has it all. It’s got that chill and charming coastal village vibe, yet it’s buzzing with life.
Also, if you like to get to know the area you’re visiting on foot, staying in the Village of La Jolla is another reason it’s a great option.
La Valencia Hotel
1132 Prospect Street, La Jolla, CA 92037 Hotel Type | Luxury, Beachside
The La Valencia Hotel is one of the most recognizable and legendary hotels in La Jolla, with its signature pink exterior and 11-story Spanish-tiled tower standing boldly and beautifully overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Also referred to as “The Pink Lady,” La Valencia has been known for her glamor, elegance, and status dating back to her opening in 1926. There’s a rich history here to absorb, and you’ll feel that energy when you step within its 
Grande Colonial Hotel
910 Prospect St, La Jolla, CA 92037
Hotel Type | Luxury, Boutique
The Grande Colonial Hotel in La Jolla is another legendary historical landmark that has been a mainstay in the village since 1913. Throughout the last century, it has seen changes in ownership and phases of restoration, honoring its history yet growing its offerings of modern amenities and comforts for the best guest experience. It’s maintained its status as a boutique hotel that values personalized guest service, which has awarded them the 
Redwood Hollow-La Jolla Cottages
256 Prospect St, La Jolla, CA 92037
Hotel Type | Cottages & Townhomes
If you’re willing to deviate away from the formal hotels in La Jolla, The Redwood Hollow La Jolla Cottages offer you something special: a true home away from home. The Redwood Hollow Cottages is a registered historic site in a residential area in the Village of La Jolla. The rustic cottages were built in 1915 by Walter Scott Li and are the epitome of a hidden gem, especially for hotels in La Jolla. The property consists of 12 quaint cottages surrounded by lush gardens and private homes with
Hotel Type | Cottages & Townhomes
Cormorant Boutique Hotel
1110 Prospect Street, La Jolla, CA 92037
The Cormorant Boutique Hotel opened its doors to La Jolla in May of 2022, but the building is not new. In the 1940s, it served as La Jolla’s only market, the Prospect Market. The property honors these roots with its reimagined Prospect Market for 
Pantai Inn
1003 Coast Blvd, La Jolla, CA 92037
Hotel Type | Boutique
The Pantai Inn is a boutique hotel in La Jolla near the beach that’ll make you feel like you’ve arrived at your magical Polynesian vacation right here in La Jolla, especially as you take in the views of tall palms and ocean views. This boutique hotel is Hotel Type | Boutique
Empress Hotel of La Jolla
7766 Fay Ave, La Jolla, CA 92037
Hotel Type | Boutique
The Empress Hotel is a boutique hotel in La Jolla that is centrally located in the heart of the Village of La Jolla, making it another ideal option for your daily adventures. The newly renovated hotel offers personalized service, so whether you are coming
Hotel Type | Boutique
La Jolla Cove Hotel & Suites
1155 Coast Blvd, La Jolla, CA 92037
Hotel Type | Oceanfront
If you’re looking for an oceanfront hotel in La Jolla, the La Jolla Cove Hotel & Suites is one you’ll definitely want to check out. It captures the laidback spirit of a San Diego beach town while also being in the middle of all the action, making for a convenient starting point for
Hotel Type | Oceanfront
Orli La Jolla
7753 Draper Ave, La Jolla, CA 92037
Hotel Type | Boutique
The Cormorant Boutique Hotel opened its doors to La Jolla in May of 2022, but the building is not new. In the 1940s, it served as La Jolla’s only market, the Prospect Market. The property honors these roots with its reimagined Prospect Market for 
Scripps Inn La Jolla Cove
555 Coast Blvd S, La Jolla, CA 92037
Hotel Type | Boutique
There is no shortage of boutique hotels in La Jolla, each spectacular in its own way, and the Scripps Inn La Jolla Cove only adds to the competition with its charming and intimate location right on Coast Blvd. The Inn overlooks the ocean and nearby Cuvier Park, the most popular wedding spot on the La Jolla Coast, making the Inn a fantastic option for all things weddings. The Scripps Inn is small, with just 14 rooms and suites, so you’ll feel like you’re at an exclusive
Hotel Type | Boutique
Inn By The Sea La Jolla
7830 Fay Ave, La Jolla, CA 92037
Hotel Type | Boutique, Casual
The Inn By The Sea is a hotel in La Jolla that keeps it simple in style but absolutely delivers when it comes to each of its 131 rooms having a balcony with either a view of the village or the ocean views, plus just minutes away from the water, dining, and shopping. Rooms are spacious and comfortable and include in-room breakfast delivery from local brunch favorite The Cottage, so you can have breakfast and enjoy the view from your room. Because accommodations at the Inn By The Sea are mostly standard King and Queen rooms, it’s an excellent choice for Hotel Type | Boutique, Casual
Hotels in La Jolla Shores
Why stay in La Jolla Shores?
Water adventures, sharks, and proximity to major highway.
La Jolla Shores is nestled in a quieter residential area of La Jolla but is packed with adventure activities from kayaking, snorkeling, swimming, tide pooling, surfing, and more. The area has a variety of merchants that you can rent gear from, whether you want to explore on your own or book a guided adventure with an area expert.
Hotels in La Jolla Shores are also the easiest to access from major highways and roads that bring you in and out of La Jolla the quickest. One of the exciting things about La Jolla shores is the Leopard Shark mating season that happens yearly from June to October, where you can get in the shallow waters and stand amongst hundreds of Leopard sharks.
La Jolla Shores has various dining options and activities. Still, it’s only about a 7 min drive into the Village of La Jolla, where you can access even more dining, shopping, entertainment, and coastal views.
La Jolla Shores Hotel
8110 Camino Del Oro, La Jolla, CA 92037
Hotel Type | Casual, Beachfront
La Jolla Shores Hotel is one of only two hotels in La Jolla that are right on the beach. The only thing you’ll have to cross here is the boardwalk; your toes are in the sand. The La Jolla Shores Hotel is aptly named because it is right on La Jolla Shores Beach, the longest and widest stretch of beach in La Jolla. If you want to beach it all day, every day, the La Jolla
Hotel Type | Casual, Beachfront
La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club
2000 Spindrift Dr, La Jolla, CA 92037
Hotel Type | Beachfront
The list of beachfront hotels in La Jolla is short, but the La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club is proudly on it. At the southernmost end of the La Jolla Shores beach, the La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club is a true escape and
Hotel Type | Beachfront
Hotel La Jolla, Curio Collection by Hilton
7955 La Jolla Shores Dr, La Jolla, CA 92037
Hotel Type | Boutique
For Hilton Honors members looking for hotels in La Jolla, consider Hotel La Jolla to enjoy your Hilton perks. The property sits within a residential area with views of the ocean and the plush La Jolla Shores landscape. It’s
Hotel Type | Boutique
La Jolla Riviera Inn
2031 Paseo Dorado # 5, La Jolla, CA 92037
Hotel Type | Vintage Inn
La Jolla Riviera Inn is one of few hotels in La Jolla that offer smaller hotel grounds while providing the comforts and conveniences you’d have at home. So if you want a casual, relaxed, retro home away from home near the beach, the Riviera Inn is a great option. It’s located right across from the La Jolla Beach
Hotel Type | Vintage Inn
Hotels in Torrey Pines
Why stay in Torrey Pines ?
Hotels in Torrey Pines offer guests a change of pace as it sits higher up on the bluffs and farther away from the busier areas of La Jolla.
What’s great about staying at a hotel in the Torrey Pines area is that you’re closer to the Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve, where there are various hiking trails, viewpoints, and the closest access to the famous surfing and sunbathing beach, Black’s Beach. The stunning 18-hole Torrey Pines Golf Course is also in this area, making it a perfect destination for those who love golf.
The Lodge at Torrey Pines
11480 N Torrey Pines Rd, La Jolla, CA 92037
Hotel Type | Luxury
The Lodge at Torrey Pines delivers in a big way as far as luxury hotels in La Jolla go. The Lodge’s grand structure looks like something you’d find tucked away in the mountains, with its wood-framed windows, tiled fireplaces, and wooden decks, but guests are lucky that it’s right here in La Jolla, overlooking the ocean
Hotel Type | Luxury
Hilton La Jolla Torrey Pines
10950 N Torrey Pines Rd, La Jolla, CA 92037
Hotel Type | Upscale, Oceanfront
Hilton La Jolla Torrey Pines is one of two hotels in La Jolla where Hilton Honors members can enjoy an incredible ocean view, and it’s perfect for golfers as you overlook the renowned Torrey Pines Golf Course. The property’s four separate buildings are reminiscent of cruise ships preparing to sail out for your Hotel Type | Upscale, Oceanfront
Estancia La Jolla Hotel & Spa
9700 N Torrey Pines Rd, La Jolla, CA 92037
Hotel Type | Boutique
Estancia La Jolla is one of the only hotels in La Jolla that will transport you into the Spanish hacienda-style vacation you’ve been aching for, and still just minutes from the beach. Estancia La Jolla Hotel & Spa has stunning plush garden grounds that cater to your relaxation, privacy, and wellness. It’s a great option for an Hotel Type | Boutique
Hotels in La Jolla- Beach Barber Tract/Windansea
Why stay in the Beach Barber Tract?
The Beach Barber Tract neighborhood is home to only 2 hotels in La Jolla that are more laid-back and budget-friendly. If you’re an avid surfer or want to watch, it’s a great option as it is close to the legendary Windansea Beach.
The area of Windansea is also closer to our neighboring beach town, Pacific Beach, so you’ll be centrally located if you plan to frequent both Pacific Beach and La Jolla during your time in San Diego. Marine Street Beach is another iconic local favorite, with a quieter beach experience if that’s what you’re after.
The Shoal La Jolla Beach
6750 La Jolla Blvd, La Jolla, CA 92037
Hotel Type | Boutique, Budget-friendly
If you’re looking for hotels in La Jolla that are a little more laid back, trendy, and affordable, go a little farther south, and you’ll find The Shoal, a boutique hotel just one block from the local’s favorite, Windansea Beach. Their recently renovated 44 rooms are spacious and comfortable, with modern, fresh-feeling decor and amenities. Hotel Type | Boutique, Budget-friendly
Holiday Inn Express & Suites La Jolla Beach Area- Windansea Beach
6705 La Jolla Blvd, La Jolla, CA 92037
Hotel Type | Casual, Budget-friendly
The Holiday Inn Express hotel in La Jolla is conveniently located one block from Windansea beach. Although it’s not located centrally in the Village of La Jolla hub, it’s still just a short 7 min drive to popular attractions like La Jolla Cove, or if you want to spend part of your day
Hotel Type | Casual, Budget-friendly
Hotels in La Jolla- Bird Rock
Why stay in Bird Rock?
Bird Rock, the City by the Sea, lies at the southernmost end of La Jolla. Visitors staying in Bird Rock may not know that the community was a central military hub in the WW2 era. It’s still the charming neighborhood it always was, with just one low-profile hotel. You’ll enjoy walking around to different shops and dining, plus being really close to the coast anytime you want to catch the sunset is a major plus.
The Sands of La Jolla
5417 La Jolla Blvd, La Jolla, CA 92037
Hotel Type | Casual, Family-Friendly, Budget Friendly
The newly renovated Sands of La Jolla hotel is a casual, family-friendly property blocks away from the coast in the quaint neighborhood of Bird Rock. Rooms are bright and spacious, with limited features and amenities. There may be a better place for you if you prefer more in terms of in-room amenities, but it’s great for simple travelers who want a comfortable place to stay near the coast and dining options.
Hotel Type | Casual, Family-Friendly, Budget Friendly
Events in La Jolla
There’s usually something fun going on in La Jolla that you can count on happening either monthly or yearly around the same time. Check out our website to see what upcoming events are happening ahead of your stay here.
Here’s a short list of our most notable:
First Friday Art Walk- Every first Friday of the month in the Village of La Jolla. Walk around and check out La Jolla’s best art galleries.
Open Aire Market– Every Sunday in the Village of La Jolla. Shop handmade goods from local vendors.
Swim the Jewel Cove Swim– Every September. Swimmers will participate in a 1 or 3-mile swim starting and ending at the iconic La Jolla cove.
Pupping seasons– Sea lion pupping season is from June 1 to October 31. Seal pupping season is from December 15 to May 15. Watch these cuties hang out with mom on Point La Jolla and at the Children’s Pool.
Swim with Leopard Sharks– Every year from June to October. Swim or walk among hundreds of Leopard sharks during their mating season in the shallow waters of La Jolla Shores Beach.
Here’s a short list of our most notable:
First Friday Art Walk- Every first Friday of the month in the Village of La Jolla. Walk around and check out La Jolla’s best art galleries.
Open Aire Market– Every Sunday in the Village of La Jolla. Shop handmade goods from local vendors.
Swim the Jewel Cove Swim– Every September. Swimmers will participate in a 1 or 3-mile swim starting and ending at the iconic La Jolla cove.
Pupping seasons– Sea lion pupping season is from June 1 to October 31. Seal pupping season is from December 15 to May 15. Watch these cuties hang out with mom on Point La Jolla and at the Children’s Pool.
Swim with Leopard Sharks– Every year from June to October. Swim or walk among hundreds of Leopard sharks during their mating season in the shallow waters of La Jolla Shores Beach.
A Note About Rates
La Jolla is undoubtedly a place that can be visited year-round, with comfortable temperatures throughout the year, with the warmest months being August and September. If you plan on staying in the peak summer months, however, you can expect hotel rates to be higher.
Understand that rates fluctuate throughout the year, and the rates noted in this guide are estimates and are subject to change depending on the time of year and room types.
Understand that rates fluctuate throughout the year, and the rates noted in this guide are estimates and are subject to change depending on the time of year and room types.
Getting Around La Jolla
Getting to La Jolla by car is no problem. Depending on where you stay, there will be free or paid parking. When going out for your day’s activities, you’ll certainly need to allow time to find parking. However, there are other ways you can get around La Jolla if you want to leave the car at the hotel.
On Foot | Every area of La Jolla has dining options and activities you can get to with just a short walk. However, options may be limited depending on the location, so a short drive or other transportation methods would be necessary.
By Bike | Many merchants in La Jolla offer bike rentals so you can get around without worrying about parking. Here are a few: Pedego Bikes in Bird Rock, San Diego Electric Bike in the Village of La Jolla, and Bike & Kayak Tours in La Jolla Shores.
By Bus | The #30 MTS bus route spans from Old Town in San Diego and as far North as La Jolla Shores, making stops every 15 minutes, so you can easily hitch a ride from your hotel to explore the other areas of La Jolla or San Diego.
By Uber or Lyft | Rides through either of these ridesharing companies are readily available in the La Jolla area.
We hope our Ultimate Guide to the best hotels in La Jolla was helpful. There is a hotel in La Jolla for every type of traveler, and we are confident you’ll find one you’ll love that suits your needs. If our guide helped you, let us know!
Enjoy your stay!
On Foot | Every area of La Jolla has dining options and activities you can get to with just a short walk. However, options may be limited depending on the location, so a short drive or other transportation methods would be necessary.
By Bike | Many merchants in La Jolla offer bike rentals so you can get around without worrying about parking. Here are a few: Pedego Bikes in Bird Rock, San Diego Electric Bike in the Village of La Jolla, and Bike & Kayak Tours in La Jolla Shores.
By Bus | The #30 MTS bus route spans from Old Town in San Diego and as far North as La Jolla Shores, making stops every 15 minutes, so you can easily hitch a ride from your hotel to explore the other areas of La Jolla or San Diego.
By Uber or Lyft | Rides through either of these ridesharing companies are readily available in the La Jolla area.
We hope our Ultimate Guide to the best hotels in La Jolla was helpful. There is a hotel in La Jolla for every type of traveler, and we are confident you’ll find one you’ll love that suits your needs. If our guide helped you, let us know!
Enjoy your stay!
