Vacation In La Jolla Ca

La Jolla is a city in San Diego County, California. The population of La Jolla as of 2007 is estimated to be 23,376.  It is part of the San Diego–Carlsbad Metropolitan Statistical Area.

A postcard from La Jolla, California needs to have the right message to effectively spread your message. Whether you’re vacationing in La Jolla for business, pleasure or both a fun and informative vacation card is all it takes to squeeze in some valuable branding time.

The moment you’ve been waiting for is finally here. You can stop searching for just the right La Jolla California vacation home because you’ve found it!

We all need to relax, unwind, and take a load off once in a while, but few of us have the opportunity to really cut loose. If you’re looking for your next escapist adventure and one that will knock your socks off, picking La Jolla as your vacation spot is a sure way to go. La Jolla is a unique area that is like no place else in the entire United States.

Vacation In La Jolla Ca

Whether you’re on the West Coast for business or pleasure, La Jolla is an amazing place. The town is literally carved into the edge of a gigantic sea mount that protrudes out of the Pacific Ocean. The most amazing feature of this geography is that the sea mount extends for fifteen miles with a narrow strip of dry land about two hundred feet wide separating it from the ocean. This long narrow strip of dry land is covered in beaches, tide pools and also boasts one of America’s best surf breaks – Windansea.

La Jolla Shores Beach

My daughter tries to get my leashed dog to go in the ocean at La Jolla Shores Beach.
A sunny morning at La Jolla Shores Beach

I direct travelers looking to spend a fun day at the beach to La Jolla Shores Beach. It’s the largest stretch of flat sand we have, which means there is plenty of space for everyone to spread out even on busy days.

The ocean here is typically excellent for swimming, but surfing is allowed on the north side. It’s actually one of the best places to take surf lessons in San Diego as the reefs cause the waves to break gently most of the time. A variety of reputable, licensed companies like Surf Diva can teach you how to hang ten here.

Adjacent to the beach is a playground and a huge grassy area called Kellogg Park. A number of convenience stores and excellent restaurants in the La Jolla Shores business district are within walking distance. You could easily spend a whole day in this casual La Jolla beach area.

The parking lot fills up quickly during peak days so be sure to arrive early. You may also park on the residential streets. Dogs are allowed before 9 a.m. and again after 5 or 6 p.m. depending on the season.

See also: Best San Diego Beaches From North to South


Scripps Pier

My daughter and dog walk in between the Scripps Pier pylons at La Jolla Shores Beach.
This is the iconic Scripps Pier viewpoint.

Head to La Jolla Shores Beach and walk north to the Scripps Pier. It is one of the world’s largest working piers. It enables scientists at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography to monitor changes in the Pacific Ocean and study marine life. The pier also pumps about 1.8 million gallons of seawater to the institution’s tanks.

Why go? This is one of the most popular places to take photos in La Jolla and the entire San Diego area for family portraits, Instagram, and the like. Snap a pic underneath the pylons or near the pier first thing in the morning or sunset for a postcard-worthy shot.

Occasionally, Full Moon Pier Walks are available to the public through Birch Aquarium otherwise it isn’t possible to walk on the pier.

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La Jolla Underwater Park

Aerial view of leopard sharks swimming underwater, one of the most unique La Jolla San Diego attractions.
Photo courtesy of San Diego Tourism Authority via Birch Aquarium

La Jolla Shores Beach is also a point of access into the San Diego-La Jolla Underwater Park, a protected ocean area full of marine life, including magnificent kelp, orange garibaldi (California’s state fish), leopard sharks, rays, and more.

You can explore it by swimming out from the beach. Still, the experience is definitely enhanced by snorkeling, scuba diving, stand-up paddleboarding, scuba diving, or kayaking around the park, including near our famous seven sea caves. Certain areas permit fishing (you’ll need a fishing license, however). Bring your GoPro for some fantastic adventure photos. Kayak tours and snorkeling tours are popular outdoor activities and depart from La Jolla Shores.

And, if you come in the summer when leopard sharks incubate, you may witness the incredible spectacle above. Read more about how to see the La Jolla leopard sharks, which is one of the most unique naturally-occurring outdoor experiences in California. Yes, they’re harmless.


Sunny Jim Sea Cave

View to the ocean from the platform inside Sunny Jim Sea Cave, a popular La Jolla San Diego area attraction.
A swimmer puts on fins and snorkel gear inside the cave (not recommended).

Sunny Jim Sea Cave is the only sea cave in California that is accessible by land. The old wooden staircase leading into the cave is actually inside of the Cave Store on Coast Blvd. in the Village of La Jolla.

Work on the tunnel to connect the sea cave to land began in 1902. Sunny Jim was also named by Frank Baum, the author of The Wizard of Oz, because the cave’s opening looked like a mascot for a British cereal, also called Sunny Jim.

A platform inside the cave allows guests to enjoy the barking sea lions and rumble of the ocean. The view is quite pretty as well. You only need about 15–20 minutes or less to buy a ticket, walk down, see the sea cave, and walk back up. Be mindful that the stairway is old and can be slippery so it isn’t great for unstable walkers but it’s a quick side experience when visiting the nearby seals.

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