San Diego - La Jolla

Introduction:

What? : Long sandy beaches as well as small ocean rocky coves, marine nature reserves, surfing and kayaking activities, fine food, luxury boutiques and stores, and spectacular panoramic views of the ocean blend together into one of the most beautiful places to visit and explore in the San Diego area.

A perfect destination “town” in southern California.

 

Where? : The town of La Jolla (part of San Diego) is located about 12 miles north of downtown San Diego on the ocean coastline.

Google Map Link

 

Due note: We did not plan our visit ahead of time, so we did not made any reservation for local kayaking and snorkeling activity at the marine nature reserves (La Jolla Underwater Park), looks like fun activity to do.

 

My thoughts: A Day visit is highly recommended, no doubt that La Jolla is one of the most beautiful coastal “towns” destination in California.

There are many things to do and see here so if you are coming for one day try to plan your visit in advance.

 

 

The visit:

The town is spread south to north over 7 miles of coastline, which includes the long and sandy beach in the north (La Jolla Shores) as well as the rocky hill area in the south (Village of La Jolla), you can also find in the southern area small beaches.

Downtown is located on the hill, and it has a lots of restaurants, shops, and art galleries.

In addition, there are numerous bays, small parks, and low tide along the coast near the village.

 

There is a walking trail along the ocean line near the city as well as extension that goes north through the cliff section (Coast Walk Trail), above the ocean park below (La Jolla Underwater Park).

As you walk here you can enjoy the view of Sea Lions flocks resting on the shore, many cormorants and pelicans and the ocean views.

 

Swimmers, snorkelers, and kayakers are heading to the rocky section of the beach, there at the marine nature reserve you can see the corals, fishes and other marine animals, a prime snorkeling location.

 

You can have an organized kayak trips from the north coast, pedal south and do snorkeling in the marine nature reserve. There are many companies that are renting kayaks, surfboard, or stand-up paddle boarding as well as snorkeling gear.

You can rent and set your one trip, or you have the option to join an organized kayak activity with a guide, looks like a fun activity.

Unfortunately, it was a perfect day for such activity, but we did not have the time to do this, probably next time.

 

We walked from the northern part of the long sandy beach (near the pier) to the village at the hill at the south. Walking from the beach up the road to the village section is boring, you need to walk on the main road. Unfortunately, there is no trail that connects the two parts of the city.

 

Additional things to do and see in La Jolla:

- Children's Pool La Jolla

- La Jolla Tide Pools

- Birch Aquarium at Scripps Institution of Oceanography

- UCSD, Geisel Library

- Black's beach and Torrey Pines Gliderport

- Torrey Pines State Reserve and beach

 

Pictures: