This Weekend in La Jolla, CA
Nov 6–Nov 8
The seals at Children's Pool are the main attraction and they don't charge admission.
🆓 Free this weekend
Windansea Beach
Windansea
Legendary surf break and one of the most scenic beaches in San Diego. The palm-covered surf shack at the entrance is a designated historic landmark. Not ideal for swimming (strong currents) but perfect for watching surfers, tide pooling, and sunset walks. Locals rate this above La Jolla Shores for the vibe.
La Jolla Cove
La Jolla Cove
One of the most photographed coastlines in California — a small beach at the base of sandstone cliffs surrounded by protected marine reserve. Free to visit. Snorkeling here is excellent — the Ecological Reserve means the marine life is abundant. Sea lions on the rocks are the permanent residents. Go early before the crowds.
Torrey Pines Gliderport
Torrey Pines
Paragliders and hang gliders launch from the cliffs above Black's Beach — one of the most scenic flight spots in the world. You can tandem paraglide with an instructor or just watch from the cliff edge for free. The views of the coast from up here are stunning either way.
La Jolla Shores Beach
La Jolla Shores
Wide, flat, family-friendly beach with gentle waves — the best swimming beach in La Jolla. Lifeguards on duty, beach rental stands, and the launch point for kayak tours. Also the best beginner surf spot and a popular SCUBA entry point. Free; street parking or paid lot.
La Jolla Tide Pools at Shell Beach
La Jolla Cove
Rocky shoreline south of Children's Pool with some of the best tide pools in San Diego. Sea anemones, hermit crabs, starfish, and urchins visible at low tide. Free and accessible — check the tide chart and go at minus tides for the best viewing. Kids love it.
Prospect Street Shopping & Galleries
La Jolla Village
La Jolla's main street with art galleries, boutique shops, restaurants, and ocean-view cafes. Walkable and pleasant year-round. Thursday Art Walk (first Thursday) opens galleries for free and some pour wine. The village feels like a small coastal European town that happens to be in San Diego.
🌳 Get outside
La Jolla Tide Pools at Shell Beach
La Jolla Cove
Rocky shoreline south of Children's Pool with some of the best tide pools in San Diego. Sea anemones, hermit crabs, starfish, and urchins visible at low tide. Free and accessible — check the tide chart and go at minus tides for the best viewing. Kids love it.
La Jolla Cove
La Jolla Cove
One of the most photographed coastlines in California — a small beach at the base of sandstone cliffs surrounded by protected marine reserve. Free to visit. Snorkeling here is excellent — the Ecological Reserve means the marine life is abundant. Sea lions on the rocks are the permanent residents. Go early before the crowds.
Birch Aquarium at Scripps
La Jolla Shores
Public aquarium for Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UCSD. Over 9,000 animals across 400+ species, with a focus on Pacific marine life. The outdoor tide pool plaza has real tide pools you can touch. Ocean views from the terrace. Smaller than SeaWorld but more educational and a fraction of the price.
La Jolla Shores Beach
La Jolla Shores
Wide, flat, family-friendly beach with gentle waves — the best swimming beach in La Jolla. Lifeguards on duty, beach rental stands, and the launch point for kayak tours. Also the best beginner surf spot and a popular SCUBA entry point. Free; street parking or paid lot.
Children's Pool (Seal Beach)
La Jolla Cove
A man-made seawall from 1931 created a protected cove that harbor seals claimed as their own. Now it's the best free wildlife viewing in San Diego. The seals lounge, argue, and swim within feet of you. A rope barrier keeps people off the sand during pupping season (Dec-May) but you can watch from the seawall year-round.
🍷 Date night
Children's Pool (Seal Beach)
La Jolla Cove
A man-made seawall from 1931 created a protected cove that harbor seals claimed as their own. Now it's the best free wildlife viewing in San Diego. The seals lounge, argue, and swim within feet of you. A rope barrier keeps people off the sand during pupping season (Dec-May) but you can watch from the seawall year-round.
Birch Aquarium at Scripps
La Jolla Shores
Public aquarium for Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UCSD. Over 9,000 animals across 400+ species, with a focus on Pacific marine life. The outdoor tide pool plaza has real tide pools you can touch. Ocean views from the terrace. Smaller than SeaWorld but more educational and a fraction of the price.
La Jolla Shores Beach
La Jolla Shores
Wide, flat, family-friendly beach with gentle waves — the best swimming beach in La Jolla. Lifeguards on duty, beach rental stands, and the launch point for kayak tours. Also the best beginner surf spot and a popular SCUBA entry point. Free; street parking or paid lot.
Sunny Jim Sea Cave
La Jolla Cove
The only sea cave in California accessible by land. 145 steps down through a hand-dug tunnel from The Cave Store to a cave opening on the ocean. Built in 1903 by a German professor, and named Sunny Jim by L. Frank Baum (yes, the Wizard of Oz guy). The cave echoes with waves and the light is otherworldly.
George's at the Cove
La Jolla Village
Three levels of dining: the rooftop Ocean Terrace (casual, no reservations, ocean views), George's Bar (cocktails), and George's California Modern (fine dining). The rooftop is the play — same ocean views as the $100 restaurants, but you can eat there for $25-35. One of the best restaurant views in San Diego.
🎭 Entertainment
Children's Pool (Seal Beach)
La Jolla Cove
A man-made seawall from 1931 created a protected cove that harbor seals claimed as their own. Now it's the best free wildlife viewing in San Diego. The seals lounge, argue, and swim within feet of you. A rope barrier keeps people off the sand during pupping season (Dec-May) but you can watch from the seawall year-round.
Birch Aquarium at Scripps
La Jolla Shores
Public aquarium for Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UCSD. Over 9,000 animals across 400+ species, with a focus on Pacific marine life. The outdoor tide pool plaza has real tide pools you can touch. Ocean views from the terrace. Smaller than SeaWorld but more educational and a fraction of the price.
La Jolla Shores Beach
La Jolla Shores
Wide, flat, family-friendly beach with gentle waves — the best swimming beach in La Jolla. Lifeguards on duty, beach rental stands, and the launch point for kayak tours. Also the best beginner surf spot and a popular SCUBA entry point. Free; street parking or paid lot.
Sunny Jim Sea Cave
La Jolla Cove
The only sea cave in California accessible by land. 145 steps down through a hand-dug tunnel from The Cave Store to a cave opening on the ocean. Built in 1903 by a German professor, and named Sunny Jim by L. Frank Baum (yes, the Wizard of Oz guy). The cave echoes with waves and the light is otherworldly.
George's at the Cove
La Jolla Village
Three levels of dining: the rooftop Ocean Terrace (casual, no reservations, ocean views), George's Bar (cocktails), and George's California Modern (fine dining). The rooftop is the play — same ocean views as the $100 restaurants, but you can eat there for $25-35. One of the best restaurant views in San Diego.