This Victorian seaside town has seen a lot of change since New York stockbroker Frank Botsford bought it for $5.50 per acre in 1887. What was once a resort community that started with tents and small cottages on the beach has exploded into a luxury art town chock-full of delicious and inviting eateries, beautiful hotels, and the ever entertaining, seals. From kayaking through sea caves to being pampered in a world-class spa, there is something for everyone in La Jolla.
Living in Los Angeles and being the ever-anxious explorer that I am, I venture south to San Diego County often but this was the first time I have spent multiple days in this enchanting seaside town and I feel confident that I can now say, these are the best in town! So grab your swimsuits and your appetite and let’s head down to La Jolla!
Where To Stay
Hilton La Jolla Torrey Pines
10950 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, 92037, United States
Instagram – @hiltonlajolla
Average cost of a room – $200
This hotel has everything that I am looking for when I really want to feel like I am on vacation – a giant heated pool, a fully stocked bar & restaurant, stunning views of the sunset, a balcony with a view of the ocean and fire pits. I guess I also really love that they had a huge gym with tons of equipment and outside yoga as well…you know, for when I want to work off some of the things I’d been eating and drinking. One of the best perks was how freakin’ comfy the beds were as well. Oddly that isn’t something I look for when I am reading reviews of hotels as proximity to things I want to see, vibe and cleanliness often take priority but let’s just say I’ve been missing the bed ever since I left it.
This hotel is massive so be prepared to walk and it is a little in the middle of nowhere in the sense there isn’t much to walk to except for the golf course. Technically you can walk to the beach and if you do, bless your soul because that is a HIKE. However, it is a short drive from La Jolla Cove and the Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve and my new favorite coffee shop so you really aren’t far at all but the relaxed atmosphere will have you feeling like you are on a proper holiday somewhere exotic. In all honesty, you really can’t beat the price point or the view.
Feeling like you want to stay a little closer to the action? Maybe you want some history? Here is where you should stay if you’re looking for a more central (and possibly haunted) vibe.
Grande Colonial La Jolla
910 Prospect St, La Jolla, CA 92037
Instagram – @grandecolonialhotel
Average cost of a room – $450
The Grande Colonial Hotel in La Jolla, California, opened in 1913 as the Colonial Apartments and Hotel, serving as a luxurious destination for travelers. Over the years, it became a cherished landmark, known for its elegant architecture and prime location near the ocean. The hotel has undergone several renovations while maintaining its historic charm, offering modern amenities with a nod to its storied and possibly haunted, past.
The hotel famously served as the summer residence for many Hollywood stars involved with the nearby La Jolla Playhouse, founded in 1947 by Gregory Peck and others. The hotel’s luxurious suites provided a private retreat for celebrities like Groucho Marx, David Niven, and Charlton Heston, who often mixed with local socialites at garden parties and play openings. The Colonial played a key role in making La Jolla a glamorous destination, contributing to the town’s cultural and artistic reputation and it’s a vibe you can still feel to this day. As is often the case, this well loved and historic hotel is host to a bunch of paranormal claims. From mysterious footsteps and slamming doors to apparitions of past guests like a woman named Abigail and a couple in formal attire. These hauntings are believed to be connected to the hotel’s nearly 100-year history, making it a site of both luxury and lingering spirits which we all know in my opinion, makes it an absolute stunner. It is also located right in the heart of La Jolla Cove so no need to drive anywhere, you’re in the center of the action!
La Valencia Hotel La Jolla
1132 Prospect St, La Jolla, CA 92037
Instagram – @lavalenciahotel
Average cost of a room – $500
If my branding didn’t make it obvious, I freakin’ love the color pink so you know if a hotel is both pink AND historic? Well, it’s gonna make it on my list of favorites. La Valencia Hotel, also known as “The Pink Lady,” opened in 1926 in La Jolla, offering Mediterranean-inspired luxury with stunning ocean views. Known for its vibrant atmosphere and iconic pink exterior, the hotel quickly became a favorite among Hollywood stars and affluent travelers. With its blend of historic charm, elegant decor, and lively ambiance, La Valencia continues to be a beloved landmark and a symbol of La Jolla’s upscale coastal lifestyle and it truly does feel luxury. The best way for me to describe this hotel is the coastal version of the Beverly Hills Hotel. It’s a favorite of people like the Kardashians so you know they have to be doing something good. Perhaps the most surprising thing to me about this hotel is that I can’t find a single ghost story associated with it. Regardless of who may be or not be hanging around, this Historic Hotel of America is absolutely worth the splurge if you’re looking for a romantic getaway, honeymoon or a killer girls trip.
Alright girl, I’m rested up, where are we eating?? Here are my favorite places to nosh, snickity snack and drink!
For Brunch: Sugar & Scribe, Downtown La Jolla
7660 Fay Avenue, Suite I, La Jolla, CA, 92037
Instagram – @sugarandscribe
Website – https://www.sugarandscribe.com/
You all know how I roll, when traveling I do not deny myself delicious food. If I want the insane eggs benny and toasted marshmallow latte I’m gonna get them and that is the ONLY mindset to go to Sugar & Scribe with. Owned by Food Network Champion, Maeve Rochford, they, “specialize in inventive, scratch-made savory and sweet items ranging from benedicts, salads, and sandwiches to pancakes and custom mimosas” and my lord do they do it well. And listen, I get that this female-owned restaurant & bakery looks super feminine, and it is! But rest assured for my male travelers that there were indeed a good amount of men happily dining using their fancy gold cutlery and sipping from their pink ceramic mugs. The food was next level, portions are huge (so you can definitely share if that’s your fancy) and your biggest issue is going to be deciding what to get!
I Recommend: Spicy Crispy Clucker Benedict and the Toasted Marshmallow latte (ask for it half-sweet!)
For Lunch: Shore Rider Bar, La Jolla Shore
2168 Avenida De La Playa, La Jolla, CA 92037
Instagram – @shoreridersd
Website – http://www.shoreridersd.com
It may not be very French of me, but I prefer my lunches to be light and laid back and the Shore Rider Bar in La Jolla Shores fits the bill perfectly. Located on the popular pedestrian-only street lined with delicious and uniquely decorated restaurants, this great low-key restaurant offers killer local beer and a delicious pub-style menu. It’s the perfect place to eat either before or after you go on a kayaking tour and a seat at the interior bar looking out towards the street ensures a great view for people watching. Pro tip – this is also a great place to grab drinks before catching the sunset at the beach down the street!
I Recommend: House Nachos & the Yakitori Chicken Skewers with Buffalo sauce and a side of the siracha ranch!
For Aperitivo Hour: Marisi, Downtown La Jolla
1044 Wall St, La Jolla, CA 92037
Instagram – @marisilajolla
Website – https://www.marisilajolla.com/
Sometimes you find a restaurant that stuns you with its beauty, and that’s Marisi. Located in the heart of downtown La Jolla, Marisi is a win whether you’re there for their brunch, dinner, or how I experienced it, their aperitivo hour. The truth is sometimes you run out of time to eat everywhere you want to while traveling and to be honest, I had fully planned on indulging in Marisi’s dinner service but life happens and we ran out of time. Luckily, we squeezed in an aperitivo hour and their stuffed squash blossoms and aperol spritz were perfectly balanced, delicious and has me drooling when I think about it. We also need to take a moment for their atmosphere – possibly one of the most beautiful restaurants I have ever seen. From the bar in the round, actual roaring fire in the kitchen and patio laden with flowers and vines, it feels like a dream. Needless to say I can’t wait to return and fully escape into their Italian fare. If you find yourself in La Jolla, please, for me, have a meal at Marisi.
I Recommend: The Blossoms & Aperol Spritz.
What I Can’t Wait to Try: Burrata, Corn Mezzaluna & Rigatoni
For Dinner: Puesto, Downtown La Jolla
1026 Wall Street, La Jolla, CA 92037
Instagram – @eatpuesto
Website – https://www.eatpuesto.com/location/la-jolla/
Located next door to Marisi, this Mexican restaurant is run by first-generation Mexican Americans who seek to bring authentic Mexican flavors and dishes to the San Diego area. The restaurant looks fun, laid back, and trendy but its menu is sophisticated with elevated takes on dishes like tacos and flautas with a price tag to match. This restaurant is definitely not for a cheap date night out but it’s a fantastic semi-splurge with mouth-bursting flavor, great drinks, and a truly fun atmosphere.
I Recommend: Chicken Flautas, Esquite, Tacos – I got the Chicken Al Pastor & Short Rib Quesabirria and for drinks, I could have had 5 Watermelon Margaritas.
Time to sober up…this is where we’re getting coffee. Or matcha. Or Both.
Bird Rock Coffee
Multiple locations around La Jolla & Torrey Pines
Instagram – @birdrockcoffeeroasters
Website – https://birdrockcoffee.com/
This Seattle girl will ALWAYS find the local coffee shops and let’s put it this way – during the course of 5 days, I went to Bird Rock 7 times. From a daily coffee run to an afternoon matcha run to even making sure I left downtown San Diego proper with enough time to hit it for my matcha for the drive back to Los Angeles – I became properly obsessed. From their homemade syrups to their perfectly balanced matcha to their killer breakfast sandwich, I honestly am just really sad we don’t have one of these in LA. I particularly loved the location across from the Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve, just a short walk from the beach and located next door to a great pizza joint!
I Recommend – Iced Honey Lavender Matcha Latte w/coconut milk & their Iced Almond Milk Latte w/homemade Hazelnut Syrup.
In conclusion, La Jolla is truly a pick-your-own-adventure destination. You can spend the entire time on the beach and in the water or you could explore the spas, luxury hotels and upscale restaurants. I think the beauty of La Jolla is how the deeper you look, the more complex this historic seaside town becomes and how at its core, it really is a city built by artists. Not so shocking as there is beauty everywhere you look.
Have you been to La Jolla? Tell me about your experience and your favorite spots below!
Malia has been traveling and researching history for over a decade. I hope this post inspired you in some way to research some history for yourself or to get out and explore this incredible world we live in! Please feel free to leave a comment below, I love hearing from you guys!
Find me on: Instagram
