La Jolla: The Seaside Jewel of San Diego
La Jolla, CA is a popular seaside destination that offers a diverse selection of endearing features. Regularly regarded as one of the world’s finest beach destinations, this upscale village boasts natural beauty, wonderful coastlines with picturesque views, and an abundance of attractions. Situated in the city of San Diego, La Jolla also provides first-rate shopping and revered restaurants – ensuring the best of all worlds. So, whether you choose to stay in an inexpensive coastal retreat or one of its many luxurious hotels, a trip to La Jolla is certainly a varied delight!
Highlights of La Jolla
When describing the highlights of La Jolla, the only place to start is with its coastline. First of all, the beaches available are one of the main draws for travellers to this deluxe village. Whether it’s a secluded cove or expansive stretch of sand, you will find it via highly regarded beaches such as Black’s Beach, Windansea Beach and La Jolla Cove. Speaking of La Jolla Cove, this area is often considered one of the best hangout spots in the village, with stunning views and ecologically protected water – making it a great place for swimming, snorkelling and diving. For something a little different, the La Jolla Caves are also worth exploring during low tides. Although away from the enticement of its magnificent coast, La Jolla has numerous other attractions that are worth your attention. The Birch Aquarium at Scripps supplies over 60 habitats of invertebrates and fishes to discover, while Mount Soledad is topped by a striking cross monument that overlooks San Diego.
Shopping Extravaganza
When it comes to shopping, you will find everything you could need when in La Jolla. From comfortably familiar brands to unique boutique stores, acquiring everything you could need – whether it is daily essentials or the most luxurious designer goods – is a simple task. If you are looking for a centralised port of call, then you can’t go wrong with the recently renovated Westfield UTC – which is situated just east of La Jolla. This expansive, outdoor shopping centre contains over 150 well-known retailers and even its own ice skating rink. The La Jolla Village Square is also another place of interest when it comes to all-things shopping, with a healthy selection of chain stores alongside a movie theatre. Even though these places are ideal, don’t ignore simply roaming the streets. The area is home to an assortment of individual shops that you will find dotted around the village, but it’s up to you to be able to find them!
Dining & Drinking
On typically any street in La Jolla, you will find an exciting collection of restaurants that will tantalise your taste buds. Looking for a romantic setting with views of the ocean? Want to sample international cuisine with a twist? Or simply in search of a food joint where you can grab a cheap bite to eat within a casual atmosphere? Well this area contains all that and more, ensuring they’re not short of dining options to match all requirements! Although if you want to prepare your own meals in your hotel room or holiday accommodation, a trip to the La Jolla Open Aire Farmers Market – taking place every Sunday – is ideal for grabbing some of the best and freshest produce in the city. And although it isn’t quite as lively as other places in San Diego, the La Jolla nightlife is not to be dismissed. With a mix of trendy bars that can offer live music and comedy, you have plenty of destinations where you can unwind with a few drinks until late into the night.
A Wealth of Events
If you browse the La Jolla calendar at any given time, you will generally be met with a wealth of live events taking place. From intimate music performances to full-blown festivals spread over multiple days, the village has more live shows than you might perhaps expect. As for some of the more notable events that take place in La Jolla, one that cannot be ignored is the La Jolla Art & Wine Festival. Taking place during October, this annual event has garnered the reputation of being one of the most respected wine/art festivals that Southern California has to offer. July’s La Jolla International Fashion Film Festival is another yearly occasion worth checking out, with it being dubbed the ‘Cannes of the fashion film world’. And taking place for over 50 years, the La Jolla Christmas Parade & Holiday Festival helps to add some extra festive spirit during the Christmas season.