La Jolla CA Essentials
Local Coffee Shops
Pannikin La Jolla
7467 Girard AveBird Rock Coffee Roasters
5627 La Jolla BlvdBakeries
Wayfarer Bread & Pastry
5525 La Jolla BlvdWhen ready to venture out of the immediate area, check out another excellent local bakery and take in Hillcrest. Based in Carlsbad and has an outlet there and in Encinitas, if you head north.
8 locals recommend
Prager Brothers Artisan Breads
1252 University AveWhen ready to venture out of the immediate area, check out another excellent local bakery and take in Hillcrest. Based in Carlsbad and has an outlet there and in Encinitas, if you head north.
Farmers Markets
Don’t miss the Open Aire Farmers Market at the Elementary School on Girard Avenue in the village, Sundays from 9:30 to 1. Great place to have breakfast/brunch while you browse.
51 locals recommend
La Jolla Open Aire Farmers Market
7335 Girard AveDon’t miss the Open Aire Farmers Market at the Elementary School on Girard Avenue in the village, Sundays from 9:30 to 1. Great place to have breakfast/brunch while you browse.
If you miss the Sunday Farmers Market in La Jolla, this one on Tuesdays gives you another opportunity, plus check out Pacific Beach.
42 locals recommend
Pacific Beach Tuesday Farmers' Market
901 Hornblend StIf you miss the Sunday Farmers Market in La Jolla, this one on Tuesdays gives you another opportunity, plus check out Pacific Beach.
Grocery Stores
Vons
1702 Garnet AveWhole Foods Market
8825 Villa La Jolla DrFish Market
El Pescador has the best fresh local fish, clams, calamari, etc. They also have a restaurant. You don’t need to wait in the order line if you’re buying fresh fish. Just saunter right up to the counter.
114 locals recommend
El Pescador Fish Market
634 Pearl StEl Pescador has the best fresh local fish, clams, calamari, etc. They also have a restaurant. You don’t need to wait in the order line if you’re buying fresh fish. Just saunter right up to the counter.
Beaches
La Jolla Shores Beach is a great walking, swimming and beginner surfer beach. You can snorkel at the southern end, in front of the Marine Room restaurant, to see the harmless leopard sharks. You can also kayak or get surfing lessons.
304 locals recommend
La Jolla Shores Hotel
8110 Camino Del OroLa Jolla Shores Beach is a great walking, swimming and beginner surfer beach. You can snorkel at the southern end, in front of the Marine Room restaurant, to see the harmless leopard sharks. You can also kayak or get surfing lessons.
Windansea is the closest beach, straight downhill on Nautilus Street. Use caution swimming here as it can have riptides. This is a famous surf break. A bit further south is another famous break called Big Rock.
272 locals recommend
Windansea Beach
Neptune PlWindansea is the closest beach, straight downhill on Nautilus Street. Use caution swimming here as it can have riptides. This is a famous surf break. A bit further south is another famous break called Big Rock.
Marine Street Beach is a well-kept secret at the base of Marine Street, North of Windansea.
29 locals recommend
Marine Street Beach
Marine Street Beach is a well-kept secret at the base of Marine Street, North of Windansea.
Pacific Beach to the south has a long boardwalk. It's possible to rent bicycles in Pacific Beach and ride all the way to Mission Beach via the boardwalk, and over into Mission Bay Park.
58 locals recommend
Pacific Beach Pier
Crystal PierPacific Beach to the south has a long boardwalk. It's possible to rent bicycles in Pacific Beach and ride all the way to Mission Beach via the boardwalk, and over into Mission Bay Park.
Mission Beach, even further south, is home to Belmont Park. There's an old-time wooden roller-coaster, climbing wall, wave pool, laser tag, etc.
https://www.belmontpark.com/
554 locals recommend
Mission Beach
3000 Mission BoulevardMission Beach, even further south, is home to Belmont Park. There's an old-time wooden roller-coaster, climbing wall, wave pool, laser tag, etc.
https://www.belmontpark.com/
Heated Swimming Pool
The ocean is pretty cold year-round in La Jolla because of the Alaska current. For something a little warmer, the Coggan Aquatics Center is just down the hill on Nautilus Street, adjacent to the high school. It is open to the public for a reasonable fee. There are changing rooms and a hot tub.
10 locals recommend
Coggan Family Aquatic Complex
800 Nautilus StThe ocean is pretty cold year-round in La Jolla because of the Alaska current. For something a little warmer, the Coggan Aquatics Center is just down the hill on Nautilus Street, adjacent to the high school. It is open to the public for a reasonable fee. There are changing rooms and a hot tub.