Crowned as “The Jewel of America’s Finest City”, La Jolla is a small town situated on a seven-mile stretch along the coast. It combines beautiful beaches, fantastic ocean views, fine dining options, and upscale boutiques that perfectly match its vibrant community.
The La Jolla Neighborhood
La Jolla’s twentieth-century development gave the seaside location a major makeover. Timeworn horse trails were paved over, beach cottages were replaced with turn-of-the-century Spanish-style homes and multi-million-dollar gated manors with direct access to the beautiful beaches, and sprawling subdivisions sprouted along the mountain slopes.
With its incredible backdrop consisting of natural coves, incredible beaches, steep canyons, hillside homes with the best coastline views, and a wonderful Mediterranean climate, La Jolla not only attracts beachcombers, divers, and surfers. It also offers the best location for those who desire that balance between a cosmopolitan vibe with a lifestyle revolving around the spectacular shoreline and its plethora of water adventures.
Despite being an affluent community, La Jolla still manages to preserve a quaint coastal residential feel while having large-city comforts. Homes sitting along the cliffs boast sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean, and luxury condos are strategically located close to the city center, so fancy dinners or day trips to the beach are never far away.
La Jolla isn’t only home to breathtaking beaches and some of the most expensive homes but also plays host to distinguished art galleries, highly regarded schools, world-renowned research institutions, and some of the best restaurants in the state, making the neighborhood one of the best places to live or visit in San Diego.
Beaches in La Jolla
The most obvious reason people live in or visit La Jolla is the ocean. The San Diego coast is nothing short of amazing, and La Jolla has some of the best beaches in California – whether for surfing, relaxing, or hanging out with friends and pets – each beach has its own personality and perks.
La Jolla Cove may be La Jolla’s most famous beach for its crystal-clear waters that are warm enough to swim in all year round. It’s also perfect for scuba diving and snorkeling. The Cove’s waters are part of the 6,000-acre La Jolla Underwater Park, which includes an Ecological Reserve. This means that wildlife such as seals, giant sea bass, barracuda, baitfish, and orange garibaldi have made part of this beach their home. La Jolla Cove is also close to La Jolla Village which has a wide variety of cafés, restaurants, shops, and galleries.
La Jolla Shores is a gorgeous sandy beach located just along the coast of downtown La Jolla and La Jolla Cove. In addition to water activities such as kayaking, boating, scuba diving, and surfing, the beach’s Kellogg Park provides family-friendly amenities, including picnic tables, a playground, bonfire pits, and barbecues.
A quiet, serene beach, Windansea Beach is another ideal spot for surfing and other water activities. The beach provides a picturesque landscape that’s breathtaking at sunset, making it a favorite among wedding parties and photographers. Dogs are also welcome here after 6 pm or at 4 pm during fall and wintertime.
La Jolla Restaurants
From everyday casual eateries to extravagant restaurants with a view, visitors and locals are spoiled for choice when it comes to La Jolla dining.
George’s at the Cove actually consists of three restaurants: California Modern is the flagship fine-dining option; Ocean Terrace serves al fresco dining on the rooftop; and Level 2 is a craft cocktail bar. Ocean Terrace, which is located high up on the cliff, creates a fun and lively atmosphere, perfectly capturing that quintessential San Diego beach vibe. From fish tacos and crispy halibut sandwiches to grilled salmon and spaghetti & clams, the light, flavorful fare will satisfy any seafood craving.
Redefining “oceanfront dining,” The Marine Room delivers a unique dining experience as the restaurant is built directly over the sea. Diners get to enjoy French chef Bernard Guillas’ rotating surf & turf menu with the likes of Oragashi Sesame Crusted Ahi Tuna and Northern Territory Australian Wagyu Center cut Ribeye while waves crash against the windows.
A La Jolla staple, El Pescador is a casual seafood market that offers more than a neighborhood-friendly fish counter. Its tiny restaurant’s chalkboard menu lists its daily specials, which typically includes homemade fish soups, tacos, ceviches, salads, and char-grilled entrées. Diners either enjoy their fresh treats on a high-top table, at the restaurant’s cozy patio, or they grab their orders to-go and have a picnic on a spot overlooking the ocean.
Things to Do
La Jolla is more than a playground for fun water pursuits. For those who want to hike with a view, Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve is the place to go. 1,500 acres of land has preserved the rare Torrey pine, maritime chaparral, unspoiled beaches, and a lagoon for migrating seabirds. Visitors can walk a peaceful and scenic trail, exercise while enjoying the fresh air, access the beach down below, or simply gaze at the surrounding views.
Birch Aquarium at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography is more than a marine research center sitting high on a bluff overlooking the Pacific. Visitors can see more than 5000 fish in 60+ aquarium habitats, as well as exhibits featuring colorful sea life and the latest discoveries by ocean researchers.
La Jolla is also one of San Diego’s must-shop areas. Westfield UTC shopping center provides the ultimate shopping and leisure experience featuring over 200 specialty and luxury stores, services, and restaurants in an open-air setting. It houses department stores such as Nordstrom and Macy’s, as well as luxury brands, including Hermès, Michael Kors, and Tiffany & Co.
Popular Cosmetic Dermatology Treatments in La Jolla
For the residents and visitors of La Jolla, Cosmetic Laser Dermatology offers several dermatology procedures to help them achieve a refreshed and rejuvenated appearance. Some of the cosmetic dermatology treatments offered at our medical spa include:
- Botox
- Dermal Fillers
- Cool3 Body Contouring
- Laser Treatments
- Skin Tightening
- Vein Treatments
- Take10
- TotalTat3
Schedule a Consultation with a Dermatologist in La Jolla
Our board-certified dermatologists are experts at performing a wide range of non-surgical dermatology treatments, and we are always accepting new patients to join our community. To learn more about the cosmetic dermatology services of Cosmetic Laser Dermatology in San Diego, CA, or to determine the best procedures for your aesthetic goals, contact us or fill out our online contact form.
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