Visit & Stay
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May 16: One Day, Two Iconic La Jolla Events
La Jolla Half Marathon | Secret Garden Tour On May 16, La Jolla hosts two of its most beloved traditions—each offering a completely different way to experience the Village. Whether you’re drawn to the energy of a world-class race or the quiet beauty of private gardens, it’s a day that showcases the very best of…
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La Jolla Beach Guide
From dramatic sea cliffs to tidepool treasures, La Jolla offers a truly one-of-a-kind beach experience in San Diego. The neighborhood’s coastline packs a wealth of diversity into a compact area. Visitors can go from secluded coves, rocky reefs, and wide sandy beaches in a matter of minutes. Whether you’re planning a family outing or finding…
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Art, Wine & Wagging Tails: Something for Everyone for La Jolla’s Art & Wine Fest
Save the date art enthusiasts, music lovers and wine connoisseurs! The La Jolla Art & Wine Festival returns to beautiful La Jolla Village for its 17th year on October 11–12 with art, music, food, pet adoptions and coastal vibes you won’t want to miss! Here’s what’s waiting for you: Over 160 incredible artists showcasing original works Interactive community…
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Sip, Savor, and Celebrate: La Jolla Art & Wine Festival 2024
Sip, Savor, and Celebrate: La Jolla Art & Wine Festival 2024 Get ready, art enthusiasts and wine connoisseurs! The highly anticipated La Jolla Art & Wine Festival is just around the corner, promising a weekend filled with creativity, flavor, and community spirit. Mark your calendars for September 28-29, 2024, and prepare to immerse yourself in…
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Art, Wine, Music, and a Good Cause Combine for the 16th Annual La Jolla Art & Wine Festival
The Jolla Art & Wine Festival(LJAWF) is excited to announce its return to the heart of La Jolla Village on Saturday, September 28, and Sunday, September 29, 2024, for its 16th year. This prestigious annual event will showcase regional and international fine art, exquisite wines, craft beer, and spirits, all complemented by a family-friendly atmosphere and…
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Zentrl Kitchen + Bar Opens In La Jolla Village
Zentrl Kitchen + Bar Opens In La Jolla Village Welcome To Zentrl Nestled in the heart of vibrant Downtown La Jolla, ZENTRL offers a captivating escape where modern elegance meets casual comfort. Our thoughtfully designed space, featuring marble accents, warm woods, and inspiring artwork, creates an ambiance perfect for enjoying delicious food and great…
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“I Do” with a View
The Rising Popularity of Destination Weddings and Why La Jolla is the Perfect Choice In recent years, more and more couples have been drawn to destination weddings, seeking to create unique and unforgettable experiences in beautiful settings. La Jolla, nestled along the stunning Southern California coastline, has become a favorite choice for couples looking for…
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New Merchandise Celebrate La Jolla’s “Sealebrities”
La Jolla’s seals and sea lions draw millions of visitors to charming La Jolla Village every year. According to the San Diego Tourism Authority and a study by San Diego State University, La Jolla’s stunning marine life and coastal beauty are the top reasons this spot is a must-visit destination for locals, daytrippers and tourists…
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WOW Festival Comes to La Jolla and it’s FREE
The La Jolla Village Merchants Association is thrilled to announce its inaugural sponsorship of the acclaimed annual WOW Festival, presented by the prestigious La Jolla Playhouse. This exciting partnership marks a significant milestone for LJVMA as it endeavors to support and promote the vibrant arts and cultural scene in La Jolla and beyond. This year’s…
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Thanks for Shopping Small this Holiday Season
As we head into the New Year and holiday lights fades, a huge THANK YOU from La Jolla Village Merchants Association to everyone who supported our small biz family! Beyond being a sunset haven and seal-spotting paradise, La Jolla is a treasure trove of indie boutiques and must-have brand favorites. Let’s keep the local love…
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Seals or Sea Lions – What’s the Difference?
photo credit:n @seal_oflove_ From December 15 to mid-May each year, California Harbor Seals can rest, give birth and nurture their newborn without interference from humans at La Jolla’s Children’s Pool. La Jolla Village’s shoreline is home to California harbor seals (Phoca vitulina richardii) and California sea lions (Zalophus californianus). Although both species are pinnipeds (fin-footed…
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Art, Wine, Music, and a Good Cause Combine for the La Jolla Art & Wine Festival
The 15th annual FREE La Jolla Art & Wine Festival (LJAWF) returns to the coastal town of La Jolla from 10 AM-6 PM on Saturday, October 7, and Sunday, October 8, 2023. With a spectacular coastline and picturesque views, La Jolla is the perfect setting for this weekend of creative celebration. Visitors can expect prestigious…
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As Summer Peaks, it’s Time to Soak Up All of the Treats
August is a time to enjoy the many gifts of a San Diego summer from the warmer ocean temperatures to the cool and tasty treats. The weather is perfect for sightseeing, shopping or chilling with friends and family. Our blog has some great stories to connect you to La Jolla’s must-experience summer delights from the…
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5 Tips to Reduce Your Carbon Footprint When Traveling to La Jolla
Out of the nearly 29 million tourists that visit San Diego each year, a significant portion are attracted by the seaside village of La Jolla. Dubbed “The Jewel of San Diego,” this coastline community has a cove that has been included in multiple top 10 rankings of the most beautiful beaches in the country. As…
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La Jolla Tide Pools – An Ecosystem at Your Feet
La Jolla Tide Pools are a series of natural pools filled with seawater that are located along the rocky coastline of La Jolla, California. These tide pools are home to a variety of marine life, including sea anemones, crabs, small fish, and other invertebrates. The tide pools are formed during low tide when the water…
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The Greenest Hotel in La Jolla
Earth Day is a reminder that we all have a role to play in preserving our environment for future generations. The Grande Colonial Hotel in La Jolla, California, has taken several initiatives to reduce its environmental impact and promote sustainability and claims to be the greenest hotel in La Jolla! Take a look at some…
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Who Remembers Alligator Head at La Jolla Cove Beach?
by Mindy Flanagan, Owner, Tour Freely Were you around to see this natural rock formation located at La Jolla Cove Beach? As my husband was rifling through old family photos, he found this photo below of La Jolla Cove beach that his dad had taken in 1953 with his Kodachrome slide film camera while picnicking…
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San Diego Tour Guides Association Visits La Jolla
This March, La Jolla hosted an enthusiastic group of true influencers and welcomed members of the San Diego Professional Tour Guides Association. These experts lead groups from all over the world and took part in a familiarization (fam) tour that included La Jolla Village. Cherry Wine Asian Cuisine hosted the group which was treated to…
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Cuisine Around the World – A United Nations of Dining Options
Written exclusively for Lajollabythesea.com by Angie Cobbs Food is a gateway to culture. SWNS reported on a study on food and its unifying power, and noted that 84% of the American respondents said that food is the key to sharing and experiencing different cultures. Most people thus travel to different countries in order to try out traditional…
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Appreciating the Beautiful Museums of La Jolla
Written exclusively for Lajollabythesea.com by Angie Cobbs Museums are critical for showcasing and exploring the full breadth of human experiences as well as finding universal themes in unique realities. Today, there is a growing hunger for culture that has revitalized the art sector. As the ease of travel recovers, museums worldwide are seeing a spike in demand for…
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Art Walk Celebrates Red, White & Blues
July is a star-spangled month and there’s no better way to blast it off than with a Red, White and Blues themed art walk in one of summer’s most iconic beach communities. La Jolla Village presents its monthly free First Friday Art Walk on July 1 from 4:00 to 7:00 PM. This month, for the…
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First Friday La Jolla Art Walk Celebrates PRIDE June 3
Every year, during the month of June, the LGBT community and supporters celebrate the influence LGBT people have had around the world. Why was June chosen? Because it is when the Stonewall Riots took place, way back in 1969. This month, La Jolla First Friday Art Walk shines the light on LGBTQ community groups, artists,…
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Fiesta at First Friday La Jolla Art Walk May 5
Cinco de seis is the day art lovers can fiesta as this month’s First Friday Art Walk features tequila tasting, as well as other sip, snacks, and of course — great artwork. This month Cove House (8030 Girard Avenue) invites you to arrive early and attend a First Friday Happy Hour beginning at 3:00 featuring…
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Only a Fool Would Miss April 1 Art Walk
Get ready for giggles and grins as this month’s First Friday Art Walk features silly surprises including sips, snacks, and of course — great artwork. This month Cove House (8030 Girard Avenue) invites you to arrive early and attend a First Friday Happy Hour beginning at 3:00 featuring the pop-up exhibit of Alex Dungan photography. While…
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Get Lucky at Art Walk THIS FRIDAY
Feeling lucky? You will when you attend this month’s green theme First Friday Art Walk featuring mint juleps, live music, artist meet and greets and — of course — great artwork as La Jolla Village celebrates LUCK at its First Friday art walk. COVID protocols will be followed to ensure the safety of visitors and…
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Love is in the Air at February 4 First Friday Art Walk
Grab your sweetheart, sweet friend or sweet self and indulge in an evening of chocolates, champagne, kombucha, doughnuts, music, giveaways and – of course — great artwork as La Jolla Village celebrates love at its First Friday art walk. COVID protocols will be followed to ensure the safety of visitors and guests. While the event…
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Art Walk Returns to La Jolla January 7 from 4 PM to 7 PM
Over 400 people safely enjoyed camaraderie and creativity at last month’s art walk. This month, the theme is LIFE and galleries will be serving healthy snacks and sips. COVID protocols will be followed to ensure the safety of visitors and guests. While the event is FREE and no tickets are required we ask that all…
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Limelight: La Valencia Hotel
This week’s limelight participant is one you don’t want to miss, La Valencia Hotel! This beautiful hotel is hard to miss in downtown La Jolla because of its beautiful and famous pink walls! We had the opportunity to talk to Ms. Annalise Dewhurst about La Valencia and it’s amazing history in La Jolla Village. La…
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Tips for Sea Lion Safety
Summer 2021 is proving to be a whirlwind of travel, shopping, and fun as communities reconnect after COVID-19 restrictions have lifted! And of course, what better way to remember all these new memories than snapping unforgettable photos and videos of all the great things you see. La Jolla is the perfect place for some Instagram…
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Limelight: Grande Colonial Hotel
This week’s Limelight merchant is Grande Colonial Hotel! It holds the prestige of being the only Four-Diamond hotel in La Jolla Village, a testament to its high degree of hospitality, service, and attention to detail as well as upscale style and amenities. The hotel overlooks the shores of the Pacific, so it has beautiful views…
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La Jolla’s Unique Maternity Ward
By Carol Toye, Docent at Sierra Club Seal Society June 23, 2021 — La Jolla is lucky to be home to such an array of wildlife. Our unique location on the edge of a deep underwater canyon, bordering two marine reserves, encourages many types of marine and birdlife to call La Jolla their home. Visitors…
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Looking for a Parking Bargain in La Jolla? Here You Go…
Parking enforcement is back and nothing ruins a day like a parking ticket; but, fear not! La Jolla Village Merchants Association has got you covered. Through the end of the year merchants, employees, and visitors can take advantage of a very special offer from ACE Parking, Use this link to access $4.95 All Day Parking…
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Want to Get Away? Looking for a Parking Bargain? Here You Go…
Parking enforcement is back and nothing ruins a day like a parking ticket; but, fear not! La Jolla Village Merchants Association has got you covered. Through the end of the year merchants, employees, and visitors can take advantage of a very special offer from ACE Parking, Use this link to access $4.95 All Day Parking…
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The Architecture of ST. JAMES BY-THE-SEA EPISCOPAL CHURCH
743 Prospect Street Louis J. Gill, 1929 / Restoration, 2014 Like other important structures in La Jolla, this church has a strong connection to the Browning Scripps family. Eliza Virginia Scripps was instrumental in the founding of a church on this site in 1909. In 1928, Ellen Browning Scripps laid the cornerstone of the bell…
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History and Architecture – LA JOLLA HISTORICAL SOCIETY
780 Prospect Street Architecture – Built 1904 / Irving J. Gill, 1909 / IS Architecture, 2013 The La Jolla Historical Society is a destination for history and architecture lovers, alike. Housed in Wisteria Cottage, a fine example of vernacular architecture of early La Jolla, the Society serves as a popular resource and gathering place where…
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The Architecture of LA VALENCIA HOTEL AND SPA
1132 Prospect Street Architect – Reginald Johnson, 1926 La Valencia is a magnet that attracts visitors from all over the world. Not only does it have an incredible spa, several dining options and awe-inspiring views; its architecture is incredibly unique. For over nine decades, La Jolla’s Pink Lady has elegantly graced the seaside bluffs in…
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La Jolla Architecture – GRANDE COLONIAL HOTEL
910 Prospect Street Architects – Richard Requa, 1913 / Thomas L. Shepherd, 1925 / Frank Stevenson, 1928 The Colonial Apartments and Hotel, as it was originally known, is La Jolla’s oldest hotel. The main four-story, concrete hotel, boasting the first fire sprinkler system west of the Mississippi, was built in 1928. During construction, the original…
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52 in 52 – Week 34 – AT Coffee House
1298 Prospect St, 1A |858-454-7381| www.atcoffeehouse.com First of all, you don’t need to be a cyclist to enjoy this locally-owned coffee house, but if you are peddle pusher you will be welcomed with open arms, tea leaves and very cool bike short. AT Coffee House has handcrafted coffees, loose-leaf teas and local pastries served in…
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52 in 52 – Week 33 – Harry’s Coffee House
7545 Girard Avene |(858) 454-7381 www.harryscoffeeshop.com Homey, happy, Harry’s! This is my kind of coffee shop. It has history (check out the wonderful pictures from Harry’s native New York and his adopted San Diego) throughout the diner. The menu has everything you’d expect and then some (they are famous for the BW Benny which is Harry’s…
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52 in 52 – Week 32 – The Cottage
7702 Fay Avenue | 858.454.8409| www.cottagelajolla.com There are certain places in the Village that always seem to have a bit of a wait and, The Cottage is one of those places. Whether it’s the large patio perfect for people watching, the incredible coffee cake, or the other delectable dishes, there’s something about this place that…
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The Architecture of SHEPHERD FIREHOUSE YMCA
7877 Herschel Avenue Harold Abrams, 1936 / Trip Bennett III, 2015 Fire Station Engine Company 13 began life as much more than a fire station. Simultaneously, it also housed La Jolla’s first city hall, a police station, a hospital room, and the water department until 1976. The City of San Diego Historical Landmark was designed…
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52 in 52 Week 17 – Spice & Rice Thai Kitchen
7734 Girard Ave Ste C | (858) 456-0466 | www.spiceandricethaikitchen.com Thai food is a favorite of mine and La Jolla Village is lucky to be home to this quint, high-quality cafe complete with outdoor patio seating. Lunch specials offer favorites including various curries prepared to your heat index. The yellow curried chicken was delicious and…
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52 in 52 Week 16 – The Spot
1005 Prospect Street, La Jolla |858-459-0800|thespotonline.com The Spot is a La Jolla landmark and a great place for lunch, happy hour or dinner. We snuck away for a quick lunch featuring wings and salad (we love to share) and were joined by one of the family-owners who helped promote Enjoya La Jolla. The Spot Restaurant…
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A Piece of History – WARWICK’S BOOKS
7812 Girard Avenue Built 1918 Established in 1896, Warwick’s is the oldest family-owned and operated bookstore in the United States. Known for its highly curated selection of books, including architecture and design books, eclectic gifts and jewelry, as well as fine stationery and office supplies, Warwick’s has the vibe of a community marketplace. Over the…
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ATHENAEUM MUSIC & ARTS LIBRARY
1008 Wall Street Architects – William Templeton Johnson, 1921 / William Lumpkins, 1957 / David Singer, 2006 Thanks to OH! San Diego, La Jolla’s architecture has been highlighted. For those who appreciate beautiful buildings as works of art, make sure to check out The Athenaeum Music and Arts Library. The Spanish Revival-style building is home…
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The Architecture of ST. JAMES BY-THE-SEA EPISCOPAL CHURCH
743 Prospect Street Louis J. Gill, 1929 / Restoration, 2014 Like other important structures in La Jolla, this church has a strong connection to the Browning Scripps family. Eliza Virginia Scripps was instrumental in the founding of a church on this site in 1909. In 1928, Ellen Browning Scripps laid the cornerstone of the bell…
