With Spring Quarter coming to an end, visitor season in La Jolla begins! Whether your parents are coming to help pack up your dorm or your friends on the semester system are looking to kill time, you’ll need ways to entertain guests. Seeing La Jolla from a visitor’s perspective can help us recognize and appreciate how fortunate we are to live in one of the coolest places ever — quite literally, with the chilly ocean breeze and all.
As La Jolla is host to an abundance of tourist traps, it’s a challenge deciphering what’s actually worth the trip. I’ve done the work for you — here are La Jolla’s most popular attractions and whether they’re a must-explore or an overrated bore.
The Taco Stand — taste it or toss it?
To ensure no hangry outbursts when your hometown friend wants an update on that Fall Quarter situationship, begin the visit with a memorable meal. While La Jolla isn’t as well known as the rest of San Diego for the quality of its Mexican food, you’ve probably seen The Taco Stand on any list of local food recommendations. It’s hard to admit when a popular place deserves its reputation, but this spot will leave your guests dreaming of their perfectly seasoned al pastor tacos and avocado salsa for months. Beyond that, the pricing’s decent — pretty much unheard of in La Jolla.
I’d suggest ordering online because its wait times definitely reflect its popularity. Sure, its churros are delicious, but this isn’t Disneyland — what’s with the 30-minute lines? Arriving before 12 p.m. is another option if you’re craving a breakfast burrito instead. As a side note: If you can’t deal with The Taco Stand’s line, don’t even bother with the viral PopUp Bagels next door.
La Jolla Cove — see ya, sea lions
The Cove has any La Jolla tourist’s big three: sea lions, shopping, and sights. If your guest insists on visiting the iconic sea lions, warn them that they’ll only be able to stand about 15 minutes before the odor knocks them unconscious. A more pleasant option may be visiting the endless shops that line the streets. Emphasis on visiting, because guests looking to actually make a purchase will be sorely disappointed by the pricing of any cute boutique items they see. From Warwick’s to Geppetto’s — which, yes, does have NeeDohs and Jellycats — there’s something to accommodate everyone’s window-shopping dreams. One shop you can skip, though, is the Cave Store and its tour. You don’t need to spend $10 for a dark, fish-scented version of the stairmaster. An alternative way your guests can curate the perfect Instagram story is visiting La Jolla Outpost gift shop for the iconic photo-op of the La Jolla Cove signs. No scary, steep, smelly stairs there!
The beaches — can’t relax on Black’s
Passing up the chance to spend time at any of La Jolla’s world-renowned beaches would be a crime — even if the fog overpowers the UV index. Skip Black’s Beach though, as your feet won’t be the only bare thing there, and your guests may not want to be flashed by anything but a camera. Instead, hike up Torrey Pines to admire La Jolla’s fresh ocean breeze in a more exciting way. When it’s time for water activities, skip the popular tourist endeavor — kayaking through La Jolla Cove — because you’ll just be overtaken by cold, thrashing waves. Snorkeling at La Jolla Shores with the garibaldi fish and leopard sharks is a better choice, as La Jolla is considered a top snorkeling destination worldwide.
Local art and culture — (U) (C)an (S)ave (D)ollars!
Anything free in La Jolla automatically deserves hype for its rarity, so it’s best to take advantage of the few free opportunities we have nearby to enrich our sense of art and culture! With daily free admission for guests under 25 years old, and free admission for everybody else on the second Sunday and third Thursday of each month, the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego will further your knowledge of contemporary art beyond just the Canvas logo. For those more interested in reconnecting with nature, pack a Triton2Go lunch and enjoy breathtaking views at Mount Soledad, a national landmark and memorial.
As long as you don’t get too carried away only going to the viral TikTok attractions without doing research beforehand, you’ll be as golden as a La Jolla sunset!
