Outdoors La Jolla Shores
La Jolla Shores
An outdoor spot in La Jolla Shores, free to visit and worth about an hour. Best time to go: Afternoon.
Why go
A mile of flat, wide sand north of the village, the calmest beach in La Jolla for a walk or a swim.
It is one of 7 curated places we feature in La Jolla, alongside 3 places to eat and 3 outdoor spots. The closest of our other picks is The Marine Room, 0.6 mi away as the crow flies.
- Type
- Outdoors · Beaches
- Neighborhood
- La Jolla Shores
- Price
- Free
- Time needed
- 1 hr
- Best time
- Afternoon
Nearby
The 6 closest curated picks in La Jolla, measured as straight-line distance.
- 1The Marine Room
Dining room at the edge of La Jolla Shores where high-tide waves break against the windows.
Food · 0.6 mi straight-line - 2La Jolla Cove
Small sheltered beach below the cliffs, part of an underwater reserve, where sea lions sprawl on the rocks.
Outdoors · 1.1 mi straight-line - 3George's at the Cove
Long-running restaurant above the Cove with three levels, including the open-air Ocean Terrace.
Food · 1.2 mi straight-line - 4Children's Pool
A 1931 seawall beach now used by harbor seals, which haul out on the sand in large numbers in winter.
Outdoors · 1.5 mi straight-line - 5The Cottage
Breakfast and brunch spot in a small cottage with a patio in the village, open for more than thirty years.
Food · 1.6 mi straight-line - 6Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve
Clifftop reserve protecting the rare Torrey pine, with short trails to ocean overlooks and the beach below.
Outdoors · 4.2 mi straight-line
On these curated routes
La Jolla Shores is a stop on our San Diego New Year's Eve route. Open it to see the full day-by-day plan.
When to go
Average daily highs in La Jolla run from 62°F in February to 76°F in September; February is usually the wettest month. For La Jolla Shores itself, we suggest: Afternoon.
Modelled monthly averages for La Jolla from NASA POWER, not a forecast. Full La Jolla weather by month.
Getting there
Map links open a live search for La Jolla Shores, so hours and directions come straight from the map app.
- Coordinates
- 32.86083, -117.25694
- Destination
- La Jolla, California
La Jolla Shores: quick answers
How much time do you need at La Jolla Shores?
Plan on about an hour at La Jolla Shores. That is our curated estimate for a typical visit; groups that linger will want more.
When is the best time to visit La Jolla Shores?
Our pick: Afternoon. Insider tip: Walk north toward Scripps Pier at low tide.
Is La Jolla Shores free?
Yes, we list La Jolla Shores as free to visit. Check locally before you go, since special exhibits, parking or tours can carry a fee.
Which TripsCircle routes include La Jolla Shores?
La Jolla Shores appears on San Diego New Year's Eve, a curated route you can open on TripsCircle and plan with your group.
Add La Jolla Shores to your crew's plan
Save it to a shared TripsCircle itinerary, settle the timing with a quick poll, and split the costs with everyone going to La Jolla.
Plan La Jolla
- La Jolla travel guide 7 places
- Best time to visit La Jolla weather by month
- Downtown San Diego & Gaslamp Quarter to La Jolla 11 mi straight-line
Lists & regions
Curated recommendation, not live listing data. Confirm hours, prices, bookings and access before you go.