It's no wonder when Spanish explorers landed on the shores of La Jolla, they named it "The Jewel." With 17-miles of stunning rugged and picturesque coastline curving into a myriad of natural coves backed by verdant hillsides, La Jolla is a natural treasure trove.
The vibrant upscale bedroom community of San Diego attracts surfers, beach bums and nature lovers, along with the rich and famous. Bottom line is, you never know what or who you'll see here, but everyone who visits falls in love with La Jolla. And for ample reason.
Where to Stay in La Jolla
The amazing hidden gem of La Jolla is without a doubt, Pantai Inn. The luxurious yet unpretentious oceanfront Balinese-inspired boutique hideaway has a relaxing warm atmosphere unlike any other place in town. Pantai is named one of the distinguished small luxury hotels of the world and after a stay here, we completely understand why. As a bonus, we loved being lulled to sleep by the rhythm of the crashing waves.
Attention to detail and top-notch service are the hallmarks of Pantai. The 30-room inn offers cottages and suites to accommodate any visitor's needs with mini to fully-furnished kitchens to boot. Both the rooms and tranquil grounds of the historic early 1900s property reflect the beauty and culture of Indonesia with impeccable authentic detail.
Rooms are beautifully-appointed with Balinese furnishings, paintings, and other pieces reflective of the Indonesian islands. Bedding and linens are of the highest quality and no detail is overlooked. That includes an Amazon Alexa personal assistant that automatically voice connects to the front desk for questions or needs that arise during the stay.
A delectable well-balanced buffet-style breakfast is included, with menus changing daily. Indoor and outdoor seating is available, all overlooking the majesty of the Pacific Ocean.
Location is important when you're in an easily walkable town like La Jolla. Pantai not only sits in the heart of La Jolla's coastal area, but it also provides a personal driver that will gladly take guests to other popular La Jolla haunts.
When all is said and done, there's no better value offering the laid-back luxury and slice of paradise than the magnificent Pantai Inn. And sunsets here are simply spectacular.
Where to Play in La Jolla
The upscale shops and galleries of La Jolla will satisfy the glitterati, while secluded trails, scenic overlooks, parks and abundant marine life provide refuge and balance to those who love the outdoors.
One town venue that's a must-do is Legends Gallery, where a substantial collection of Theodor Seuss Geisel (a.k.a. Dr. Seuss's) works are featured. Geisel, a longtime resident of La Jolla, not only loved his magnificent town, it literally inspired "Whoville" in his legendary tale How the Grinch Stole Christmas. The fine art gallery also offers surprising lesser-known works from the famous author including fascinating adult-themed artwork and eclectic sculptures.
San Diego's temperate climate is eternally conducive to outdoor play. It's perfect for activities like hiking, biking, kayaking or just strolling the waterfront. La Jolla's picturesque seaside park is home to an abundant array of wildlife including seals and sea lions. Awe-inspiring waves pounding the shoreline cliffs and beaches elicit oohs and ahhs from its many spectators.
La Jolla beaches are simply marvelous. WindandSea is a local favorite and one of San Diego's best surf spots. Families love La Jolla Shores for its spacious sands, gentle summer waves and firepits with bonfires. It also tops the charts for picnicking, sunbathing, swimming, and people watching.
Kayakers get a double dose of fun as they glide through the kelp-forested waters of the 533-acre La Jolla Ecological Reserve, filled with fascinating marine life. Depending on the tides, seven magnificent sea caves can be navigated with a guide from La Jolla Bike and Kayak Tours. Barking sea lions, basking harbor seals and waterfowl were our constant companions as we navigated the amazing azure waters of the bay.
Another way to see the stunning La Jolla formations is to snorkel through its incredible protected ocean sanctuary.
La Jolla is home to the largest annual aggregation of leopard sharks in the world. And from June to early December, these beautifully spotted non-threatening ocean creatures have no problem sharing the waters of the cove with swimmers, divers and snorkelers.
Hikers love nearby Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve for its well-maintained wilderness paths leading to breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean. Trails lead to lofty cliffs overlooking miles of magnificent coastal beach. Surrounded by stunning sandstone formations, the Reserve offers multiple hikes of varying lengths and difficulties lined with picturesque Torrey Pines, desert succulents and colorful wildflowers.
Where to Dine in La Jolla
There is no shortage of outstanding restaurants in La Jolla with a variety of venues. But these are some of our favorites.
Perched high on a cliff overlooking a picturesque cove and the La Jolla Caves, Crab Catcher has one of the most spectacular ocean views in La Jolla. The casual but elegant family-owned restaurant serves the freshest trap-to-table seafood. Service is impeccably attentive. Table service is available year-round in the splendid indoor dining room or our favorite spot, the romantic outdoor lighted patio.
We love the seafood here and though the menu isn't extensive, it doesn't have to be. In addition to magnificent mouthwatering entrees, Crab Catcher features daily specials and variety of delightful appetizers. Can't decide? Neither could we. So, feasting on their succulent small plates was the perfect choice.
Oven Roasted Pacific Oysters done Rockefeller-style were amazing. We're fussy about Crab Cakes outside Maryland's Chesapeake Bay, but Crab Catcher's are phenomenal. Topping off our seafood extravaganza with Local Black Baja Mussels completed our seafood trifecta. Grilled ciabatta bread for sopping up the savory juices was the ideal accompaniment.
It's not on the water, but award-winning Chef Brian Malarkey's Farmer and the Seahorse tucked away in the serene landscape of La Jolla's Torrey Pines district is a splendid choice. "We're not a restaurant, we're a lifestyle" is the perfect mantra for this amazing honest-to-goodness field-to-table eatery that takes the shared-plate experience to an entirely new level.
Inspired by the bounty of local farms and the abundant waters of the Pacific, the popular eatery is a great place to wine, dine and enjoy the creative chic décor. A vintage red tractor and an Airstream parked in the middle of the restaurant add to the atmosphere.
The eclectic eatery is renowned for having one of the best happy hours in La Jolla. Whether it's grass-fed burgers, pork belly sliders, fish tacos, the freshest poke around or house-made pizzas, every inventive entrée here is superb.
It's often said that La Jolla has been blessed with Mother Nature's kiss. This coastal jewel often called Southern California's Riviera is Pacific paradise at its finest.
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