From Oceanfront Rooms to Memorable Restaurants, Here’s What to Do in La Jolla Shores
Whether you’re a San Diego local or an out-of-towner, a weekend visit to La Jolla is always a good idea. The coastline is dotted with ecological reserves, making it an ideal place to observe marine life or go snorkeling, surfing and kayaking. For a picture-perfect coastal staycation, visit La Jolla Shores, a northern neighborhood home to local attractions like the La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club and Birch Aquarium along with an abundance of waterfront restaurants. Whatever your speed is, we’ve got you covered with a complete guide to La Jolla, for a full weekend on the shores of Jewel City.
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Guide to La Jolla Shores
4 p.m. Check-in at the La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club
Unpack your bags at the beautiful La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club, a resort that merges historical charm with modern-day amenities. With its oceanfront guest rooms, tennis and pickleball courts, 3-par golf course plus an exclusive beach, this waterfront property is the ultimate staycation spot. Accommodations are spacious and modern with a touch of coastal luxury, and when it comes to dining, you’ll have access to an assortment of seaside restaurants. During the day, take a dip in the Junior Olympic-size swimming pool, or if you’re feeling adventurous, go stand-up paddleboarding, snorkeling, scuba diving or kayaking. It’s safe to say, you and your crew won’t be bored at this time-honored resort!
6 p.m. Italian Eats at Osteria Romantica
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Turn back the clock at this cozy little restaurant in the heart of La Jolla Shores. Osteria Romantica’s sepia-toned photos, vintage decor and checkered tablecloths will transport you to a simpler time. Serving La Jolla since 2004, this Italian restaurant offers crowd favorites with recipes inspired by Nonna. Their Linguine Nere is a harmonious marriage between classic Italian and coastal San Diegan flavors. Starting with fresh black linguine pasta, bay scallops, bay shrimp and leeks are added in a cream sauce, then topped with caviar; it’s a must-order on your first night out.
10 a.m. Grab a Coffee at MRKT SPACE
MRKT SPACE is your one-stop shop for everything from pantry essentials to morning lattes. In addition to local gourmet market products, they have a full kitchen and coffee bar dubbed The Finery. Their coffee is served Australian-style with a perfectly balanced ratio of milk to coffee, and they also offer tea and matcha for non-coffee drinkers. Their pastries are freshly delivered from a local bakery in Pacific Beach, and you can also order other breakfast items made in-house, such as baked egg cups wrapped in bacon.
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Noon Kayak With Everyday California
After your morning fuel up, it’s time to burn some calories! Book an adventure with Everyday California to explore everything La Jolla has to offer. With the environment in mind, Everyday California seeks to provide eco-friendly kayak and snorkeling tours of San Diego’s beautiful coastline. You’ll get an informative, unforgettable tour of the La Jolla Ecological Reserve, a Marine protected area, and discover a thriving underwater ecosystem that boasts one of the highest concentrations of sea life in all of California. You might even see a leopard shark!
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2 p.m. Lunch at The Shores Restaurant
Aptly named, this refined oceanfront restaurant at The La Jolla Shores Hotel features tall arched windows with shorefront views of La Jolla Cove. The Shores boasts a Cali-coastal, Baja-inspired menu with items like tuna ceviche, black mussels farmed right in Carlsbad and fish tacos, which is one of their most popular dishes. Pair your lunch pick with a Floral Reef cocktail, made with Tito’s, peach liqueur, creme de violette and lemon to enjoy on their oceanside patio. They also offer a picnic menu and will conveniently pack everything for you if you’d like to dine on the sand.
3 p.m. Explore Birch Aquarium
Birch Aquarium is part of the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, so you’ll find educational and informative displays of sea life specific to La Jolla. Explore the many interactive exhibits, get lost in the aquarium’s two-story Giant Kelp Forest and maybe even pet a baby shark if you’re brave enough! The marine life showcased is incredibly diverse, with everything from loggerhead sea turtles to moon jellyfish and Pacific octopus. Take this tip from our guide to La Jolla and check out the tide pool experience, which lets you touch creatures of the sea like starfish, anemone and coral!
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5 p.m. Rent Bikes at La Jolla Shores Hotel
The weather in La Jolla is almost always perfect, making it ideal for outdoor activities. The La Jolla Shores Hotel is practically an extension of the beach, perfectly situated in between the community and the ocean. And you don’t have to stay at the hotel in order to rent a few of their bikes! Hop on and bike through Kellogg Park, a scenic grassy park facing the ocean. You can also continue heading north towards La Jolla Shores Beach and Park and catch the sunset before heading back.
6:30 p.m. Dinner at The Marine Room
This iconic restaurant has been operating since 1941 and is best known for its unparalleled seaside views. Recently renovated, guests can now experience the new Lounge for an additional, exclusive dining experience at the restaurant’s most desirable seats. Flanked on all sides with ceiling-high windows, The Marine Room sits (quite literally) on the shore, offering beyond breathtaking views. It was built to be as close and as low to the ocean as possible, so when high tide comes, guests can experience a dramatic display of the waves crashing against the glass. They serve only the best to accompany the views, so you can dig into options like Marine Lobster Tail, Togarashi Sesame Crusted Ahi Tuna and Angus Filet Mignon.
