Things to do in La Jolla
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Top 10 attractions in La Jolla
SeaWorld San Diego
•Enjoy a variety of one-of-a-kind animal experiences •Enjoy attractions for every thrill level •Explore the exciting world of marine animals △Marine Life Shows: SeaWorld San Diego is known for its captivating marine life shows, where visitors can witness incredible performances by dolphins, sea lions, and orcas. These shows provide both entertainment and education about marine animals and their behaviors. △Animal Exhibits: The park offers a variety of animal exhibits, allowing visitors to get up close and personal with a wide range of marine creatures. From penguins and sharks to turtles and rays, these exhibits provide an immersive experience and a chance to learn about different species. △Thrilling Rides: In addition to the marine life attractions, SeaWorld San Diego also features thrilling rides for adrenaline enthusiasts. From roller coasters to water slides, these rides offer a mix of excitement and fun for visitors of all ages.San Diego · 8.7 km from La Jolla
Port of San Diego
Port of San Diego is one of the main naval ports for the US Navy's Pacific Fleet. The harbor is deep and wide, with various warships such as aircraft carriers, destroyers, and nuclear submarines moored year-round. Standing on the shore, you can feel the massive scale of the warships up close. A highly recognizable landmark in the port area is the decommissionedUSS Midwayaircraft carrier. It is moored by the harbor and has been converted into an aircraft carrier museum open to the public, with various retired carrier-based aircraft displayed on the flight deck. In the park next to the aircraft carrier stands the "Embracing Peace" sculpture—a giant statue based on the classic V-J Day photo, capturing the moment a sailor and a nurse kiss. In the same park, there is also a group of bronze statues depicting a pilot who has just stepped off a plane, a kneeling nurse, a wounded soldier on crutches, a veteran in a wheelchair, as well as sailors, marines, ordinary citizens, and children. Strolling through the port area, red tiles and green trees contrast with the blue sea and sky, and in the distance, you can see the Coronado Bridge spanning the bay. On the other side of the harbor, there is a large private yacht marina with a forest of masts, offering a unique coastal charm. The pedestrian area is dotted with vintage sailboats and street performers playing guitar, as well as a century-old carousel.San Diego · 13.9 km from La Jolla
La Jolla Cove
La Jolla Coveis located on the Pacific coast north of downtown San Diego, California, United States, and is a beautiful coastal area consisting of reefs, beaches, and cliffs. It is known for its clear waters, rich marine life, and immersive nature-viewing experience, making it one of San Diego's popular seaside attractions. Walking south along the coastal trail toward the beach, you can see seals resting leisurely on the sand, while seabirds like cormorants gather on nearby reefs, creating a vibrant coastal scene. The entire area is within a marine ecological reserve, and its crystal-clear waters make it a favorite spot for snorkeling and scuba diving enthusiasts. Once in the water, visitors can see colorful Garibaldi fish swimming among the reefs.La Jolla · 2 km from downtown
San Diego Zoo
The San Diego Zoo is located in Balboa Park in Southern California, USA. It is a large urban zoo that combines animal exhibits, plant views, and conservation education. The zoo is home to over 10,000 animals, covering more than 600 species and subspecies, including many rare and endangered ones. The park also features hundreds of thousands of plants, with eucalyptus forests and various succulents giving it the charm of a botanical garden. Visiting the zoo feels like strolling through a plant garden. Giant pandas are the star attraction here: pandas "Yunchuan" and "Xinbao" live in the expanded "Panda Ridge" exhibit, where you can watch them munching bamboo, rolling around, or napping through the glass—often making it one of the park's most popular stops. Nearby the entrance, the "Koalafornia" exhibit features koalas mostly snoozing on eucalyptus branches or chewing leisurely, looking perpetually sleepy. The "Lost Forest" area showcases a gorilla family, while the "African Rocks" zone has groups of waddling African penguins on the sandy shore. In the polar bear exhibit, the bears often swim close to the water's surface, visible in striking detail through the glass. The park offers year-round educational animal shows, where animal ambassadors make appearances under keeper guidance. The double-decker sightseeing bus and "Skyfari" cable car provide two efficient ways to explore the park. The cable car crosses overhead, serving as both a convenient shuttle between park sections and a vantage point for canopy views of the zoo and Balboa Park. The zoo is built along the canyon terrain with many slopes and steps, so comfortable shoes are recommended. Try to visit the pandas earlier in the morning for shorter wait times. A full walk around the park with stops usually takes most of the day, so planning your route in advance can help avoid backtracking. △ Watch adorable giant pandas up close △ Watch marine creature show △ Overlooking the zoo panorama by cable carSan Diego · 15.6 km from La Jolla
Old Town
Old Townis located in San Diego, California, United States, and serves as an important starting point for the city's history and culture. Stepping into Old Town, you are immediately immersed in a rich historical atmosphere. The district preserves many traditional adobe buildings, which feature rustic exterior walls and natural colors that complement the surrounding palm trees, courtyards, and small plazas, showcasing the unique lifestyle of early California. The district is home to hundreds of shops, restaurants, and handicraft markets, where visitors can purchase souvenirs such as Mexican-style pottery, textiles, and handmade jewelry. The public spaces in Old Town are equally vibrant, with street musicians often playing in the plaza, and folk dances and traditional performances appearing from time to time.San Diego · 11 km from La Jolla
Balboa Park
Balboa Parkis located in the heart of San Diego, California, United States. The park covers a vast area, integrating large green spaces, natural canyons, historic buildings, and numerous cultural institutions into a comprehensive public space that combines leisure, art, history, and natural views. Soaring towers, continuous arched corridors, exquisite courtyard decorations, and rich sculptural details work together to create a strong Spanish palace-style atmosphere. Strolling through it, visitors feel as if they are in a city garden that blends European classical style with the sunny atmosphere of California. The park features rich botanical views, and the Botanical Building and the Lily Pond in front of it form a classic view. The wooden-framed greenhouse is reflected on the calm surface of the lily pond, set against the surrounding flowers, plants, palm trees, and green spaces, creating a tranquil and beautiful garden atmosphere.San Diego · 16.1 km from La Jolla
Embracing Peace
Embracing Peace is a striking public artwork located in San Diego, California, United States, situated near Seaport Village on the San Diego waterfront. Visitors here can not only admire the artwork but also experience the unique atmosphere created by the interplay of the harbor, warships, and the city view. Created by American artist Seward Johnson, this large bronze sculpture stands over 7 m tall and captures the classic moment of a sailor and a nurse embracing to celebrate the end of World War II. The sailor in the sculpture leans forward while the nurse leans back. Their dynamic poses not only express the joy of that historical moment but also convey themes of peace and hope. The statue is set in an open area with the sparkling San Diego Bay in front and the massive hull of the USS Midway Museum visible behind it, creating a striking blend of history and coastal scenery.San Diego · 16.1 km from La Jolla
Sunset Cliffs Natural Park
Sunset Cliffs Natural Parkis a coastal natural park known for its spectacular sea-eroded landforms. Extending along the Pacific coast, it features long cliff lines, rugged rock walls, and expansive ocean views, making it an important spot for local residents and visitors to enjoy natural scenery and watch the sunset. Through years of wind and wave action, the coastal cliffs have gradually formed natural arches, sea caves, and recessed rock layers of various sizes. Standing on the cliff-top trail and looking down, you can see deep blue seawater constantly crashing against the rock walls, with splashing waves and echoing sounds, showcasing the unique and magnificent grandeur of the Pacific coast. In addition to the coastal scenery, the park also focuses on nature conservation. The hillside area inside the cliff line is designated as a native vegetation protection zone, with trails winding through local plants, maintaining a relatively natural ecological environment. In spring, wildflowers often bloom on the hillsides, adding soft colors to the otherwise rugged coast.San Diego · 13.1 km from La Jolla
La Jolla Shores Park
LaJolla faces the sea on three sides, surrounded by cliffs, the coastline is winding and winding, the sandy beach is shallow and open, and the sea water is blue and transparent. Due to the good environment, sea lions and seals often haunt here. They are naive, lying lazily on the beach, attracting tourists to stop and take pictures at close range. It is also a paradise for birds. On the coastal rocks, a large number of seagulls and pelicans live here. The sea breeze is blowing, while strolling, huge seabirds fly overhead, cute seals crawl around, tourists are fully close to nature in tranquility!La Jolla · 3.2 km from downtown
Belmont Park
Belmont Park, located in Mission Beach, San Diego County, is a historic seaside amusement park that was officially established on July 4, 1925. The coastal scenery of the beach and the various amusement facilities in the park attract millions of tourists from all over the world every year. The park's more well-known attractions are the GiantDipperRollerCoaster (the Big Dipper Roller Coaster). This wooden roller coaster, built in 1925, is one of the oldest all-wood roller coasters in American history. With 2,500 feet of track and 13 thrilling turns, plus a wide view, riding this roller coaster is not only a challenge of courage, but also allows you to scream and scream while enjoying the seaside scenery. The roller coaster is also considered a local landmark. In addition to the iconic "Big Dipper", there are many thrilling rides in the park, such as vertical landing, crazy seabed, and laser maze. The amusement park also offers bumper cars, a carousel, and some other action-packed games for kids. Belmont Park also has beach sports clubs, cafes, restaurants and specialty food stalls to meet visitors' rest and dining after exciting games. Play a round of mini golf, take the kids on a rock climbing tour, or get a tattoo painted in the park shop for a different way of relaxing. Rows of tropical palm trees, cool coastal winds, and the beautiful natural beauty of the Southern California Bay also make Belmont Park a great summer destination for the whole family.San Diego · 7.1 km from La Jolla
Experiences you can't miss in La Jolla
Featured Cultural experiences in La Jolla
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Featured Food & drink in La Jolla
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Free things to do in La Jolla
SeaWorld San Diego
San Diego · 8.7 km from La JollaBook now for tomorrow, Cancel anytimePort of San Diego
San Diego · 13.9 km from La JollaLa Jolla Cove
La Jolla · 2 km from downtownSan Diego Zoo
San Diego · 15.6 km from La JollaImmediate access, Book now for today, Cancel anytimeOld Town
San Diego · 11 km from La JollaBalboa Park
San Diego · 16.1 km from La JollaEmbracing Peace
San Diego · 16.1 km from La JollaSunset Cliffs Natural Park
San Diego · 13.1 km from La JollaLa Jolla Shores Park
La Jolla · 3.2 km from downtownBelmont Park
San Diego · 7.1 km from La JollaImmediate access, Book now for today
More ways to travel from La Jolla
What travellers say about La Jolla
notmaxpAugust 29, 2026
5.0
Business Hours:Address:Tips:Reasons to Recommend:Reasons to Recommend: SeaWorld San Diego county
SeaWorld San Diego
YoYo_1I8Q7O5OMarch 1, 2026
5.0
San Diego is a gentle city bathed in sunshine. The Spanish-style buildings in Balboa Park gleam warmly in the sunlight, and beside the massive silhouette of the HOUSTON aircraft carrier, the Kiss of Victory sculpture captures an eternal sense of joy. Colorful houses huddle together in the Old Town, and the aroma of burritos wafts from street corners. The most pleasant experience is lying on Coronado Beach at dusk, watching the Pacific waves gently lapping in—unhurried and peaceful, just like the perfect California sunshine.
Port of San Diego
诗意情节January 29, 2018
5.0
I went to Lajolla Cove. The waves were so big. I rolled up a thousand piles of snow and smashed a pool of broken jade. The first time I saw the baby sea lion, the sea lion seal used to be silly and indistinguishable. The sea lion was sunbathing on the beach. It was lovely.
La Jolla Cove
M27***85May 30, 2025
5.0
Very good zoo. The pandas are quite fat and worth seeing. The other animals are also very lively. The parking lot is free. There are also many things to eat and drink inside. Different shops have different characteristics. You must leave enough time, otherwise you will not be able to finish the tour.
San Diego Zoo
老少皆宜（）October 2, 2022
5.0
The southern U.S. city of San Diego is a border city close to Mexico and an important military port. The Mexican town on the border here is a scenic tourist destination with Mexican style. If you have the chance, you should come and see it.
Old Town
西溪老翁January 21, 2021
5.0
Balboa Park in San Diego is a lush oasis in the north of downtown San Diego, covering an area of 1,200 acres. The center is only a few minutes' walk away. Imagine green lawns, fountains, Spanish architecture and lush gardens. Here you can relax and enjoy the beautiful scenery. Balboa Park is located in the north of downtown San Diego. As an internationally renowned gathering place for technology, culture and art, it will excite you who love artistic creation. At present, the park brings together 17 museums including human history, natural history, photography, art, automobiles, and aviation, as well as six open-air or indoor performance venues, and eight gardens of different styles, showing us the historical development of mankind from multiple perspectives. During Museum Month, visitors can experience the art and technology of various museums in a new way. Strolling through the park's historic Spanish Renaissance buildings and lush gardens, visitors can visit the Fleet Science Center, San Diego Natural History Museum, Museum of Photographic Arts, Japanese Friendship Garden, San Diego Air & Space Museum, Mingei Museum, and many other museums.
Balboa Park
健康美丽的芳芳February 9, 2020
5.0
The Kiss of Victory is definitely worth a visit to check in and take photos as a souvenir. You should know that this is a classic scene of victory in World War II. This photo is even included in textbooks. It is definitely worth a good look.
Embracing Peace
小思文February 18, 2020
4.0
San Diego is one of the border cities on the U.S. coastline. It is very close to Mexico and has many port resources. This cliff park is a very steep place where you can enjoy the sunset show in the evening.
Sunset Cliffs Natural Park
Bobby-CJanuary 10, 2021
5.0
Sunrise at the top of La Jolla, no clouds or fog, lack of light changes, just take some photos with your phone, and meet the famous SD dog ☀️ Sunny, watching the red sun rise slowly, full of energy!
La Jolla Shores Park
M29***53February 2, 2020
4.0
We bought a wristband for the park which was nice but it would have been nice to have someone tell us which section the rides on the wristband were for, what the rides were like and where they were located. We also didn't find the laser maze until the end of the tour, wanted to do it but didn't have time as we didn't know where it was.
Belmont Park
