La Jolla Cove. A small, sheltered cove ringed by sandstone cliffs where California sea lions haul out year-round and snorkelers glide through gin-clear water above the Matlahuayl State Marine Reserve. One of the few places on earth where you can reliably snorkel alongside wild sea lions from shore.
Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve. A 2,000-acre coastal wilderness that shelters the rarest pine tree in North America, with trails winding along dramatic sandstone cliffs above the Pacific and a lagoon critical to migratory birds. Check the California State Parks site for current access conditions before visiting.
Birch Aquarium at Scripps. The public outreach center of UC San Diego's Scripps Institution of Oceanography, perched on a bluff above the coast with sweeping Pacific views and more than 9,000 animals representing 400-plus species. Named one of the top aquariums in the US by Newsweek.
Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego (La Jolla). A $105-million oceanfront campus — originally an Irving Gill–designed 1916 residence — reopened in 2022 with four times the gallery space and seaside terraces overlooking the Pacific. The collection spans 1950 to the present with a focus on site-specific and cross-border art.
La Jolla Sea Caves Kayak Tour. Guided two-hour kayak trips thread through seven sandstone sea caves carved into the cliffs at the edge of the Matlahuayl State Marine Reserve, with sea lions, garibaldi, and leopard sharks frequently sighted along the way. No prior paddling experience is required.
Snorkeling with Leopard Sharks at La Jolla Shores. Every summer from late June through September, thousands of harmless leopard sharks gather in the shallows of La Jolla Shores to mate, making this one of the world's most accessible encounters with wild sharks — wading depth, no boat required. August and September see the largest aggregations.
Windansea Beach. La Jolla's most storied surf break, where heavy reef waves peel past jagged rock formations and a palm-frond surf shack that has stood since 1946. Even non-surfers come for the dramatic scenery and the quintessential Southern California atmosphere.
Coast Walk Trail. A flat, under-a-mile blufftop path between La Jolla Cove and The Cave Store delivers postcard views of sandstone arches, turquoise water, kayakers below, and — in winter — migrating gray whales offshore. One of the most rewarding short walks in Southern California.