Guidebook for La Jolla
Food Scene
Bird Rock Roasters is a local hangout. Great coffee, great people.
217 locals recommend
Bird Rock Coffee Roasters
5627 La Jolla BlvdBird Rock Roasters is a local hangout. Great coffee, great people.
This is a locals place that has been here for decades. Old school diner food.
42 locals recommend
Harry's Coffee Shop
7545 Girard AveThis is a locals place that has been here for decades. Old school diner food.
Beaumont's
5662 La Jolla BlvdAnother locals' hangout. Good food, and also has a nightlife scene.
This is the only drive-through restaurant in La Jolla. It is popular for post-beach activity. Very budget oriented.
18 locals recommend
Rigoberto's Taco Shop
6990 La Jolla BlvdThis is the only drive-through restaurant in La Jolla. It is popular for post-beach activity. Very budget oriented.
This is a small and inexpensive Mexican place that often has incredibly long lines. You can order online in advance. Then you cut in line and just grab your food when you get there.
132 locals recommend
The Taco Stand
621 Pearl StThis is a small and inexpensive Mexican place that often has incredibly long lines. You can order online in advance. Then you cut in line and just grab your food when you get there.
This is a lovely restaurant featuring authentic food from Milan, Italy. Lots of outdoor tables with heaters.
7 locals recommend
Piazza 1909
7731 Fay AveThis is a lovely restaurant featuring authentic food from Milan, Italy. Lots of outdoor tables with heaters.
Pescador is a fish market and a restaurant. The menu is limited but the seafood is great. Get sandwiches to go and take them to the beach and watch the sunset.
114 locals recommend
El Pescador Fish Market
634 Pearl StPescador is a fish market and a restaurant. The menu is limited but the seafood is great. Get sandwiches to go and take them to the beach and watch the sunset.
The best gelato in La Jolla... and this place is cool because it hires local teenagers and treats them well.
34 locals recommend
Bobboi Natural Gelato
8008 Girard AveThe best gelato in La Jolla... and this place is cool because it hires local teenagers and treats them well.
This is a locals' favorite. Great food, large portions. Chino-Latino fusion as well as American classics. The Rosemary potatoes are awesome, as are the breakfast tamales.
25 locals recommend
Coffee Cup
1109 Wall StThis is a locals' favorite. Great food, large portions. Chino-Latino fusion as well as American classics. The Rosemary potatoes are awesome, as are the breakfast tamales.
Very popular locals' breakfast spot. Good food but has long lines on weekends.
83 locals recommend
The Cottage La Jolla
7702 Fay AveVery popular locals' breakfast spot. Good food but has long lines on weekends.
Sushi Ota
4529 Mission Bay DrThis is the best sushi around. Reservations needed.
Himitsu
1030 Torrey Pines RdFabulous Japanese food. The chef was at Sushi Ota for decades.
The Marine Room
2000 Spindrift DrHigh Tide Brunch is fun! Waves crash against the windows!
Puesto La Jolla
1026 Wall StAuthentic Mexico City food. Colorful decor.
Locals favorite for breakfast. Limited menu. Great pastries.
35 locals recommend
Wayfarer Bread & Pastry
5525 La Jolla BlvdLocals favorite for breakfast. Limited menu. Great pastries.
Bistro du Marché by Tapenade
7437 Girard AveFrench cuisine. Need reservations.
Lola 55
1290 F StHip Mexican cuisine, in downtown San Diego.
This popular restaurant specializes in chilaquiles, a layered Mexican dish. It has long lines on weekends so drop by and give them your name and then take a tour of downtown.
15 locals recommend
Cocina 35
1435 Sixth AveThis popular restaurant specializes in chilaquiles, a layered Mexican dish. It has long lines on weekends so drop by and give them your name and then take a tour of downtown.
Longtime favorite dumpling restaurant. Great for crowds and families. Located on Convoy, which is an epicenter for Asian food.
13 locals recommend
Jasmine Seafood Restaurant & Express
4609 Convoy StLongtime favorite dumpling restaurant. Great for crowds and families. Located on Convoy, which is an epicenter for Asian food.
Our daughter Zia has worked here. Great vegan selections! just a few blocks from La Jolla Shores beach.
6 locals recommend
Scoops La Jolla
2179 Avenida De La PlayaOur daughter Zia has worked here. Great vegan selections! just a few blocks from La Jolla Shores beach.
Extraordinary Desserts
2870 Fourth AveWonderful cakes and desserts.
Michele Coulon Dessertier
7556 Fay AveStop by for a dessert and tea.
Great food, great location. Located on the beach boardwalk in Pacific Beach. Parking is challenging.
163 locals recommend
JRDN Restaurant
723 Felspar StGreat food, great location. Located on the beach boardwalk in Pacific Beach. Parking is challenging.
Great casual place for breakfast. Located on beach boardwalk in Pacific Beach near pier.
208 locals recommend
Kono's Cafe
704 Garnet AveGreat casual place for breakfast. Located on beach boardwalk in Pacific Beach near pier.
Located on the campus of Scripps Institute of Oceanography, this seaside cafe has good food and stunning views.
65 locals recommend
Caroline's Seaside Cafe
Kennel WayLocated on the campus of Scripps Institute of Oceanography, this seaside cafe has good food and stunning views.
Great food, beautiful restaurant and views of one of the most beautiful public golf courses in the world.
The Golf Shop at Torrey Pines
11480 N Torrey Pines RdGreat food, beautiful restaurant and views of one of the most beautiful public golf courses in the world.
Karina's Cantina
1055 Torrey Pines RoadThis chain restaurant recently opened and has emerged as a family favorite for breakfast. Our son loves the mashed potatoes omelet. I enjoy the Mexican coffee and the witty sayings throughout the restaurant)
Breakfast Republic
637 Pearl StreetThis chain restaurant recently opened and has emerged as a family favorite for breakfast. Our son loves the mashed potatoes omelet. I enjoy the Mexican coffee and the witty sayings throughout the restaurant)
Drinks & Nightlife
The LOT is pricey, but it can be really fun. Wednesdays is $12 movie day. Nice bar with fire pits to sit around.
103 locals recommend
THE LOT La Jolla
7611 Fay AveThe LOT is pricey, but it can be really fun. Wednesdays is $12 movie day. Nice bar with fire pits to sit around.
Hennessey's an Irish pub with good food and music. There are good lunch specials.... (Tuesday is two burgers for the price of one.) Tuesday night musicians plays Celtic tunes.
20 locals recommend
Hennessey's Tavern
7811 Herschel AveHennessey's an Irish pub with good food and music. There are good lunch specials.... (Tuesday is two burgers for the price of one.) Tuesday night musicians plays Celtic tunes.
Entertainment & Activities
Birch Aquarium is a great place to learn about what is in our ocean. They have special activities year-round (like full moon walks on the Scripps Pier) that are unique.
366 locals recommend
Birch Aquarium at Scripps
2300 Expedition WayBirch Aquarium is a great place to learn about what is in our ocean. They have special activities year-round (like full moon walks on the Scripps Pier) that are unique.
Torrey Pines Golf Course
11480 N Torrey Pines RdParks & Nature
This natural research offers stunning views of the ocean and eroded cliffs. It is a wonderful place to go for a run. It is very popular on weekends. Free parking is available along the beach on weekdays but you'll have to pay to park in a parking lot on weekends.
1108 locals recommend
Torrey Pines State Reserve
12600 North Torrey Pines RoadThis natural research offers stunning views of the ocean and eroded cliffs. It is a wonderful place to go for a run. It is very popular on weekends. Free parking is available along the beach on weekdays but you'll have to pay to park in a parking lot on weekends.
This is a good beach for all ages. There is surfing for those who want to be active. There is a kids' playground area. It is a good beach for walking (check the tide first!). During super low tides you can walk south to the caves.
94 locals recommend
La Jolla Shores Park
8300 Camino Del OroThis is a good beach for all ages. There is surfing for those who want to be active. There is a kids' playground area. It is a good beach for walking (check the tide first!). During super low tides you can walk south to the caves.
Sea lions have taken over La Jolla Cove, so if you want to get close and personal with large smelly marine mammals this is the place to go.
1327 locals recommend
La Jolla Cove
1100 Coast BlvdSea lions have taken over La Jolla Cove, so if you want to get close and personal with large smelly marine mammals this is the place to go.
Shopping
So much more than a hardware store....Yes, it has a bit of what Home Depot would have, but it also has a lot of potential gift items (houseware, gardening, decordation, kitchen). Family owned. The staff is incredibly helpful. They recently helped me fix my dad's walker. They are awesome.
Meanley & Son Hardware
7756 Girard AveSo much more than a hardware store....Yes, it has a bit of what Home Depot would have, but it also has a lot of potential gift items (houseware, gardening, decordation, kitchen). Family owned. The staff is incredibly helpful. They recently helped me fix my dad's walker. They are awesome.
Warwicks is a fantastic book store but it also has a store with gift items and beautiful cards. If you are in town for a wedding and need a host gift or something like that, this would be the place to get it.
22 locals recommend
Warwick's
7812 Girard AveWarwicks is a fantastic book store but it also has a store with gift items and beautiful cards. If you are in town for a wedding and need a host gift or something like that, this would be the place to get it.
Longtime surf shop. If you want to be mistaken for a local, purchase a Mitch's sweatshirt. La Jollans around the world will say hi to strangers wearing Mitch's logowear.
20 locals recommend
Mitch's Surf Shop
631 Pearl StLongtime surf shop. If you want to be mistaken for a local, purchase a Mitch's sweatshirt. La Jollans around the world will say hi to strangers wearing Mitch's logowear.
Everything Else
This farmer's market has lots of booths with yummy food and artists selling one of a kind items. It is Sundays 9 am to 1 pm at La Jolla Elementary School, at Genter Street and Girard Avenue.
51 locals recommend
La Jolla Open Aire Farmers Market
7335 Girard AveThis farmer's market has lots of booths with yummy food and artists selling one of a kind items. It is Sundays 9 am to 1 pm at La Jolla Elementary School, at Genter Street and Girard Avenue.
Sightseeing
Balboa Park is a classic city park. It houses several of San Diego's best museums. Our favorites are the Museum of Photographic Arts and the Fleet Science Center. The science museum is fantastic for kids of all ages.
3290 locals recommend
Balboa Park
Balboa Park is a classic city park. It houses several of San Diego's best museums. Our favorites are the Museum of Photographic Arts and the Fleet Science Center. The science museum is fantastic for kids of all ages.