Welcome
Everything La Jolla
ACTIVITIES
Torrey Pines Glider Port
The famous paragliding and hang gliding cliffs overlook Blacks Beach, 340 feet above. You can learn to fly solo or join a professional to hang over La Jolla. The Torrey Pines Glider Port is a must-do activity for the adventurous visitor who loves gorgeous ocean views.
Surfing
La Jolla is home to some of California’s most popular surf spots, including Windansea Beach and Blacks Beach. If you already have a feel for the sport then head out into the lineup and catch a wave. But, if you want to hop on the board for the first time then be sure to stop by one of the local surf shops and arrange for surfing lessons at The Shores beach.
La Jolla Kayak Tour
Need a rental or looking for a fully guided tour, take a La Jolla kayak tour through the seven caves, a guaranteed adventure. Kayaking in La Jolla offers gorgeous scenery combined with spectacular marine life near “The Clam” cliffs.
Scuba Diving & Snorkeling
Dive underwater for a close-up look at what lies beneath by snorkeling or scuba diving. The most popular tour is snorkeling with leopard sharks just a few yards off shore at La Jolla Cove or La Jolla Shores. The sharks are harmless and during the months of June to September thousands of leopard sharks swim into La Jolla Cove for their mating season.
The Childrens Pool
The pool is home for dozens of harbor seals and their pups. Take a stroll to this secluded beach and see the seals lounge. Enjoy the view by overlooking from the observation deck or walk out on the small stretched pier and get splashed during high tide. The beach may be open for children to play in the calm water.
La Jolla Sea Cave
Water sports are not for everyone but that does not mean you can’t get a glimpse of the famous La Jolla Cove from land. The cove is home to seven caves. Only one, Sunny Jim, is accessible by land. There is an underground tunnel leading down to the cave that was dug out by hand in the 1920’s, and later steps were built to make it easier for visitors. What used to be a slave trading and booze smuggling entrance is now a tourist landmark in San Diego!
Biking & Hiking
Endless outdoor trails and paths with spectacular views from Mt. Soledad, Coast Walk Trail, Bird Rock Bike Path, and Torrey Pines.
EATERY
El Pescador Fish Market
Part fish market, part seafood restaurant, the freshness of El Pescador's marine fare is undeniable. The clam chowder here is legendary, and the sea bass sandwich only slightly less so, but El Pescador’s cioppino -- California’s classic, vaguely Italian, catch-of-the-day fisherman’s stew -- is reason enough to try the place all on its own.
Galaxy Taco, Puesto, and The Taco Stand
Pro tip: If you want great Mexican food, go to Tijuana. It’s only 30 miles from La Jolla, and as long as you have a Passport (or are good with tunnels) you should have no problem getting there and back.
Herringbone
Brian Malarkey spends more time at his Little Italy spot, Herb & Wood, than here at Herringbone, but his “fish meets fork” concept is still what drives this seafood restaurant housed in a renovated warehouse. The best choices might just be the raw ones: oysters, ceviches, stone crab, and tuna carpaccio. The whole roasted branzino is a show-stopper.
The Med at La Valencia Hotel
When Alex Emery took the job as La Valencia Hotel's executive chef, he became the latest in a long line of A-list chefs helming the Pink Lady and its signature restaurant, The Med. The view is spectacular, and the décor and atmosphere are opulent, but the food may actually be the main attraction. Emery brings a contemporary eye and approach to the Mediterranean cuisine that gives this place its name: Try the octopus with white bean stew, or the La Valencia paella with scallops, prawns, chorizo, chicken, clams, and squid ink aioli.
The HAKE
Aarti Sanghavi, whose food shows the synergy and parallels between the Indian cuisine of her heritage and the Latin stylings of The Hake’s menu. Take her superlative opah chorizo. Using smoke and a creative spice technique, Sanghavi reimagines the typical chorizo with a fish base.
Marine Room
Executive Chef Bernard Guillas and Chef de Cuisine Ron Oliver are located right on the ocean. At high tide, the sea crashes into the bullet proof glass at full force. What you're eating is equally exciting though, with the head chefs' remarkable entrees like absinthe butter-basted lobster tail, kalbi shiso lacquered tofu, and sea salt crispy skin branzino.
George's at the Cove
Executive Chef Trey Foshee’s fills his plates with fish from along the coast and picks fresh vegetables from Chino Farms in Rancho Santa Fe. Enjoy the Cove view from the open windows or the rooftop deck.
SCHOOLING
Public Elementary Schools
There are 3 public elementary schools: Bird Rock, La Jolla & Torrey Pines – each one located further north than the next. These are predominantly based on where you reside. For example, if you’re looking to buy a home near the Southern end of La Jolla, your child will most likely attend Bird Rock Elementary. All three schools are much loved by those that attend, and the PTA (Parent Teacher Associations) are not short of members. Involvement is huge.
Public Middle School
Muirlands Middle School, a very highly rated public institution and has 1,090 students and has about 22 students to the teacher. It has very competitive test scores and leads students smoothly into their next chapter.
Public High School
Congratulations! They’re almost there. The main public school for the city is an easy name to remember, La Jolla High School. Known for its sports teams and high rating, it hosts about 1600 students. And though it has a large school body, there are only about 23 students to the teacher.
Private & Niche Schools
The private schools are a large draw in this city, whether its kindergarteners diving into the world in a safe, mind-engaging environment or high school students gearing up for higher education through college prep, SATs, AP classes and more. Some of these schools aren’t simply elementary or middle school either, they include many grades that is ideal for people with children of various ages. Check out some of the top options!
The Bishop’s School
Middle School through High school (6-12)
This elite, highly regarded schools is an independent school designed as a college-prep education; its roots in the Episcopalian church have been here since its founding in 1909.
La Jolla Country Day
Toddler/Pre-K – High School
This top notch, 24 acre school is part of a nationwide private school system that even accepts international applicants for high school. Not only are the academics and extracurriculars top of the line, but your children, whether they’re 4 or 14, can all head to the same spot!
The Children’s School
Toddler/Pre-K – 8th
This progressive school is all about its students being 21st century learners, emphasizing outreach projects that go outside the classroom walls. This school believe strongly in academic, social and environmental curriculum.
Stella Maris Academy
K – 8th
This is the school associated with the Parochial School for Mary, Star of the Sea Catholic, located right in the heart of the La Jolla Village. It’s proud to intertwine faith and tradition with positive growth and learning.
The Evans School
K – 6th
This education institution, hosted up on Mt. Soledad, is known for a focus on education that’s not only academically nurturing, but about respect, kindness and being faith-centered. They also have a focus on small class sizes and parental involvement.
The Gillispie School
Pre-K – Elementary
From ages 2 to grade 6, this schools is all seeing learning as a journey, using their skills, resources and facilities to not only teach children, but create a love of learning.
San Diego French American School
Pre-K through 8th grade
Mais oui! Whether your children uttered their first words in French or don’t have the best grasp of the language yet, this bi-lingual, multi-cultural school is a great place to foster language learning and development. They seek to pick the best of both the French and American school systems to create a powerful learning environment.
Montessori School of La Jolla
Pre-K & Kindergarten
Montessori seeks to activate and stimulate all the senses to create a learning environment that’s inquiring and cooperative, where students are not simply taught. They grow through self and teacher-initiated activities, in a classroom with children of different ages, not simply their own.
Southern California Yeshiva High School
High-school
This is an all-boys high school known for its highly advanced college preparatory design and its strong roots in Torah-rooted Judaism. Its reputation is proven by the numbers of students it’s sent to top of the line and Ivy League universities.
The Preuss School
College-preparatory charter school
This is a charter-school that has a top priority of sending kids to college who will be their first in their family to graduate from university. Located on the UCSD campus, it truly encompasses a culture of higher education and learning.
Beth Montessori At Bethel
Pre-K through Kindergarten
This is another Montessori School option, the main difference being that it integrates both secular Montessori philosophy and Judaism. This program also provides a unique bi-lingual experience in both English and Spanish.
All Hallows Academy
K – 8th
This Christian-based school has a strong emphasis on integrating faith and academic excellence, which is demonstrated through their motto: “Where Faith and Education Meet”.