Favorites
Beaches
Windansea - Right in front of home.
Hogans - Short walk south along Camino de la Costa. Not much sand, but a nice place to watch the sunset.
Law Street Beach - Short drive. Popular beach in Pacific Beach. Good if you want to set up for an afternoon or go for a long walk. Water is generally shallow and waves are good to swim in.
La Jolla Shores - Short drive. Popular beach with a nice downtown adjacent. Water is shallow and waves are good to swim in. Leopard sharks regularly are visible close to shore.
The Cove / Tide Pools / Children’s Pool - Lots of nice beaches walking distance from the Village. Lots of wildlife (seals) to check out from a distance.
Activities
Torrey Pines: hike the trail from the top to the beach ($20 to drive in and park up top, or park on bottom and walk up the hill). Check out the glider port where people jump off the cliff and parasail (weather dependent).
Downtown La Jolla: check out the Cove. Have a good meal. Browse shops.
Coastal Trail: short trail (0.5 miles) accessible from the Cave Store in the Village. Great views of La Jolla Shores, Torrey Pines and beyond.
Kayak: Plenty of places to rent kayaks in La Jolla Shores. Guided tours go into the caves or just rent one independently and explore. Great way to see the leopard sharks (seasonal).
Little Italy: Lots of good dining and local businesses. Crack Shack for a casual meal (fried chicken) and many fine dining restaurants (Juniper & Ivy).
Brewery Tour: there are hundreds of microbreweries across San Diego.
Beach Towns: Drive north to check out coastal communities. Could combine with Torrey Pines. Del Mar, Solana Beach, Encinitas and Carlsbad. Stick to the coastal drive and beaches.
Farmer’s Market: Every Sunday morning at La Jolla Elementary School. Lots of vendors sell ready to eat breakfast and lunch. Try the crepes.
Breakfast
Wayfarer Bakery - Walking distance (downtown Birdrock). Amazing homemade croissants and pastries. Also serves very good sandwiches for lunch.
Bird Rock Coffee - I’m not a coffee drinker but people swear by it. Nearby to Wayfarer.
Caroline’s Seaside Cafe - Perched on a beach front bluff in front of Scripps Pier and La Jolla Shores, the views cannot be beat. The food is good too.
Blue Whale Cafe - Delicious food (breakfast, lunch) in downtown La Jolla. They also have an ice cream store across the street. Order at the counter / casual dining.
Second Nature - Good healthy food (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner) with a nice, but casual atmosphere.
Fig Tree Cafe - Good breakfast spot across the street from Second Nature.
Sugar and Scribe - Good breakfast and lunch spot across from The Cottage
Better Buzz Coffee - Creative coffee drink; fun for teenagers and young adults.
Lunch
Crack Shack (Little Italy) - Really good fried chicken. Fun to combine with walking around Little Italy.
Taco Stand (La Jolla) - Very popular taqueria style tacos in downtown.
Oscar’s Tacos - Hole in wall. Great fish and shrimp tacos. Don’t get scared by outside.
Board and Brew (Pacific Beach) - Good local sandwiches.
Hermosa Surf Shop - Fun atmosphere, friendly staff and good smoothies and acai bowls.
Parakeet Cafe - Healthy but tasty food for breakfast and lunch.
Dinner
Puesto - Mexican food on the fancy side. Outdoor seating. Located in downtown La Jolla.
Paradisaea - Recent recipient of a Michelin star. Located in the Bird Rock neighborhood close to home. Nice spot for a special occasion meal.
Second Nature - Good healthy option. Lots of outdoor seating.
The Fishery - Casual but very fresh seafood.
Clay Oven - Good Indian food in the village.
Beaumont’s - Fun local restaurant with live music on weekends.
Wheat & Water - Local pizza place in Bird Rock.
El Pescador - Fresh, local and casual seafood for lunch or dinner.
American Pizza Manufacturing - Take and bake pizza that tastes good and very good pasta; great for night in.
Dessert
Bobboi Gelato - Amazing gelato in the Village
Pacific Beach Ice Cream Co. - Made on site with interesting flavors