High-end Southern California comfort from the ocean to the hills
For those seeking upscale oceanfront or ocean-view living, La Jolla blends a 7-mile stretch of waterside walkability with inland developments tucked high into hillsides. Sunny, mild summers with highs around 70 degrees draw scuba divers and surfers to its sea-carved coves and reefs. And while it's unclear whether its name means "the jewel" in Spanish or "land of holes" in the native Kumeyaay language, La Jolla is considered a seaside gem. Landmarks such as the iconic Windansea Beach surf shack immortalized by the Beach Boys' "Surfin' U.S.A." and a new performing arts center are among its many treasures. From the late 1800s to the mid-1930s, La Jolla was an artists' colony where creatives and philanthropists thrived, including Ellen Browning Scripps, who helped create many of La Jolla's museums, art centers and educational institutions.
It's the coastal heart of San Diego County, known today as one of SoCal’s most expensive ZIP codes — well-suited for well-to-do retirees, university faculty and execs wanting proximity to tech headquarters. "People with discerning tastes like Gregory Peck and Racquel Welch choose La Jolla," says Ron Jones, La Jolla Town Council Administrator since 2008. "It's a pretty exclusive area that's both an aspiration and a destination. I call it the Riviera on the West Coast because the beaches are some of the most beautiful outside of Big Sur."
It's also rich in family-friendly attractions, including safe-distance views of protected sea lions at Children's Beach, up-close marine wonders at Birch Aquarium and rollercoasters at Legoland 20 miles north. Assets such as Torrey Pines Golf Course, Scripps Institution of Oceanography and the University of California San Diego lend a progressive ambiance, and La Jolla’s major medical facilities such as Scripps La Jolla and UC San Diego Health rank among the nation's best.
"We call the center of La Jolla ' The Village ,' and the whole city is really one community," adds Jones. "People move here from New York to take off ties and put on t-shirts because the atmosphere is so relaxed; it's like you're in a bubble. The world may be falling apart, but you come to La Jolla and just don't worry about it." Tucked south of Carmel Valley wine country, north of Mission Bay's Sea World, and 10 minutes from Sorrento Valley giants like Qualcomm and Pfizer, La Jolla is close to some of California's most famous features.
Custom homes crown Mt. Soledad, offering stunning views in La Jolla.
La Jolla Village features many boutique shops such as Hammitt for purses.
Explore marine life at Birch Aquarium, where ocean wonders come to life.
Scripps Memorial Hospital is dedicated to providing top-tier healthcare in La Jolla.
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Walkable charm in Bird Rock, elevated views in La Jolla Alta
Over a dozen diverse neighborhoods comprise La Jolla's approximately 17 square miles, including blufftop Bird Rock to the south, hilly La Jolla Heights near the center, flat La Jolla Shores along the coast, and inland La Jolla Alta that climbs high toward Mount Soledad. Residential architecture includes split levels built into slopes, remodeled ranch styles and Mediterranean marvels with floor-to-ceiling windows. Notable architects designed many homes, and a handful are on the National Register of Historic Places.
The median single-family home price in late 2024 hovers just over $3.5 million — up nearly 30% from the previous year. Condos and townhouses can start as low as $600,000 in the eastern hills and rise to $2 million on the coast. Single-family homes start around $1.5 million, and rare custom country club or clifftop homes can fetch between $10 million and $20 million. La Jolla Farms is a standout neighborhood for its prime position between the beach and UCSD campus.
Custom homes in La Jolla offer exclusive, tailored living spaces with breathtaking views.
Stylish condos steps from La Jolla Shores offer beachside living at its best.
Stunning three-story homes grace the hills of La Jolla, offering panoramic ocean views.
Beachfront homes in La Jolla offer unrivaled ocean views and direct access to pristine sand.
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Waterfront Kellogg Park playground, world-class Torrey Pines Golf Course
A pleasant climate and many beachfront trails, plus playground and picnic areas, encourage an active lifestyle. "For a long time, vendors set up booths in Scripps Park," Jones explains, "but it proliferated into something that resembled a swap meet. And although tourists liked it, it became a bit of a burden to locals. That park is our front porch and our backyard, so we can't have that. Recently, we laid cement foundations to allow only two vendors at a time. They can get a permit if their wares meet certain quality requirements."
Beyond the many beaches, hikers wander Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve, and the La Jolla Underwater Park is an oasis for divers and kayakers. "Farmers Insurance PGA tournament comes here to Torrey Pines," Jones adds, "one of the country's most exclusive courses, set up on gorgeous cliffs above the Pacific. And even though the public green fees are pricey, it's busy from sunup to sunset." The La Jolla Playhouse, founded in 1947, shows Broadway-bound productions, and Conrad Prebys Performing Arts Center, built in 2019, is the La Jolla Music Society's epicenter for concerts and lectures.
Take flight at Torrey Pines Gliderport, where thrills meet the beauty of La Jolla's coast.
Torrey Pines Golf Course in La Jolla is a golfer’s paradise overlooking the Pacific Ocean.
From grassy fields to sandy beaches, Kellogg Park offers the best of La Jolla.
Kayak above kelp forests or snorkel with sea creatures at La Jolla Underwater Park.
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Highly rated San Diego Unified public schools, The Bishop’s School private education
San Diego Unified School District gets an A on Niche, and La Jolla’s elementary, middle and high schools all earn an A-minus or higher. In 2024, A-plus La Jolla High ranked seventh on U.S. News & World Report's list of best high schools countywide. Niche ranks The Bishop's School in La Jolla the No. 1 top private high school nationwide. La Jolla is also home to USCD, one of the nation's leading research universities, adding a vibrant academic and cultural dimension.
Muirlands Middle School
stands proud as a beacon where local kids can learn.
La Jolla High School serves students in Upper Hermosa.
Bright futures begin at La Jolla Elementary School, a place for growth and discovery.
UCSD stands as a hub for innovation and learning, just minutes from La Jolla’s coast.
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Girard Avenue boutiques, Michelin-star Catania and one of America's oldest bookstores
Luxury boutiques and nearly 20 art galleries cluster in The Village along Girard Avenue and Prospect Street. La Plaza La Jolla and La Jolla Village Square offer grocers, brand-name stores and a movie theater, while Costco sits at the southern end. Bird Rock is best for cozy cafes. Fancy ocean-view dining is a significant draw at places like Michelin-starred Catania, while some of San Diego's best taco spots pepper the coastal streets.
"We also have legacy stores that have been around 75 years plus," adds Jones. "Meanley & Son Hardware, considered the crossroads of La Jolla for several generations, has been here since the '40s. One time I was in there, Mitt Romney was buying a hose." La Jolla also heralds Warwick's Books, one of the oldest family-owned and operated bookstores in the country.
Enjoy the flavors of Mexico at The Taco Stand, a top spot for authentic tacos in La Jolla.
Sip on expertly crafted brews at Bird Rock Coffee Roasters, a La Jolla favorite for coffee.
As the nation’s oldest family-owned bookstore, Warwick's is a La Jolla icon.
Discover art galleries, chic boutiques, and unique finds on Girard Avenue in La Jolla.
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Close to San Diego International Airport, tourist season traffic congestion
La Jolla’s few access routes include La Jolla Parkway, Torrey Pines Road and Interstate 5, which leads to downtown San Diego and the San Diego International Airport within about 10 miles. Limited access can cause some traffic congestion especially during peak tourist season. Several San Diego Metropolitan Transit system bus routes connect to larger transit hubs. Cycling is popular on bike-friendly roads and paved oceanfront paths.
Bluff erosion and lower crime rates
Morning fog that rests on the coast during "May Gray" and "June Gloom" burns off by the afternoon, and year-round temperatures typically stay between 50 and 70 degrees. La Jolla's rugged bluffs also come with a risk of collapse, so beachgoers should keep their distance and never sit against or near any bluffs. In late 2019, tragedy struck just 14 miles north of La Jolla at Grandview Beach when a bluff collapsed on three people. La Jolla Shores and La Jolla Cove beaches have permanent lifeguard stations and designated swim and surf areas. Scripps Institution of Oceanography scientists are honing a methodology to predict bluff collapses and coastal landslides.
La Jolla is under the jurisdiction of the San Diego County Sheriff's Office, whose violent crime rate per 100,000 per year dropped from 150 to 96 between January 2022 and December 2023, according to FBI Crime Data Explorer. Property crime rates in the same timeframe dropped from 175 to 75. Both rates remain lower than the national average.
Elegant spring car show, fall La Jolla Art and Wine Festival
Every spring, La Jolla Concours d'Elegance brings an eye-catching cadre of more than 125 cars to the La Jolla Cove lawn for an elegant, energetic seaside celebration. The September La Jolla Art and Wine Festival downtown showcases regional wines, craft beer, more than 170 artists and live music. "Our annual Christmas Parade on the first Sunday in December since the 1950s brings thousands of people out to line the streets of La Jolla," says Jones. "There's an equestrian element and a flyover of vintage antique planes. The streams of smoke over the Village of La Jolla are always an awesome sight."
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