La Jolla’s Hidden Gems: the 10 Best Things to See and Do in 2023 [4k]

the top 10 places and things you should know before visiting La Jolla California today we'll start in the heart of downtown La Jolla then we'll visit other neighborhoods like La Jolla Shores Torrey Pines a few of the favorite local beaches shops theaters and restaurants then we'll head up the hill and down the coast to see some of the area's many tourists Miss along the way we'll share our top tips is one of the most visited beaches in San Diego it's a 20-minute Drive North of downtown San Diego and it occupies about seven miles of the coastline it's known for caves and coves sandy beaches and Coastal Bluffs with a history that dates back to the early 1800s when it was first settled by Spanish missionaries La Jolla means the jewel in Spanish in the early 1900s La Jolla became a popular place among tourists and Wealthy individuals who built mansions and Estates all along the coast and Hills it continues to be one of the most lavish neighborhoods in San Diego here are the top 10 places we recommend visiting on your next trip first on our list is La Jolla Cove this is a small Sandy Cove surrounded by Rocky Cliffs and is home to a variety of marine life the clear water makes it a popular place for swimming snorkeling and scuba diving La Jolla is home to a large colony of seals and sea lions and they can often be seen lounging on the beach or swimming in the water which makes this a popular attraction for visitors right offshore from The Cove is the La Jolla underwater Park and it's a protected Marine reserve and not far offshore the water immediately drops to over 500 feet deep there's a kelp forest and a canyon and it's an ideal habitat for the marine mammals Dolphins leopard sharks and fish that live there there are seven caves here and all but one are only accessible by water and you can join kayak or paddleboard tours to explore the caves all of these factors make La Jolla a perfect place for water exploration Travelers visit from all around the world to explore La jolla's Waters when you're here at La Jolla Cove keep an eye out for the seals and sea lions I almost just walked right into one I didn't see they're welcome here on the beach and they make it their home so keep an eye out for them a popular tourist attraction here is sunny gym sea cave and it's the only cave in La Jolla that's open to the public to get to the cave you need to walk down a tunnel carved into the Cliffside and there's a staircase that goes 145 steps down that leads you to the Cave opening it's thought that this cave was used by Smugglers and Bootleggers during the prohibition era next is Ellen Browning Scripps Park the park is an ideal place for picnics barbecues and outdoor events it has several picnic tables and grills and a large grassy area Scripps Park is right next to a Cove with a Breakwater called the children's pool just like the La Jolla Cove seals and sea lions live on the beach here this is a good place to see them up close and from above there are vendors on the sidewalk here selling souvenirs and snacks and although you can't really swim here anymore this is a great place to watch the sunset and take photos and enjoy the scenery during heavy storms the waves are known to break over the sea wall here when I was growing up we could swim here and snorkel here but today it's mostly reserved for the Wildlife as you can see it's roped off there next we're heading to one of the most popular beaches here in La Jolla number three is La Jolla Shores La Jolla Shores is a perfect Beach for sunbathing relaxing at the park having a picnic swimming or surfing the beaches here are ideal for beginner Surfers you can rent surfboards or take lessons here you can also pick up paddle boards and kayaks there are parks here volleyball courts and it's a very family-friendly Beach it's also known for the Marine Room which is an elegant fine dining restaurant right along the beach and during big storms the waves can crash right up against the windows La Jolla Shores is one of the few beaches in the area that allows bonfires this makes it a good spot for families or groups to enjoy the beach at night on the North End of the beach is the Scripps Pier which is part of the Scripps institution of oceanography the Scripps Pier is also a popular spot where photographers of all kinds come to visit and capture images by the pier twice a year the sunset lines up just perfectly with the pier to catch this shot which they call Scripps henge just next door is the Birch Aquarium which is home to about 400 species of fish plants and marine animals the exhibits offer a view of ocean life and scientific research a few of my favorites are the seahorses and the new blue penguin exhibit if you feel like shopping Gerard Avenue and Prospect Street are lined with boutiques gift shops and galleries there's something here for everyone from cafes to clothing jewelry and art downtown La Jolla is near the ocean and many shops and restaurants here have views of the Pacific Ocean it's also home to the La Jolla comedy store which features world-renowned comedians every week and if you'd like to watch a movie you can visit the lot which is a luxury Cinema where you can order upscale dining or beverages from the bar or Cafe during the film this area is also well known for the restaurants and culinary scene with everything from Seafood to Burgers and fine dining many of the restaurants have outdoor patios where you can enjoy a meal with a view of the ocean some of the top rated restaurants are Georges at The Cove Duke's known for their Hawaiian inspired Cuisine there's the spot which is a casual Tavern with Pub grub and drinks El Pescador which has fresh caught Seafood Cuts sandwiches and salads and there's the taco stand which is a local favorite here with authentic tacos burritos churros and more if you're looking for Outdoor Adventures right next to La Jolla is Torrey Pines State natural reserve it's known for the hiking trails that move along the coastal Bluffs which are great for hiking during the golden hours in the afternoon if you visit just be sure to stay on the marked Trails where it's safe not far from there is the glider Port where you can watch paragliders take off and soar above the glyphs you can also take a course where you learn how to fly a bird of prey and next door is the Torrey Pines Golf Course which is home to PGA golf tournaments altogether Torrey Pines is also one of the greatest places in my opinion to watch the sunset a great photo opportunity is here at this observation deck which overlooks Black's Beach below [Music] start some of the local favorite beaches and communities one local favorite spot to consider visiting is the La Jolla tide pools during low tide you can see crabs sea anemones sea stars and more just make sure to check the tide schedule to arrive at the right time not far from downtown La Jolla is Marine Street beach and Marine Street is a popular Beach for sunbathing swimming and skimboarding the Sandy Beach makes it a great destination to enjoy the scenery and it's a great place to take walks or photographs during big swells the shore break here can get pretty strong so keep that in mind if you're bringing children next is windancy which is named after the Wind and Sea Beach Club it's a popular surf spot known for the reef surf the signature Wind and Sea Shack is a small Palm hunt that was built by Surfers back in the 1940s and has since become a historical landmark just to the south of the Wind and Sea Hut is a long stretch of sandy beach Coastline if you're just driving through I'd recommend driving down the coast as you'll have a perfect view of the ocean as you drive by Bird Rock is a quiet Village sitting at the southernmost part of La Jolla it has a quiet beach atmosphere and cafes and restaurants a stone's throw away from the ocean you won't see too many tourists here but if you are passing through I'd recommend stopping at one of the cafes and enjoying the local scenery now here we are at the Museum of Contemporary Art this Museum was founded in 1941 making it one of the oldest contemporary art museums in the United States it has a diverse collection of Contemporary Art as well as a sculpture garden and gift shop the museum has educational programs and events including lectures workshops and artist talks [Music] the La Jolla Playhouse has been home to many world premieres for plays and musicals the theater has a reputation for showcasing exciting and Innovative new work it was founded in 1947 by three actors who wanted to create a theater where they could produce and perform their own work many of the plays and musicals that premiered here have gone on to become successful on Broadway now here are some recommendations for places that are completely unique breathtaking and off the beaten path not far from the Torrey Pines glider Port is the Salk Institute this world-renowned Research Center was founded in 1960 by Jonas Salk the scientist who developed the first safe and effective polio vaccine the Salk Institute is home to the most brilliant mines in the world who are working on groundbreaking research and Fields such as biology genetics and Neuroscience one of the most iconic features of the Salk Institute is its stunning architecture designed by renowned architect Louis Khan the institute's buildings are a masterpiece of modern design with clean lines and open layout and a focus on natural light the buildings are nestled in a beautiful setting surrounded by Lush Gardens and overlooking the Pacific Ocean the Salk Institute is known for its beautiful Infinity Fountain which is located in the courtyard between the institute's main two buildings the fountain was designed as a symbol of the institute's commitment to advancing knowledge and understanding of science the sound of the flowing fountains helps to create a calm and relaxing atmosphere visiting the campus requires a reservation but you can register for a tour or to visit the campus at salk.edu standing 822 feet tall Mount Soledad offers an almost 360 degree breathtaking view from the Pacific Ocean to La Jolla and the rest of San Diego if you're visiting San Diego for the first time this might be one of the first places you'll want to visit from here you can get a good idea of San Diego's geography you can see downtown San Diego Mission Bay Sea World North to UCSD and the recognizable Mormon temple from here you'll see where many of the locals do their shopping at La Jolla Village Square which has everything from Whole Foods Trader Joe's and Nordstrom and Westfield UTC Mall which is one of San Diego's most popular malls on a clear day you can see South all the way to Mexico and North as far as Orange County Mount Soledad is known for the veterans memorial which features a giant cross that has become a symbol of the area the memorial was built to honor the service and sacrifice of veterans this Memorial is a tribute to those who have served in the military and features a number of plaques and statues dedicated to various branches of the military from the stunning views of Mount Soledad to the rich history and culture of the area there's something for everyone here in La Jolla whether you're a nature lover history buff or just looking for a relaxing getaway this city has something for you so if you're planning a trip to San Diego be sure to add La Jolla to your list of must-see destinations thanks for watching don't forget to subscribe to the channel for More Travel and Adventure content I'll see you in the next video [Music]

Channel: Voyager

Views: 125,963

Keywords: la jolla cove, la jolla san diego, la jolla california, la jolla cove sea lions, la jolla, san diego, san diego la jolla, la jolla shores, children's pool la jolla, scripps park, downtown la jolla, scripps pier, scripps institution of oceanography, birch aquarium, torrey pines, torrey pines gliderport, torrey pines state reserve, blacks beach san diego, blacks beach, salk institute, salk institute architecture, mt soledad san diego, windansea, marine street, bird rock

Id: fWDHUwoqDGE

Length: 11min 19sec (679 seconds)

Published: Sat Dec 24 2022