StayAreasIs La Jolla a good place to stay in San Diego?
Yes, if you want the coast at its most beautiful. Sea lions, coves and clifftop walks are on the doorstep, but hotels are pricey and downtown is a 25 to 30 minute drive.
Stay here if
- Couples
- Families who love the sea
- Luxury travellers
Look elsewhere if
- You're on a tight budget
- You don't want to drive
- You want nightlife
Hotels in La Jolla
All La Jolla hotels on Booking ↗Typical rates for a double outside peak events, not live prices. Updated Oct 2026 · How we rate areas · Booking through our links costs you nothing extra and may earn us a commission. Learn more
Staying in La Jolla
La Jolla is the place to stay if you want San Diego's most beautiful coastline outside the door. The village sits above La Jolla Cove, the coastal path follows the cliffs past the Children's Pool, and La Jolla Shores is a short walk or drive north. Downtown is about 25 to 30 minutes away by car.
The area is an upscale seaside village. Prospect Street and Girard Avenue have boutiques, galleries, cafés and restaurants with ocean views, and below them sea lions and seals lounge on the rocks. La Jolla Shores has a wide, calm beach where you can kayak to the sea caves, and Torrey Pines' clifftop trails are just up the coast.
The downside is the price. Hotels here are among the most expensive in San Diego, parking in the village is a daily struggle, and public transport into the city is slow. Evenings are quiet, so it's not for nightlife.
What makes La Jolla special is the scenery. Waking up to the sound of sea lions, walking the cliffs before breakfast and watching the sunset over the Pacific from a terrace is about as good as a city stay gets. For couples and nature lovers, it's worth the extra cost.
Getting around
- La Jolla Cove9walk
- Crystal Pier24transit
- Old Town State Historic Park44transit
- SeaWorld San Diego45transit
- Little Italy57transit
- Seaport Village63transit
- San Diego International Airport (SAN)81
La Jolla questions
Is La Jolla a good area to stay in San Diego?
Yes, if you want the coast at its most beautiful. Sea lions, coves and clifftop walks are on the doorstep, but hotels are pricey and downtown is a 25 to 30 minute drive. It suits couples, families who love the sea and luxury travellers.
How much does a hotel in La Jolla cost?
A typical double is around $145 a night at a budget hotel, $320 mid-range and $600 for luxury, outside peak events.
How do I get from San Diego International Airport (SAN) to La Jolla?
About 81 minutes door to door: about 25 minutes by taxi or car.
How far is La Jolla from the main sights?
Door to door from La Jolla: La Jolla Cove 9 minutes on foot, Crystal Pier 24 minutes, Old Town State Historic Park 44 minutes and SeaWorld San Diego 45 minutes.