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Overall, La Jolla Shores Beach gets a score of 5.7/10. It is a nice place to visit if you're looking to be near shops and restaurants, have access to multiple water activities, want to be in on the action, and enjoy a lively beach environment. The overall rating was brought down by the limited parking, high crowds, and a lack of beach cleanliness. However, the beach received above average scores in the amenities and activities available, making it desirable for families with young kids who might want the convenience of being able to access the multiple activities and amenities this beach has to offer.
Overall Score: 5.7/10
Let’s dive deeper into the individual scores, as well as waterfront accommodation, dining, and activities in La Jolla Shores.
Parking: 4/10
Decent amount of parking available, but also a lot of visitors, so the parking can fill up quickly, especially during peak times.
There is a large parking lot that is free and centrally located right by the beach. There are frequently surfers coming and going from this lot, but it does get filled and can get busy very easily.
There is also street parking available in the residential neighborhoods close by, but that often fills up quickly as well. Additionally, street cleanings are on the 1st and 3rd Thursdays of the month from 7am-11am. So, if you're looking to hit the beach right at 11am on one of these days in the middle of summer, that could be a good time to go to the beach for a spot.
There are also two parking lots near Caroline's Seaside Café that are on UCSD's campus. These lots are free to park in on the weekends and on public holidays, but do require payment during the week. There are stairs leading directly down to the beach from lot P002, which is neighbored by lot P003.
There is additional street parking further back from the beach in the neighborhoods on the east side of La Jolla Shores Drive, which would be about a 10+ minute walk.
Crowds: 4/10
La Jolla Shores Beach is one of the most popular beaches throughout San Diego County, so it is often quite crowded, especially in the areas near the main parking lot.
The beach isn't particularly wide, so there is less space to spread out as well.
The area of beach towards Scripps pier, in addition to by the beachfront houses and Caroline's Seaside Café is often less crowded and has fewer visitors than the stretch of beach by the main parking lot.
Crowds do slightly thin out as you head towards La Jolla Shores Hotel and the La Jolla Shores Beach & Tennis Club.
If you're looking to enjoy a beach day here in solitude, I'd recommend walking as far as you can from the central beach area.
Amenities: 7/10
There are a lot of amenities available from bathrooms, showers, benches, picnic tables, and waterfront restaurants, in addition to more cafes, shops, and dining within a 10 minute walk from the beach.
There's a paved boardwalk going alongside a good portion of the beach.
There are also several hotels nearby, the beachfront one being La Jolla Shores Hotel. You'll find the most amenities available near this area of the beach, as it's also a closer walking distance to the shops and restaurants on Avenida De La Playa. On the other end of the beach, near Scripps Pier and beach houses, the only dining is Caroline's Seaside Café.
Safety: 6/10
The beach is considered relatively safe, with lifeguards patrolling the area to ensure visitors' well-being.
With any natural environment, there are inherent risks, and visitors should exercise caution, especially in highly trafficked areas like the beach and ocean, and a lot of people coming and going from the area.
Beach Cleanliness: 3.5/10
The quality of the sand at La Jolla Shores beach is definitely different than other popular beaches in the San Diego area. Most of the sand is harder and darker in color (black in some places), instead of what you usually might expect with your typical white, plush, soft sand.
There is quite a bit of litter that you might see throughout. With the beach heavily trafficked and most visited by families with young kids or teenagers and college kids, trash can mistakenly get left behind. You might notice more trash on this beach compared to other beaches in the San Diego area.
Despite the increase in litter and the beach not feeling as clean as others in the area, it is still somewhat minimal and you'll still be able to enjoy a beautiful beach day here.
Water Quality: 7/10
The water quality in La Jolla Shores is generally safe for swimming.
Like all San Diego beaches, it is advisable to avoid entering the water for at least 72 hours after heavy rainfall.
Activities: 8/10
There are a lot of activities available to be enjoyed at La Jolla Shores Beach.
The most popular activities being surfing, swimming, boogie boarding, kayaking, and SUPing. In season, people also opt to swim and snorkel with leopard sharks.
The waves are often gentler at La Jolla Shores, making it a good spot for beginner surfers. You'll typically see a lot of surfers throughout the shoreline here.
You'll often see kayaks going out from La Jolla Shores hotel, as that is a popular activity in La Jolla as well.
There's also volleyball nets, a playground, park, and space for other beach games to be enjoyed.
Oceanfront Accommodation
Vacation Rentals
Staying in vacation rentals from sites like VRBO, Airbnb, Homestay, etc. can be a great choice in La Jolla Shores, and there are typically options available. There might be more limited choices for rentals directly on the beach or with views of the water though. If you are traveling with a big family or group of people, it could be beneficial to have the extra space of a house; a lot of them do have patios, balconies, or rooftop decks with unobstructed views of the ocean.
Hotels
La Jolla Shores Hotel - Located steps away from the soft sands of La Jolla Shores Beach, La Jolla Shores Hotel offers guests a prime oceanfront experience. Amenities include direct beach access, a pool and Jacuzzi, and on-site dining with ocean views.
La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club - Situated on a serene stretch of La Jolla Shores Beach, La Jolla Beach and Tennis Club provides exclusive access to a private beach and championship tennis facilities. Guests can enjoy oceanfront dining, a pool and Jacuzzi, and family-friendly activities such as beach bonfires and children's programs.
There are other hotels located in or near La Jolla Shores that are near shops and restaurants, but don't provide views of the ocean or beach. Check out Expedia or Hotels.com to see what else might be available.
Oceanfront Dining
The Shores Restaurant - Situated at the La Jolla Shores Hotel, The Shores Restaurant offers ocean-view dining throughout the day. Guests can enjoy a delightful breakfast, a leisurely lunch, or a romantic dinner while taking in panoramic views of the Pacific coastline.
The Marine Room - Located just south of La Jolla Shores Beach, the Marine Room offers an unparalleled dining experience with its renowned cuisine and stunning oceanfront setting. Guests can indulge in an unforgettable dinner, complete with the mesmerizing sight of waves crashing against the restaurant's windows.
Caroline's Seaside Café - Overlooking the Scripps Pier and La Jolla Shores Beach, Caroline's Seaside Café offers casual dining with a view. Open for breakfast and lunch, guests can enjoy a variety of delicious dishes while soaking in the coastal ambiance and watching the waves roll in.
There are several other restaurants and cafes located in La Jolla Shores, but I only included the ones offering views of the water. There are many places off of Avenida De La Playa in La Jolla that offer dining, but not with ocean views
Ocean-Related Activities/Tours
Water Sports - Surfboards, boogie boards, SUPs, Kayaks, and more are available to rent to enjoy in the ocean. Additionally, many companies offer private and group surf lessons, so you don't have to brave the water alone if interested in catching some waves!
La Jolla Sea Cave and Kayak Tour - Explore the Seven Sea Caves on kayak, and a giant kelp forest inhabited by wildlife like otters, harbor seals, and sea lions. Use of all kayaking equipment is included; no kayaking experience is necessary. There are tours for two and single tours as well.
La Jolla Kayak and Snorkel Tour - On this two-activity tour—all gear provided—you and your crew will take turns between floating above water and snorkeling in it, hanging out with garibaldi, leopard sharks, rays, sea lions, and tons of other fascinating marine life.
Beach Yoga Session - Enjoy a relaxing yoga session on the beach where you can take in views of the Pacific and hear the sound of waves crashing throughout.
A Seaside Stroll: La Jolla's Hidden Treasures Self-Guided Tour - Join a self-guided tour through La Jolla's hidden treasures, where every step reveals a new story in this iconic coastal paradise. From secret sea caves to famous residents, this adventure offers a perfect blend of natural beauty, history, and excitement.
Professional Beachfront Picnics - Want to have a romantic lunch or dinner? How about a group picnic with friends at sunset where everything is taken care of for you? Enjoy a luxurious picnic on the beach from one of the many companies offering this service.
Bonfires - Nothing better than enjoying a bonfire on the beach after the sun goes down to end the day! There are firepits on the beach, and there are several companies that will set everything up for you and all you'll have to do is show up.
Don't forget you can always enjoy beach games such as volleyball, spike ball, and more when at the beach!
If you have any questions, or if you'd like clarification on anything, please feel free to leave a comment or send us a message!
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