La Jolla, California

1. La Jolla Underwater Park

The spectacular La Jolla Underwater Park promises a wonderful adventure and is one of the top La Jolla attractions. Home to a natural marine life preservation and aquatic recreation zone, it sprawls over 6,000 acres of shoreline and shallow tidelands between Ellen Browning Scripps Park and La Jolla Shores.

This incredible ecological reserve hosts two artificial reefs, two underwater canyons, and a vast kelp forest, creating a pristine and protected marine habitat in which a variety of oceanic flora and fauna live.

Two sunken artificial reefs attract marine life close to shore and make conditions perfect for swimming and snorkeling in the crisp waters, teeming with beautiful sea creatures.

Visitors can take part in a wonderful scuba diving adventure beyond the reefs in the 600-foot deep La Jolla Canyon where migrating whales are often spotted.

The La Jolla Underwater Park is a protected zone and fishing is prohibited. However, other water-based activities such as kayaking, swimming, snorkeling and scuba diving are popular pastimes in the reserve. La Jolla Underwater Park Map

2. Birch Aquarium at Scripps Institution of Oceanography

Perched high on a bluff overlooking the Pacific Ocean, the Birch Aquarium at Scripps Institution of Oceanography is a public aquarium and exploration center for the world-renowned Scripps Institution of Oceanography at the University of San Diego.

Aiming to educate the public on the importance of ocean science and conservation, the Aquarium houses over 60 habitats of sea animals, fish, and invertebrates from across the globe.

Major exhibits at the aquarium include the ‘Hall of Fishes’, featuring a myriad of fish species; ‘ElasmoBeach’, a 13,000-gallon tank showcasing the home of elasmobranchs (sharks and rays) and other marine life that live close to shore; and ‘Tidal-Pool Plaza’, boasting three living tide pools filled with marine life. Birch Aquarium promotes education and conservation of the marine environment through an incredible array of creative exhibits, programs, and activities for all ages throughout the year. If you are looking for best things to do in La Jolla, this is a great place to visit.

2300 Expedition Way, La Jolla, CA 92037, Phone: 858-534-3474, Map

3. The La Jolla Historical Society

The La Jolla Historical Society is the premiere cultural and historical organization of the La Jolla region, operating as a nonprofit public benefit corporation striving to engage the San Diego region with its diverse history and cultural heritage. The society operates three historic buildings throughout the Scripps-Gill cultural zone, including the restored 1904 Wisteria Cottage, which showcases museum-style gallery space for changing cultural exhibitions throughout the year. Archival collections are housed at a renovated 1916 carriage house, while public research space is offered at a 1909 cottage. Guests can view exhibitions related to the region's natural, social, and cultural history, including displays of local artifacts, photography, and heritage documents. Public special events throughout the year include a Concours d'Elegance car show and a Secret Garden Tour of La Jolla home tour event.

The La Jolla Historical Society, 7846 Eads Ave, La Jolla, CA 92037, Phone: 858- 459-5335

4. La Jolla Playhouse

Located on the campus of the University of California San Diego, the La Jolla Playhouse is where performers and audiences come together to celebrate entertainment. On a mission to bring modern, cutting edge performances to the fore, the La Jolla Playhouse offers opportunities for all performers to find their niche, regardless of their backgrounds and abilities. The Playhouse hosts a full calendar of remarkable performances each season, ranging from musicals and dance shows to live theatre shows and much more. The Playhouse also hosts their regular WOW (without walls) festival, where exciting performances pop up in unexpected outdoor venues over the course of a weekend.

La Jolla Playhouse, 2910 La Jolla Village Drive, La Jolla, CA 92037, 858 550 1010

5. La Playa Gallery

La Playa Gallery is one of the La Jolla Shores' premiere art galleries, originally opened to the public in 2013. The delightful gallery focuses on the works of local and regional artists, striving to showcase works and artists that are not shown at other area galleries. An eclectic selection of media is showcased, including painting, sculpture, ceramic, jewelry, and mixed media works. A full slate of thematic exhibitions are showcased throughout the year, with many organized by guest curators and intended to highlight the works of multiple regional artists. An artist-in-residency program is also presented by the gallery, along with educational art courses and a layaway art purchase program.

La Playa Gallery, 2226 Avenida De La Playa, La Jolla, CA 92037, Phone: 858-454-6903

6. Harry's Coffee Shop

A La Jolla icon since 1960, Harry's Coffee Shop is a family-owned restaurant now run by the second generation, and probably serving the second generation of faithful customers accustomed to having their morning cup of java in a comfortable, familiar environment of this classic American diner. This diner has it all: Shiny vinyl booths, long counters and walls covered with sports memorabilia and Norman Rockwell prints.

Their most famous dish is a buttermilk waffle stuffed with bacon, a thick slab of ham and a poached egg, slathered with their signature, homemade hollandaise sauce. This meal will easily keep you going way past lunch. Breakfast is served all day, with a coffee or fresh squeezed juice, or try a smoothie or an old-fashioned float to mix things up. The menu is enormous, you can spend hours drooling over it before deciding what to get, so just plan to come back.

Harry's Coffee Shop, 7545 Girard Ave, La Jolla, CA 92037, Phone: 858-454-7381

7. Thumbprint Gallery

Thumbprint Gallery is a clever La Jolla art gallery that showcases the works of emerging and mid-career artists, with a unique focus on pop surrealism, urban art, and works related to pop culture and pop nostalgia. The gallery was founded in 2009 and presents monthly exhibitions throughout the year, highlighting pieces by regional and international artists. Past exhibitions have included works by Zard Apuya, Nonie Cruzado, Victorio Villa, and the Strange Dreams Surreal Art Collective. Pop-up exhibitions and art shows are also hosted by the gallery at sites throughout La Jolla during the year. The gallery is open to the public Fridays through Sundays during the afternoon hours.

Thumbprint Gallery, 920 Kline Street, La Jolla, CA 92037, Phone: 858-354-6294

8. The Promiscuous Fork

The Promiscuous Fork is a super cool, friendly, fun-filled foodie joint and to top it off, one of San Diego’s favorite hangouts. Following in the footsteps of their wildly popular catering business, The Promiscuous Fork is now plating their perfected-over-time dishes in quaint digs in La Jolla. Boasting a high-top community table and a partitioned inside/outside bar, the eatery has a welcoming and inviting atmosphere that attracts everyone from families to fashionistas.

Their wonderfully simple menu promises original bites, ranging from Surf & Turf Grilled Cheese with homemade crab Louie to salmon tacos smothered in cheddar and bacon-wrapped BBQ shrimp with a side of Baconnaise. Wash it all down with a selection of craft beers from local award-winning breweries. If you are looking for fun date ideas in La Jolla, this is a great place to try.

The Promiscuous Fork, 6984 La Jolla Blvd., La Jolla, California 92037, Phone: 858-454-3663

9. Lajollacooks4u

Lajollacooks4u offers a variety of culinary experiences for every occasion, with packages ranging from farm-to-table and gourmet cooking classes to foodie tours and in-home cooking lessons. Founded in 2007 by certified foodie and culinary master chef Jodi Abel, gourmet classes are held in her home in La Jolla where she imparts her expert culinary knowledge with private groups in fun and delicious ways. Using only locally-sourced and sustainable ingredients, individuals and groups will not want to miss this unique culinary experience. Gourmet food, dining experiences and cooking demonstrations are available, as well as exciting foodie tours through San Diego and culinary weekends away with like-minded gourmands and foodie friends

10. Mt Soledad National Veterans Memorial

Mt Soledad has always played an important role in the military – first as a viewpoint for President Roosevelt’s Great White Fleet and later as an observation point and transmission tower during WWII. It is therefore a very fitting place for a Veterans Memorial which honors both living and deceased members of the military forces. At the center of the memorial there is a huge cross which honors all those who lost their lives in the 2 World Wars and the Korean Conflict. The remainder of the moving memorial is mainly comprised of a series of polished stone walls, each of which bears many granite plaques with photos and information honoring a veteran.

Mt Soledad National Veterans Memorial, 6905 La Jolla Scenic Drive at Via Capri, La Jolla, CA 92037