La Jolla Coast Walking Tour
Overview
Planning a trip to La Jolla?
Great! I'd love to show you around the area and tell you about the history of this amazing seaside community!
La Jolla is one of the most beautiful places in the world; a must see for anyone visiting San Diego.
This tour takes the guesswork out of planning your trip to La Jolla. It begins at the area's most convenient spot to park, then follows a direct route, walking La Jolla's downtown and coastal areas.
You will benefit from having an experienced guide explaining the history and helping you make the best use of your time.
I'm here nearly every day so I'm up to date on what's happening. You can be sure you won't miss a thing!
The highlight this month has been our visits to the "rookery, " where sea lions have their pups each June.
You will be able to see and learn about the wildlife, and take great pictures from the approved viewing locations - without disturbing the animals!
Great! I'd love to show you around the area and tell you about the history of this amazing seaside community!
La Jolla is one of the most beautiful places in the world; a must see for anyone visiting San Diego.
This tour takes the guesswork out of planning your trip to La Jolla. It begins at the area's most convenient spot to park, then follows a direct route, walking La Jolla's downtown and coastal areas.
You will benefit from having an experienced guide explaining the history and helping you make the best use of your time.
I'm here nearly every day so I'm up to date on what's happening. You can be sure you won't miss a thing!
The highlight this month has been our visits to the "rookery, " where sea lions have their pups each June.
You will be able to see and learn about the wildlife, and take great pictures from the approved viewing locations - without disturbing the animals!
Inclusions
- Guided tour of La Jolla's Coast and Downtown
- Overview of La Jolla's history
- Overview of San Diego's history
What to expect
Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product
Stop At: La Jolla, La Jolla, San Diego, California
90 Minute Tour of La Jolla's Prospect Street, La Jolla Cove, Children's Pool and more!
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
Stop At: Girard Avenue and Prospect Street, About 16 Km Northwest of San Diego Girard and Prospect Avenues, La Jolla, San Diego, CA
Our tour will begin with a short walk up Prospect Street to Girard Avenue. Along the way I will briefly explain the history of San Diego, and how La Jolla began as artist's resort called "The Green Dragon Colony." We will also walk past several art galleries, shops and restaurants. You will see historic hotels build in the early 1900s including The Grande Colonial and La Valencia.
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: Murals of La Jolla, La Jolla, San Diego, CA 92037-4418
As we continue on Prospect Street we will be able to see a few of the "Murals of La Jolla". Murals of La Jolla was conceived in 2010 as a means to enhance the civic character of the community by commissioning public art projects throughout La Jolla. The project's innovative approach expands the definition of the traditional public mural structure by reimagining how to utilize private property as an opportune space for public art. The unique print-based process opens up the possibility of working with a larger sector of multi-disciplinary artists, creating an outdoor exhibition of works from many notable local, national and international artists. There are currently 14 murals on view and the project has commissioned 39 artworks to date. It is a project of the Athenaeum initiated by the La Jolla Community Foundation.
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: Sunny Jim Cave, 1325 Cave St, La Jolla, San Diego, CA 92037-3684
As we approach the Coast Walk Trail we will stop at The Cave Store to see the entrance to Sunny Jim's Sea Cave. This tunnel was dug out by two Chinese laborers hired by German artist, mining engineer, and entrepreneur Gustav Schultz in 1902. It leads from the Cave Store, Schultz's original residence, down through the sandstone cliffs of La Jolla Cove and into Sunny Jim's Sea Cave. It's been said that during Prohibition, bootleggers smuggled alcohol and opium into San Diego through the sea cave by carrying it through this tunnel!
We will not enter the cave on this tour, but you can choose to come back after the tour if you want to make the trip!
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: La Jolla Caves, La Jolla, San Diego, CA
After we leave the Cave store, We will visit the Coast Walk Trail. This trail is directly above the 7 La Jolla Sea Caves and provides breathtaking views of the Southern California coastline. Along the trail you will see and learn about the secret swing and Rose Canyon fault line, and hear how the current UCSD campus used to be an artillery range during WW1` and WW2.
Duration: 15 minutes
Stop At: La Jolla Underwater Park, La Jolla, San Diego, CA 92037
From the Coast Walk Trail, we will get a great view of the The San Diego-La Jolla Underwater Park which spans 6, 000 acres (24 km2) of ocean bottom and tidelands. The park's four distinct habitats (rocky reef, kelp bed, sand flats, and submarine canyon) make it a popular destination for snorkelers and scuba divers. The park was created by the City of San Diego in 1970 and actually has two other parks within it: the "look but don't touch" Ecological Reserve and the Marine Life Refuge.
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: La Jolla Cove, 1100 Coast Blvd, La Jolla, San Diego, CA 92037-3600
La Jolla Cove Beach is located at the northeast end of Ellen Browning Scripps Park. This historic beach has been a popular spot for over 125 years. I will show you some photos of the exact location we will be standing, showing the hills above the cove in the late 1800s. You'll see only the very first beach cottages present in the photos and see which ones are still standing today!
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: Ellen Browning Scripps Park, 1133 Coast Blvd, La Jolla, San Diego, CA 92037-3638
As we walk along the seawall Ellen Browning Scripps Park will be to the left. You'll learn how Ellen's contributions helped put La Jolla and San Diego on the map. But the main attraction will be the sea lions. June, July and August are especially good months to visit this area as it's the pupping season. You will be able to see baby sea lions from a safe viewing distance during these months!
Duration: 20 minutes
Stop At: Shell Beach Tide Pools, Coast Highway Ellen Browning Scripps Park, La Jolla, San Diego, CA 92037-3638
Shell Beach La Jolla is popular with locals and tourists for its tide pools, small sandy beach, shells, and picturesque terrain.
We'll Be able to get a great view from the seawall above!
Duration: 5 minutes
Pass By: Coast Boulevard Park, Coast Blvd, La Jolla, San Diego, CA 92037
As we approach the Children's Pool we will be able to see Coast Boulevard Park to the south. This small stretch of grass and sand overlooking the sea is situated between Coast Boulevard and the Pacific Ocean. It's known as the "Wedding Bowl" due to its popularity as an outdoor wedding venue. The Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego is just up the street.
Pass By: Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego, 700 Prospect St, La Jolla, San Diego, CA 92037-4228
Founded in 1941 as The Art Center in La Jolla, the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego (MCASD) has evolved into an organization of national and international renown. This location was the former residence of Ellen Browning Scripps and is easily identified by the huge cluster of boats coming out of the roof! We will be able to see this amazing building from our final stop at the Children's Pool.
Stop At: Children's Pool, 850 Coast Blvd, La Jolla, San Diego, CA 92037-4254
Our final stop will be at the famous Children's Pool, originally an area in San Diego designated for children to swim. In 1932, a seawall was built to protect the shore from oncoming waves, making it the ideal spot for children to paddle without danger. While the Children's Pool in La Jolla provides a swimming spot suitable for children, the conditions also prove to be idylic for harbor seals and sea lions. Seal Rock, which is located just north of the beach is home to hundreds of seals, and its close proximity to the Children's Pool La Jolla has increased seal interest in the pool area. Seals have since come to the La Jolla Children's Pool to bathe, bask and even give birth to their seal pups. The introduction of these seals to the Children's Pool in La Jolla has caused recent controversy over whether the beach should be preserved for the marine life or for the children. We will be able to walk on the seawall as long as conditions permit.
Duration: 10 minutes
This is a typical itinerary for this product
Stop At: La Jolla, La Jolla, San Diego, California
90 Minute Tour of La Jolla's Prospect Street, La Jolla Cove, Children's Pool and more!
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
Stop At: Girard Avenue and Prospect Street, About 16 Km Northwest of San Diego Girard and Prospect Avenues, La Jolla, San Diego, CA
Our tour will begin with a short walk up Prospect Street to Girard Avenue. Along the way I will briefly explain the history of San Diego, and how La Jolla began as artist's resort called "The Green Dragon Colony." We will also walk past several art galleries, shops and restaurants. You will see historic hotels build in the early 1900s including The Grande Colonial and La Valencia.
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: Murals of La Jolla, La Jolla, San Diego, CA 92037-4418
As we continue on Prospect Street we will be able to see a few of the "Murals of La Jolla". Murals of La Jolla was conceived in 2010 as a means to enhance the civic character of the community by commissioning public art projects throughout La Jolla. The project's innovative approach expands the definition of the traditional public mural structure by reimagining how to utilize private property as an opportune space for public art. The unique print-based process opens up the possibility of working with a larger sector of multi-disciplinary artists, creating an outdoor exhibition of works from many notable local, national and international artists. There are currently 14 murals on view and the project has commissioned 39 artworks to date. It is a project of the Athenaeum initiated by the La Jolla Community Foundation.
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: Sunny Jim Cave, 1325 Cave St, La Jolla, San Diego, CA 92037-3684
As we approach the Coast Walk Trail we will stop at The Cave Store to see the entrance to Sunny Jim's Sea Cave. This tunnel was dug out by two Chinese laborers hired by German artist, mining engineer, and entrepreneur Gustav Schultz in 1902. It leads from the Cave Store, Schultz's original residence, down through the sandstone cliffs of La Jolla Cove and into Sunny Jim's Sea Cave. It's been said that during Prohibition, bootleggers smuggled alcohol and opium into San Diego through the sea cave by carrying it through this tunnel!
We will not enter the cave on this tour, but you can choose to come back after the tour if you want to make the trip!
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: La Jolla Caves, La Jolla, San Diego, CA
After we leave the Cave store, We will visit the Coast Walk Trail. This trail is directly above the 7 La Jolla Sea Caves and provides breathtaking views of the Southern California coastline. Along the trail you will see and learn about the secret swing and Rose Canyon fault line, and hear how the current UCSD campus used to be an artillery range during WW1` and WW2.
Duration: 15 minutes
Stop At: La Jolla Underwater Park, La Jolla, San Diego, CA 92037
From the Coast Walk Trail, we will get a great view of the The San Diego-La Jolla Underwater Park which spans 6, 000 acres (24 km2) of ocean bottom and tidelands. The park's four distinct habitats (rocky reef, kelp bed, sand flats, and submarine canyon) make it a popular destination for snorkelers and scuba divers. The park was created by the City of San Diego in 1970 and actually has two other parks within it: the "look but don't touch" Ecological Reserve and the Marine Life Refuge.
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: La Jolla Cove, 1100 Coast Blvd, La Jolla, San Diego, CA 92037-3600
La Jolla Cove Beach is located at the northeast end of Ellen Browning Scripps Park. This historic beach has been a popular spot for over 125 years. I will show you some photos of the exact location we will be standing, showing the hills above the cove in the late 1800s. You'll see only the very first beach cottages present in the photos and see which ones are still standing today!
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: Ellen Browning Scripps Park, 1133 Coast Blvd, La Jolla, San Diego, CA 92037-3638
As we walk along the seawall Ellen Browning Scripps Park will be to the left. You'll learn how Ellen's contributions helped put La Jolla and San Diego on the map. But the main attraction will be the sea lions. June, July and August are especially good months to visit this area as it's the pupping season. You will be able to see baby sea lions from a safe viewing distance during these months!
Duration: 20 minutes
Stop At: Shell Beach Tide Pools, Coast Highway Ellen Browning Scripps Park, La Jolla, San Diego, CA 92037-3638
Shell Beach La Jolla is popular with locals and tourists for its tide pools, small sandy beach, shells, and picturesque terrain.
We'll Be able to get a great view from the seawall above!
Duration: 5 minutes
Pass By: Coast Boulevard Park, Coast Blvd, La Jolla, San Diego, CA 92037
As we approach the Children's Pool we will be able to see Coast Boulevard Park to the south. This small stretch of grass and sand overlooking the sea is situated between Coast Boulevard and the Pacific Ocean. It's known as the "Wedding Bowl" due to its popularity as an outdoor wedding venue. The Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego is just up the street.
Pass By: Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego, 700 Prospect St, La Jolla, San Diego, CA 92037-4228
Founded in 1941 as The Art Center in La Jolla, the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego (MCASD) has evolved into an organization of national and international renown. This location was the former residence of Ellen Browning Scripps and is easily identified by the huge cluster of boats coming out of the roof! We will be able to see this amazing building from our final stop at the Children's Pool.
Stop At: Children's Pool, 850 Coast Blvd, La Jolla, San Diego, CA 92037-4254
Our final stop will be at the famous Children's Pool, originally an area in San Diego designated for children to swim. In 1932, a seawall was built to protect the shore from oncoming waves, making it the ideal spot for children to paddle without danger. While the Children's Pool in La Jolla provides a swimming spot suitable for children, the conditions also prove to be idylic for harbor seals and sea lions. Seal Rock, which is located just north of the beach is home to hundreds of seals, and its close proximity to the Children's Pool La Jolla has increased seal interest in the pool area. Seals have since come to the La Jolla Children's Pool to bathe, bask and even give birth to their seal pups. The introduction of these seals to the Children's Pool in La Jolla has caused recent controversy over whether the beach should be preserved for the marine life or for the children. We will be able to walk on the seawall as long as conditions permit.
Duration: 10 minutes
Additional information
- Not recommended for travelers with back problems
- No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
- Service animals allowed
- Near public transportation
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
- This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund
- This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 12 travelers
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Ticket delivery
You can present either a paper or an electronic voucher for this activity.
Cancellation
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start time of the experience.
MJ_K
June 2022
I enjoyed this tour! Chris showed historical places in La jolla. It was fun to compare la jolla in old pictures and now. I love the weather and breeze from the sea. I saw a lots of seals, sea lions, sea gulls, and pelicans. 😊
I enjoyed this tour! Chris showed historical places in La jolla. It was fun to compare la jolla in old pictures and now. I love the weather and breeze from the sea. I saw a lots of seals, sea lions, sea gulls, and pelicans. 😊PamelaBuss
June 2022
Amazing day this week on the La Jolla Coast. So much activity with the animals. The sea lions are having babies, and baby birds. Such a great walk, very informative tour of the area.
Amazing day this week on the La Jolla Coast. So much activity with the animals. The sea lions are having babies, and baby birds. Such a great walk, very informative tour of the area.KCEKRLJ
June 2022
Tour guide was full of knowledge and enthusiasm about La Jolla and San Diego. Interactive, not just a history lesson. Flexible for our interests and entertained any questions. Great experience and well worth the time.
Tour guide was full of knowledge and enthusiasm about La Jolla and San Diego. Interactive, not just a history lesson. Flexible for our interests and entertained any questions. Great experience and well worth the time.Y8269MWcindyc
June 2022
This was an amazing tour of La Jolla. Our guide, Chris, was extremely knowledgeable of the area and we were able to visit the sea cave, stroll along the coast, and visit the seals while learning about the history of the area. This is well worth every second!
This was an amazing tour of La Jolla. Our guide, Chris, was extremely knowledgeable of the area and we were able to visit the sea cave, stroll along the coast, and visit the seals while learning about the history of the area. This is well worth every second!Karen W
June 2022
Chris, our tour guide was amazing! Very knowledgeable, energetic, thoughtful and friendly! I would recommend him to everyone and would definitely do another tour with him as guide. The Coastal views were great, a lot of sea lions and historical information included.
Chris, our tour guide was amazing! Very knowledgeable, energetic, thoughtful and friendly! I would recommend him to everyone and would definitely do another tour with him as guide. The Coastal views were great, a lot of sea lions and historical information included.claudia o
July 2022
What a great tour! Kris was informative, helpful, professional and kind. The walk was good exercise and very safe. The views were amazing. The sea lion rookeries were the BEST! We learned the history of La Jolla on a beautiful Sunday afternoon. Thank you 🙏 PS Thank you for taking the photo.
What a great tour! Kris was informative, helpful, professional and kind. The walk was good exercise and very safe. The views were amazing. The sea lion rookeries were the BEST! We learned the history of La Jolla on a beautiful Sunday afternoon. Thank you 🙏 PS Thank you for taking the photo.