This photo guide takes you on a walking tour around La Jolla, California. You can use it to plan your own tour – or just enjoy the scenery from your comfy armchair.

Nesting Cormorants on La Jolla Cliffs

Your tour starts in front of the entrance to La Jolla Caves. This long-time La Jolla site is hardly worth the price of admission. Walk between the Cave Store and the fence and along the cliffside path to see where the cormorants hang out.

These fish-eating birds do not have waterproof feathers, so you’ll often see them spreading their wings to dry. They nest on the cliffs to get away from predators, and you can walk here to enjoy a quieter experience away from most of the other tourists in town.

La Jolla Cove

Back at Coast Blvd., walk along the sidewalk toward Ellen Scripps Browning Park, where you’ll find vibrant green grass and palm trees. Here, you can walk down a flight of stairs to La Jolla Cove.

This is one of the most photographed beaches in ​southern California, and it’s easy to understand why. The sandstone cliffs create dramatic scenery, and the surf has carved out numerous little basins that transform into tidepools at low tide.

Coast Walk View

This is a typical view from the walk along the coast, showcasing the beauty of La Jolla. Barely submerged rocks form tidepools at low tide, creating an enchanting scene with dramatic waves.

You may also spot adorable ground squirrels scavenging over the cliffs, munching on ice plants and roots before disappearing into their burrows.

Tide Pool

This tide pool is nestled among the rocks just outside the Children’s Pool breakwater, providing a unique glimpse of marine life.

Children’s Pool

Initially designed for children to enjoy a safer beach experience, this breakwater used to feature openings for water flow, but these were closed after a tragic event.

Over time, sand built up, creating a protected beach environment. In the 1990s, a colony of harbor seals deemed this beach perfect for raising their young, particularly during the spring. It’s an incredible sight to see them, but the beach is now off-limits to humans to ensure their safety.

While watching the seals, remember to stay aware of the ocean behind you, as high surf can occasionally surprise visitors with unexpected splashes.

Museum of Contemporary Art

Interestingly, although it is situated in La Jolla, this venue is known as the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego.

The museum’s collection encompasses various styles, including 1960s and 70s minimalism, Pop art, conceptual art, installation art, as well as Latin American art and pieces from California and the San Diego-Tijuana region.

Downtown La Jolla

On La Jolla’s commercial streets near the shore, you will discover an array of boutiques, art galleries, and delightful restaurants. A must-visit is Nine Ten at the Grande Colonial Hotel, particularly for their excellent value fixed-price lunch.

Walking Tour Map

This map outlines the route of your walking tour. Be sure to take it with you for guidance on the numbered sights:

1. Cormorant’s Cliff
2. La Jolla Cove
3. Coast View
4. Tide Pool
5. Children’s Pool
6. Museum of Contemporary Art
7. Downtown