La Jolla, California, is known as the jewel of San Diego for good reason. La Jolla is a coastal city filled with charming natural beauty including a rocky coastline, well-maintained beaches, colorful sea life, and hidden coves. Did your favorite outdoor activities in La Jolla make the following list?
Explore the La Jolla Sea Caves by Kayak
A La Jolla kayak tour is your chance to get up close with marine life in the La Jolla Sea Caves. Paddle your kayak around the caves to see bright orange Garibaldi fish, sea lions, and leopard sharks. Depending on the tide and surf conditions, you may be able to kayak into the caves to further explore rock formations. Guides usually discuss the history, sea life, and geography of the caves, too.
Hike Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve
Explore nature on foot while you hike through 8 miles of trails at Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve. The park offers trails in different lengths to match your skill level. Breathe in the fresh air scented with thousands of Pinus torreyana specimens, the rarest pine trees in the country. Along the trails, you’ll experience ocean lookouts and views of La Jolla. During the winter, you may even see migrating gray whales from the lookout points.
The park visitor center offers guided tours that last about one hour. Visitor center staff can also help you choose the best trail for you, as some trails are designed for advanced hikers. The park offers two parking lots, but you’ll need to pay a small parking fee. If you’re up for navigating a steep hill, you can park for free on Highway 101 and arrive at the trailheads.
Take a Segway Tour
La Jolla is the ideal city to take a leisurely stroll to enjoy the shops and architecture. If you want something more exciting than a walking tour, however, take a Segway tour to see the best of La Jolla. Don’t worry if you’ve never tried operating a Segway. Tour operators offer short instruction classes before you roll off to start your guided tour, and speed settings are limited. If you prefer to ride through less foot and car traffic, choose a tour limited to an area such as the historic Balboa Park.
Whether you enjoy La Jolla on foot or Segway, you may need to head back to your hotel for a break before an evening out. Choose a hotel that’s close to the outdoor activities. Sources such as Hotel Planner can help you find the best La Jolla hotels close to all the activities you want to see and do.
Book a Sunset Cruise
Finish your La Jolla outdoor excursions with a relaxing sunset cruise. Local operators offer your choice of vessels including large yachts, sailboats, and small motor boats. Enjoy dinner as you sail the ocean and experience the setting sun highlighting the La Jolla skyline with warm red and orange colors.
Explore all the outdoor activities La Jolla has to offer. You can soak up the sun in beautiful weather, discover the ocean marine life, and learn about the history of the city called the jewel of San Diego.