La Jolla and Coronado Island are two of the most popular seaside destinations in San Diego. If you have the time, we actually recommend seeing both of them, since they’re both absolutely gorgeous. However, because we know you have to make tough decisions when planning a vacation, here are a few differences to help you decide which one is more appealing to you.

Location: This category is a bit of a wash since both La Jolla and Coronado Island are about a 15-20 minute drive from central San Diego. Despite the name, Coronado Island is connected to the mainland by a strip of land, as well as a bridge, so you can easily drive to both places. 

Hotels: La Jolla is a large neighborhood with relatively high income, so there are plenty of hotels available at a range of prices. Coronado Island, meanwhile, is smaller and has fewer hotels, so you’ll probably want to book well in advance if you’re planning a trip.

Beaches: Both La Jolla and Coronado Island are known for their gorgeous beaches, so it’s really hard to go wrong here. Coronado Island has a few beautiful beaches with soft sand, calm water, and perfect views. La Jolla, meanwhile, has more variety. There are a few soft, relaxing beaches like the ones on Coronado Island, but La Jolla also has places like Windansea Beach that are better suited for surfers, plus fun spots like the La Jolla Tide Pools.

Activities: Coronado Island does have fewer activities than La Jolla, although you can still go kayaking, golfing, or shopping at the Hotel del Coronado. La Jolla has plenty of outdoor activities as well, but it also has museums, art galleries, and more shopping opportunities.

Ultimately, if you plan on just relaxing on the beach, you’re probably going to have more sun and solitude on Coronado Island. However, if you want to explore cultural activities or see more varied scenery, then La Jolla is probably the best bet for you.

To make the most of your trip to La Jolla, check out our La Jolla Cove Self-Guided Driving Tour, or you can sign up for Action+ and gain access to over 100 tours for a single yearly price.