Welcome to the La Jolla Cove Tour
Explore beautiful La Jolla Cove, the Jewel of San Diego, with a self-guided audio tour! Discover the iconic landmarks of this famous California town as you drive, from world-renowned ocean views to historic homes. On the La Jolla Cove tour experience, learn about the early struggles with drinkable water, it’s historic figures like Ellen Scripps and Dr. Seuss, and its growth into a “Jewel” of the California coastline. Explore Coast Boulevard, La Jolla Cove, and Prospect Ave. This self-guided audio and driving tour of La Jolla Cove allows you to explore La Jolla with maximum flexibility and value.
About the La Jolla Cove Tour
Drive through Ellen Browning Scripps Park, named for one of the most important figures behind La Jolla’s rapid expansion.
Explore Cuvier Park, the most popular place in San Diego to tie the knot. In fact, it’s such a beloved destination for soon-to-be-married couples that some call it The Wedding Bowl. Given its picturesque location by the water, I’m sure you can see why.
Ahead, on the right as you drive. La Jolla Tide Pools, La Jolla’s history didn’t begin when humans arrived here. Life on the Pacific coast has been thriving for millions of years.
The white Spanish-revival building with terracotta shingles and arched windows is a must for lovers of the arts. It’s the Athenaeum Music & Arts Library.
Mt. Soledad National Veterans Memorial is Considered one of the most unique veterans memorials in America. The only memorial that honors veterans, living or deceased, from the revolutionary war to the current war on terror, with an image of the veteran.
Next exploring the Windansea is what’s known as a surf break. Rocky obstructions under the water here cause waves to break and also form those classic barrel-shaped curls that make for radical surfing.
It’s hard to miss Belmont Park, La Jolla’s beachfront amusement park, with its iconic Giant Dipper roller coaster that’s been designated a National Historic Landmark.
Want all of our tours? Upgrade to Action+:
- An annual $99.99/year subscription offers access to over 200+ tours.
- Unlimited use throughout the year.
- Includes free access to new tours as they are released.
Nearby Tours
Driving
Each tour 3-4 Hours
Each Tour 35+
Each Tour 25+ Miles
Walking
1-2 Hours
15+ Stories
1+ Miles
Driving
3-4 Hours
65+ Stories
30+ Miles
Driving
4-6 Hours
130+ Stories
70+ Miles
Driving
2-3 Hours
50+ Stories
20+ Miles
La Jolla Map
Starting Point
You can easily join the tour at a designated starting point. Check the route map for a green flag marker indicating the suggested starting point. You can also join anywhere along the route.
The tour begins near The Cave Store at 1325 Coast Boulevard in La Jolla. As you walk along the coast, the audio will automatically highlight La Jolla Cove, sea cliffs, sea lion viewpoints, and other key stops along the route.
How Does It Work?
- Access your tour: Download the Action Tour Guide app and sign in with the same email used for your website purchase. Your tour will appear under My Tours.
- Download your tour: Download it before you go. Once downloaded, no internet or cell signal is needed.
- Start your tour: Open My Tours, select your tour, and tap Start Touring when you reach a starting point.
- Listen your way: Use your phone’s speaker or headphones, or connect to your car’s audio system. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are not currently supported, compatibility is in development.
- GPS-triggered audio: Stories play automatically as you reach each location along the route.
- Stop and start anytime: Pause, take a break, make a detour, or continue another day. Tours are valid forever (one year for Action+).
La Jolla Cove Audio Tour
Things to do on the Tour Include:
-
Welcome to La Jolla
-
The Jewel of San Diego
-
Brown Pelican
-
Red Roof & Red Roost
-
Land of Holes
-
Sea Lions
-
Cormorant, Peregrine Falcon, and Other Birds
-
Whales
-
Shell Beach
-
Harbor Seals on Seal Rock
-
Children's Pool Beach
-
Dr. Seuss in La Jolla
-
Rags the Donkey
-
Cuvier Park
-
La Jolla Tide Pools & Life in the Pacific
-
Conclusion
-
ALT: The Cave Store
-
ALT: Coast Walk Trail
Preview The Tour
Tour FAQs
While La Jolla isn’t a direct translation of anything, many speculate that it comes from the Spanish “la joya,” which means “the jewel.” Pretty appropriate, given this area’s sparkling beauty!
La Jolla’s beaches are undoubtedly the main draw in La Jolla, though there’s lots more to like about the neighborhood. Startlingly blue water, swaying palm trees, white sand… what’s not to like?
Definitely! This compact neighborhood offers some of southern California’s best beaches, incredible food, and a quirky character you won’t find anywhere else.
La Jolla is technically a neighborhood of San Diego, but it feels much more like a totally separate beach town. It’s quite distinct from the rest of the city, and has been the go-to getaway for San Diego residents for over a century.
During the summer, La Jolla’s waters average in the mid-60s. It’s not quite a tropical beach, but it’s still pleasantly warm! In the winter the temperature can drop down to the high 50s, so expect a bit of a chill if you visit during the colder months.
You most certainly can! The La Jolla Cove is the most popular swimming spot, as it’s sheltered from the ocean’s more powerful waves. That makes it a perfect place for the whole family to go swimming!
San Diego proper is a mere 25-minute drive from La Jolla. When visiting, you can easily pop between downtown and La Jolla’s beachy vibes whenever you like!
La Jolla is packed with celebrity homes, including those belonging to Alicia Keys, Shaun White, Bill Gates, Aaron Rodgers, Bill Murray, and more!
Most of La Jolla’s beaches offer a very gradual, shallow slope into the sea. It’s important to note, however, that a deep undersea canyon system begins about 40 feet offshore in some places, so you’ll want to avoid straying too far from the sand.
The best single-day trip to La Jolla will encompass both the shoreline and the neighborhood itself. Try getting to the beach early to avoid the crowds, exploring the La Jolla caves, then heading into town to enjoy local ice cream, browse some art galleries, and pick up a souvenir from your visit!
La Jolla has seven caves in total. Six of these are only accessible from the water, but one, Sunny Jim’s Sea Cave, can be accessed via the land.
As part of San Diego, La Jolla enjoys warm, sunny weather year-round, while the ocean breeze helps keep it from getting too hot. Expect temperatures in the 70s during the peak of summer or as low as the high 40s in midwinter.
La Jolla is probably equally famous for its caves and its picture-perfect shoreline. Be sure to visit both while you’re in town!
Explore 230+ Tours
Inclusions and Exclusions
Action Tour Guide app: Download the app to access your purchased tour.
GPS-triggered audio: Stories and directions play automatically as you reach each location.
Tour anytime: Single tours and bundles never expire and can be used anytime. Action+ is an annual subscription that automatically renews each year unless canceled.
Narrated stories: Hear local history, culture, and stories from experienced narrators.
Stop and start anytime: Pause, take a break, make a detour, or continue another day.
Offline access: Download your tour before you go. Once downloaded, no internet or cell signal is needed.
Stories, stops, and directions: Follow the route to key attractions with automatic directions and stories at each location.
Transportation: Transportation, parking fees, and tolls are not included.
Admission: Entry tickets and reservations are not included.
Food and drinks: Meals and drinks are not included.
Rental car: A rental car is not included and may be required for driving tours.
