North of San Diego lie the sunny beaches of La Jolla – La Jolla Shores, La Jolla Cove
and Windansea – are iconic waterfront locations for kayakers, surfers, paddleboarders and snorkelers. Both locals and tourists flock to the sandy beaches and rocky bays, especially in summer.
Autumn brings with it the quiet season, when the beaches naturally attract dedicated locals but far fewer tourists. And the pace is slower, more in tune with the rhythm of the tides and the ever-present sound of ocean waves rising, breaking and receding.
One last weekend found us in La Jolla Shores Hotelthe beachfront hotel on the southern end of the sandy crescent that stretches from Scripps Pier to the favored beach
Marine space Restaurant. The hotel provides beach guests with umbrellas, chairs and towels. The restaurant is open all day. And there's a van available to take guests anywhere inside a five-mile radius between 8 a.m. and 9 p.m. — perhaps to La Jolla Cove Beach for snorkeling, to Windansea for browsing and watching, to Scripps Aquarium or to nearby restaurants.
The eminently walkable beachfront neighborhood of La Jolla Shores is stuffed with sun-kissed sea lovers of all ages. Restaurants, cafes and boutiques share the space here with surf shops and kayak schools. Start your day with a coffee and pastry—perhaps from the nearby Brick & Bell Café—and revel in it from a spot on the seawall. Then head to the shore for a swim, walk or read on the beach.
The terrace of the hotel The Shores Restaurant is a great lunch option for grilled fish tacos, salads and other dishes. I actually enjoyed a seafood ceviche tostada with avocado and salsa – and it's hard to say no to a margarita on the beach. Or take a walk up the beach Caroline's Seaside Café near UC San Diego's Scripps Pier. Place your order, take a number and sit at a table overlooking the surfers below. Everything on the menu is sweet, from the chopped salad ($15) with quinoa, avocado, arugula and butternut squash to The Cove Burger ($17.50).
Just a few miles in the opposite direction is La Jolla Cove, a part of the 6,000-acre San Diego-La Jolla Underwater Park ecological reserve, which incorporates underwater caves, canyons, kelp beds and wealthy marine life.
Go close Cave Shop First, for $10 ($6 for teenagers and teenagers), you get access to a 1905 smugglers' tunnel. Climb the 145 steps right down to Sunny Jim's sea cave, where the ocean rages slightly below an statement deck. You'll probably see kayakers right behind it, the cave from the surface.
Then head back upstairs to envision out the shop's historic photos and beach items before exploring the bay itself. The beach here is small and sheltered with gentle waves, making it ideal for swimming, snorkeling and diving. It can also be a great place for sunbathing as you sit on the rocks and let yourself be lulled by the sound of the ocean and the sight of the seals that make their home here.
From there it's just a brief walk to La Jolla Village, where chic restaurants, hotels, shops and galleries line the streets. The historic one draped with bougainvillea Valencia Hotel incorporates a secluded terrace for lunch or dinner, in addition to guest rooms, suites and villas. And the proximity Grande colonial hotelBuilt in 1913, the restaurant is home to chef Jason Knibb's Nine-Ten, whose coastal-inspired menu has caught the eye of Michelin. (And sandy, seawater-soaked visitors should clean themselves before getting into. This is a white tablecloth stain.)
Windansea, on the southernmost tip of La Jolla, is some of the famous surf spots on the Southern California coast. With its rocky beach, steep drop-off, big waves and robust currents, it's not beneficial for swimmers, however it's an amazing place to look at experienced surfers catch the waves.
Grab a drink at one in every of the coffee shops, juice bars, or cafes within the adjoining Bird Rock neighborhood—perhaps a Sandpiper hazelnut latte Bird Rock Coffee Roaster or a cold-pressed juice with it Seaside Surf Cafewhich is next to the Bird Rock Surf Shop.
Then take your sip to the beach and revel in the spectacle.
When you go
La Jolla Shores Hotel: Room rates start at $256. Find the hotel at 8110 Camino Del Oro in La Jolla; www.ljshoreshotel.com.
Brick & Bell Café: Opens at 5 a.m. on weekdays and 6 a.m. on weekends at 2216 Avenida De La Playa; 858-333-1673.
Caroline's Seaside Café: Open every day 8 a.m. to three p.m., 8610 Charles F. Kennel Way; https://carolinesseasidecafe.com.
Cave Shop: Open 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at 1325 Coast Blvd.; www.cavestore.com.
The Valencia Hotel: Room rates start at $355. Find the hotel at 1132 Prospect Ave.; www.lavalencia.com.
The great colonial period: Room rates start at $237. Find the hotel at 910 Prospect Ave. https://thegrandecolonial.com
Bird Rock coffee roaster: Opens every day at 6 a.m. at 5627 La Jolla Blvd.; https://birdrockcoffee.com.
Seaside Surf Cafe: Opens every day at 7:30 a.m. at 5517 La Jolla Blvd., next to Bird Rock Surf Shop; https://seaside-smoothie-and-juice-bar.square.site/.
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