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Top Tourist attractions in La Jolla, United States

Top Rated Tourist attractions in La Jolla

Top Reviewed Tourist attractions in La Jolla

Reviews

Haven't grown up in the ocean beach / point Loma area this is an amazing spot. Some very nice hikes at the tide pools on the ocean side and the Bayside. On a clear day you can see all the way to Mexico!
A short but incredibly beautiful and extremely dangerous trail. It seemed like the edge of the mountain could collapse at any moment. The trail runs right along the very edge. At the same time, there are stunning views of the ocean, mountains, and city. You can descend to the Ho Chi Minh Trail.
My goodness is Torrey Pines beautiful! Coming from the East Coast where the beaches are flat, the rock formation that outlines the divide between sea and land here blew my mind...

This should most definitely be on your to-do list if you visit the area, and make sure you walk everything from the North end to the south end and all areas in between to take it all in, you won't be disappointed.

I saw reviews about long lines and big crowds, however I took an Uber to the North parking area and then took an Uber from the South end so I didn't have to deal with the long lines and trying to find parking. I also visited on a weekday and didn't find the crowd to be overwhelming.
Found parking fast and was free. Really nice beach. Clean and perfect for kids. Water is warm now. Waves are not to big.
Beautiful beach, family friendly, public bathrooms and showers. Parking is difficult but that's to be expected. A few vendors with popsicles and corn in a cup made for a great beach to visit.
I was visiting from the East Coast and did this park on my last day of visiting. This park is absolutely gorgeous and perfect for anyone to visit on a time crunch. The parking fee was not too expensive and I was thankful I was able to drive to the top, which also helped with the time crunch. The trails were well maintained and the views were spectacular. I would love to come back here.
Nice beach and lots of room… parking can be a pain so get there early…. Restrooms are very busy during weekends
Such a calm atmosphere for some awesome Cali vibes. Parking gets full quick, but street parking is thankfully allowed. Beach is split so that surfers and boogie boarders have space away from swimmers. Life guards are always attentive and present. Beach is clean and the environment is safe.
Torrey Pines is an amazing place! The views are stunning, and you can see all sorts of animals like coyotes, rabbits, and lots of birds. The beach is beautiful, and lifeguards drive around in Jeeps. There's even a spot where paragliders and hang gliders practice. The park is home to the rare Torrey Pine tree and has been around since 1959. It’s also cool to know that Native Americans used this land for centuries. Definitely worth a visit for anyone who loves nature and adventure!
Mike Guymon
at 2024 Jun 21
Mike Guymon
at 2024 Jun 21
World class beach. I am here at 6 am to claim one of the five fire rings. We will have a bonfire tonight! Roast hot dogs, have s'mores and grill up some burgers. Just a note: FYI, public beaches here are no smoking, no alcohol.
This review is for EB Scripps Overlook Via Park Road, Razor Point & Guy Fleming Loop which was a ~3.7 miles round trip that took ~2 hour to complete.

This hike was a combination of a few smaller trails that gives the most diverse views of Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve. Trail starts off at the beach side which was sandy with rocky pebbles. Furthermore, this route takes you to the Razor Point Overlook and then out to the paved road. The paved road will then take you to the EB Scripps Overlook and Guy Fleming Loop.

Stunning views from beginning to end, minus the paved road section.

Parking lot was $15 on Monday-Thursday or $20 on Friday-Sunday. There are free parking on N Torrey Pines Rd and Carmel Valley Rd but both fill up fast.

Short video of the hike for those interested! https://youtu.be/rx7aTh0ixkE
Scenic caves right on the beach! The park was under construction at the time so that is an inconvenience. Also if you have a weak stomach beware! The nesting birds and resting seals give off a terrible smell!
Leia Wilson
at 2024 May 22
Leia Wilson
at 2024 May 22
This beach is clean and a little less busy. With warmer weather, it is starting to get busier. There is a row of restaurants and snacks at the south end of the beach.
It was a great place to hike. Beaches were beautiful as usual. I loved the sunset cliffs more than this. Parking was busy but we did find a spot. Restrooms were decent. Plenty of crowd on a Saturday. So, slightly tough to enjoy peacefully. Also, has a 20$ entry fee. Not as good as sunset cliffs but alright I guess!
Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve is an absolute gem! From the moment I stepped foot on the trails, I was in awe of the breathtaking views and pristine natural beauty. The trails are well-maintained and offer a variety of difficulty levels, catering to both casual strollers and avid hikers alike. The towering Torrey pine trees and coastal vistas create a serene atmosphere that’s perfect for reconnecting with nature. The staff is friendly and informative, providing helpful insights about the flora and fauna. Whether you’re a local or a visitor, this reserve is a must-visit destination for anyone seeking tranquility and adventure in equal measure.
Amazing state park and reserve! There is a $20 fee to enter the park by car which is well worth it. Alternatively you can find a free parking spot close to the park and just walk into it along the beautiful beach. I would recommend taking a free natural walk tour at 10am. Our volunteer guides, Steve and Leigh were amazing and super knowledgeable!! They knew a lot about the park, its inhabitants and plants. Loved the walk! Also amazing trails. Loved Guy Fleming overlook with whale and dolphin watching spot, and beach trail which leads to the beautiful beach!!
Great beach to visit. There are restrooms, but no sinks, so bring hand sanitizer. Very accessible, no huge staircases or rocks to make your way down to the beach.
Nate Smith
at 2023 May 12
Nate Smith
at 2023 May 12
Amazing trail. We went with a tour guide and it was very worth it. Plenty of views from cliffs and stories of the history and more from the tour guide. The hike was fairly difficult and I would strongly recommend bringing some type of durable gloves for climbing around the slots and sliding down them (yes there is a slide that has been built from the worn-down sandstone). Set aside at least 2 hours to truly experience everything this trail has to offer!
Rebekah Krishak
at 2022 Mar 20
Rebekah Krishak
at 2022 Mar 20
BEAUTIFUL!!!! The trail down is amazing and breathtaking. Wish it was longer but it definitely is not short. Not kid friendly not sandal friendly and if your afraid of heights or get dizzy easy I would not attempt. If your not looking to get dirty then this is not the trail. Very slippery in spots, can fall easy, tight spots to fit through. We only went down and did not come back up which I would of loved it but my friend did not want to 😢. To finish to the bottom you must use the rope to propel backwards over a slippery slope that at times has running water, if you know how slippery wet clay or ice is, this is like that no traction. The beach is beautiful and the cliffs are awesome!!! Definitely recommend it if you like hiking but not if your out looking for an easy walk.
A “ACe” Ce
at 2019 Oct 07
A “ACe” Ce
at 2019 Oct 07
What a view! What a VIEW! Any one of those houses/mansions overlooking that trail is my dream house. A little bit of hills, little bit of valley, a little bit of beach, and a whole lot of ocean. Sunsets here are simply spectacular!

My 11 year old and I tried to hike down to the beach but it was too late to get all the way down. There are some serious drops and places where you have to "kiss the wall" to keep moving down the trail and after about 30 minutes we had to turn back. Go before 3 on if you want to get to the beach spend some time and return with natural light.

There is also a treck to the top of a hill overlooking the ocean. It seems easier although steep. Most people do it in their flip flops. Be prepared to get mud dusty on either trail.
Colton Noyes
at 2019 Oct 02
Colton Noyes
at 2019 Oct 02
This was an amazing little trip during midday. Finding the entrance through the neighborhood street was slightly difficult as there are no signs, so you kinda have to really look, and I also had to point people in the right direction as they had the same issues. When you walk through the opening of the brown fence with a graffitied trashcan in front, you will make your way through small walkways and will have to watch your step as parts get pretty steep and there is a lot of sand. You can enter through this way to go to the beach or you can go to the top of the cliff! If you find yourself walking on boards that stretch across small dried up ravines, you are going towards the beach and the pathway gets tight with shrubbery! Stay to the right and get up to the top to get a beautiful view of hangliders, multimillion dollar homes, and the pier at La Jolla! Definitely worth the trip!!
J L
at 2018 Nov 09
J L
at 2018 Nov 09
This is a VERY dangerous trail. It feels like a real life Tomb Raider challenge. It's easy to fall and cut yourself. At the other end of the street there is a paved asphalt path that I used to return to my car. If you want to visit Black's Beach take that path instead.
Ryan Albano
at 2017 Jan 17
Ryan Albano
at 2017 Jan 17
This is a really cool hike! It can be a bit challenging at times, and also slippery on the route to the beach... So come prepared. The views from the top are amazing!! We hiked to the top then went along the ridge to the Black Beach overlook and took the trail down to the beach from there. Beware there are naked dudes-just so you know-but they're just chilling. We walked the beach back down south and took the Hi Chi Minh trail back up. This hike is a solid 5 stars!
NOT FOR THE FAINT OF HEART. Not to say that this trail is dangerous or to be avoided but there are areas that require climbing, use of rope, very narrow sandy walking ledges with steep drops below. I swear by my Brooks running shoes but at some point when you see how seasoned surfers scale the sea bluffs you too will probably remove your shoes after all no better pair of shoes than ones on feet.