Do you love wildlife, the beach and free street parking? Then La Jolla Cove is the beach for you!
Located in beautiful San Diego, California, La Jolla has a lot to offer budget travelers looking to save on a beach vacation. Best of all, the weather here is ideal year-round with temperatures almost always warm. Just pack a jacket if 60°F winters bother you.
Interested in exploring more beaches nearby? Check out our guide to the best beaches along the West Coast.
What to do at La Jolla Cove
One of the things I love most about La Jolla are the sea lions and seals! You have to take care to not get too close, but it’s amazing to watch the marine life bask in the sunshine and play with one another. Best of all for cheapos, it’s completely free to watch these creatures thrive in their natural habitat.
La Jolla Cove is also, as its name implies, a cove, which makes for great exploring. The cove is safe enough to traverse for beginners and kids but still feels adventurous. You can also snorkel here. Stop by the tide pools to watch smaller marine life like crabs and fish — you’ll have the best experience from December through March.
Exploring the cove is completely free. Photo: Paige Bennett
Affordable restaurants in La Jolla
San Diego is a hot spot for Mexican food, fresh fare and wine. Duke’s La Jolla is a popular local spot where you can get fresh fish and traditional burgers and salads plus beer, wine, cocktails and mocktails. If you’re in the area for Taco Tuesday, you’ll get deals on tacos and margaritas, too. Cove House offers seasonal menus, so you know you’re always enjoying something fresh. Stop by for brunch for crab egg’s benedict, or grab grilled fish tacos. Are you a beer-drinker? Stop by Karl Strauss Brewing Company for beers and grub focused on sustainability.
A sunset view over the Pacific Ocean as spotted from Inn by the Sea. Photo: Booking.com
Budget Hotels in La Jolla
Beach Haven Inn
Double rooms starting at $99
Just a block from the beach, the Beach Haven Inn is a safe and affordable bet. Rooms include full kitchens, so you can save money by whipping up something at your home base. Don’t feel like cooking? The nearby boardwalk features 3 miles of restaurants. Crystal Pier is also nearby, and the cove is a few miles away.
Residence Inn La Jolla
Double rooms starting at $110
Positioned further from the beach but still in a great location, Residence Inn La Jolla offers sunny suites complete with kitchens, flat-screen TVs and free Wi-Fi. Breakfast is included for free. The Birch Aquarium is close by, and La Jolla Cove is only 2.5 miles from the inn.
Inn by the Sea
Double rooms starting at $129
You can walk to the cove from the charming Inn by the Sea. Simple, blue-and-yellow rooms are air conditioned and include free Wi-Fi, TVs and balconies or patios. Be sure to book in advance to get the best rates.
Big windows means big view! Photo: Booking.com
La Jolla Cove Suites
Double rooms starting at $142
You can’t get closer to La Jolla Cove than the beachfront La Jolla Cove Suites. Such a premium location comes at a price, but booking ahead of time (and considering off-season travel, although the weather is perfect all the time!) can make this hotel an affordable option. Rooms are sleek and modern with amenities including flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi and ocean-facing balconies.
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