Hi friends! Within the past month, I’ve taken two trips to La Jolla, California. The first was work related and the second was because I had so much fun there, I wanted to go back with a few of my favorite people! Because I love this place and had an amazing experience both times, I wanted to share with you some of the things that make La Jolla an awesome place for a quick vacation.

1. Where to stay

La Jolla is located just northwest of San Diego. It’s nestled right next to the ocean, which opened up plenty of great options when it came to picking a hotel. We ended up choosing one that left us with zero regrets.

• The Shoal at La Jolla Beach (6750 La Jolla Blvd, La Jolla, CA 92037)

My friends and I loved staying at The Shoal. This place was super cute and it was approximately a five minute walk to the beach. The hotel also provided us with beach towels, chairs & a bag, which made our beach experience even more enjoyable. Their pool, jacuzzi & outdoor shower area were great for relaxing & rinsing off after a day at the ocean. Additionally, the hotel is located walking distance from local galleries, restaurants and boutiques, which we enjoyed exploring.

2. Things to do

La Jolla is a place filled with relaxing things to do during a stay. Some of my favorites while we were there included:

• Windansea Beach

The beach is a place where I can feel completely relaxed and energized all at the same time, so it was perfect that Windansea Beach was walking distance from our hotel. The large rocks in the ocean were great for climbing up and listening to waves. The water was clean, the ocean felt refreshing for swimming and the sand was perfect for naps on the beach. We also really enjoyed walking down in the evening and watching the sunset. Windansea combines all the things I love about going to the beach in a pristine place.

• Birch Aquarium at Scripps Institution of Oceanography (2300 Expedition Way, La Jolla, CA 92037)

The Birch Aquarium is s a great place to explore and learn about sea life. There were several different exhibits, a touch pool outside and a really incredible view overlooking the Pacific Ocean. The activities they have are great for kids and their restaurant, Splash Cafe, has a variety of salads, sandwiches and drinks that can be enjoyed outside at their sitting area.

3. Things to eat

There was so much good food in La Jolla, it was pretty incredible. There were a few restaurants that made food one of the most talked about aspects of our trip.

• The Taco Stand (621 Pearl St, La Jolla, CA 92037)

I can’t hype this place up enough. The Taco Stand was RIDICULOUSLY good and their menu had a variety of options that made it the perfect place for any taco lover. My favorite tacos there were the Camaron (grilled shrimp) and the Baja taco (battered fish). Additional menu items that were absolutely worth trying were the corn on the cob and their freshly cooked churros.

• Cafe Milano (711 Pearl St #5016, La Jolla, CA 92037)

This delicious Italian restaurant was perfect for a relaxing night out. All of their breads & pastas were made fresh and they had seating available inside or out on their patio. We received complimentary bread (a big plus for me!) and they had a wonderful assortment of wine & desserts. My favorite meal there was the gnocchi caprese with a refreshing glass of white zinfandel.

• Mr. Moto Pizza House (617 Pearl St, La Jolla, CA 92037)

Pizza is always my favorite meal after spending a day at the beach and Mr. Moto Pizza House completely satisfied that craving. They had a variety of pizzas on their menu which ranged from basic choices to specialty options. We had pizza from Mr. Moto two nights while we were in La Jolla because it was THAT good. My favorite picks that we tried were The Perfect Trio (ham, pineapple, jalapeno & goat cheese) and the Vodka Cream (vodka sauce, raspberry chipotle sauce, bacon & sour cream) pizzas. I know they seem a little different, but they were delicious and definitely worth the try!

La Jolla is a place filled fantastic beaches & delicious food. It provided us with a fun, relaxing experience and was perfect for a quick getaway from Arizona. 10/10 we’ll be back soon!

All photos of me on the beach were taken by Tara Leinen