La Jolla beach in San Diego is a popular and picturesque tourist destination in the La Jolla coastal community along the North Pacific Ocean's pristine blue waters. This sandy beach is about a mile long and has magnificent formations that include 300-foot sea cliffs, rocky rugged reefs, coves, and golden sandy shores. But apart from the sandy beaches by the Pacific Ocean, La Jolla has lots of other places to explore and recreational activities to indulge in. These include:
9 Sunny Jim's Sea Cave
This is the only cave in California accessed by land through a tunnel. It was initiated by Gustav Schulz a German engineer and philosopher. The tunnel started to be dug by two Chinese laborers in 1902 and was finished in two years. They dug it with a shovel and pick. At first, the cave was accessed by a rope, but stairs were added later. There are 145 stairs leading to a platform offering great Pacific Ocean views. The Wizard of Oz author Frank Baum named the cave Sunny Jim. The sea cave tours are done from 9 am to 4:30 pm and take 15 to 30 minutes. They cost $10 for adults and $6 for children of ages 3 to 17 years. Cave tour payments are made at the Cave Store a gift shop where visitors buy jewelry and souvenirs.
8 Mount Soledad National Veterans Memorial
This veterans memorial is in the 170-acre Mount Soledad Natural Park. It is unique as it honors alive and dead war veterans dating back from Revolutionary War to the present day. The Mount Soledad National Veterans Memorial is known for its 29-foot giant cross atop the circular memorial with manicured lawns. The 11 curved walls have over 5000 black granite plaques with service persons' names. The memorial is 822 feet above sea level and on clear days, visitors on the south can see towns in Mexico and those on the north can see the mountains of Los Angeles and the entire San Diego. Visits to Mount Soledad Natural Park are from 7 am to 10 pm and entry is free but donations to the memorial are encouraged.
7 Birch Aquarium At Scripps
Birch Aquarium has over 60 fish species and invertebrates from the Pacific Northwest and Mexico tropical waters. There is also a two-story Kelp Forest (ocean forest), in 70,000 gallons of water that has the giant black sea bass, moray eels, and leopard shark. Visitors view the stunning and colorful marine wildlife through the glass and interact with others on ponds. Marine wildlife at the aquarium includes seahorse, sea dragon, pipe fish, little blue penguin, loggerhead sea turtle, Giant Pacific Octopus, leopard shark, moon jellies plus sea star, and cucumber. Weddings and private functions can be held at Birch Aquarium. Birch Aquarium is open daily from 9 am to 5 pm except on Christmas Eve and Day, Thanksgiving, and New Year. Tickets are reserved by booking them online on this link. Ticket prices for adults are $24:95, children (3-17 years) $19:95, students with ID, and seniors over 60 years are charged $22:95.
6 Torrey Pines Gliderport
Torrey Pines Gliderport aviation site has nearly 100 years of flying history and hangs gliding, paragliding, and sailplaning are here done over the Pacific Ocean blue waters and beach. Skydiving lessons on them are given at a fee. Flying equipment, tutorial DVDs, and materials are also sold at Torrey Pines Gliderport. Visitors participating in those flight recreational activities can dine at the Cliffhanger Café.
5 Map And Atlas Museum Of La Jolla
This museum is a reservoir for rare maps and atlases from around the world. It has 500 years of cartography displayed there. The museum helps visitors appreciate and learn geography, politics, and history and understand the importance of maps and atlases. Maps by famous cartographers like Abraham Ortelius, Willem Blaeu, Ben Franklin, and Jo Mora are displayed here. The 1493 Columbus Letter is also here. Admission to Map and Atlas Museum of La Jolla is free, but advance bookings are done by contacting the museum's team at roz@lajollamapmuseum.org.
4 Ellen Browning Scripps Memorial Pier
This 1084 feet long iconic pier is managed by the Scripps Institution of Oceanography and anchors small boats used in scientific diving and research. It was rebuilt in 1988 to replace the first one built in 1916. The pier has an overhead three-ton bridge crane that lowers boats into the ocean. Ellen Browning Scripps Memorial Pier is not open to the public but for special events, but visitors can walk under it and take photos.
3 The Conrad Prebys Performing Arts Center
Opened in 2019 the Conrad Prebys Performing Arts Center is the hub of arts and culture education and community events at La Jolla. It is home to the La Jolla Music Society (LJMS) which hosts world-class performances there. Other events are hosted in four magnificent art spaces there. Lectures, fundraisers, conferences, concerts, and weddings are also conducted at this arts center. Tickets to various performances held here can be purchased on this website.
2 The Cat Lounge
The Cat Lounge is a refuge for cats and kittens rescued from euthanasia shelters around California. They are neutered, vaccinated, de-wormed, microchipped and socialized with other cats and visitors, and made available for adoption. Visits are from 12 to 6 pm on weekdays except for Monday and Wednesday. The entry fee is $20 for adults and $10 for children under 14 years, seniors over 65 years, students, and military persons with identification cards. Adoption costs from $95 to $300 depending on the feline maturity.
1 Stuart Collection
Located at the University of California's San Diego the Stuart Collection has over 20 sculptures around the 1200-acre campus. The sculptures include a bear, table, trees, a house, shoes, and others. The art is from artists like Kiki Smith, Robert Irwin, Bruce Nauman, Terry Allen, and Niki de Saint Phalle. Visitors to the campus can take free self-guided tours to see the sculptures. Virtual tours narrating how each sculpture is made and integrated into the university landscape are available.