La Jolla

La Jolla is a coastal community in San Diego with sandy coves, cliffs, and residential streets that climb the hillsides above the Pacific. The area includes several beaches, a small downtown core with shops and restaurants, and larger research centers at the edge of the settlement.

Members of the Kumeyaay tribe lived here long before Spanish settlers arrived in the 19th century and adapted the local place name into Spanish. In the 20th century the community developed into a residential area with scientific institutions along the coast.

The name comes from Spanish and residents pronounce it in their own way, often debating its true origin. Local shops and street signs use the Spanish spelling, while people speak the name with a California accent that sets the area apart.

The area can be explored on foot, though the hillsides climb steeply in places and good shoes are helpful. Parking near the beaches is often limited, especially on weekends and warm summer days.

Large wall paintings on private buildings line several streets and give the downtown area a colorful character. Especially around the shopping districts the painted facades stand out and mark individual intersections with motifs visible from afar.

Location: San Diego

Elevation above the sea: 32 m

Website: https://sandiego.gov/planning/community/profiles/lajolla

GPS coordinates: 32.84016,-117.27408

Latest update: December 4, 2025 14:21