La Jolla is the crown jewel of San Diego, known for its luxurious atmosphere and pristine beaches, which are consistently voted as some of the best beach destinations in the world. The immaculate city blocks in this coastal suburb of San Diego offers visitors delightful and family-friendly experiences.

In La Jolla there are so many water-related sports activities to partake in, from walks on the long stretches of sandy beaches to kayaking and surfing, as well as arrays of coffee shops, restaurants, and boutiques to spend your vacation days at. The gorgeous beaches, stunning cliffs, and natural wonders of this coastal inlet provide endless opportunities to explore the outdoors.

La Jolla's charming community vibe is also what makes it so family-friendly. On that same note, a lot of restaurants and stores in La Jolla are fancy and geared for adults and not necessarily appropriate for children. This is particularly true if you have a baby and a toddler like we do. In this guide I provide plenty of options for families with babies, toddlers and older children.

Getting Around La Jolla & San Diego

If you flew into the San Diego airport to visit La Jolla, I definitely recommend renting a car. La Jolla is spread out along the coast, so it's a good idea to have wheels if you want to get around easily, especially when bringing the family. You will also most likely want to enjoy more kid-friendly things to in San Diego such as the zoo, SeaWorld, Legoland or the Carlsbad Flower Fields.

Family-Friendly La Jolla Travel Guide - Seals at the Children’s Pool Beach. — Seals at the Children’s Pool Beach.

Top La Jolla Beaches to Visit with Kids

Scripps Pier Beach

Scripps Pier Beach is the perfect place to take your family for fun in the sun, as it offers a calm and serene atmosphere that’s perfect for relaxing and enjoying the beautiful scenery. The towering pier adds some drama and provides shade on the sand for a comfortable beach picnic. This is also a popular place to take family photos in San Diego.

La Jolla Shores Beach

Just south of Scripps Pier, you'll find the enormous La Jolla Shores Beach spanning over a mile in length. Lifeguards are usually on duty and the large area of soft sand is perfect for sunbathing, playing around the water, or just letting your kids run. Pick up a picnic lunch at THE CORNER Mercantile & Eatery which is just a 3 minute drive from the beach. They have take away deli sandwiches, snacks and drinks.

Children's Pool in La Jolla

This historic swimming hole was originally created for kids to have a place to swim and play with a man-made rock wall protecting swimmers from the waves. However, swimming is still allowed but highly discouraged due to the large population of seals and aquatic animals that have settled in this particular spot since the early 1990s. It's now become a great local attraction for kids to visit and watch the seals play or lounge on the nearby rocks in their natural environment. Plus, it's free!

Pro Tip: Pupping season spans from mid-January to mid-April, so if you're there, you might even catch seals giving birth!

Find Sea Creatures at the La Jolla Tide Pools

If you're looking for an activity that is educational while at the same time super fun, exploring the La Jolla tide pools is perfect. Kids and kids-at-heart will both love exploring the incredible little worlds hidden inside the nooks and crannies of these tide pools; learning more about the ocean's ecosystem up close. Just don't forget to pack a sturdy pair of shoes that you don't mind getting messy since algae can make the rocks very slippery. As always, make sure to always adhere to the etiquette for tide pool viewing and be respectful towards the environment and wildlife.

Pro Tip: From December to March, the minus tide will reveal wilder beaches where tide pool watching is ideal.

Rent Kayaks in La Jolla

Kayaking is a popular pastime in La Jolla, especially around the famous sea caves. If your kids are older, or you have family available to babysit for you, you can rent kayaks or even take a kayaking tour right in La Jolla.

Top Indoor Activities for Kids in La Jolla

One of the biggest attractions for visitors in San Diego is the year-round sunny and mild temperatures. But every once in a while a rainy day or an excessive heat day will happen. On such occasions you will need indoor activities to entertain your kids. Below I’ve listed the best La Jolla spots to hangout indoors with the family.

Birch Aquarium at Scripps

If your kids are anything like mine, they have a fascination with fish and the underwater world. And of course the Pixar film Nemo is a regular movie played in our house. The Birch Aquarium in La Jolla is mostly located indoors with ac temperatures for a hot day. You'll enjoy family time while allowing the kids to explore the many aquariums fill with fish, sea horses, jellyfish, octopus, and much more marine life.

Besides seeing the thousands of marine animals of over 300 species, your kids will get to touch star fish, sponges and sand sharks in the interactive area of the aquarium. The little ones will be fascinated by the beautiful exhibits and unique creatures.

La Jolla Westfield UTC Mall

If you're trying to escape hot or rainy weather, or just looking to spend the day leisurely shopping at your favorite retailers, you should head to Westfield UTC Mall. The outdoor atmosphere is impeccable, and there's plenty of indoor areas as well including a movie theater and ice skating rink.

The La Jolla Mall also has great options for dinning, including some of my all-time favorite restaurants Lemonade, True Food Kitchen, Tender Greens, Pressed Juicery and Shake Shack. And if you need some downtime, there are plenty of places to sit down with a cup of coffee or tea to relax and recharge your batteries.

Best Parks for Kids in La Jolla

Torrey Pines State Park Reserve

The Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve is comprised of 2,000 acres along the Pacific coastline. If the weather is agreeable, this is an excellent place for you and your family to spend time together in the great outdoors.

Torrey Pines is perfect for families with older kids who are ready for hiking, as well as younger kids who are interested in playing on the beach or admiring the abundant wildlife and unique species of coastal birds that are home to this area.

For more advanced hiking for adults and teenagers, you can try the popular Slot Canyons to the Pacific guided hike tour.

Kellogg Park in La Jolla

Kellogg Park is a grassy beachside playground where you can enjoy ocean views while the kids play. There are swings, slides, games, plenty of room for running around and playing games, and even a sheltered area where you can enjoy snacks in the shade.

Plus, the park is right next to the beach, so if you feel like taking a break from running around and want to get closer to the water, it's just a short walk away!

More Kid-Friendly Things to Do in La Jolla

Stroller Walks through Downtown La Jolla

When you're in downtown La Jolla, there's no better way to spend the day than with your family on a stroller walk. You can also stop at different restaurants for lunch, coffee, and ice cream, or just walk around and see what catches your eye. It's great for everyone to get fresh air and enjoy the gorgeous ocean views.

The best place to start walking in downtown La Jolla is the cross section of Girard Avenue and Prospect Street.

Take Fun Colorful Photos at the Roy McMakin's “Favorite Color” Mural

I always use family vacations as an opportunity to take fun photos of the kids. I’m also a big sucker for a colorful wall or mural. The Roy McMakin's “Favorite Color” mural is a giant rainbow colored tile wall and it’s a popular spot for Instagram photos. You can find it located at 7596 Eads Ave, La Jolla, CA 92037.

Where to Eat with the Kids in La Jolla

La Jolla is known as a fine dining destination, which is great for an adult special occasion, but is not necessarily where you want to show up with small kids in tow. Luckily, there are plenty of places that have kid menus and a more casual atmosphere.

Puesto Tacos

If you're feeling hungry after a long day in nature and running around at the beach, a hot plate of the famous San Diego tacos can really hit the spot. Get your taco fix at one of the best taco joints in town, made with the oldest variety of traditional blue corn. They have a fantastic selection of handmade tacos, including vegetarian and gluten-free options, that are to die for!

You'll also find a variety of kids taco plates and dozens of house-made refreshing margaritas for the adults to sip and enjoy. Puesto Tacos is the perfect combination of fancy and casual that emphasizes the fresh and vibrant flavors of Mexico.

El Avocado

El Avocado is all about fresh plant-based flavors, and they're known for their commitment to using only the freshest and natural ingredients. They have a selection of tacos, burritos, and salads that are perfect for those looking to eat lighter and healthier. They've also got smoothies with berries, fruits, chia seeds and hemp seeds, and even protein powder to choose from.

The kids menu includes quesadillas with beans, peanut butter and agave sandwiches, and the classic avocado sandwich. As a treat we got some gelato with the kids after strolling around in downtown La Jolla.

Mendocino Farms

When it comes to delicious, creative, gourmet sandwiches, there's no question that Mendocino Farms is the place to go. They've also got soups and salads made with local ingredients, not to mention plenty of kid-friendly options.

Whether you're looking for a sit down spot or just a quick bite on the go for a beach picnic, Mendocino Farms has got you covered.

Urban Plates

At Urban Plates, you'll definitely feel good about what you and your kids are eating. Urban plates is a farm-to-plate restaurant committed to serving only 100% unprocessed foods made from scratch and organic all the time. From pizzas to sandwiches to salad bowls, you'll find everything your heart desires.

It is organized in a buffet and cafeteria style, so you can go around and see what kinds of food you and your kids will like. At Urban Plates you've found a place where your whole family can eat delicious food in a relaxed environment.

Dukes La Jolla

If you're looking for a place to relax, unwind, and enjoy the ocean breeze while enjoying a nice meal, look no further than Dukes in La Jolla. The outdoor seating area has a stunning sea view, and the Hawaiian-inspired menu will make you feel like you're on an island. They also have an indoor dining room that's cozy and welcoming.

Pro Tip: It's Aloha Friday on Fridays with a barefoot bar only and live island vibe entertainment from 3 PM to 6 PM, so don't forget to visit their website and check out their upcoming performers.