Bursting with natural beauty, La Jolla has several cards within The GO Deck San Diego. We’ve heard from many customers that they particularly love visiting La Jolla Cove, so we’ve even created a special scavenger hunt to get children excited about walking along Coast Boulevard to see (and perhaps even smell) the local sights.
La Jolla isn’t particularly known, however, as a budget-friendly spot, but in this story, we’ll share how we find ways to keep costs low when we visit this lovely locale with our family and friends.
Getting to La Jolla
If we’re driving, we like to scope out free parking. That can be difficult in the heart of The Village, but if you’re willing to walk a bit, here’s our not-so-secret parking area. We park on Prospect Place, between Torrey Pines Road and Olivet Lane. The street parking here is free and usually plentiful. From there, we walk into The Village via Prospect Place.
Soon after crossing Torrey Pines Road (be careful, lots of traffic on this thoroughfare), look for Park Row. Here, there’s a somewhat hidden entrance to the Coast Walk Trail (look beyond the parked vehicles to see a sidewalk leading you into a tree canopy).
Visiting without a car? Take bus route #30. It drops you off on Torrey Pines Road very close to Prospect Place.
And if you’re flying into San Diego, one way to save money on your flight is to book via Ovago, it’s a flight search engine with tons of partners. Never heard of this platform? Well, here's a helpful and easy-to-read Q&A about Ovago.
Where to eat in La Jolla
There’s no shortage of food options in La Jolla, but why limit yourself to the confines of a restaurant (not to mention, the pricey bill) when you can dine al fresco with ocean views?! Our favorite picnicking spot is hands down Ellen Browning Scripps Park. Sure, a picnic lunch may not be as tasty as what the chefs are cooking up nearby, but these views make up for it.
To get there, keep walking on Prospect Place from where you parked or got off the bus. As the ocean comes into view, you can veer to the right and take Coast Boulevard. This brings you right to Ellen Browning Scripps Park.
What’s free in La Jolla
Of course, I’m biased, but I simply love walking along the coast and around the community admiring the flora and fauna of La Jolla…and there’s no charge for enjoying the outdoors. But if you’re looking to make a day of your visit, you may want to include another attraction. Here are three free options in La Jolla:
The La Jolla Historical Society is free to visit (though donations are welcome). Through a combination of programs, exhibits, and events, they showcase the history and culture of the region. Be sure to check their website before visiting as their open days and hours are limited.
The Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego is free to visit on the Second Sunday and the Third Thursday of every month with regular business hours.
The La Jolla-Riford Library is part of the greater San Diego Public Library System. What makes this branch special is that it pays homage to the nearby biotech scene with a public biotech laboratory. The Bio Lab is part of an innovation space that also includes 3D printers and a 50-person classroom.
Plan your next outing with The GO Deck
Fun, budget-friendly outings can be a breeze to plan when you GO with The GO Deck. Every featured location is free-to-visit. When you hand the deck over to your children and tell them to “Pick a card, any card,” rest assured that you won’t be shelling out a ton of money at the entrance gate of the card location they select. However, if you do want to splurge, fee-based attractions may be listed in the “Explore More” section at the bottom of each card.
The San Diego deck is where you’ll find our La Jolla adventures.
Share:
Step into Summer: Three walking trends to try right now
Games to Play on the GO featured on national platform