It’s La Valencia Hotel, the pink Spanish Colonial Revival landmark above La Jolla Cove that locals call “the Pink Lady of La Jolla.” It opened on December 15, 1926 as an apartment hotel called Los Apartmentos de Sevilla, took the name La Valencia in 1928, and turns 100 on December 15, 2026.
Nearby
The Whaling Bar: La Valencia’s bar since the 1940s.
La Jolla Cove: below the hotel.
La Jolla Historical Society: for more of La Jolla’s history.
Grande Colonial: the Village’s other historic hotel, from 1913.
Its story
Pasadena architect Reginald D. Johnson designed the building. Gregory Peck, who co-founded La Jolla Playhouse in 1947, hosted friends at its Whaling Bar, and guests have included Ginger Rogers, Charlton Heston and David Niven. Raymond Chandler set his novel Playback at the hotel.
The ocean-view pool came in 1950, and in 1956 the hotel bought the neighboring Hotel Cabrillo, now its West Wing. It was a charter member of Historic Hotels of America in 1989.
Visiting if you aren’t staying
La Sala Lounge takes no reservations. The Whaling Bar is open again, with a Martini Hour from 4 to 5 pm and dinner from 5 to 10 pm daily. The hotel runs a history tour on Saturdays at 10 am during its centennial year.
Related La Jolla guides
FAQ
What is the famous hotel in La Jolla?
La Valencia Hotel, “the Pink Lady,” above La Jolla Cove since 1926.
Why is La Valencia called the Pink Lady?
Historic Hotels of America says guests gave it the name for its tile work and later pink facade.
Can you visit La Valencia without staying there?
Yes. La Sala Lounge is first come, first served, and the Saturday history tour is open to locals as well as guests.