Public transit reaches La Jolla, but by bus, not by train. MTS Route 30 runs from Old Town through Pacific Beach into the Village and on past La Jolla Shores to UC San Diego and UTC, every 15 minutes through most of a weekday and every 30 minutes on weekends. The UC San Diego Blue Line trolley stops at UC San Diego and UTC, not in the Village or at the beaches, so a trolley trip from downtown ends with about half an hour on Route 30. Stay in the Village or at the Shores and you can get by on foot and the bus; for anything off the route, plan on a car.
The bus: MTS Route 30
Route 30 runs between Old Town Transit Center and UTC Transit Center by way of Pacific Beach and La Jolla. Its timetable, in effect since September 6, 2026, lists stops at Silverado Street and Herschel Avenue in the Village and at North Torrey Pines Road and La Jolla Shores Drive, and names Birch Aquarium among its destinations.
On weekdays buses leave Old Town every 15 minutes from about 6 a.m. until about 7:45 p.m., then every 30 minutes; on Saturdays and Sundays they run every 30 minutes. Old Town to the Village takes about 40 minutes, and the Village to the La Jolla Shores Drive stop about 15. Every MTS bus has a lift or ramp.
The trolley: close, but not in La Jolla
The UC San Diego Blue Line extension opened on November 21, 2021, adding nine stations between downtown and UTC Transit Center. MTS puts the ride from Santa Fe Depot downtown to UC San Diego at about 29 minutes, and Old Town to UTC at about 26.
No trolley station is in the Village or at the beaches. Route 30 meets the trolley at Old Town, Nobel Drive and UTC; from UTC it is about half an hour to the Village.
Parking and walking
The City of San Diego lists a public beach parking lot at La Jolla Shores; the Cove and the Children’s Pool are not on that list. If you drive, park once and walk; Ellen Browning Scripps Park sits on the bluff right above the Cove.
Related La Jolla guides
FAQ
Is public transit good in La Jolla?
It is workable for the Village and La Jolla Shores. MTS Route 30 serves both, every 15 minutes on weekday daytimes and every 30 minutes on weekends. Beyond its route, you’ll want a car.
Does the trolley go to La Jolla?
Not to the Village or the beaches. The UC San Diego Blue Line stops at UC San Diego and UTC; take Route 30 from UTC to the Village, about half an hour.
Which bus goes to La Jolla Cove?
MTS Route 30. It stops in the Village at Silverado Street and Herschel Avenue.
Can I get from downtown San Diego to La Jolla by transit?
Yes. Take the UC San Diego Blue Line to Old Town or UTC and change to Route 30.