Pacific Beach is the cheaper, louder, younger choice: a busy surf beach, beach bars, a pier and a boardwalk full of bikes and skateboards. La Jolla, next door, is quieter and more polished, with clear coves for snorkeling, kayaking to sea caves, tide pools and fine dining with an ocean view. Pick Pacific Beach if nightlife and price matter most; pick La Jolla if scenery, wildlife and food matter most. They are neighbors, so a day in the other is easy.
Where to go on each side
La Jolla Shores Hotel: La Jolla’s beachfront stay, at the launch point for kayak and snorkel tours.
Hotel La Jolla, Curio Collection by Hilton: near La Jolla Shores, with a rooftop restaurant.
La Jolla Cove: sea lions, clear water and the coast walk.
Windansea Beach: a local surf beach in La Jolla, on the Pacific Beach side.
Paradisaea: in Bird Rock, the La Jolla neighborhood closest to Pacific Beach; listed in the Michelin Guide.
The Fishery: in Pacific Beach; listed in the Michelin Guide.
Related La Jolla guides
FAQ
Can you drink on the beach in Pacific Beach?
No. The City of San Diego lists Pacific Beach’s beaches as no alcohol.
Where do beginners learn to surf?
La Jolla Shores, where several surf schools teach lessons on the beach.