La Jolla Seaside Stroll
Self-guided audio walking tour of La Jolla, CA
What to Expect
Experience the best of La Jolla on this scenic seaside stroll packed with stories, surprises, and spectacular views. Starting along the Coast Walk Trail, you’ll pass dramatic cliffs, secret sea caves, and sunbathing sea lions as GPS-triggered audio guides you with local stories and fun historical facts. The tour continues past La Jolla Cove and the Children's Pool, where you'll learn how nature and community have shaped this iconic shoreline over the years.
From there, you’ll head into the heart of the village to explore its quieter charms—think tucked-away art galleries, historic buildings, and a few hidden gems you might otherwise miss. The tour works offline once downloaded, and if you're up for a little more exploring, we include an interactive bonus map with even more spots to discover at your own pace.
Ready to go? Book below or download our app and purchase directly from your phone.
📍 Location: La Jolla, CA
🚶♂️ Type: Walking tour
⏱ Duration: Approx. 1-2 hours (flexible)
✅ Includes: GPS-triggered audio and bonus map
📶 Works Offline: Download ahead of time - no cell service required
🎧 Multiple Languages: English, Spanish, French, German
Get Ready for Your La Jolla Walking Tour
Experience the magic of La Jolla on a self-guided walking tour that reveals the hidden gems of this world-famous coastal village.
From mysterious sea caves and playful seals to legendary residents and oceanfront art galleries, every stop tells a story.
You’ll begin along the scenic Coast Walk Trail, explore La Jolla Cove and the historic Children’s Pool, then wind your way into the heart of the village for a taste of its artistic flair.
Plus, your walking tour includes an interactive map to help you discover even more of La Jolla’s highlights at your own pace.
What You’ll See on Your La Jolla Walking Tour
Coast Walk Trail
Enjoy breathtaking ocean views as you stroll this stunning stretch of the Coast Walk Trail. We’ll point out local landmarks like La Jolla Shores, the Scripps Pier, and the world-renowned Torrey Pines Golf Course.
La Jolla Underwater Park
Discover the fascinating marine ecosystem that thrives beneath the surface between La Jolla Cove and Scripps Pier.
Goldfish Point
Uncover the colorful history of Sunny Jim Cave and learn how it got its quirky name. If you wish, you can descend the cave’s staircase for an up-close look inside.
La Jolla Cove
Marvel at one of San Diego’s most iconic coastal views and hear about the seabirds, seals, and sea lions that call this spot home.
Ellen Browning Scripps Park
Learn about philanthropist Ellen Browning Scripps and how her generosity helped shape San Diego’s cultural and natural landscape.
La Jolla Children’s Pool
Admire panoramic views from this historic seawall, built nearly a century ago to create a safe swimming spot for local children—now a favorite resting place for seals.
La Valencia Hotel
Step inside this landmark Pink Lady hotel and hear stories of its glamorous past, from Hollywood stars to seaside soirées.
National Gallery of Fine Art La Jolla
Explore striking photography collections that celebrate culture, wildlife, and nature’s beauty.
LIK Fine Art
Admire the vivid, world-renowned landscape photography of artist Peter Lik in this sophisticated gallery setting.
Eppig Brewing La Jolla Bierhaus
Cap off your tour with a cold craft beer at Eppig Brewing’s stylish Bierhaus—an ideal spot to relax, sip, and toast your La Jolla adventure.
Meeting Point
Your La Jolla walking tour begins at 7905 Prospect Place.
This is at the corner of Park Row and Prospect Place in La Jolla. Once there, open the Drives & Detours app to begin.
FAQs About Our La Jolla Self-Guided Tour
-
Entrance to Sunny Jim’s Sea Cave costs the following:
Adults: $13
Youth (3–17): $7
Active Veterans and Seniors : $8
Everyone aged under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian, or have a letter of permission. Visit the Sunny Jim’s Sea Cave website for more information.
-
Tours are fully refundable up to 24 hours in advance.
If it’s within 24 hours or you had an issue during your tour, email support@drivesanddetours.com. We review all requests individually and will always do our best to make things right.
Our goal is to ensure every traveler has a great experience exploring with Drives & Detours.
-
You will walk for one and a half miles on Drives & Detours’ La Jolla walking tour. This is mostly easy and along flat, well-paved surfaces.
-
Yes, downloading the Drives & Detours app will give you full access to the tour you have purchased, as well as many other self-guided tours.
-
Download the tour before you go. Some areas have poor signal, which can make downloading the tour difficult. Once the tour is downloaded, it will work without any cell signal
The tour audio plays automatically as you approach each stop
Want to see more? Tap “View Stop” to see photos and bonus content
To return to the map, tap the small down arrow between the “previous” and “next” buttons
Follow the blue line and audio directions to stay on route
Use audio controls to pause, rewind, or skip—just like a podcast
Safety first: Keep your eyes on the road or sidewalk, follow traffic laws, and stay aware of your surroundings
-
No—download your La Jolla tour before you go, and you won't need a cell signal. Drives & Detours’ tours work without any cell signal once they are downloaded to your device.
-
Once you have purchased your La Jolla walking tour from Drives & Detours, you can use it whenever you want. You can always take the tour another day if the weather is bad on the day you plan to take it.
-
Unfortunately, Dives & Detours cannot guarantee that the La Jolla self-guided tour is accessible. People with wheelchairs, strollers, or mobility impairments are very welcome, but we recommend local websites for more information.
Pro Tips for Your Drives & Detours La Jolla Walking Tour
Download before you go.
Enable location services—GPS triggers the audio.
Use earbuds, headphones, or your car speakers.
Pause and resume anytime. If you take a break, just reopen the app and head back toward your last stop.
Lost your way? Tap any pin on the map, then tap the right-turn-arrow icon to open your default maps app for turn-by-turn directions to that spot.
More San Diego Tours
Apple Pies & Desert Skies: San Diego’s Ultimate Backroad Driving Tour
Spend the day exploring San Diego County’s most breathtaking scenery on this self-guided driving tour. Journey to the Palomar Observatory high on Mt. Palomar, see the remarkable metal sculptures that dot the desert around Borrego Springs, and wander the charming mountain town of Julian—famous for its apple pies and old-fashioned charm.
Beaches & Bluffs: Coastal San Diego Driving Tour
Discover the highlights of San Diego’s stunning coastline with this self-guided audio driving tour along the region’s beaches and bluffs. Stroll the trails and beaches at Torrey Pines, explore the beauty of La Jolla Cove, and take in the sweeping panoramic views from Mt. Soledad and Cabrillo National Monument.
Coronado: Discover the Crown City
Explore the rich history and timeless charm of Coronado Island with this self-guided walking tour. As you stroll, uncover the island’s beginnings, visit its most iconic sights, and hear the captivating stories of the people who shaped this seaside treasure.
Discover More About San Diego
Check out some of the most of popular tourist destinations in San Diego. From Balboa Park and the San Diego Zoo to Legoland and the USS Midway. We think everything on this list is worth seeing at least once.