TRAVELING TO LA JOLLA, CALIFORNIA ON A BUDGET

What exactly does a gorgeous, upscale beach town have to offer you? Join us while we discuss some hidden gems while traveling to La Jolla, California on a budget! It can be a bit pricier than your budget can allow if you don’t plan ahead and do it right. Here are some tips and tricks, do’s and don’ts when traveling to La Jolla, California on a budget!

THINGS TO DO: WHILE TRAVELING TO LA JOLLA, CALIFORNIA ON A BUDGET

First let us get into all the exciting facets of this beach town village.

An absolutely astonishing experience is the La Jolla Sea Cave Kayak tours. Link here: https://www.lajollaseacavekayaks.com/. It is one of the many California cultures that brings you up close and personal with the ocean and it’s marine life. You will access four different types of environments on this excursion; rocky coastline, soft sandy beach, the wide open ocean and an underground kelp forest that can be seen all the way to the top.

MARINE LIFE: WHILE TRAVELNG TO LA JOLLA, CALIFORNIA ON A BUDGET

The caves are the main attraction with their mystery and wonder. Although, you can’t forget about the Pelicans flying around and landing on near by cliffs or the leopard sharks down below! The sealions are in abundance here, in plain site, lazily laying around sunbathing. So bring your waterproof camera and get to paddling!

HIDDEN SWINGS: WHILE TRAVELING TO LA JOLLA, CALIFRONIA ON A BUDGET

Next on our list of fun adventures to have while traveling to La Jolla, California on a budget, are the two locations of the hidden swings. They are only hidden in the sense that they are not in plain site. You will have to look up the coordinates to be able to find them.

They are maintained by loving locals who repaint and repair them. For one o f the swings, it has an inspirational quote painted on it and changes every so often. The other swing has a little different upkeep; the rope, the wooden seat and the path to get there. This is why, you may get to one of the swings and it is missing.

It is recommended, if you have it, to go to Instagram- Hidden Swings La Jolla. Once there try to find the most recent picture taken at the swing you desire to visit. This will let you know if someone has been there recently enough, that it is a good chance for it to be there. Both have an amazing view worth the scavenger hunt!

THE CAVE STORE: WHILE TRAVELING TO LA JOLLA, CALIFORNIA ON A BUDGET

Another great way to see inside a sea cave when traveling to La Jolla, California on a budget, is to go to The Cave Store! At The Cave Store entrance you will find a typical souvenir store. Walking to the back side of the store you will notice a set of stairs leading in to damp darkness. This is where it gets magical, you enter the stairway and start ascending down a flight of 144 steps! There are very low ceilings, lighting is dim in places and the stairs are a little slippery when wet, not to mention steep. Definitely not for the faint of heart!

Once you reach the bottom, after winding down through the earth, a glimpse of light can be seen. As you peak around the corner towards the light, there it is, in all its glory! A magnificent cave with an opening that gives way to the crashing waves of the ocean and the blue sky above! Making a reservation for this breathtaking wonder is necessary, but will only run you $10 per adult for 20 minutes of private cave time.

LA JOLLA PIER AND BEACHES: WHILE TRAVELING TO LA JOLLA, CALIFORNIA ON A BUDGET

SCRIPPS PIER

Last but certainly not least, by any means are the La Jolla Pier and Beaches. La Jolla Pier is also known as Ellen Browning Scripps Memorial Pier, Scripps Pier for short. The pier itself, although iconic, is not open to the public at any time.

LA JOLLA BEACHES ON A BUDGET

The pier is also an access point to the beach, as it has a parking lot. But don’t be fooled, no matter which of the many ways you take to get down to La Jolla beaches, it is a hassle. It is either going to be a long walk or scaling the side of a mountain using steep, unlevel, man-made wooden stairs. Pretty sketchy either way.

The trek down and back up may not be that fun, but once at the bottom, you can see and feel why so many take the hike! The sand here is very warm, almost too hot at times, due to the mix of black and tan, golden sands. If you walk from the North (Torrey Pines) or the South (Scripps Pier), you have a roughly two mile walk either direction. If you are feeling athletic and adventurous, you can scale down one of the two access points on the mountainside.

TORREY PINES GLIDERPORT ON A BUDGET

One entrance is located next to a glider port called Torrey Pines Gliderport where they provide tandem or solo para and hang gliding: https://www.flytorrey.com/ This can be a quite pricey entertainment, but not something you will soon forget! Tandem rides for paragliding $175 per adult and hang gliding $225 per adult. Look for Groupon deals and maybe plan your trip around that single event to lower the cost.

Down on La Jolla beaches, there is sunbathing, swimming, volleyball and so much more! The view here is fantastic with the black sand mixture, to the blue ocean and sky. Also, as you look up above to the cliffs from down below, you are able to see the brightly colored gliders above you. Such an amazing site against a beautiful blue sky.

BLACKS BEACH ON A BUDGET

As you are walking the length of the beach, you will eventually run into a one mile strip of beach that is unique. This part of the beach is well know by the locals to be a completely “clothing optional” beach. Unfortunately, it was named after William H. Black a racist, oil-rich landowner. Black and his wife bought 248 ocean side acres and turned them into a membership based, land ownership.

In the membership policy, it stated that land was restricted to only those of “Caucasian European Ancestry”, which was at the time and for the area anti-Semitic and racist, to say the least. The irony of it all was, when he died in 1967, it only took the people of the area three short years to rebel. By 1970 Blacks Beach was “clothing optional” and has been that way since.

A little rebellious in nature, but freeing all the same! This beach is one of the few clothing optional beaches you will encounter while traveling to La Jolla, California on a budget. With its warmth, safe and laid back vibe, it is not hard to see why many flock here instead of the other beaches in San Diego.

LODGING: WHILE TRAVELING TO LA JOLLA, CALIFORNIA ON A BUDGET

Lodging while traveling to La Jolla, California on a budget is a bit trickier as this is a pricier area. One option you might consider, is just taking day trips to La Jolla. You can stay in most of the surrounding areas for a little less expensive.

There are several just a short drive away that are more cost effective to be able to spend the day in La Jolla. Some areas you might want to check are Ocean Beach, (check out our blog post here: https://romanticdaytrippers.com/?p=174, Pacific Beach and Mission Beach.

CAMPLAND ON THE BAY

Next option when traveling to La Jolla, California on a budget is Campland on the Bay: https://www.campland.com/. This fantastic campground has so much to offer. Some amenities include; Beach access, boat launch, a cantina, free WIFI (most places charge by day), two pools, two hot tubs, a gym and a playground (for those of you who are a kid at heart)!

Rates change with the season here, so be prepared to spend less in the winter and more in the summer. Your standard full hook up RV campsite will run you around $85 per night, in the winter. If you want beachfront (which are the premium sites) you are going to pay pretty much double than the standard at $164.

This one of the more expensive campgrounds in the area due to the fact that it has water from the bay and the ocean surrounding three whole sides! Looking out of your RV window, it makes you feel as if you are out in the ocean on a boat. With the amenities, the ocean and bay views and the sound of crashing waves to lull you to sleep at night, it is definitely worth the extra cash!

AIRBNB LA JOLLA

Lastly and most expensive of the aforementioned lodging accommodations, would be to rent an Airbnb in La Jolla: https://www.airbnb.com/la-jolla-san-diego-ca/stays. All the rentals look to be an average of $150 per night, give or take. There are some unique places to to stay in and around La Jolla, so just do your research before going to find lodging within your price range to fit the budget!

DINING: WHILE TRAVELING TO LA JOLLA, CALIFORNIA ON A BUDGET

Dining while traveling to La Jolla, California on a budget, is a fun adventure if you plan ahead and do it right.

VALLEY FARM MARKET LA JOLLA

If your budget is a little tight, no worries. Why not head over to one of the markets in the village such as Valley Farm Market La Jolla: https://valleyfarmmarkets.com/lajolla/. Pick up some food for a picnic lunch and have a romantic meal in the park, on your day trip. Don’t forget something to sit on!

SOMBREROS MEXICAN FOOD

Looking for authentic Mexican cuisine? Then Sombreros Mexican Food in La Jolla is for you: https://sombreromex.com/. They have large portions and even though there is usually a line (everyone loves it!), they are quick and courteous! The carne asada burrito and the hard shelled chicken tacos are mouth watering! They are not the cheapest you will find, but decently priced and so so good!!

PROMISCUOUS FORK

Finally, we have Promiscuous Fork: http://thepromiscuousfork.com/. This is not your typical fast food joint, although at this time it is limited seating and primarily takeout. They put a spin on some traditional favorites. Some choices include; lamb lollipops, surf and turf grilled cheese ( made with short ribs, wasabi cream on sourdough bread) and coconut-jalapeno rice, just to name a few interesting menu options.

It is moderately priced with appetizers around $10 and entrees around $12-15. Not the most expensive dining option but maybe the most unique taste in the area.

IN CONCLUSION: TRAVELING TO LA JOLLA, CALIFORNIA ON A BUDGET

In conclusion, some of the best ways of traveling to La Jolla, California on a budget and having a lot of fun is by being flexible and creative with you choices of dining, lodging and entertainment!

Think about packing a lunch, taking a day trip to La Jolla and staying somewhere near by and a bit cheaper.

If your budget has a little more flexibility, try staying at Campland on the Bay, driving to The Cave Store (don’t forget to buy tickets online, before you go) and hitting up Sombreros on the way to the beach.

Let’s say you have been saving for this trip for a while and want to make the most out of the vacation. Check in to an Airbnb in La Jolla, grab your suits for a paddling adventure and stop by the Promiscuous Fork on the way back!

Whatever you get into have fun, be careful, do your research and plan ahead. Happy trails! Love, light and positive vibes, friends!