Art Galleries, Eateries, Shopping and Sea Lions in La Jolla

The town of La Jolla is an ideal shopping and art getaway for any traveler visiting San Diego. Shops and art galleries line Prospect St. through the main part of the town. High-end shopping, lovely restaurants with remarkable views of the Pacific, kitschy tourist gift shops and art galleries big and small can be found in the main town.

Travel down to 700 Prospect St. to the Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA). There are also two locations of MCA in downtown San Diego. However, when the La Jolla branch is changing installations, they close the museum, so check the website before planning a special trip. That said, the walk to the museum is a beautiful walk that takes you just past the main street.

On the walk back to the center of town, stop and enjoy the smaller art galleries along Prospect St. and stop for lunch at George’s at the Cove’s ocean terrace for a meal over looking the Pacific.

Head down Jenner St. from Prospect St. and make and left onto Coast Blvd. to the beach called the Children’s Pool.


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The walk to the beach is a gorgeous walk, so definitely bring your camera. At the end, you’ll want to peer over the short wall, as there is typically sea lions found on or near the beach during the fall, winter and spring months.

Sea lions are wild animals and may not be disturbed and are fully protected by Federal law.

There are stairs that you can head down to the beach with the sea lions, however, there is a barrier to stay behind.

Afterwards, head back up the stairs and onto the seawall, which will give you a more aerial view of the sea lions. Make sure to look to the left and into the waters as you walk down the wall, as there are sometimes sea lions swimming around. Then head up to the end for a closer peek at the ones on the beach.