La Jolla is home to one of the most stunning pieces of coastline in all of California. That scenery along with some of the best restaurants in the country, beautiful homes and excellent schools make it one of the best places to live in San Diego –- if you can afford it.

La Jolla Location and Neighborhoods:

La Jolla is the northern most beach community of San Diego and one of the largest. La Jolla is divided into three parts: La Jolla Cove, Bird Rock and UTC.

• La Jolla Cove: The La Jolla Cove is the gem of La Jolla. The shoreline curves gently with steep cliffs to the north and a sloping shore to the south that spills into large flat rocks that can be walked over. Next to the cliffs is a long walking trail that is adjacent to a grassy park. A short walk up the hill from the Cove takes you into downtown La Jolla. Just north of the Cove is the popular sandy beach of La Jolla Shores.
   
• Bird Rock: Located in southern La Jolla, north of Pacific Beach, Bird Rock has a more eclectic, laidback feel to it compared to La Jolla Cove while still keeping an upscale vibe. Independent shops and restaurants line the main street of La Jolla Boulevard and beach houses east from the shoreline, which is home to one of San Diego's best beaches: the ruggedly beautiful Windansea Beach.
   
• UTC: The eastern portion of La Jolla is referred to as UTC (University Towne Center). It’s more affordable for housing than La Jolla Cove and Bird Rock and has some student housing for the nearby University of California, San Diego. It’s also home to office buildings and a Westfield Mall.

 

Recreational Activities:

La Jolla has many water activities you can do, from scuba diving in La Jolla Cove to standup paddleboarding off of Windansea Beach to kayaking from La Jolla Shores beach. Snorkeling and swimming in the Cove is a daily activity for some residents who don their swim caps and swim right alongside the seals who make their home in the cove.

Good Eats:

La Jolla has many gourmet restaurants. George’s at the Cove is a La Jolla institution with fine dining and a terrace that overlooks the ocean. The Marine Room is an exceptional dining experience at high tide when the waves crash against the windows of the restaurant. For those looking for a more chill place to dine, Beaumont’s in Bird Rock offers comfort food cuisine and live music. Sushi lovers will love Sushi on the Rock, with trendy interior and glimpses of the Pacific Ocean.

Apartments and Housing:

La Jolla has a variety of housing options and they vary wildly in price between UTC and the beach neighborhoods. You can rent or buy many different types of properties ranging from condos or apartments to single-family houses. The median home sales price in La Jolla is $950,000, however certain neighborhoods in Bird Rock and near the Cove will set you back millions. Rentals vary greatly in price depending on proximity to the ocean, housing type and number of bedrooms. Generally plan to pay at least $1,100 per month for a one-bedroom apartment in UTC and expect it to go up to the $2,000s and $3,000s per month depending how close you get to the water (ocean or bay). The more bedrooms, the higher the rent goes, which is why many renters in La Jolla –- particularly in UTC –- live with roommates. Houses are sometimes available for rent and can run substantially more than their apartment or condo counterparts in terms of square footage, number of bedrooms and price.

School Districts:

La Jolla is part of the San Diego school district and has award-winning school. La Jolla High School has been listed as one of the top high schools in the nation by both Newsweek and US News. La Jolla also has three public elementary schools and one public middle school that residents can attend. In addition, parents have a wide range of private schools located in La Jolla that they can send their children to.