6 Best & Most Beautiful La Jolla Hotels – Recommended by a Local

With 17-miles of stunning, rugged, and picturesque coastline curving into a myriad of natural coves, La Jolla is a natural treasure trove – San Diego’s Jewel by the Sea. And La Jolla Hotels are just as stunning, I promise.

Explore La Jolla

The vibrant upscale community of San Diego has always attracted surfers, beach-goers, and nature lovers, along with the rich and famous. Everyone falls in love with La Jolla, even the local San Diegans. As a resident of America’s finest city, I can definitely say that every family member or friend who comes visiting has La Jolla on their to-do list. And for good reason.

Also read:
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Best Spots to Watch the La Jolla Seals & Sea Lions
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The town celebrates a rich history steeped in the whimsical tales of Dr. Seuss and classic Hollywood. Its picture-perfect weather, awe-inspiring vistas, stunning beach houses, fascinating tide pools, and churning azure waters are forever a draw. Mix in a charming walkable village with delightful shops, and delectable places to brunch and dine, and it’s no wonder La Jolla provides a unique magical experience.

For those planning a trip here, or for locals longing for a perfect staycation getaway, La Jolla is the place to be. But to get the true experience for all the amazing things to see and do in this beachside resort town, staying at one of these magnificent La Jolla Hotels is a must.

Best La Jolla Hotels – Where to Stay in La Jolla

Pantai Inn 

1003 Coast Blvd S, La Jolla, CA 92037
5-Star Hotel|$$$$|Complimentary WiFi, On-Site Breakfast & Parking 
+1 (858) 224-7600
Book here

Pantai Inn, a 30-room seaside boutique hotel is one of La Jolla’s best oceanfront resorts. Its relaxed, warm atmosphere, attention to detail, and top-notch service are hallmarks of Pantai providing guests a royal experience.

Accommodations and grounds of the historic early 1900s property reflect the beauty and culture of Indonesia with impeccable intricate detail. Statues, tumbling waterfalls, tropical plants, and teak wood furnishings transport guests to exotic Bali in Southeast Asia.   

The inn is considered the perfect romantic getaway. Honeymoon and romance packages are available, and the inn is a popular venue for destination weddings. But this enchanted property is also family-friendly and the ideal place for girls’ getaways.

Pantai Inn’s amenities and services include complimentary lobby drinks and snacks, an impressive deluxe continental breakfast, and outdoor seating with ocean view fire pits.

Each room has unique custom furnishings, all hand selected and imported from Bali. Room types offer a kitchenette or full-kitchen, and a fireplace. Bathrooms are equipped with plush robes, rainfall showers, luxury towels, and high-end bath products. Guests in oceanfront rooms are lulled to sleep by the nearby crashing waves.

See more photos of the Pantai Inn La Jolla here>>

Scripps Inn La Jolla Cove

555 Coast Blvd S, La Jolla, CA 92037
4-Star Hotel|$$$|Complimentary WiFi|
+1 (888) 387-9907
Book here

Another boutique property just steps from La Jolla’s world-renowned beaches is the Scripps Inn La Jolla Cove. This warm and charming inn with its colorful bougainvillea represents quintessential Southern California charm in a laid-back, intimate setting. It’s so easy to fall in love with this inn—one of La Jolla’s best-kept secrets.

The 14-room, two-floor property features one and two-bedroom deluxe rooms and suites with quaint seating areas, some with kitchenettes and fireplaces. Each is well-appointed with beach-inspired décor. An outdoor terrace is the perfect place to share a bottle of wine or champagne and toast a Pacific sunset. 

Rooms are not air-conditioned but do have ceiling fans and additional pedestal fans if needed. However, due to the Scripps Inn’s prime location directly across from the ocean, Pacific breezes are enough, and sounds of the ocean waves will lull you into a peaceful slumber.

Paid parking is available on site, though guests may choose to park in nearby street areas at no charge. The top benefit of this property is its ideal location for some of the area’s best tide-pooling.

See more photos here>>

Grande Colonial Hotel

910 Prospect St., La Jolla, CA 92037
4-star|$$$|Restaurant|Pool|Complimentary Coffee|Free Parking|Accessible
+1 (888) 828-5498
Book here

A 97-room boutique hotel, La Jolla’s Grande Colonial is the seaside town’s oldest original lodging. Opened in 1913, the classic European-designed inn was a temporary home to many of Hollywood’s up and coming stars performing at the La Jolla Playhouse. Famous actors like Charlton Heston, Dorothy McGuire, Jane Wyatt, and Groucho Marks graced this historic hotel situated just steps from the ocean.

It’s delightful yellow-painted building set on a corner with blue and white striped awnings remains an iconic landmark in the heart of La Jolla village. The casual elegant hotel lobby is stunning with its perfectly-appointed furnishings, warm ambience, and magnificent fireplace.   

Accommodations at the hotel include village, garden, and ocean view rooms and suites, studio and suite vacation rentals with all the amenities of a private residence. Soft goose-down comforters sit atop Serta iComfort Eurotop mattresses guaranteeing guests a comfortable night’s rest. Bathrooms provide plush bathrobes and high-end Gilchrist & Soames bath and beauty products. 

Grande Colonial also sports the award-winning restaurant NINE-TEN with farm-to-table seasonal California cuisine now served al fresco on the patio.  

A $20 per night hospitality charge covers high-speed internet, poolside towel and water service, beach gear (towels, chairs, and umbrellas), use of hotel bicycles, guest pass to the nearby La Jolla Sports Club, and 10% discount on food and beverages at NINE-TEN.

See more photos of the Grande Colonial Hotel here>>

La Jolla Shores Hotel

8110 Camino Del Oro, La Jolla, CA 92037
3-Star|$$|Pool|Restaurant|Beachfront|Accessible
+1 (858) 459-4461
Book here

Unlike the above mentioned La Jolla hotels that are all located within La Jolla village, La Jolla Shores Hotel is nestled on one of the most beautiful beaches on the San Diego coast. This means surfing, kayaking, or boogie-boarding are just a few sand-covered footsteps away. The hotel is ideal for a perfect throwback Americana beach vacation, and it’s extremely family-friendly to boot. This makes it quite popular for family and friend reunions. It’s no surprise that guests vacationing here return again and again.

128 casual beach-themed guestrooms are infused with the laid-back spirit of California offering lush garden, pool, scenic coastal or beachfront views with a private patio or balcony. 19 rooms include kitchenettes. A relaxing heated outdoor courtyard pool and Jacuzzi, tennis courts, ping-pong tables, and a fitness center are on-site. 

Beach crews are available to set up umbrellas, chairs, and towels for guests at the La Jolla Shores Hotel. Unlimited WiFi, shuttle service around the local area, seasonal games and activities, and free DVD rentals are available with an amenity fee of $20 per night.

Beachside views meet the perfect bites at the resort’s spectacular The Shores Restaurant. This oceanfront hacienda-style eatery with indoor and open-air dining serves fresh, sustainable, seasonal California-coastal inspired entrees and beachy-themed libations. 

See more photos of the La Jolla Shores hotel here>>

La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club

2000 Spindrift Drive, La Jolla, CA, 92037
3-Star|$$$|Pool|Private Beach|Restaurant|Accessible
+1 (888) 828-0948
Book here

One of the region’s most timeless beach resorts, La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club is a landmark oceanfront hotel. Despite serving guests for over 80 years, it remains one of La Jolla’s treasures and best-kept secrets.

The casually-elegant relaxing well-appointed beach-themed hotel features guestrooms, studio suites, and cottages with a picturesque interior, golf course, or sweeping ocean views. Room amenities include complimentary WiFi, Starbucks coffee products, and spa-style soft cotton bathrobes.

Guests have access to a private beach complete with beach loungers and umbrellas, a tennis shop, 12 championship tennis courts, a par-3 nine-hole golf course, bocce ball court, and ping-pong tables. An outdoor heated swimming pool, children’s pool, and playground, and fitness center round out the resort’s impressive amenities.  Lastly, it’s important to note there is no resort fee here.

One of the best aspects of staying at the La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club is dining at the Marine Room, one of San Diego’s most beloved restaurants. Dining at high tide lets guests watch waves crash against its panoramic window while enjoying ocean, cove, and sunset views. Though the restaurant may be temporarily closed due to COVID 19, resort guests can still have oceanfront patio dining at their sister eatery, The Shores Restaurant. 

See more photos of the La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club here>>

La Valencia Hotel

1132 Prospect Street, La Jolla, CA, 92037
4-Star|$$$$|Restaurant and Lounge, Pool, Poolside Bar|Pet-Friendly|Accessible
(855) 476-6870
Book here

You can’t miss this beautiful, iconic pink lady in the heart of La Jolla village. The historic La Valencia Hotel, built in 1926 has housed many Hollywood elite over the years providing the perfect escape getaway.  

Perched high on the magnificent cliffs of overlooking scenic Ellen Browning Scripps Park, the 114-room hotel touts awe-inspiring Pacific Ocean views from many of its rooms, restaurants, and bars. With its classic Spanish old-world ambience and magnificent legacy of restoration, it’s of no surprise this elegant lady is a charter member of the Historic Hotels of America. Walking into its enchanting lobby is like entering an enchanting European Mediterranean inn.

La Valencia offers four elegantly distinctive room types. Vintage features lovely Euro-style bathrooms and the Classic provides luxury bathrooms with chic bath amenities. The luxurious and spacious Villas sport Jacuzzi tubs. The Icon Suites are the height of luxury with sweeping ocean vistas. Soft luxury bedding in every room make sleeping a dream.  

Swaying palms and colorful bougainvillea surround the ocean-view pool. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner outdoor dining is currently available on the Ocean View Terrace featuring rich Mediterranean influences with re-imagined California coastal cuisine. A $35 per night resort fee includes parking, beach towels, fitness center, daily newspaper, high-speed internet, and business services.

See more pictures of La Valencia Hotel here>>

A sign in one of La Jolla’s quaint boutiques reads “There is a little bit of paradise built into every day. You just have to find it.” And find it you will in the enchanting town of La Jolla.

Best Hotels in La Jolla – Pin for Later:

Last Updated on April 15, 2023 by Maria Haase