Those who choose to stay in my seaside community often want to punctuate their itinerary with the cultural experiences that museums offer. La Jolla has a few museums. Two are pretty well-known, but I think the rest are hidden gems that many locals don’t know about or take full advantage of. They’re all on my list of top things to do in La Jolla, so I’ll share them all here.
Key Takeaways
The Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego and Birch Aquarium are the most popular museums in La Jolla that people drive to visit. The other museums are smaller and free to enter. Three of the museums offer great free self-guided or guided walking tours that are definitely worth checking out.
Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego
Address: 700 Prospect St, La Jolla, CA 92037
Website: MCASD
Tip: Thanks to the Qualcomm Foundation, admission is free for those under 25. The museum is currently open.
Parking: There is a small parking lot and street parking around the museum is for 2 hours, but there is valet parking available for $15 per car, which is a great deal in La Jolla.
Opening hours: Thursday-Sunday, 10am-4pm, extended hours on the third Thursday of every month
My favorite guide is showing our group around.
Visit MCASD in La Jolla to see contemporary art from the 1950s to present, scattered throughout its thoughtfully designed (and recently expanded) galleries. The building is the former home of Ellen Browning Scripps, a philanthropist who helped shape La Jolla into what it is today. If you have the chance to take a guided tour (I did), they’ll explain to you how the windows, angles, and other interior features were specifically designed (pardon the pun) by the architect to display works of art.
Be sure to check out the admissions page. They make sure everyone can enjoy the arts. EBT/Snap cardholders and military personnel receive free tickets, and we already mentioned free tickets for youth and young adults above. They offer a few free days a month, and memberships for supporters.
Tip: We love the sculpture garden and the panoramic views from there. If you can take a tour, the guides are great. They also offer lots of family-friendly activities, including summer camps for kids. Check the events calendar before you go.
Food: Even non-MCASD visitors head to The Kitchen restaurant for its ocean views and menu inspired by international cuisine, especially Southern Europe, North Africa and the Middle East: think breakfast burritos and Cobb salads mixed with sumac chicken flatbread, kebabs, tuna scouses and lamb burgers.
Shopping: I love this lovely store for unique gifts and art-related items, from books to home goods to handbags.
Scripps Birch Aquarium
Address: 2300 Expedition Way, La Jolla, CA 92037
Opening hours: Daily 9am-5pm
Admission: Purchase tickets through Birch Aquarium. This La Jolla museum is also part of the San Diego CityPASS and Go City San Diego sightseeing passes.
My Full Review: An Insider’s Guide to Birch Aquariums
Birch Aquarium is the public outreach center of the renowned Scripps Institution of Oceanography. I’ve spoken to many families who are planning a San Diego vacation because their kids are interested in oceanography. Certainly, a stop at the aquarium is a must in these cases. But if you fall into this category, it might be worth planning your trip around one of the outdoor adventures, like the Scripps Pier Walk or a summer camp that delves deeper into a subject while still having fun.
Returning to what you can see at Birch Aquarium, there are over 60 habitats waiting for you. My favorite animals are the rescued loggerhead turtles, the seahorses, and the cute and lively Little Blue Penguins.
In your backyard, there’s an artificial tide pool filled with sea creatures similar to those found in La Jolla’s tide pools, and guides are on hand to answer any questions you may have about them.
Tips: Parking is free but can fill up so it’s best to time your visit to coincide with the aquarium’s opening hours. The visit takes about 1.5-2 hours. If you take photos of the fish, turn off your flash.
Shopping: I also love this gift shop for unique birthday presents for kids that you won’t find in your average toy store.
Dining: The on-site Splash Cafe offers made-to-order sandwiches and salads at the counter and is run by a popular French gourmet restaurant.
La Jolla Historical Society
Address: 780 Prospect Street, La Jolla, CA 92037
Opening hours: Wednesday to Sunday 12:00 to 16:00
Tickets: Admission is always free
Website: La Jolla Historical Society
The La Jolla Historical Society (LJHS) is located on the same block (2-minute walk) as the La Jolla Museum of Contemporary Art, so you can visit both on the same day. Exhibits are housed in the historic Wisteria Cottage, and as you’d expect, the themes are local history, notable residents, architecture, and the cultural development of our seaside community. The Society also keeps an extensive archive and offers educational programs.
You may have heard about two big events hosted by the La Jolla Historical Society. The first is the Secret Garden Tour of local homes (specific homes will be revealed on the day) which is a great way to get gardening inspiration. I volunteered at this event and it was a really lovely way to spend a spring day.
The second is the Concours d’Elegance, a famous classic car show held at La Jolla Cove that draws visitors from all over the world to my seaside community (and their cool cars).
Visitors and residents can always take part in free guided or self-guided thematic walking tours. Themes include:
Historic La Jolla Churches Coastal Walking Tour La Jolla Village Walking Tour La Jolla’s Historic Beach Cottages The Jazz Age La Jolla: 1920s Architecture Midcentury Modern Architecture Irving Gill’s San Diego
Athenaeum Music and Arts Library
Address: 1008 Wall Street, La Jolla, CA 92037
Opening hours: Tuesday to Saturday, 10:00am to 5:30pm (closed Sundays, Mondays and public holidays)
Website: Athenaeum Musical Arts Library
This institution is a unique cultural center with art exhibitions, musical performances, and a vast collection of books and materials on music and the arts. We think the best way to make the most of this institution is to check the Athanaeum’s events calendar to see when there are lectures or events that interest you.
A library membership is required to borrow books and music and to access a select streaming selection. Exhibits are free and regularly feature art exhibits by emerging and established artists from the region and beyond.
Me in front of my favorite mural (which has since been replaced).
Tip: The Athenaeum is in charge of the mural project and hosts walking tours once a month. You can also download a map and take a self-guided tour. The murals near ground level are very popular for Instagram photos.
The Athenaeum is also centrally located at Lower Girard Avenue and Wall Street, making it an easy stop in between shopping and dining in La Jolla Village.
University of California, San Diego, Mandeville Museum
Location: Mandeville Center, University of California, San Diego Campus, La Jolla, CA 92093
Website: Mandeville Museum
Tickets: Free
The Mandeville Art Museum has been on campus since 1966 and exhibits contemporary art by emerging and established artists and supports experimental and interdisciplinary art practices. The Education Gallery is supported by the university’s Department of Visual Arts and frequently features faculty work.
You don’t have to be a student to visit – it’s open to the public, so be sure to check the opening hours and if there are any special events that might interest you.
Tip: Parking on campus can be difficult, so it’s a good idea to know where the parking lots are and download the ParkMobile app. This is more of a stop for art lovers looking for hidden gems than a destination museum in La Jolla.
Stuart Collection, University of California, San Diego
Location: Across the University of California, San Diego campus (see map)
Website: Stuart Collection
“Fallen Star” by Do Ho Soo (2012), Stuart Collection, University of California, San Diego. Photo: Philip Scholz-Litterman
The Stuart Collection is dotted throughout the UC San Diego campus, featuring a variety of sculptures (some immediately noticeable, others that blend into the landscape) that serve as a living testament to the university’s commitment to public art. While it’s not your traditional La Jolla museum, it’s a great place to spend a few hours appreciating art.
Popular exhibits:
Ocean of Words: An 800-foot pathway themed around literature and the arts. Sun God: An iconic, colorful sculpture by Niki de Saint Phalle beloved by students. For decades, the lawn where it sat hosts an annual festival. Fallen Star: You can go inside the little blue house at the end of the Jacobs Hall Engineering building. Make a reservation online. The Bear: A giant 23-foot-tall bear made from locally found rocks that’s a big hit with kids.
For first time visitors:
The collection is open to anyone, whether they’re a UC San Diego student or not. The artwork is integrated into the everyday life of the campus. Be sure to wear comfortable shoes as you’ll be doing a lot of walking. My daughter loved exploring the Stuart Collection as a kind of treasure hunt.
What is your favorite La Jolla museum?
