My coastal group, La Jolla, is understood for its rugged shoreline, upscale boutiques, and effective eating. We even have one of the photographed locations in San Diego, La Jolla Cove, and the resident seals and sea lions that folks drive in particularly to see.
Our location could be a little complicated for vacationers planning a trip or residents driving in for a go to. This is as a result of there are a number of methods to get right here, trafficky occasions that may make your journey for much longer than it must be, and the downtown space is 15-20 minutes from the I-5 freeway regardless of the space being solely about 4 miles.
This information for tips on how to get to La Jolla covers varied transportation choices, together with driving instructions, airport transportation, and public transit, as a way to have a (hopefully) easy journey to our Jewel on the Pacific Ocean.
Getting to La Jolla from San Diego International Airport
San Diego International Airport (SAN), situated roughly 15 miles south of La Jolla, is the closest main airport. So, you’d fly into SAN and both hire a automotive or take a taxi, automotive service, or rideshare to La Jolla. I’ll go over every one shortly, however the drive ought to take about 25 minutes, relying on the place in La Jolla you’re going.
Car Rentals
Upon arriving on the San Diego International Airport, you could possibly take one of many free shuttles out of your terminal to the Rental Car Center on the sting of the airport (it’s not inside strolling distance).
Once you’ve your rental automotive, plug your La Jolla vacation spot into your GPS. As you’ll see under, there are a number of routes you’ll be able to take from right here, and the perfect one will depend upon site visitors. The Waze app is excellent for navigating this.
Taxis
Taxis are normally at all times ready on the transportation plazas outdoors every terminal. As you exit the luggage declare space, comply with the indicators resulting in the transportation plazas throughout the road from the terminals. A employees member must be there that will help you get a taxi.
Rideshare Services (Uber, Lyft)
The airport has designated rideshare pickup places at every terminal. These are normally marked clearly with indicators.
- Terminal 1: For Terminal 1, the designated pickup space for rideshares is situated on the transportation plaza. After gathering your baggage, exit the terminal and comply with the indicators to the “Rideshare” pickup space.
- Terminal 2: At Terminal 2, the rideshare pickup location is barely completely different. After exiting the luggage declare space, use the pedestrian crosswalk to achieve the transportation island. The rideshare pickup space is marked with indicators and is separate from the taxi and shuttle areas.
Remember to rearrange your experience after you have collected your baggage and are able to exit the terminal.
Tip: Uber Black can decide you up in one of many lettered zones on the terminal with out you going to the transportation plaza.
Public Transportation from SAN Diego Airport to La Jolla
Always verify Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) Trip Planner and bus numbers earlier than you go to ensure you are on the quickest route and get on the best bus! You can take public transportation to La Jolla, however it’s a multi-stop effort. However, it has gotten simpler, particularly for UC San Diego college students, because of the opening of an MTS trolley cease within the UTC space.
- MTS Route 992 (Goes from the Airport to Downtown):
- You can board the MTS Route 992 bus from the San Diego International Airport, which is a direct service connecting the airport to downtown San Diego.
- This bus stops at a number of downtown places, together with the Santa Fe Depot, a serious transit hub.
- Transfer to a La Jolla-bound Bus or the MTS Trolley:
- Once you arrive downtown, you’ve a few choices to proceed to La Jolla.
- Option 1: Take an MTS bus that goes to La Jolla. MTS Route 30 is standard because it travels from downtown San Diego by way of Old Town and Pacific Beach earlier than reaching La Jolla.
- Option 2: Use the UC San Diego Blue Line Trolley to get nearer to La Jolla. You can board the trolley on the America Plaza Trolley Station (close to Santa Fe Depot) and get off on the UTC Transit Center. From there, you’ll be able to take a brief bus experience or a rideshare to achieve the downtown space of La Jolla (referred to as The Village).
- Final Leg to La Jolla:
Driving Directions to the La Jolla Cove Area
Multiple driving routes can get you to La Jolla, and which one you select will depend on site visitors. (We selected our home partially as a result of we have now three straightforward methods to get out and in of La Jolla that take about the identical period of time.)
Two main arteries, the 52 Freeway and Torrey Pines Road can get clogged with site visitors throughout weekday night rush hour and on summer time weekends. For the sake of ease, I’ll clarify tips on how to get to La Jolla Cove within the downtown space and from right here you’ll shortly determine the place the principle outlets and eating places are on Prospect and adjoining streets.
- From the North (Los Angeles, Orange County, and North County San Diego): Make your strategy to the I-5 South, the principle interstate freeway connecting LA to San Diego. Take Exit 28 for La Jolla Village Drive. Turn proper onto La Jolla Village Drive, then left onto Torrey Pines Road. Follow Torrey Pines Road because it winds right down to the coast. Turn proper onto Prospect Street, after which veer proper on to Coast Blvd. La Jolla Cove will probably be in your proper.
- From the East (Clairemont and Santee): You’ll primarily use CA-52 West. The freeway will merge into Torrey Pines Road, which is able to take you straight into the Village. Turn proper onto Prospect Street, after which veer proper to Coast Blvd. La Jolla Cove will probably be in your proper.
- From the South (Downtown and Coronado): Find your strategy to Interstate 5 (I-5) North. Watch for indicators for CA-52 West. This will probably be after you go the Mission Bay space. Take the exit onto CA-52 West in the direction of La Jolla. The freeway will merge into Torrey Pines Road, which is able to take you straight into the Village. Turn proper onto Prospect Street, after which veer proper on to Coast Blvd. La Jolla Cove will probably be in your proper.
Taking Public Transportation to La Jolla from San Diego County Stops
San Diego’s Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) presents complete bus and trolley providers. We already coated tips on how to get to La Jolla from the airport utilizing public transportation so relying on the place you’re coming from the steps could also be related. Routes, occasions and bus numbers change so you should definitely use the MTS Trip Planner earlier than you experience.
MTS Trolley to La Jolla
The UC San Diego Blue Line Trolley is a handy choice to arrive close to Westfield UTC Mall and UC San Diego from varied places in San Diego, together with the downtown space and the Mexico border at San Ysidro.
Exit on the “Voigt Drive” station for closest entry to La Jolla. From right here, you’ll be able to take a brief bus experience or rideshare to achieve the center of La Jolla.
Bus Services to La Jolla
Yes, you’ll be able to take the bus to La Jolla. Many folks do really. These are the perfect choices.
- Route 30: As you’ll be able to see, this is without doubt one of the hottest routes for attending to La Jolla. It travels from Downtown San Diego by way of Old Town San Diego and Pacific Beach earlier than reaching La Jolla. The route covers key areas in La Jolla, together with La Jolla Shores and the UC San Diego campus.
- Route 41: The 41 bus runs from the Fashion Valley Transit Center by way of the Hillcrest and Clairemont neighborhoods earlier than reaching UC San Diego in La Jolla.
- Route 101: Operated by the North County Transit District (NCTD) however connecting with MTS providers, Route 101 travels alongside the coast from Oceanside to UC San Diego, passing by way of Del Mar, Solana Beach, Encinitas, Cardiff-by-the-Sea, and La Jolla.
- Route 201/202 SuperLoop: These routes serve the realm across the UC San Diego campus and embrace stops in elements of La Jolla. The SuperLoop is helpful for getting across the UCSD space and close by procuring facilities.
Tips for purchasing bus or trolley tickets: The best strategy to pay for a bus ticket in San Diego is by utilizing PRONTO. PRONTO is the cost system for the San Diego Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) and North County Transit District (NCTD). You can use a PRONTO card or the PRONTO app to pay your fare. Either choice lets you load funds onto the cardboard or app after which faucet the cardboard or scan the app when boarding the bus. Otherwise, you want precise change if paying money. You can use PRONTO on the trolley’s as effectively. Bus tickets for adults price $2.50 per approach and $6 for an all-day go!
Coaster Train
For these coming from North County San Diego, the Coaster commuter prepare is a scenic and cheaper choice than Amtrak, which follows the same route. Plus, you’ll be able to skip some freeway site visitors relying on the time of day.
You can board the Coaster from cities like Oceanside, Carlsbad, and Encinitas, disembarking on the Sorrento Valley station. From Sorrento Valley, take MTS bus routes like 921 or 972 to achieve UCSD, then change to one of many La Jolla-bound buses. Note that the Coaster doesn’t cease at Sorrento Valley on a regular basis so relying in your prepare or day of the week you might take it to Old Town and use the instructions under.
Amtrak Train to La Jolla through Old Town Station
Traveling by Amtrak to La Jolla is a scenic and handy choice. The closest cease is Old Town Transit Center (sure, it’s adjoining to Old Town San Diego). This is the one we use after we take the prepare to Disneyland or Los Angeles.
Reaching Old Town Station by Amtrak
Amtrak’s Pacific Surfliner service, which runs alongside the California coast, stops on the Old Town Transit Center in San Diego. (Travelers heading to La Jolla may additionally use the Solana Beach Station, although it takes a bit longer.) This is the place you’d get off.
From Old Town Station to La Jolla
Once you arrive on the Old Town Transit Center, you’ve actually two choices to achieve La Jolla:
- MTS Buses: Route 30 supplies a direct connection to La Jolla, making stops in key areas together with UCSD and La Jolla Shores.
- Rideshare or Taxi: The drive from Old Town to La Jolla sometimes takes about 15-20 minutes, relying on site visitors and the place you’re going. I normally take an Uber, however there are additionally typically taxis hovering across the station.
In abstract, most individuals will self-drive or take Uber to get to La Jolla from San Diego airport and different locations across the County. Our MTS public transportation system is getting higher and can also be a viable choice for residents and vacationers that takes longer however is cheap. You may also take a look at my 1-Day La Jolla Itinerary, prime issues to do in La Jolla, and greatest locations keep in La Jolla.