La Jolla: A Coastal Drive Toward Culinary Elegance

The Pacific Coast Highway in southern California is renowned as one of the most beautiful drives in the world. For travelers over 50, the views, sunshine, and California ambiance is nothing short of marvelous.

For those who revel in pleasant drives as part of a great travel experience, the PCH opens up endless opportunities to enjoy breathtaking views of California’s unique beauty. It’s celebrating American life with a taste of California. I’ve enjoyed this highway driving experience many times and it never gets old. And when I remember So Cal and the San Diego region, the memories of cruising down the Pacific Coast Highway into the village of La Jolla is always part of that.

Savoring the Journey to La Jolla

For repeat travelers who know, the journey into La Jolla from the north along this legendary ribbon of road is as much a part of the experience as the destination itself. The ocean and coastline will appear delightfully ahead of you and quietly fade behind you weaving a moving tapestry of visual experiences only Coastal California can provide.  Of course, you’re well aware of it as you’re leaning back in a convertible with the top down. The drive keeps building more expectation as you fill your mind with million-dollar views serenaded by the hushing sounds of crashing waves just in the distance. There are stopping points where you can step out of the car to feel the ocean air, step in the water if you like, watch some surfers, and take a short walk to linger on beaches that once were Hollywood’s trademark. Drink it all in.

The view of the Pacific Ocean is no small attraction throughout the day.  It presents its awesome panorama, sometimes as a vast sheet of aquamarine, and other times as a glint of silver in the distance—its surface flecked with sparkling sunlit diamonds dancing on the waves. That effect is powerful when you’re up high above the water in Del Mar, another exquisite community that might be on your journey toward the famous La Jolla Cove. You may enjoy the drive down Del Mar Heights road which drops steeply toward the shoreline and feels like you’re driving straight into the ocean ahead. Driving is a rare pleasure here and you’ll be so appreciative you have this mode to roll around the beautiful neighborhoods.

Gold and green palm trees sway in the salt-kissed air, while their shadows stretch across sun-warmed pavement providing a hypnotic effect that hopefully won’t distract you from driving safely. The coastline here curves and unfolds so gently, revealing coves and beaches where the water deepens into jewel-like blues, framed by sandstone cliffs softened to amber by the late-day light. The sky shifts through a painter’s palette—rose, gold, and lavender toward the sunset hour—as if trying to match the Pacific’s endless hues.

Approaching La Jolla is like approaching a promise. This charming village reveals itself gradually with boutique storefronts adorned with tasteful displays, polished art galleries with light spilling onto the sidewalk, and an air of quiet sophistication that recalls LA’s Rodeo Drive, but with the Pacific Ocean always only a glance away.

For the traveler who has tasted many corners of the world, there’s something about La Jolla’s combination of ocean scenery with culinary artistry that feels exceedingly rare. Dining in the village isn’t an afterthought to the view—it’s an equal with restaurants that draw movie stars and millionaires who can’t resist dining in them frequently.

Most Enjoyable and Memorable Restaurants

A selection of fine dining establishments awaits, however, you might find these 3 as the full, complete experience you’re hoping for on this trip.

George’s at the Cove, La Jolla

You’ll enjoy the sleek modernism of George’s at the Cove, with unobstructed views of the ocean perched above the town’s waterfront park.  Your meal is presented as a work of art, fitting of a town with exquisite tastes. Your menu will include Chef Trey Foshee inspired dishes that include local swordfish adorned with grapefruit, avocado, fennel, mint salsa verde, pickled shallots, or the Local Bluefin Tuna Sashimi infused with white soy ponzu, farmers market melon, avocado, pickled fresno chili, or the Wild Isles Salmon accompanied by summer squash & corn succotash, huitlacoche puree, and jalapeño relish for a spicy finish.

The Marine Room La Jolla California

If you prefer the ground-level oceanfront, you may enjoy the unique and timeless drama of The Marine Room, right on the golden sands beach, where high-tide waves rise to reach up to the glass, making your sumptuous meal feel like a celebration of the coast itself. Try the Ocean Trout Toro Tartare, Local Bluefin Tuna Tataki or the Japanese A5 Wagyu Strip Steak.

Duke’s La Jolla

And for a slightly less casual dining adventure, visit the Hawaiian-themed Duke’s La Jolla giving you an Aloha welcome to the deep blue Pacific Ocean with views that seem to stretch all the way to the Hawaiian Islands. Hearty menu selections include Aloha Burgers with a 1/2 pound angus & brisket blend, gochujang aioli, white cheddar, shredded iceberg lettuce, tomato, and onion, and the Twin Lobster Tails featuring two roasted tristan lobster tails, drawn butter, lemon, jasmine farro rice, and roasted baby carrots. Add on some seared scallops or crab cakes if you like.

Basking in the Afterglow

There’s an anticipation in the air as you step out of your restaurant experience into the La Jolla evening afterglow. Again, with palm trees, blue sky and wonderful ocean air to greet you. The streets hum softly with conversation, shop windows glow, and somewhere nearby, and if you’re still hungry, the scent of grilled seafood mingles with the briny breeze. There is nothing like the evening ambiance of La Jolla, which is why it is surrounded by some of the most expensive homes in California. If you like, you can drive up above to the peak of Mount Soledad, for spectacular sunset views, where you’ll enjoy an unobstructed 360 panorama of La Jolla and south toward beautiful San Diego, itself just a short, pleasant drive away.

In La Jolla, dining is not merely sustenance—it is a curated experience, heightened by the journey that brought you here. The drive, the colors, the ocean’s voice, along with the elegance of the village—all converge after you sit at your table with that initial sip of robust California wine, and a first taste of the salty sea air that brushes your face, as you realize this is not just a meal, it’s the fulfillment of days spent leisurely savoring the California coast at its most beautiful.

Extend Your SD County Experience

Create your own personalized San Diego County travel experience with a drive to sensational La Jolla Village using ChatGPT, Google or Bing, where you’ll see videos, images and reviews to guide your choice of restaurants, hotels, and attractions. And there is also the San Diego Zoo, SeaWorld Park, along with the drive over the sweeping Coronado Bridge to the Island of Coronado. Walk the Mission Bay beach boardwalks, ride a roller coaster and drive to the northeast to the Wild Animal Park and then 35 minutes westward to the world’s longest wooden pier to the north in Oceanside to enjoy as well. Each offers their own driving enjoyment with unique viewpoints.

This fall, you may want to forego a trip to Italy, Banff, Spain, Portugal, France, Mexico or the Caribbean for the comfort and splendor of southern California’s jewel – La Jolla.

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