Visit La Jolla On My Own by Bus, Taxi, or Car Rental

So, you want to visit La Jolla on your own instead of joining my highly-rated sightseeing tour. Here are some things to keep in mind.

Driving into La Jolla

  • During the summer months, there is often a long traffic back-up when you enter the area using La Jolla Parkway from highway I-5. This includes the middle-of-the-day on a weekday. This is why the La Jolla Sightseeing Tour takes the more scenic back roads.
  • Street parking is free but most spots have a two-hour time limit. Meter maids are usually around to give tickets to any violators.
  • Parking lots are available. You will find some charge as much as $15. However, you can find cheaper parking close by for usually as little as $5.

Taking the City Bus to La Jolla

  • Bus #30 is the only bus serving the Village of La Jolla. The La Jolla route starts in downtown San Diego on weekdays and takes approximately 1 hour to reach La Jolla.
  • On weekends, the La Jolla route starts in Old Town, meaning guests staying downtown must take the local trolley from downtown to the Old Town Transit Center to meet the #30 bus.
  • Get off the La Jolla bus at the stop on the schedule that says Silverado St. & Herschel. As the bus drives down Silverado, it will cross Girard Avenue and then pull over to drop you off. You will be steps away from the shops but a little over a half-mile from the beaches where you can see the seals and sea lions.
  • Unlike the sightseeing tour, the city bus does not drive along the ocean nor does it go up any part of Mount Soledad, where you would be able to see the magnificent views that attracts many of the wealthiest homeowners in the world.
  • Unlike the sightseeing tour, the city bus does not go to Torrey Pines. However, you can transfer to the 101 bus, which is operated by a different transit system and thus requires an additional fare. There are a few spots on the campus of UCSD where you can make the transfer. The easiest spot would be at the VA Medical Center.

Taking a Taxi to La Jolla

  • A taxi ride costs $85 roundtrip from downtown San Diego to La Jolla – not including tip.
  • The taxi ride does not include the opportunity to enjoy the views from Mount Soledad nor a visit to Torrey Pines, which you will get with the sightseeing tour for as low as $46 per guest.
  • Taxis are not readily available in La Jolla for your return trip. However, they can be called and usually show up within 5 – 10 minutes.
  • For those who decide the taxi is still the best way for them to visit La Jolla, I suggest that for your return trip, you call Costas Pappas at 858-453-5555. He is a very friendly guy who charges a few extra dollars but is based in La Jolla, has been in the area a long time, and drives you in a Mercedes. (Disclamer: As noted in this web site’s Terms of Use, everything provided in this web site is for informational purposes only. You take full responsibility for any actions you take using the information from this web site.)

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