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When to go to La Jolla, California

December 1, 2011 | By | 4 Replies More

 When to go to La Jolla, California: The La Jolla Christmas Parade is a popular annual event.

We’ve talked about how to get to San Diego’s favorite coastal community, but if you’re planning a trip, you also need to think about the best time to be here.

Weather –

Weather is certainly a consideration – even though the temperature in San Diego is mild year round, and we get less than 10 inches of rain a year (usually from November to March). Click here for some rainy day suggestions.

Daytime temps range from a low of 64°F (about 17°C) in December to a high of 79°F (about 25°C) in August. Nighttime temps are 15-20 degrees cooler. We get a fair amount of coastal fog in May and June – known locally as “May gray” and “June gloom” – and the best beach weather is July though September. Visit in the spring (especially in April and May) to see our colorful gardens at their very best.

Insider tip: I think of September as San Diego’s secret season, because the crowds are gone and the weather is wonderful.

Annual Events –

Annual events are also a consideration when planning a trip to La Jolla. Here are some to factor into your plans:

January and September – San Diego Restaurant Week includes lots of La Jolla restaurants offering good-value prix-fixe menus.

January – The Farmers Insurance PGA Golf Tournament is played at the Torrey Pines Golf Course.

February – This is free museum month in San Diego. La Jolla participants include the Museum of Contemprary Art San Diego, Birch Aquarium at Scripps, and the La Jolla Historical Society.

Kids love touching the marine life in the tide pools at the Birch Acquarium in La Jolla.

March – Meet the Masters. Sponsored by the Village Garden Club of La Jolla, Meet the Masters features well known personalities from the world of flowers.

April – The La Jolla Concours d’Elegance (formerly La Jolla Motor Car Classic), sponsored by the La Jolla Historical Society, takes place in Scripps Park near the La Jolla Cove and draws droves of classic car enthusiasts.

May – The Secret Garden Tour of La Jolla, sponsored by the La Jolla Historical Society, provides an opportunity for local residents and out-of-town visitors to walk through the gates that surround some of our community’s most beautiful homes.

May – February – La Jolla Playhouse presents a year round program of musicals, comedies, and dramas.

June – La Jolla Festival of the Arts is a two-day event of art, food, music, and more.

July – On the 4th of July, fireworks explode from the La Jolla Cove.

August – La Jolla Music Society’s SummerFest is a nationally-recognized chamber music festival featuring over 70 world-class artists and ensembles performing concerts during the month of August.

September – La Jolla Rough Water Swim. America’s premier rough water swim has taken place at the La Jolla Cove since 1916.

October – Kids are free at the San Diego Zoo and the San Diego Zoo Safari Park during the month of October. In fact, SeaWorld San Diego, LEGOLAND® California Resort, Hornblower Cruises, Amtrak, Old Town Trolley Tours, more than 30 San Diego museums countywide, and many hotels and restaurants have declared this “KidsFree Month.” to all kids, ages 12 and under.

December – April – This is whale watching season. Visitors can go out on a boat with a Birch Aquarium or BYO binoculars and scan the waves from vantage points along the La Jolla Coast.

December – May – La Jolla Music Society’s Winter-Spring Series includes a variety of music and dance performances. Some of these are held in Sherwood Hall in the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego and at the Neurosciences Institute in La Jolla.

December – The La Jolla Christmas Parade and Holiday Festival is a family-friendly community event.

Click here if you need help planning your trip to La Jolla.

Click here to search for hotels in La Jolla.

Photo credit ADAMS / HANSEN STOCK PHOTOS.

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Category: About La Jolla, annual events, weather

About the Author ()

I live in La Jolla and I'm a travel writer, so in addition to enjoying my home town's great weather, beautiful surroundings, and range of cultural and recreational options, I also see La Jolla - and the rest of San Diego - as a travel destination. And what I see sometimes drives me batty. People vacation in La Jolla, but don't take advantage of everything our community offers, so I decided to start this blog and provide insider advice for out-of-towners. Hey. I figure if I can write insider tips about exotic destinations on Authentic Luxury Travel, I ought to be able to lead readers off the beaten path that starts just outside my front door. In the process, I'm having fun revisiting my favorite places and discovering some new ones. Travel writers are naturally snoopy, and this blog is my excuse to have a good ol' sticky beak around my home town. I hope you find it helpful. If you are coming to La Jolla or another area of San Diego and would like my help in planning your trip, please read "Need Help Planning Your Trip" and then email me at ehansen298@aol.com. Elizabeth Hansen

Comments (4)

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  1. Kim Glen says:

    “if you’re planning a trip, you also need to think about the best time to be here.”

    Most people just take trips whenever they can get the time off, but you make a really good point. If you are going to travel, why not travel when the weather is going to cooperate? No one wants to spend their vacation trapped inside because of bad weather.

  2. Thanks for your comment, Kim. The thing about La Jolla – and Southern California in general – is that people don’t realize they can’t swim and sun year round. There’s always plenty to do here, but we’re not Florida. It’s going to be 60 today (56 right now) and I’m willing to bet that there are visitors down at the beach in swim suits shivering. I just hate to see that. I really want everyone to love La Jolla. It’s a sunny/blue sky day, and I can think of a dozen fun things to do outdoors right now – but swimming isn’t one of them.

  3. Alex says:

    We are looking to plan a short get a way just after X-mas this year with our 3 teen age kids. We like to be active (swim, hike, etc) and thus woundering if you recommend La Jolla as a destination in December. Can you swim in the ocean in December? Any recomendations for accomidation?

    • Elizabeth says:

      Hi Alex, Thanks for being in touch. La Jolla is a great place to visit in the winter – daytime temps are usually in the 60s, but the ocean is too cold for swimming. However, it’s a great time for hiking, biking, and whale watching. I’d be happy to help you plan your trip. How long do you plan to be in La Jolla?

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