My work skipped the holiday party this year and decided to host something in February instead – which honestly, I loved.
December is chaotic enough and this way it didn’t mess with anyone’s holiday or travel plans.
Since most of our team works remotely, we had people flying in from all over for the weekend. Because of that, rooms were booked for everyone… and they offered the local staff the option to stay at the hotel too.
So when I say I booked that room immediately – I mean immediately.
A free hotel stay in La Jolla? On the water??
Yeah… I didn’t need to think twice.
This post is all about my staycation at the La Jolla Shores Hotel in La Jolla, California.
Even though I live in San Diego, I rarely spend time in La Jolla unless I’m showing out-of-town friends around. So getting to do a little solo staycation there felt really special, and I fully took advantage of the opportunity.
I tried to soak up every bit of this hotel experience that I could.
Let’s get into the details.
This blog post may contain affiliate links. Please note these do not impact my review, and no extra costs have been added to the items mentioned.
Location
Address:
8110 Camino Del Oro, La Jolla, CA 92037
The hotel is located right along La Jolla Shores Beach – right on the sand. You walk out of the property, and you’re on the beach within seconds.
There’s also a beautiful walking path that runs along the shoreline, perfect for morning coffee walks or evening sunset strolls.
The property itself feels very classic coastal California. It’s an older hotel, but in a charming way. It has character. It doesn’t feel sterile or cookie-cutter like newer chain hotels. Everything feels well maintained, comfortable, and thoughtfully updated without losing its personality.
Also… random but important… the hotel smelled amazing. It had that same signature scent as the Westin, and I was living for it.
You’re also within walking distance to restaurants, beach rentals, and activities. There’s a large park right next door with tennis courts and open grass areas if you want to picnic or just hang out outside.
Location-wise, it’s perfect.
Room Tour
My room was huge – especially for just me.
I had a two-queen room with a private balcony, and I could see the water from it. Not a full oceanfront view, but enough to hear and see the waves, which made the whole stay.
I woke up early the first morning, opened the sliding door, and just relaxed, listening to the ocean for another hour. Half asleep, half awake. It was so calming.
The room had:
- A giant desk (great for working / spreading out my chaos)
- Tons of natural light
- A spacious bathroom with lots of counter space
- A large mini fridge
- And bathrobes, which automatically make any hotel stay better
You know I wore that robe immediately.
Spending Time at the Hotel
I really tried to maximize my time on property.
We had a team lunch and meeting that went until about 3 PM. The second it ended, I basically sprinted back to my room, grabbed my laptop and Kindle, and headed down to the on-site restaurant – The Shores Restaurant.
I grabbed the cutest booth, ordered an espresso martini, and finished up a blog post I was working on for a brand collab. Work first… fun after.
Once I hit send, I ordered a sparkling drink to-go and took myself outside to the courtyard fire pits to read.
I was finishing book three in my series – Psycho Beasts by Jasmine Mas – and I was fully locked in. I love a cozy solo reading moment, especially by the beach.
Around 4:45 PM I went back upstairs, relaxed a bit, and got ready for dinner.
Dinner + Evening Plans
Dinner was hosted on property at The Shores Restaurant – buffet style with an open bar.
It was so nice seeing coworkers I normally only talk to on Teams. We caught up, laughed a ton, and I kept it simple with vodka sodas and a giant plate of pasta.
The event wrapped around 9 PM, but a few of us weren’t ready to call it a night yet.
We quickly learned that La Jolla closes early – like… really early. Most spots were shut down by 8 or 9 PM.
But we found one place still open, Shore Rider Bar, so we posted up there for a bit before heading back.
I ended the night in my oversized hotel room, scrolling for a bit and then falling asleep mid-reading. A perfect ending to the evening.
The Next Morning
The next morning was easily my favorite part of the stay.
I woke up slowly, read in bed, and listened to the waves. We were so close to the water that you could hear everything, but in the most calming way.
I took my time getting ready before heading down to breakfast around 9:30 AM. It felt late to me, but the restaurant was basically empty.
I sat outside right along the water – best seat in the house.
For breakfast, I ordered two meals… because I’m a big fan of the “why choose?” trope. 😂
I ordered the avocado toast and the kids chocolate chip pancakes.
The avocado toast looked gorgeous but the flavor didn’t totally hit for me.
The pancakes though? Incredible. No notes.
After breakfast, I went back upstairs, lounged a bit more, and finished my book before checkout.
Final Thoughts
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Driving home that morning was stunning. The weather was perfect, the ocean was sparkling, and it honestly felt like I had been on a mini vacation, even though I live 30 minutes away.
La Jolla Shores Hotel is in one of the best locations you could ask for if you want easy beach access, walkability, and relaxed coastal energy.
It’s also right down the street from Birch Aquarium at Scripps, which makes it even better if you’re planning a full La Jolla weekend.
Overall, it was such a great solo staycation. Quiet, cozy, and exactly what I needed.
I’d absolutely stay here again, especially for a beach weekend or if I just wanted a little reset without traveling far.
Sometimes the best trips are the ones close to home.
XOXO,
Julia
Posts You May Like:
- Visiting the Georgina Cole Library in Carlsbad
- Dinner at Herb & Sea in Encinitas
- 5 Easy Walking Trails in North County San Diego
About the author: Hey there! I’m Julia, a passionate theme park and travel writer. My love for theme parks has fueled my obsession with sharing tips and adventures for years. Join me as I uncover the magic of San Diego and beyond!
Stay Connected:
Follow along on social media for daily updates and behind-the-scenes content:
Leave a Reply