The best date night in La Jolla, according to people who actually live here.
La Jolla earns its reputation on the cliffs and the cove, but keeping it means knowing which storefronts are here for residents and which exist only for the rental car crowd.

La Jolla
$$ · Restaurants · 2.4

La Jolla
“Intimate, wood-beamed eatery with elegant, seasonal American fare & a deck with golf-course views.”
$$$$ · Restaurants · 2.4

La Jolla
“Happening brunch & dinner spot revered for its French toast & patio with views of La Jolla Cove.”
$$ · Restaurants · 2.4

La Jolla
$ · Bars · 2.4

La Jolla
$ · American · 2.4

La Jolla
“Californian daytime cuisine served on a patio with a white picket fence or inside a vintage home.”
$$ · American · 2.4

La Jolla
$ · Sushi · 2.4

La Jolla
“Pasta, pizza & other Italian dishes made with local ingredients, served in a 1909 beach house.”
$$ · Italian · 2.4

La Jolla
“Airy two-story destination for Hawaiian-inspired fare with outdoor seating and ocean views.”
$$ · American · 2.4

La Jolla
$$ · Seafood · 2.4

La Jolla
“Perched atop La Plaza Center, this coastal Italian specialist serves up wood-fired pizzas & more.”
$$$ · Pizza · 2.4

La Jolla
$ · Pizza · 2.4

La Jolla
“Retail chain offering artisan olive oils, balsamic vinegars & tapenades, plus tastings.”
$$ · Wine Bars · 2.4
La Jolla
$ · Bars · 2.4

La Jolla
$$ · Sushi · 2.4

La Jolla
“Japanese spot serving sushi, hot entrees & sake in a relaxed space with black-&-red decor.”
$$ · Sushi · 2.4

La Jolla
“Quaint Italian eatery serving red-sauce classics, specialty dishes & wine in a comfortable setting.”
$$ · Italian · 2.4

La Jolla
“Buzzy brunch & lunch spot with clever comfort food, ocean views & a patio known for people-watching.”
$$ · American · 2.4

La Jolla
$ · Indian · 2.4

La Jolla
$$ · Seafood · 2.4

La Jolla
“Spicy curries, noodles & other Thai fare dished up in easygoing surrounds with patio seating.”
$$ · Thai · 2.4

La Jolla
“Inventive takes on seasonal cuisine amongst chic, contemporary decor in the Grande Colonial Hotel.”
$$$ · American · 2.3

La Jolla
“Cozy, easygoing Italian eatery featuring a rustic vibe, traditional fare & food-friendly wines.”
$$ · Italian · 2.3

La Jolla
$ · Korean · 2.3

La Jolla
“Enduring Italian eatery lures locals with traditional dishes, elegant environs & weekly live jazz.”
$$$ · Italian · 2.3

La Jolla
“Sophisticated Mediterranean restaurant in an upscale dining & entertainment hub with a bar & cafe.”
$$$ · American · 2.3

La Jolla
“Quaint bakeshop featuring sweet treats & a selection of sandwiches & light meals to go.”
$$ · Brunch Spots · 2.3

La Jolla
“Snug spot doling out nigiri sushi & Japanese small plates prepped by a Sushi Ota alum.”
$$$ · Japanese · 2.3

La Jolla
“Sleek, contemporary pizzeria & wine bar slinging inspired Neapolitan-style pies & small plates.”
$$ · Pizza · 2.3

La Jolla
$ · Mexican · 2.3

La Jolla
“Inspired Californian-Mediterranean dishes & revered Sunday brunch buffet in the La Valencia Hotel.”
$$$ · Seafood · 2.3

La Jolla
$$ · Sushi · 2.3

La Jolla
“Laid-back all-day haunt featuring outdoor seating adjacent to a celebrated golf course.”
$$ · American · 2.3

La Jolla
“Longtime Chinese restaurant & bar serving a lengthy menu of Sichuan & Mandarin fare.”
$$ · Chinese · 2.3

La Jolla
“Refined Californian-style brunch & lunch served inside or on a snazzy, eco-chic oceanside patio.”
$$ · Brunch Spots · 2.3

La Jolla
$ · Brunch Spots · 2.3

La Jolla
“Coastal cuisine & craft cocktails served in a sleek space on the Hotel La Jolla's 11th floor.”
$$$ · American · 2.3

La Jolla
“Cheery, brightly painted bar & eatery specializing in traditional Mexican fare & cocktails.”
$$ · Mexican · 2.3

La Jolla
“Classics Italian fare such as spaghetti Bolognese & veal Parmigiana is served in a warm setting.”
$$ · Seafood · 2.3

La Jolla
“Sports bar & eatery since 1972 offers huge combo plates & margaritas inside or on the hopping patio.”
$$ · Mexican · 2.3

La Jolla
$$ · Coffee Shops · 2.2

La Jolla
“Inside the La Jolla Shores Hotel, this refined, oceanfront staple dishes up unique Californian fare.”
$$ · Seafood · 2.2

La Jolla
$ · Restaurants · 2.2

La Jolla
“Kitschy Chinese joint for Americanized fare, tropical cocktails & lunch specials.”
$$ · Chinese · 2.2

La Jolla
“Estancia La Jolla Hotel's hacienda-styled eatery known for its spacious patio & regional cuisine.”
$$ · Mexican · 2.2

La Jolla
“Laid-back Thai restaurant offering standard entrees, plus indoor booths & a garden patio.”
$$ · Thai

La Jolla
“Popular spot for unique artisanal takes on tacos, bowls & salads in a bright & breezy brick space.”
$$$ · Tacos