Kellogg Park in La Jolla is absolutely beautiful and has some of the best coastal views in the…read morearea. The location is stunning, right along the water with incredible ocean scenery, dramatic cliffs, and plenty of spots to sit and take it all in. On a clear day, the views are unreal and it really does feel like a postcard version of Southern California. That said, it is extremely crowded. Between tourists, families, photographers, and people stopping to watch the seals and sea lions, it can feel packed, especially mid day and on weekends. Parking can be challenging and the constant foot traffic takes away a bit from the peaceful, relaxing vibe you might be hoping for. If you don't mind crowds or are visiting for the first time, it's still 100 percent worth seeing. Just be prepared for lots of people and limited personal space. Go early in the morning or closer to sunset if you want a slightly calmer experience. Beautiful park, incredible views, but the crowds knock it down to four stars.

Beautiful park. Lots of people. Nice big parking lot. You can sit in the grass and/or go to the…read morebeach side. The views here are really pretty. I wasn't aware that this place was here, but I had just finished an appointment in the area and figured I'd check it out. Glad it did. I found a table to do some writing and update my planner. There is also a playground for the kiddos. I came during a busier time in the late afternoon so parking was busy, but there was always someone leaving so snagging a spot wasn't too much of a hassle. Nice place to relax!

Nice open park to workout, let your dog off the leash, or bring your kiddos ( if you have).read more

Best Neighborhood Park in La Jolla! I come here regularly and treat it with respect…read more There are regular Yoga and Taiji Quan (Tai Chi) Classes for every level! I even saw a Senior Fitness class. This is truly a community park. Families will picnic, kids celebrate birthdays, walkers, and dogs daily. Come on out, Enjoy the morning dew, the afternoon sun and the beautiful full moon!

Top notch and in line with Mayo…read more The rooms are private, facilities are amazing, and patient meals are curated from a large menu. It's always comfortable and many of the roos have coatal views

SD is incredible, and La Jolla the gem in its crown. Many reviewers are confused about this spot,…read morehowever. Scripps Coastal Reserve is not a beach and it is not a hiking trail. Technically, its a small plot of land that serves as a public access coastal view point. It's only a four minute walk from the entrance to the bluff. You'll stand atop a steep cliff with amazing views to the ocean and beaches below. This sandy loop also offers info about local flora. Look up for views of birds (particularly the rare Peregrine falcon!) and soaring hang gliders. Areas are roped off for safety reasons - lots of erosion in this area- so you might want to watch the sunset from La Jolla Shores beach instead, just down the street.

The most amazing park my toddler and I have ever had the pleasure of visiting- thus far!!!…read more As we were driving to Old Town, we passed by a few playgrounds prompting my little monster's request for some play time. After we were doing doing some basic tourist-y things, I hopped on Yelp in search of a few parks located withing the vicinity. Maruta Gardner Playgound seemed to be the most entertaining and appropriate for my wild child. Parking was plentiful and the size of this particular playground was great. Not only was the look and design very unique, you really couldn't ask for a better view. Seating was plentiful and again, the design of things were so cool. Shade is easily found and the play structure is great for children + adults of all ages. Lastly, there are restrooms and water fountain located not too far. Shout out to Ms. Maruta Gardner!! My daughter and I thank you because this place wouldn't have been possible without you. Your dedications and love for your community was undeniable. Thank you for beautifying everything around you and rest in paradise. 5/5 Stars!! Definitely a must if you are in San Diego!!

This is a fantastic park! Truly has activities for all ages and lots of seating for parents. The…read moreswings and climbing structure are so fun! I also love that it's right across the street from mission beach. We love to walk along the beach then come and play or vice versa. Generally safe area and haven't seen many homeless loitering about. Pretty clean and minimal litter.

ELEVATED SLANTED PARK (4.5 stars)…read more I love this park! Dog friendly but not specifically a dog park. A lot of people lay out and picnic. The views are amazing - you can see downtown and the beaches. There is a parking lot but it can get packed. Once a year they do a music event here. Summers it's packed. I've had picnic here with friends and they love the view and park. I've had lazy chill days here with my dog and we enjoy the scenery. Cool park!

The Dolores Park of San Diego…read more I found this place during COVID and have been coming ever since. If you're looking for a birthday hang, a picnic date, a sunset spot, a place to read, chill with your pup spot, or make some art, this park has you covered. It's the perfect spot for any occasion. The views are breathtaking and the vibe is super laid‑back. There are always plenty of people around, so it feels like one big community hang. If you're lucky, you might even catch someone DJing or playing music everyone can enjoy. They also offer community yoga classes here -- I haven't signed up yet, but it's nice to know it's an option. The park is pretty steep in some areas, so you might need to walk around a bit to find a flat spot where you're not sitting at an incline. I'd recommend bringing chairs, blankets, and any shade essentials you might need since there aren't many tree‑shaded areas. Parking is tough and the bathrooms are your typical not‑so‑great public park bathrooms, but don't let that stop you from experiencing the best park in San Diego.

HOW HAVE I NEVER HEARD OF THIS? I grew up in Laguna and now I live in Long Beach and this is the…read moremost insane incredible amazing beautiful thing I've ever experienced and it's right here!! Sea lions everywhere! More sea lions than people! It was breathtaking to see them as they were, and the babies playing in the water, and people were swimming with them!!! It made me want to move down here next!!

What a hidden gem, at least for me! Maybe because it is so difficult to park on that area I never…read moreventured to explore what was there or how to reach there and I was content with seeing the whales from far (as I am not that interested in them that I am with the nature surrounding them). Finally, I had to go to a job interview and the parking nightmare was solved for me so I only had to walk a bit and found the 'hiking' path which is actually more a waking trail (but sturdy shoes are better than light sneakers to avoid slippery terrain). Just gorgeous, sunny, not crowded (again, I didn't go to the seals section, just wanted to walk and admire the ocean and the beautiful houses and the blue skies). Very soothing. There are several benches to stop and medidate if you are into this, as well as a commemorative rock dedicated to the Kumeyaay native Americans that lived here. You should expect to visit this between 30-60 minutes as is not a very long trail.

This is my go to park to walk to in the area to enjoy ocean views with my pastries/coffee from the…read morevarious shops in the area. Whether it's foggy or sunny, the view is always nice. Multiple benches scattered around the park, facing the ocean. Lots of people walking their dogs, strolling, and biking around; pretty sure I happened to see a small wedding happening one weekend as well.

Calumet Park is a cozy cliffside park with ocean views, paved walkways, benches, and a green grassy…read morearea.

Anytime any family and friends are in town, I take them down to see the La Jolla coves. Beautiful…read morescenery on a sunny day! There are plenty of public street parking and also parking garages. Once you get past the stench of the sea lions, you can enjoy yourself more. It does take some getting used to! There are typically some street vendors there selling apparel. Some really cool hand crafted items. Just go where the wind takes you and enjoy yourself! Do NOT bother the sea lions, they can and will be aggressive if you get too close.

3/30/26 update:…read more Free parking is very difficult to find if you come during peak times. You might have to drive around in circles to see if anyone is leaving. We decided to park in the garage that is close to the Cave Store. It's about $15 and you have to pay by scanning a QR code. I didn't feel like waiting for people to leave since we were in a time crunch. There is a path by the Cave Store that you can walk down and get some great views. The cove where you can see the sea lions is a short walk. You can go to the beach which is shared with the sea lions. There's a park ranger that makes sure people don't get too close to the animals.

Cuvier Park starts from Cuvier St and Coast Bl in La Jolla, it's between La Jolla Cove and Coast…read moreWalk Trail. Street parking only is a pain in the tush. The best features about this park is the green grassy lawn on the bluff cliff side with some bench seating that lets you sit and just enjoy the spectacular ocean views, feel the ocean breeze, as if you're watching a movie because it's so picturesque. My pup and I enjoy this little park and have met with other locals who frequent and walk their pooches. On weekends, this area gets crowded. People use this park to have gatherings, picnics and lately professional photo spots. I've seen commercially created staged floral arrangements with a photographer ready to Take your pics for a fee...I've seen these people set their staging on the bluff and on the beach, and it's tacky, it takes away from the natural wonder of the coast and beach view. These stage photo obstructions are attractive nuisances for kids and dogs. I've seen kids and dogs running around these things, and one day, there will be an injury and a lawsuit. The city really need to regulate these commercial profiteers enforce and ticket them. Love this park, but these tacky set ups have got to go! When your ocean views aren't obscured by distractions Cuvier Park is wondrous and worth a visit. Recommend

Picture a perfect 75 degree sunny day with a light sea breeze and the taste the salt in the air…read more You can hear the barking of nearby Sea Lions and a fleet of brown pelicans glides overhead. The waves crash against the cliffs and you can see all shades of turquoise shimmering in the Pacific. Kids and their parents are giggling and having fun inspecting the tide pools below. Then you notice a glowing bride stepping out of a limousine on her way to be married at the Wedding Bowl. You close your eyes, and you revel in the warmth of the sunlight gently beaming on your face. For a moment, you're not sure if you're dreaming because it is just so beautiful. Then you slowly open your eyes and exhale because it's real! You check your watch and realize that you only have 15 minutes to get to your interview in town. Nearly 10 years later, you've been with your employer for nearly a decade, and Cuvier Park is only minutes away. This beautiful location has become the place that brings you (and your dog) tremendous peace and joy. This petite park is south of some of the more popular areas so it tends not to be as crowded as the children's pool and the cove. (There is a good amount of parking, but keep in mind that it can get crowded on weekends.) From locals exercising to tourists taking photos and smiling to bougie picnic setups on the grass to sniffalot pups enjoying themselves... there's room for all to peacefully enjoy the incredible view at beautiful Cuvier Park.

Spent about an hour in Balboa Park after landing in San Diego, and I'm glad we made the stop…read more We parked at the Lower Inspiration Point parking lot for free, and the shuttle arrived within 5 minutes to take us to the main entrance. Our driver was nice enough to give us a short tour on the way, which was a nice touch. We ended up seeing the Botanical Building and lily pond area, and both were lovely and picturesque. I honestly felt like I was in Europe with the architecture of the buildings. Next, we made our way to the Spanish Village Art Center, and it felt like I had stepped into a movie set, very surreal and colorful. I would highly recommend Balboa Park for any first-time visitors to San Diego!

Yes - park and museums are lovely, but for me, I just didn't love Balboa Park…read more Didn't hate it but if you are someone with just a weekend in town, I think there are better options for afternoon activities in the zillions of things there are to do in SD. All I'm saying is don't get fooled making this a top of your list, must do-thing. Go if you REALLY want to, but don't feel like you missed out if you made a different selection.