48 Hours in La Jolla Itinerary with Alex & Matt

For this edition of our La Jolla Locals series, we’re spending the weekend with Alex and Matt, longtime La Jolla residents who have built a life rooted in family, community, and making the most of everything this coastal neighborhood has to offer.

Matt is a local business owner and entrepreneur, while Alex serves in the Mayor’s Office for the City of San Diego. Together they’re raising three daughters, a spirited five-year-old and six-year-old twin girls, which means their weekends are equal parts beach adventures, coffee stops, date nights, and family outings. Whether they’re discovering a new restaurant, fitting in a workout, or chasing sunsets after soccer games and dance classes, they know how to balance an active family life with intentional moments together.

From hidden coastal trails and neighborhood favorites to the restaurants they return to time and time again, Alex and Matt have curated the perfect 48-hour guide to experiencing La Jolla like a local.

Day One: Saturday

Morning

Where’s your first stop for coffee together, and what are you each ordering?

Our first stop is almost always Elixir Espresso. It has excellent coffee, a relaxed neighborhood feel, and plenty of comfortable seating if you want to linger for a while. 

What’s your go-to morning workout or movement to kick off a reset weekend?

YogaBox is our favorite, hands down. Their heated sculpt classes combine strength training with yoga-inspired movement, giving you both an incredible workout and a mindful start to the day. You leave feeling energized, grounded, and ready for whatever the weekend brings. If we’re craving something slower and more restorative, their vinyasa classes are equally fantastic.

Favorite breakfast spot as a couple?

Java Earth is one of our go-to breakfast spots. Alex never skips their famous matcha latte, while Matt usually orders a coffee alongside the lox bagel. Alex’s favorite is the Sunrise Breakfast Sandwich. It’s a small café with lots of personality, plenty of outdoor seating, and some of the best people-watching in the Village.

Favorite breakfast spot with the kids?

As a family of five, Harry’s Coffee Shop is hard to beat. It’s lively, welcoming, and exactly what you’d hope for from a classic diner with a Southern California twist. The portions are generous, the atmosphere is fun, and it’s one of those places everyone in the family enjoys.

 

Midday

Best late morning walk?

The Coast Walk Trail is one of our favorite places to slow down. We especially love the quieter stretch beyond La Jolla Cove toward the Cave Store, where the bluff-top views are incredible and the crowds begin to thin out. If the tide is low, we’ll wander through the tide pools before heading back into the Village for lunch.

Where are you grabbing lunch?

The Kitchen at MCASD is one of our favorite lunch spots in La Jolla. Sitting on the terrace overlooking the ocean almost feels like you’re in Cabo, with cacti framing the bright blue water below.

Matt orders the butternut squash confit with falafel crumbles, while Alex never passes up the California Wagyu burger with bacon, garlic aioli, Dijon, and Havarti. If there’s still room afterward, we’ll split the churro French toast. It’s the perfect combination of great food, contemporary art, and beautiful ocean views.

Favorite place to shop?

You’ll usually find us wandering UTC. Between the variety of shops, great restaurants, and outdoor spaces, it’s an easy place to spend an afternoon together.

A hidden gem in La Jolla?

The Scripps Coastal Meander is one of our favorite hidden spots. It’s a tucked-away trail near Scripps Institution of Oceanography that leads to a peaceful overlook above Scripps Pier. Around sunset, it’s especially beautiful, and far quieter than many of La Jolla’s more well-known viewpoints.

 

Golden Hour & Evening

Best sunset spot?

Windansea Beach is our favorite place to watch the sun go down. We’ll grab a bench near the iconic palm-covered surf shack, watch the surfers catch their final waves, and enjoy one of the most beautiful sunsets in San Diego. It’s relaxed, authentic, and feels unmistakably like La Jolla.

Favorite date-night restaurant?

Lucien is our current favorite. Chef Elijah Arizmendi’s Michelin-starred tasting menu makes every dinner feel like an experience rather than simply a meal. With only about 30 seats, it’s intimate and thoughtfully paced.

Our advice is to book well in advance, especially for weekend reservations, and don’t skip the wine pairing.

Favorite live music venue?

The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park is hard to beat. Between the incredible acoustics, waterfront setting, and San Diego skyline as the backdrop, every concert feels memorable.

Arrive early, grab a drink, and if you’re sitting on the lawn, bring a blanket. It’s one of our favorite date nights.

Where does the evening end?

If we’re still out afterward, we’ll head to Coco Maya’s rooftop in Little Italy for one last drink. Matt orders the Side Piece with mezcal, Alex goes for the Marquesitas Espresso Martini, and the lively atmosphere is the perfect way to cap off the evening.

 

Day Two: Sunday

How does a recovery Sunday begin?

We’ll usually sleep in until around 8:30 before grabbing a smoothie or light breakfast from Fresheria on Pearl Street. If we’re feeling motivated, we’ll make it to YogaBox’s noon sculpt class before settling into a slower afternoon.

Favorite dog-friendly and kid-friendly spots?

For our dog, we love Dog Beach in Del Mar. The lagoon creates calmer water that’s perfect for dogs to splash around safely.

For the girls, nothing beats exploring the La Jolla tide pools. They love searching for tiny crabs, sea anemones, fish, and snails. Watching sea anemones gently close around little fingers never gets old, and it’s just as fun for us as it is for them.

Favorite beach?

Children’s Pool is one of our favorite places to swim. The water is often incredibly calm, clear, and brilliantly blue, making it ideal for families or anyone looking for a more relaxed beach day.

One tip for first-time visitors?

Start your day early. Summer weekends get busy quickly, but arriving in the morning means easier parking, quieter beaches, and the best opportunity to explore the tide pools before the crowds arrive.

 

Sunday Afternoon

Your ideal recovery day?

Our perfect recovery day starts with a coastal walk followed by an ocean cold plunge if conditions are right. From there, it’s YogaBox, plenty of water, healthy food, sunshine, and another leisurely walk along the coast. Sometimes the simplest days end up being the best ones.

Favorite Sunday lunch?

The Taco Stand is always a winner. Our biggest tip is to order ahead and take it to go because the line can get long, especially on weekends.

Favorite dog walk?

Sunday mornings at the La Jolla Open Aire Market are one of our favorite weekly traditions. It’s the perfect place to bring the dogs, let the kids explore, and pick up fresh local produce while soaking in the community atmosphere.

Favorite family activity?

The Birch Aquarium is always a hit with our girls. They love watching the sharks and rays, searching for the tiny seahorses, and getting an up-close look at all the colorful marine life.

Last meal of the weekend?

We’ll end the weekend at Nine-Ten.

The evening always starts with two Grey Goose martinis with three olives. Matt orders the Hamachi Sashimi every single time, while Alex immediately asks about the catch of the day and jokingly scans the menu for anything containing truffles so she can avoid it.

It’s the perfect way to close out a weekend in La Jolla.

Any can’t-miss recommendations?

Rent a kayak and explore the La Jolla Ecological Reserve from the water. Paddling past the sea caves, spotting playful seals, and looking down into the crystal-clear water for bright orange Garibaldi, California’s state marine fish, is one of the most memorable experiences you can have in La Jolla. Even if you’ve visited before, seeing the coastline from the ocean offers a completely different perspective.