Main Content
Real Estate
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$370,000
Lowest
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$2,300,000
Average
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$26,000,000
Highest
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$734
Lowest
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N/A
Average
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$2,279
Highest
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3-4
No. of Beds
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3-4
No. of Baths
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2,000+
Square Feet
It’s said that the name La Jolla was intended to translate to “The Jewel” in Spanish and it’s easy to understand why. A promontory surrounded on three sides by the majestic shores of the Pacific Ocean, La Jolla is one of the most scenic areas in San Diego County—a town famed for its vibrant seaside lifestyle, great surfing culture, and accomplished, affluent residents.
Home to around 40,000 people and bordered by Del Mar to the north, Pacific Beach to the south, and University City and North Claremont to the east, La Jolla is also home to the University of California – San Diego, one of the state’s most respected higher learning institutions.
While this seaside locale feels like a world away, the I-5 makes it easy to drive up and down the coast, and an excellent public transportation system makes commuting a trouble-free experience.
There’s so much to learn and love about La Jolla, so we prepared this comprehensive guide just for you.
People have been drawn to the beauty of La Jolla since time immemorial, with the first Native Americans settling along its shore some 10,000 years ago.
The land now known as La Jolla was owned by Mexico before being ceded to the United States after the Mexican-American War and incorporated into San Diego in 1850. The introduction of railroads in the area spurred interest among real estate developers and the La Jolla Park Hotel opened its doors in 1893.
Tourism boomed in the early 1900s, but two world wars put a temporary halt to the area’s development. Many military personnel settled in La Jolla after World War II and subdivisions began cropping up. The population grew further in the 1960s as more people discovered this scenic locale and UCSD became an important academic force. Today, La Jolla is one of California’s hottest real estate markets, attracting buyers from all over the world.
With its scenic location and seductive quality of life, La Jolla is one of the most coveted addresses in San Diego County. As you’d expect of an in-demand neighborhood, however, real estate in La Jolla costs well above the average. Indeed, data from Realtor.com shows that the median listing price is currently $2.1 million for a La Jolla home.
Of course, you’ll get plenty of perks for investing in La Jolla real estate, including:
No matter your life stage or lifestyle, there’s real estate in La Jolla that will suit your needs and wants. Among the most common listings you’ll find are:
Condominiums
Buyers looking for a more affordable entry point or full-service luxury living in the La Jolla real estate market might consider purchasing a condominium unit. Ranging from cozy-but-comfortable to vast 4,500 square foot ocean view penthouses, these properties are easy to maintain and offer leisure amenities such as pools, social gathering spaces and 24/7 concierge service.
Townhomes
Looking for a property that has a little more space and privacy? A townhome might just be the home you’re looking for, as it offers a small front lawn or backyard. Some townhome real estate properties in La Jolla stand side by side with other units, meaning you’ll be sharing a wall with your neighbors. Available properties usually have two to three bedrooms and two bathrooms, with floor spaces ranging from 1,200 to 2,000 square feet.
Single-family homes
The most in-demand real estate in La Jolla, a single-family home is the ideal choice for many. Thanks to La Jolla’s hillside geography surrounded by ocean, La Jolla properties come at a sought-after premium.
Luxury homes
Luxury homes represent the pinnacle of real estate in La Jolla, often commanding over eight figures. Many high-end homes in La Jolla are either set atop a seaside bluff or on a hillside, offering unobstructed views of the Pacific Ocean, or on vast lots with acreage.
Just as there’s a range of housing options to choose from, you’ll also find a variety of architectural styles, including Mission, American Craftsman, Spanish Revival, and Contemporary residences.
When looking at real estate in La Jolla, the micro-neighborhood community you select is just as important as the property you buy. The neighborhoods in La Jolla are:
Now that you know a little more about La Jolla’s history and real estate market, it’s time to dive headlong into its lifestyle. As you’ll see below, this tranquil area has everything you could hope for in a seaside community—and then some.
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Perhaps the best way to describe La Jolla’s vibe is “vibrant leisure.” As you’d expect from a coastal Southern California beach neighborhood, on any given day, you’ll see people frolicking in the waters, enjoying everything from swimming, to fishing, ... to surfing, playing tennis, running, walking, or gazing at a sunset. And yet, the shore is also dotted with posh brunch spots and fine-dining restaurants. In short, each day feels like a well-deserved vacation here in scenic La Jolla. [READ MORE]
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While La Jolla is a fairly intimate community, it is home to diverse businesses from tasteful art galleries to high-tech firms, and everything in between. And if you’ve got an entrepreneurial spirit, you’ll be glad to know that hanging your own ... shingle in La Jolla is a cinch, thanks to the entrepreneur-friendly environment in California, which U.S. News & World Report hailed as the second-best state in which to start a successful business. If you want to turn your passion into a professional endeavor, La Jolla is the place to make it happen. [READ MORE]
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Public K-12 schools in La Jolla are managed by the San Diego Unified School District (SDUSD), the second-largest district in the state. Schools in this area provide a holistic approach to education to produce future-ready students. Pupils can take ... their pick from a variety of extra-curricular activities, while advanced students benefit from the Gifted and Talented Education (GATE) program. Furthermore, institutions like La Jolla Elementary School have received recognitions such as the National Blue Ribbon from the Education Department, a mark of its academic excellence. [READ MORE]
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Getting around is easy thanks to La Jolla’s proximity to I-5, a thoroughfare that links the neighborhood to key locations like downtown San Diego, Anaheim, and Los Angeles, and runs from San Ysidro at the Mexico border to Canada. As many residents in La Jolla belong to a ... jet-set crowd, the nearby San Diego International Airport allows them to country-hop at their leisure. Excellent public transportation, meanwhile, provides you with convenient and affordable ways to get around. Whether you’re boarding the 30 MTS bus or the Amtrak/Coaster train, you can rest assured that your ride will be comfortable and scenic. [READ MORE]
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La Jolla’s steep home prices should clue you in to its coveted status, but this seaside community offers superb value, especially when compared to real estate prices in other California coastal zones like the Bay Area, Santa Barbara, Los Angeles, and Orange ... County. You’ll also be glad to know that groceries along with goods and services are below the state median. And with the renowned UC San Diego Health system just a 13-mile drive away, health care costs are also relatively affordable. [READ MORE]
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When it comes to outdoor activities in La Jolla, the beachfront (rightfully) steals the spotlight. That said, the beach is far from the only outdoor recreational space residents can enjoy. With several parks and clubs offering a chance to reconnect with ... nature, this community makes it easy to get some fresh air and a potent dose of Vitamin D. Ellen Browning Scripps Park, perhaps the most photographed spot in San Diego County, provides stunning views of the Pacific Ocean as well as expansive green lawn spaces with specimen trees. The private La Jolla Country Club offers a spectacular 18-hole golf course, while the La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club boasts some of the most renowned club tournaments in the country. If you want to get your blood pumping, head over to the cliff above Black’s Beach and go paragliding. Of course, one cannot talk about outdoor adventures in this community without mentioning the famed home of the US Open Golf Tournament at Torrey Pines and La Jolla National Park, which offers 42 breathtaking acres of coastal hiking trails to explore. [READ MORE]
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At La Jolla, you can enjoy mouthwatering meals while enjoying beautiful seaside views at restaurants like Marine Room, George’s at the Cove, and Piatti. Brunch is a favorite pastime among the affluent locals and you’ll often find them socializing at ... spots like Caroline's on La Jolla Shores Beach, Cody’s, Brockton Villa, and Beaumont’s Eatery. Of course, the neighborhood also has its fair share of top-notch tippling places, including Eddie V’s, Catania, and Level2. As is typical of coastal communities, the food scene in La Jolla has a strong focus on fresh seafood, but its diverse dining establishments will surely satisfy your every craving. [READ MORE]
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La Jolla residents and tourists have discerning tastes, which is why the neighborhood has a preponderance of high-end shops. The downtown area’s Girard Avenue and Prospect Street boast an eclectic mix of boutiques and trendy stores. If you enjoy strolling while ... you shop, Westfield UTC is an open-air mall that’s home to merchants like Tiffany & Co., Nordstrom, Michael Kors, and Anthropologie. To give your abode a distinct style, head over to the La Jolla Design District where you can shop for antique finds and stylish home decor. For your everyday essentials, there’s also La Jolla Village Square, which features stores like Trader Joe’s and Marshalls. [READ MORE]
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Beach lovers should definitely visit La Jolla Shores Beach, the largest stretch of sandy coast in the community. To experience the wonders of marine life first-hand, book a trip to the San Diego-La Jolla Underwater Park where you can go scuba diving or snorkeling. If you want to enjoy ... world-class performances, reserve a ticket at the La Jolla Playhouse, a venue which has given several Tony award-winning plays their start. [READ MORE]
Want to call La Jolla home? Be sure to work with Greg Noonan, the area’s top-selling agent for several years running. With uncompromising integrity and an impeccable work ethic, he has become the preferred agent of discerning buyers who wish to own property in this beautiful seaside neighborhood. As proof of his track record, he has sold almost $2 billion worth of real estate in La Jolla over his 40+ year career. With Greg at your side, you are sure to get the best properties for the best price possible.
To get your home search started, get in touch with Greg today by calling (858) 551-3302 / (858) 551-1210 or by sending an email to [email protected]. You may also contact us by clicking here.