Day One Trip Report La Jolla & Back

Question

Flew in late Thursday night. Taxi to Coronado. Staying at El Cordova. We have a 1 bed suite! Great space - living room, full kitchen, dinet, walk in closet. The grounds are lovely. It’s adjacent to the Del, great area.

Breakfast at Henry. Excellent service and yummy food. Get a smoothy! Rented a car for the day at Enterprise. Drove to La Jolla. Started at La Jolla Beach Park. It’s so beautiful. Went to Children’s Pool, Seal Rock. We drove down Coast Blvd. Lunch at Miss B’s Coconut Club! Incredible cocktails!!! Mission Bay is directly in front of it. It’s a great area with so much to do (water activities). We didn’t stay, just looked around.

From there we went to the Santa Cruz Cliffs. There are tide pools everywhere. You can see Ocean Beach pier from there. From there we drove to Carrillo Nat Monument, saw Pt Loma Lighthouse and the Rosecrans Nat Cemetery. It is a $20 car entrance fee but incredible views and history.

We stopped at Jensens Foods for some snacks and beverages. Nice store.

Answer

Your first day in San Diego sounds fantastic and packed with iconic sights along the coast. Staying at El Cordova on Coronado is an excellent choice, especially with a one-bedroom suite — the extra space, kitchen, and living room make it comfortable for a longer stay or for families. Being adjacent to the Hotel Del and the beach adds to the luxury and convenience.

Breakfast at Henry is a great way to start the day. Their smoothies are highly recommended, and the attentive service sets a positive tone for exploring the city.

Renting a car from Enterprise was a smart move for the day, as it gave you flexibility to explore La Jolla and surrounding coastal areas at your own pace.

Highlights from your La Jolla visit include:

La Jolla Beach Park: Beautiful sandy beaches perfect for walking and taking in the ocean views.
Children’s Pool & Seal Rock: Excellent for observing seals in their natural habitat. Great photo opportunities and educational for all ages.
Coast Blvd Drive: Scenic drive with spectacular ocean vistas and cliffside views.
Miss B’s Coconut Club: Delicious food and cocktails with a view of Mission Bay — a great lunch stop.

Continuing along the coast:

Santa Cruz Cliffs: Tide pools and natural rock formations provide a perfect stop for short hikes and exploring marine life.
Point Loma & Cabrillo National Monument: Offers breathtaking views of the ocean and San Diego skyline. The $20 car entrance fee is worth it for the panoramic vistas, tide pools, and historical significance.
Pt. Loma Lighthouse: Adds a historical element to the scenic experience.
Rosecrans National Cemetery: Offers a solemn and reflective stop with historical importance.

Other practical stops:

Jensen’s Foods: Perfect for picking up snacks, beverages, and quick necessities during your day trip.

Overall, this itinerary offers a mix of natural beauty, wildlife encounters, history, and great food — ideal for a full day exploring the San Diego coastline. The combination of Coronado base, La Jolla highlights, Point Loma history, and casual stops like Jensen’s makes for a very well-rounded experience.