What to do and see in La Jolla, California (CA): The Best Museums

September 20, 2021 Kiesha Cripe

Topnotch golf courses, art galleries and seals share the dramatic oceanside landscape of La Jolla, an affluent community 15 minutes from downtown San Diego. Swimmers, snorkelers and kayakers dip into La Jolla Cove, where the protected waters shield an abundance of bright orange Garibaldi fish and sea caves indent the cliffs. The Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego, the family-friendly Birch Aquarium and the acclaimed La Jolla Playhouse deliver breaks from the sun.
Restaurants in La Jolla

1. Africa and Beyond

1250 Prospect St Suite 104, La Jolla, San Diego, CA 92126 +1 858-454-9983 http://www.africaandbeyond.com
Excellent
81%
Good
15%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 27 reviews

Africa and Beyond

Africa and Beyond™ was situated in La Jolla since 1989 and as of June, 2020 has moved online. Africa and Beyond is one of the country's leading galleries specializing in traditional African art - KPBS. They offer the finest collection of contemporary and traditional African art and jewelry .Enjoy a wide array of hand-selected fair trade items and affordable contemporary crafts to extraordinary collector pieces. Each piece is accompanied by information pertaining to its history and function, providing a deeper appreciation and understanding of each inspirational work. This adds another dimension to the artworks' aesthetic beauty and bring it to life in your imagination.An extraordinary cultural arts and shopping experience not to be missed!Let the adventure begin. ..Go Wild!

Reviewed By jillr275 - Grandview, United States

This shop is full of fantastic items and numerous collectors pieces. I visited this shop twice. Well worth the visit.

2. Colosseum Fine Arts

7946 Ivanhoe Ave, La Jolla, San Diego, CA 92037-4516 +1 619-795-3704 [email protected] http://www.colosseumfinearts.com
Excellent
100%
Good
0%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 1 reviews

The mission of Colosseum Fine Arts is the curation of exhibits that juxtapose deceased masters works with those of international emerging artists while discovering and fostering the career of artists and new collectors alike. With a firm dedication to the international community, Colosseum Fine Arts is committed to providing exhibitions with depth and relevance to the human experience. In particular, the goal is the fostering of a greater sense of the aesthetic, the visual arts and varied media while influencing growth in all aspects of the artist and collector. Colosseum Fine Arts Hopes to better foster understanding of the art world and the people in it by the continued dissemination of information through exhibitions and educational events as well as an online resource for the discerning collector, artist and historian alike.

3. Map and Atlas Museum of La Jolla

7825 Fay Ave Courtyard Level, behind the elevators, La Jolla, San Diego, CA 92037-4252 +1 858-653-6277 http://www.lajollamapmuseum.org/
Excellent
84%
Good
11%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 44 reviews

Map and Atlas Museum of La Jolla

A private collection sampling 500 years of cartography. Over 200 items on display, many one of a kind. Free admission, no donations expected and we do not sell anything except the enjoyment of some of the rarest maps in the work and that is at a price of Zero dollars. In addition to our Wednesday and Thursday open days, we are also OPEN the 1st and 3rd Saturdays of the month 11-4

2015 Prospect St, La Jolla, San Diego, CA 92037 +1 858-263-4311 http://rcgormannavajogallery.com
Excellent
100%
Good
0%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 3 reviews

RC Gorman Navajo Gallery

RC Gorman Navajo Gallery La Jolla features the art of RC Gorman as well as pottery from Mexico, native artisan jewelry, and bronze sculpture. Giclee prints and original lithographs, oil pastels, and serigraphs of RC Gorman available.

Reviewed By padesilva

i stumbled upon RC gorman navajo gallery in la jolla by chance and it’s definitely worth a visit! the art is absolutely gorgeous (i am posting a photo of my favorite piece i saw there by the artist) as is the pottery. the woman who works there (i think her name is jamie?) was so gracious and really took her time explaining the life and the processes of the artist, as well as explaining the differences between prints and giclees. came away with a box of cards but may return for a giclee of my favorite piece!

5. Birch Aquarium at Scripps

2300 Expedition Way Scripps Institute, La Jolla, San Diego, CA 92037 +1 858-534-3474 [email protected] http://www.aquarium.ucsd.edu/
Excellent
49%
Good
35%
Satisfactory
13%
Poor
3%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1,899 reviews

Birch Aquarium at Scripps

Birch Aquarium at Scripps is the public exploration center for the world-renowned Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego. Perched on a bluff overlooking the Pacific Ocean, the aquarium features more than 60 habitats of fishes and invertebrates from the cold waters of the Pacific Northwest to the tropical waters of Mexico and the Caribbean. An interactive museum showcases research discoveries by Scripps scientists on climate, Earth and ocean science.

Reviewed By brodger - Philadelphia, United States

This is not an aquarium with dancing dolphins and masses of fish--it's an educational and research facility with excellent exhibits for public consumption. One side has a first rate series of well-labeled tanks for the PNW and tropical environments and wonderful seahorses (the aquarium has a successful breeding program with daily tours) and the other side has educational exhibits, primarily for children (my opinion, anyway). In between, outside of the exhibits, there are open tanks and volunteers so kids can feel sea cucumbers and the like. Great views. There's a very good gift shop and a snack truck outside the ticketed area. I got there by public bus -- and it's a steep walk of about 1/3 mile to the aquarium. There is parking if you have a car.

6. Stuart Collection

University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, San Diego, CA +1 858-534-2117 http://stuartcollection.ucsd.edu
Excellent
68%
Good
20%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
4%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 25 reviews

Stuart Collection

Outdoor contemporary sculpture collection at the University of California, San Diego.

Reviewed By DavidMarino - La Jolla, United States

We live in La Jolla, and this is an absolute must do couple of hours whether you are a visitor or a resident. Perfect to do with the family, friends or as a date afternoon. Bring a picnic with you as well! This is one of the most fabulous outdoor sculpture projects in Southern California and is greatly underappreciated. World renowned artists with fantastic and diverse sculptural work.

7. Scripps Memorial Hospital Sculpture Parks

9888 Genesee Ave Wolfstein Sculpture Garden, La Jolla, San Diego, CA 92037-1205 http://www.wolfsteinsculptureparks.com/
Excellent
60%
Good
30%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
10%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 10 reviews

Scripps Memorial Hospital Sculpture Parks

8. Arredon Art

501 W Broadway Suite 800, La Jolla, San Diego, CA 92101 +1 858-454-1231 [email protected] http://www.arredonart.com
Excellent
50%
Good
25%
Satisfactory
25%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 4 reviews

Arredon Art

Arredon Art is a San Diego based art gallery representing established contemporary artists from around the world. Specializing in paintings, sculptures, prints and sketches. Since 2013, we have passionately promoted the understanding and love of the visual arts through our close relationships with our artists, collectors, and communities. Visit our online gallery to view current exhibitions or contact us to schedule a private viewing. Please visit our events page to learn about our temporary exhibitions throughout the San Diego area. Be Inspired. Leave a Legacy. Live.Art.Life.

9. National Geographic Fine Art Galleries

1205 Prospect St Suite A, La Jolla, San Diego, CA 92037-3612 +1 619-568-6790 [email protected] http://www.natgeofineart.com
Excellent
64%
Good
27%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
9%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 11 reviews

National Geographic Fine Art Galleries

National Geographic Fine Art Galleries presents fine art photography through exclusive limited editions embodying the rich heritage of National Geographic and National Geographic Magazine. Behind every one of our iconic images is an amazing story. When you bring a National Geographic photograph into your home, you become part of the National Geographic legacy.

Reviewed By Canafornian - San Luis Obispo, United States

Incredible images, beautiful gallery & lovely people. One of the reasons we love La Jolla is the galleries. Went to dinner than wandered the rest of the evening. This was one of our favorites on my husband’s birthday trip. We spent quite a bit of our evening soaking these images in. What a world we live in! The crazy talented Nat Geo photographers capture nature like none other. Nothing short of amazing!

10. La Jolla Historical Society

780 Prospect St, La Jolla, San Diego, CA 92037-4228 +1 858-459-5335 http://lajollahistory.org/
Excellent
46%
Good
38%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
15%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 13 reviews

La Jolla Historical Society

ThingsTodoPost © 2018 - 2024 All rights reserved.