Split week in two locations?

Question

Hello!

Planning a week long trip from the east coast. Two adults 50/60's who love bike paths, a walkable village and live evening entertainment along with R & R along the ocean. Thinking of splitting a week up with two locations-perhaps Coronado and La Jolla? A few years ago we took a similar trip to the San Francisco area where we stayed in Monterey, SF and Santa Cruz.

Would appreciate feedback and suggestions for whether this makes sense and how to best plan. Thank you!

Answer

Splitting your week between two locations in San Diego, such as Coronado and La Jolla, can be an excellent strategy to experience different aspects of the area while keeping travel light and maximizing relaxation. Both areas offer beautiful ocean views, walkable neighborhoods, and access to bike paths, which seems to align perfectly with your interests.

Here’s a detailed breakdown of why this works and how to plan it:

Coronado: This area is ideal for a peaceful, resort-style experience. The village is very walkable, with shops, cafes, and restaurants, plus the famous Coronado Beach. You can enjoy biking along the beachfront paths or across the scenic Coronado Bridge for city views. Evening entertainment is more low-key but charming, with local bars, live music, and dining options.
La Jolla: La Jolla is livelier and offers a blend of oceanfront relaxation with more upscale dining, galleries, and nightlife. The coastline is dramatic with sea cliffs, tide pools, and a beautiful coastal walking path. There are several bike paths, and you can rent bikes to explore the coastline or the Torrey Pines area. Evening entertainment is slightly more varied, including casual dining, live music, and small local events.

Suggested approach for your week:

Split the week evenly, for example 3 nights in Coronado and 4 nights in La Jolla. This gives a relaxing start or end to your trip depending on your flight schedule.
Book accommodations early, especially in La Jolla, as oceanfront properties can fill quickly.
Plan lighter travel days between locations. The drive from Coronado to La Jolla is approximately 30–40 minutes via I-5 or coastal routes, allowing you to stop at points of interest along the way, like Old Town San Diego or Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve.
Allocate one full day in each area for leisurely exploration: in Coronado, enjoy the beach, local shops, and biking; in La Jolla, explore the village, the coastline, and perhaps a kayak or snorkeling excursion if weather permits.

Additional tips:

Consider renting bikes in both locations; Coronado is flat and easy for casual rides, while La Jolla offers more scenic coastal rides.
For evening R & R, choose accommodations with easy access to the beach or ocean views so you can enjoy sunsets without leaving your hotel.
Plan at least one day where you can explore downtown San Diego, the Gaslamp Quarter, or Balboa Park, which is roughly central to both locations and offers culture, gardens, and walking paths.

Overall, splitting your week between Coronado and La Jolla is a smart choice. Coronado provides a calm, scenic start or finish, while La Jolla offers more diverse activities, dining, and entertainment, giving you a balanced mix of R & R and cultural experiences.

Split week in two locations?

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