Visiting La Jolla- Lodging at Inn by the Sea, Dining at The Cottage, Water Activities at Action Sports- Oct. 2025

Lodging- Inn by the Sea, La Jolla

I recently had the pleasure of staying at Inn by the Sea in La Jolla and it left a very positive impression — so much so that I wanted to write a detailed review including all the features that stood out. If you’re considering a stay in the La Jolla area, this one is definitely worth a look.

Location & Convenience

From the moment we arrived, the location just felt right. The hotel is situated in the heart of La Jolla Village, so you’re within easy walking distance of boutique shops, restaurants, and the beach. According to the hotel site, each room offers “a view of the vibrant La Jolla Village or the sun-soaked Pacific Ocean.
Being able to stroll out for an early morning walk to the shoreline, then return for a coffee on your balcony — it’s the kind of ease you look for on a relaxed getaway. The convenience of location made exploring effortless.

Room Comfort & Spaciousness

We booked a room with a balcony and enjoyed the space and amenity set-up. The rooms are described as “elegantly decorated” with patios or balconies.
While I didn’t measure square footage, I felt there was ample room to unwind — not cramped like some beach-area hotels can be. Good sized bed, comfortable seating, and the balcony made it feel more open. In guest reviews people report “big, clean, bright rooms” and “comfortable beds.”
One small caveat: some older reviews mention that bathrooms and fixtures could use updating.  So if you’re staying in a standard vs premium room, it might make sense to check which room category you’re reserving.

Ocean & Village View

Here’s a highlight: the view. Our room had a balcony facing toward the ocean, and sitting out there watching the sunset over the Pacific was a treat. The website mentions “many offer breathtaking views of the sun setting over the La Jolla coast.”
One guest wrote:

“Our room had an ocean view … Proximity to the beach and from our room sunset views.”
If getting that ocean view is a priority, I’d advise requesting the higher floors and asking specifically for “ocean-view balcony” in advance. The difference in experience is real.

Staff Friendliness & Service

The staff deserve a strong shout-out. From check-in to housekeeping to front desk, everyone we encountered was friendly, welcoming, and helpful. The hotel’s “Core Values” include being “Inspired To Delight Each Guest Every Day, Every Stay.”
Multiple guest review summaries reflect this:

“Super friendly staff, big room, clean rooms, clean hotel.”
“At Inn by the Sea … the staff consistently earns glowing reviews for their friendly and accommodating nature.”
That level of service adds a lot to the stay — especially in a boutique-scale hotel where personal attention makes a big difference.

Parking (Free & On-site)

Parking is always something I check closely when staying in a coastal tourist spot like La Jolla. One of the things I want to highlight: parking is available on-site which makes the stay significantly easier if you have a car. According to one guest:

“There is more than adequate parking available on property which makes it very convenient.”
However, I should add a clarifying detail: the hotel website currently states that parking is available for a fee(daily rate) in the lot. So if you were told “free” parking, check your reservation or ask in advance — parking terms may vary (and may have changed).
From my stay: the parking was easy to access, I didn’t struggle to find a spot, so I’d say on-balance the parking convenience is a plus. If budget allows, pay the rate rather than gamble on street parking in a busy neighborhood.

Remodel / Update

While the hotel itself appears well maintained, I did not find any definitive public mention of a major full-remodel completed last year for this property (at least from the sources I checked). One older review mentions that some rooms show signs of aging and recommend “updating and attention to detail.”
It may be that a recent refresh was done locally (rooms/furnishings) but as a guest I saw no massive disruption and the room felt contemporary enough for our expectations. So if “just remodeled last year” is something you were told, you might want to inquire directly with the hotel for confirmation of the scope and date of work.
Nevertheless — the property feels clean, comfortable and well-cared for, which is the main thing.

Final Thoughts

In summary: if you’re looking for a stay in La Jolla that combines the convenience of village/shore location, a comfortable and spacious room, a balcony with ocean or village view, plus genuinely friendly staff — the Inn by the Sea delivers.
A few tips to maximize your experience:

• Request a balcony room with ocean view — it makes a difference.
• Confirm parking terms ahead of arrival so there are no surprises.
• If the remodel/updating is important to you, ask the hotel specifically which rooms have had the most recent renovations.
• Take advantage of the location — stroll to the beach, pop back to the room to relax on the balcony, explore the village shops and dining.

If I were staying in La Jolla again I’d seriously consider returning here. For the website and booking info: you can visit Inn by the Sea at La Jolla

Address is: 7830 Fay Avenue, La Jolla, CA 92037.
Let me know if you’d like a breakdown of the different room types, rates, or how it compares with nearby hotels in La Jolla!

The Cottage — La Jolla

If you’re looking for an unforgettable afternoon of water thrills and laid-back cruising near La Jolla, look no further than Action Sport Rentals at the Paradise Point Resort & Spa on Mission Bay. There we were, tipped off by our hotel’s concierge (shout-out to Ian at the Sea!), and we embarked on a combo adventure: kayaking, pontoon boat rental and — best of all — tearing across the bay on a wave runner. It was an absolute blast.

Why this location stood out

• The Paradise Point location offers a stellar variety of rentals: from kayaks and stand-up paddle boards to full-on WaveRunners and pontoon boats. According to the website it offers “best boat, WaveRunner, and watersport rentals” for nonstop fun.
• It sits right on Mission Bay in San Diego, so you get calm waters, wide open space and beautiful bay scenery — perfect for a mix of relaxing and high-energy.
• Staff were top notch: friendly, helpful, and knowledgeable about giving you the best time on the water. I specifically want to highlight Chuck Schumer (yes, really!) who made our experience smooth and fun — giving us all the pointers and safety info then sending us off with a big smile.
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What we did and why it was fun

• Kayaking: We started off steady, paddling out in single- and double-kayaks. This was a fabulous workout, fun in its own right, and a great warm-up. The calm bay made it easy to focus on the views and just enjoy the motion.
• Pontoon Boat Cruise: Next we hopped on a pontoon boat rental. This was much more relaxed — we floated around the bay, admired the views, waved to other boaters, took photos. It’s the kind of thing you can lean back and enjoy.  Easy to learn and drive.
• WaveRunner: This was hands-down the highlight. Speed, spray, bay breeze, the thrill of it. For me it’s what sealed the afternoon as one of the best outings we’ve had in a long time. Action Sport Rentals lists WaveRunners right in their offerings for the Paradise Point location.  Not difficult but you must follow the rules and stay in control so you don’t go too fast unless you are more experienced.
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Notes & tips

• Reservations are a good idea: weekends and good weather mean high demand. Since you heard though — the combo we did is somewhat unique at this location (not all locations carry the full set of options).
• Ask ahead: Not every location of Action Sport Rentals has all three of kayaking, pontoon rental and WaveRunners. The Paradise Point site says it offers all of them.
• Get there with some time: Whether you go for the cruise style or the adrenaline ride, plan for at least a couple of hours to make the most of it.
• Safety first: They gave a solid safety briefing. Even though the water was calm, the WaveRunner required a driver age (see site for rules) and you had to check in.
• Relaxation vs adrenaline: If you’re in a more mellow mood, stick to the pontoon + kayak option. If you have energy to burn, the WaveRunner is the star.

Final thoughts

This mixed-mode outing at Action Sport Rentals was super fun, memorable and absolutely worth carving out a chunk of your day for. From paddling through the bay on a kayak, to floating in a pontoon, to ripping across the water on a WaveRunner — it covered all bases. Chuck and the rest of the team made it seamless and full of good vibes. If you’re staying near La Jolla or around Mission Bay and want to spend an afternoon on the water that mixes adventure and calm, this is a fantastic choice.

Website: https://www.actionsportrentals.com/

Photos and Assisted by Marie Llug