LA JOLLA, CA — After a busy stretch of school schedules, activities and everyday routines, this Patch editor needed a relaxing coastal escape with the family, somewhere we could slow down, unplug and spend time together by the water.
The Beach Club at the La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club invited us to do just that, hosting our family of five for a two-night stay at the beachside resort.
The location was the first thing that stood out upon arrival.
Set along a rare private stretch of sandy beach, the La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club offers direct access to one of the most scenic shorelines in San Diego. Even with cooler, cloudier weather during our visit, the beachside setting still created that instant vacation feeling.
La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club is a fifth-generation, family-owned and operated company that operates the 21-acre beachside resort. The resort encompasses three properties, including the 90-room La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club, the 128-room La Jolla Shores Hotel and The Marine Room restaurant.
La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club features a mix of accommodations, including luxury beachfront options, more budget-friendly guest rooms and spacious private cottages.
We stayed in one of the resort's Club Rooms. The guest rooms range from 250 to 325 square feet and are just a short stroll from the beach.
Our room was clean, comfortable and thoughtfully updated, though a bit tight for a family of five. The cozy space featured two double beds, a bathroom and a convenient kitchenette.
The two beds were on the smaller side with everyone sharing the space, but the room still had everything we needed for a relaxing stay. The coastal-inspired design, natural light, proximity to the beach and extensive resort amenities easily made up for the limited space.
The historic property was celebrating its 90th anniversary during our stay. La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club had also recently completed the first phase of a $60 million renovation. Updates include a redesigned pool deck, refreshed dining spaces and enhanced outdoor gathering areas that blend modern coastal style with the Club's longstanding charm.
After settling into our room, we changed into our swimsuits and went for an evening swim in the pool.
It was a Sunday night, so we had much of the expansive pool deck to ourselves. The revamped space was beautiful and featured private cabanas, family lounges, comfortable chaise lounges, and plenty of umbrellas.
The centerpiece of the enhanced resort-style pool deck was the new wood-fired Marra Forni pizza oven. After spending time in the pool and drying off poolside, the kids insisted on eating pizza for dinner.
The pizza station served as a social hub on the pool deck, where a chef prepared artisanal pies in full view — a highlight for this Patch editor's three boys.
We ordered a cheese pizza and a pepperoni pizza, as well as chips, salsa and guacamole and fries for the table. The kids were just as excited to watch the handcrafted pizzas being made as they were to eat them.
After dinner, we walked along the beach under the moonlight before heading back to our room for the night.
The next day was a workday, and while I worked remotely, the kids spent most of their time in the outdoor play area, which became the highlight of our stay.
The play area, located not far from hotel check-in, offered a playground, an oversized chessboard, a foosball table, a pingpong table and lawn games such as cornhole. There was a scenic garden and a picturesque duck pond. It was a perfect spot for our family.
Other resort activities that we didn't have a chance to experience include beach bonfires, massage services, racquet sports, and yoga and fitness classes.
The sun didn't make much of an appearance during our overcast fall visit, but the cloudy skies couldn't dampen the day.
After the workday, we bundled up and returned to the beach, where the helpful and friendly staff set up complimentary chairs and a table so we could unwind by the water. They also directed us to the complimentary beach toys. The kids played in the sand before two of us bravely dipped our toes into the cold water.
After spending some time at the beach, we were invited to experience the revamped Club Dining Room, which looks out to La Jolla Shores Beach and offers floor-to-ceiling oceanfront views.
The space features roomy booths and oceanfront tables designed in a light, airy color and textural palette that reflect California's coastal beauty. Newly introduced breakfast, lunch and dinner menus include locally caught seafood, wood-fired pizzas, salads, sandwiches and entrees. An extensive cocktail list features custom creations named after the property’s tennis courts and golf course.
We ordered the Club Burger, which comes with cheddar cheese, burger sauce, lettuce, onion, pickle and tomato, as well as the choice of fries or house salad. We also tried the braised beef short rib, which includes creamy polenta, tomato braised gigante beans and beef jus. Short rib is one of my favorites.
The family-friendly restaurant offered a variety of options for our kids. They ordered buttered pasta, a cheeseburger, and chicken tenders.
In addition to Club Dining, the resort offers in-room dining, as well as an all-new indoor-outdoor market, offering an array of grab-and-go meals, house-made dips, artisan snacks, fresh-baked breads, and premium cuts of meat perfect for preparing meals in the comfort of in-room kitchens or for enjoying at the Club's beach barbecues. Club Market also features a curated selection of wines, local craft beers, and gourmet provisions inspired by the property's onsite restaurants.
The Walnut Lounge offers handcrafted cocktails and light bites. There's also The Marine Room, an iconic restaurant known for its dramatic high-tide dinners, as well as The Shores Restaurant at the nearby La Jolla Shores Hotel.
Despite the cooler weather, our short stay turned out to be exactly what we needed.
With its beautiful beachfront setting, kid-friendly play area and laid-back dining options, the La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club delivered a memorable mini getaway for our family.
Whether you're planning a staycation or simply looking for a quieter beach experience in San Diego, the Beach Club at the La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club offers a timeless coastal escape — one that families are likely to return to again and again.
We plan to return in the future for more beach and poolside family fun, ideally on a sunnier day. We also hope to check out The Marine Room or The Shores Restaurant for a future date night.
When you go, tell them Patch sent you.
is located at 2000 Spindrift Drive in La Jolla.
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