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1926
La Valencia Hotel
La Jolla/San Diego, California
1132 Prospect Street, La Jolla/San Diego, California 92037
Original Property Opened in 1926
Historic Hotels of America member since 1989
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art
gardens
memorabilia
presidential
tours
Both enchanting and captivating, La Valencia Hotel has embodied the idyllic charm of vintage California coastal hospitality since 1926. Commanding the heart of savvy La Jolla, known as the "Jewel of San Diego," La Valencia’s picturesque 11-story Spanish-tiled tower is a renowned landmark in both the village and the region. From sunny courtyards and tropical gardens to a breathtaking ocean-view pool, this award-winning coastal retreat combines the intimacy of a Mediterranean villa with the amenities of a private estate. In 1987, the hotel was even designated a San Diego Historic Landmark.
Discover
- Discover the pink, Spanish Colonial Revival-style façade of the La Valencia Hotel. Known as "The Pink Lady of La Jolla," this wonderful holiday destination is the jewel of the greater San Diego area. The La Valencia Hotel originally debuted with a white Mediterranean-style exterior and red tile-roof until the late 1950s. Legend has it that the owners became inspired to paint the hotel pink after going to Waikiki Beach on vacation.
- Discover historic architectural details throughout La Valencia. Gaze at the distinctive tower crowned with a gold and blue dome, and wander into the ocean-facing garden to see the original Pink Lady of La Valencia captured in an original tile medallion.
- Discover the distinctive accommodations of La Valencia, which has made this historic hotel a favorite of celebrities. This fantastic historic hotel has hosted many illiustrious guests over the years, including Mary Pickford, Gregory Peck, David Niven, John Lennon, Charlton Heston, and Ginger Rogers.
Explore
- Explore the San Diego Zoo, the most visited zoo in the United States. It was a pioneer in open-air, cageless exhibits that recreate natural animal habitats, and it is also one of the few zoos in the world to have successfully bred the giant panda. See the more than 3,500 animals on a guided bus tour of the zoo or from the Skyfari gondola lift overhead.
- Explore Balboa Park, a 1,200-acre urban cultural park in San Diego that is a National Historic Landmark. Balboa Park hosted the Panama-California Exposition in 1915 and the California Pacific International Exposition in 1935, so be sure to see the historic Exposition buildings. Explore the open space areas, natural vegetation zones, green belts, gardens, and walking paths, as well as the museums, several theaters, and the world-famous San Diego Zoo in the park.
- Explore the San Diego Botanic Gardens in Encinitas. Formerly the Quail Botanical Gardens, explore this 37-acre garden, which features the largest bamboo collection in the country, as well as desert gardens, a tropical rain forest, Mediterranean climate landscapes, and a subtropical fruit garden. Travel around the world and see the geographically organized gardens from almost every continent.
Experience
- Experience a performance at La Jolla Playhouse, a historic theater on the campus of the University of California, San Diego. Many future Broadway productions are first staged at La Jolla. To date, the Playhouse has sent 32 productions to Broadway, which have won a combined total of 38 Tony Awards, and La Jolla itself won the 1993 Tony Award for Outstanding Regional Theatre.
- Snorkel, scuba dive, or kayak through the La Jolla Underwater Park. Encompassing 6,000 acres of ocean bottom and tidelands spread over four distinct habitats, traverse La Jolla Shores, La Jolla Canyons, Scripps Park, La Jolla Cove, and La Jolla Caves.
- Experience all that Torrey Pines has to offer, from its nature trails to its namesake beach. Play a round of golf at the Torrey Pines Golf Course, the country’s foremost municipal golf course, which is situated atop cliffs towering over the Pacific Ocean. Or go on an instructional tandem hang glider flight at Torrey Pines Gliderport, North America’s premier flight school.
Taste
- Savor a signature Pink Lady cocktail in La Sala, the iconic grand lobby bar of La Valencia. Gaze at the Spanish-style hand-painted cathedral-like ceilings, and take in breathtaking views of La Jolla Cove enjoying live entertainment.
- Taste California coastal cuisine inspired by the bounty of the Golden State at the Mediterranean Room, the premier dining destination of the La Valencia Hotel. Dine in the sophisticated dining room, which features panoramic windows and a Spanish tile fireplace or out on the iconic oceanview terrace that offers views of the sparkling Pacific Ocean.
- Tuck into Baja-style fish tacos, a San Diego classic brought to the city by Baja California locals. With crisp-yet-flaky batter-fried fish, fresh shredded cabbage, and a flavorful dose of chipotle sauce, a bright dressing, or creamy white sauce, these handhelds are a must when visiting San Diego.
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