The Bed and Breakfast Inn at La Jolla

Nearly Left within the First Hour

Ugh! Very expensive and certainly not worth the cost (or anywhere near it). My husband and I stayed at the Inn for two nights. Our first room was tiny, and the two large windows were approximately 10 feet away from the building next-door. We were very upset at the expense and tiny size of the room, and requested to be moved if possible. We were shown to other available rooms, all of which were just acceptable, but more expensive. The woman who was helping us offered us a "nicer" room, which was usually more expensive, at the same rate as our first room. Although it was stuffy, we accepted the change. The decor was an incomplete attempt at Victorian. Further, on our second night, there was a wedding reception at the building next-door. We were kept awake until 11:00 p.m. with the loud music, although the innkeeper had told us that the music was supposed to stop at 10:00 p.m. (either way, it was annoying). The food at breakfast was good, and we were lucky enough to grab one of the single tables both mornings. We would highly recommend choosing a different lodging. If looking in the San Diego region, check out The Heritage Park Bed and Breakfast. We have stayed there on three occasions, and have loved the price, the beautiful decor, and the warm hospitality every time.

An Expensive Mistake

My wife and I were unable to procure a room at the Scripps Inn, and thus decided to "splurge" on a room at The Bed and Breakfast Inn at La Jolla. This B & B is located in the village just a couple of blocks removed from all the action. We were assigned to "The Cottage" at a cost of $235.00 per night. The Cottage room is just a room, not a separate cottage. I guess some consumers would call it charming and cozy. It certainly did look like a bedroom in a grandmother's house in 1936. However, this is 2006, and although we enjoy charm, we also want enough space for clothes, enough lighting to read by, a bathroom to turn around in, and a bed that doesn't cause our backs to feel as if a Sumo wrestler picked us up and threw us out of the ring. The breakfasts were excellent and the staff very nice. Yet, there is one large table to sit at, and the forced conversation was incredibly uncomfortable. It was artificial intimacy at its worst! The building was designed by the reknown architect Irving Gill, and it certianly displays the "look" that makes La Jolla so lovely. However, my wife and I expect a certain comfort level at this price, and the Bed and Breakfast at La Jolla did not deliver the goods.

No on-site staff at night!

Nice B&B but the VERY young female staffer who checked us in wasn't that welcoming or helpful--no "hello" or "welcome to the Inn", but greeted us instead with "I need your credit card." No offer of a tour of the inn or any info about it, including NO mention of the fact that there is NO staff on duty at night! So late on the 3rd night of our stay when we heard MUCH noise outside on the street where our car was parked [turned out to be skateboarders], we were forced to call the police ourselves, and then 1/2 hour later when the noise and commotion had not abated, we called the innkeeper at his home and he called the police. This was after we had to tiptoe downstairs and try to find an emergency number for him! While down there we realized the last guests in for the night had not locked the front door! The innkeeper sought me out the next morning to apologize, but I feel they definitely should either have a night staff or at least TELL the guests they are on their own! Also the snacks left a lot to be desired. Homemade cookies the first day and garishly decorated Safeway [supermarket] cookies the next day which appeal only to kids, not the upscale market this inn is trying to attract. We have stayed at about 12 B&Bs and this one offered a much lower quality of service than we have come to expect from small inns. Seems like they are trying to operate the place with only a few young kids as staff--perhaps the owners kids which is what it seemed like to us.

Very nice

While we did enjoy this B & B, don't get a room that says Ocean View. There really is none. This B & B was gracious enough to refund some of our money because you really could not see the Ocean through other buildings and across the street. Also, don't get a room that faces the recreation center which also supposedly faces the Ocean. On weekends at 6 a.m., the locals seem to have their regular basketball games.

Room was very nice - breakfasts were wonderful - staff was very helpful and friendly. This B & B's location is great to everything in the area.

Perfection, relaxation, excellent location - book it here.

This is a truly amazing bed and breakfast. I never stayed at one before, but I will definately rebook here next year and bring some friends and family with me. This is the most beautiful place - flower gardens, quiet little spots and an open, friendly entry way for meeting new people if you want. The Manager of the Inn Alex was so friendly and warm, we hugged he when we left.

The room was a comfortable high bed with champagne splits on ice and strawberries in white chocolate sauce in the room when we arrived making for a nice start to our weekend. Parking is plentiful and you will have a perfect spot to walk to all the great restaurants, art galleries and shops in La Jolla. Walking distance to everything, including the cove with all the seals on the rocks. Driving distance to everything in San Diego, parks, beaches.

The food at the Inn - breakfast is included - is absolutely delicious. Blueberry Pancakes and Eggs Florentine were on the menu. Various seating times meant plenty of space for intimate conversation or meeting new people.

You will love it here. After 8 stays in San Diego, I found the perfect place to go back to every year.

Extended Stay. Fabulous Experience

I stayed at this B&B while on work in San Diego for about 3 months and have returned several times with my wife. The service is excellent and the breakfasts are well done. Add to that the historic charm of the residence and you have a B&B that's worth the stay. Each room is unique and has different qualities, but all are worth it. And the location is nice--quiet, apart from some of the hustle of the cove area (if you can call it hustle), but still within walking distance to the ocean, shops and restaurants. I highly recommend it.

Beautiful room, average stay

I stayed here for two nights (in summer 2003) - the night before my wedding, and my wedding night, in the largest room, the Holiday Suite. The room was beautiful - amazing furniture, comfortable bed, beautiful bathtub, nice soaps. Compared to a comparable suite at a nice hotel in La Jolla (like the Valencia or Grand Colonial), this was a good price for the quality/beauty of the accomodation.

However, I was very disappointed by the parking issue - I had booked a $360/night (plus tax!) room for two nights, and they failed to mention to me that my $800 stay did not include parking until two days before our stay when I called with a different question. This was a BIG issue for our wedding day (where to leave our cars while being at our wedding all day/night, when we needed transportation before the wedding and the day after the wedding). The staff recommended the one- and two-hour street parking when I asked where we were supposed to park! When I told them that was absolutely not going to work and was clearly furious, they offered to reserve one parking spot for me, since it was my wedding day, and offered to check with some hotels or garages about us using their lots/valet for my husband's car. They clearly had no clear plan of action of what hotel/garage they were going to call to find out where we could pay to park. It was like, "Maybe the blah-blah hotel will let you use their valet." They should have a permanent arrangement with another nearby hotel/garage for parking. To just accept that "there are only three parking spots" for a 15-room establishment is not acceptable at these prices. Parking should be the last thing on a person's mind when they are seeking a top of the line bed and breakfast, for a relaxing weekend. Clearly this issue hasn't been resolved since my stay a year ago, based on other reviews. So prospective guests with cars, beware!

Breakfast, as someone else wrote, was basic but tasty. The main reason to stay here was the beautiful room, which was certainly not a disappointment. It was pretty much everything I could have dreamed of for a fun, relaxing afternoon/night before my wedding with my maid of honor, and a romantic wedding night. It was much more unique than a hotel suite. However, I'm not sure I would return (which is a bit sad - I was hoping this might be a place we'd spend anniversaries!) partly because I feel the customer service was lacking for the price.

Nice, Friendly, Pretty, But Noisy

My wife and I went to La Jolla after a cruise thru the Panama Canal that ended in San Diego in May 2004. The staff were very friendly and accommodating along with the grounds are absolutely beautiful. We stayed in the Garden room, which to some extent was not a good choice. The room itself was well appointed and very nicely decorated, but it is at the corner of the building next to the entrance of another building on the property and is very noisy with people coming and going in and out the door. the next item is a personal preference, but no TV in the room. It is nice to turn the TV on in the morning to get news, weather etc.., before you head out for the day. A small TV is up stairs in the Parlor, but not convenient. The grounds themselves and the staff is why I rated it above average. Breakfast was very limited and average. Overall for the price, I would not stay here again because of the noise factor, and no TV.

Gorgeous Historic B&B

The pictures on this B&B's website do not do it justice. The gardens throughout the property were beautifully maintained, as were the public areas of the B&B and the rooms. Staff was warm and friendly, and food was always available (coffee/breads, breakfast, wine/cheese, snacks). Our room was lovely and comfortable. We loved sipping coffee on the terrace with its ocean view. There is a lot of attention to detail throughout. If we were to return to La Jolla, this is where we would stay. Well worth the price. I fail to give this B&B five marks because, firstly, parking was extremely limited and, secondly, the location can be a bit noisy in the evening (it is located between a church and women's club which both had activity into the evening). However, this is also part of the charm.

Absolutely beautiful

This B & B is first class all the way. My sister & I stayed here for 3 nights and it was wonderful. The breakfasts are "gourmet" and the room we stayed in (The Cottage) was clean as a whistle and gorgeously decorated. Judy at the front desk was a joy. Very nice to have wine (red & white) with various cheeses, from 5-6 p.m. On the downside is the parking. They have 3 spaces in the back of the B & B. If you have a SMALL foreign car, you MIGHT fit. There is public parking in the front of the B & B but there is a 2 hr limit (from 8am to 6pm) ($35 fine if you don't move your car after 2 hrs.) We were away for most of the day so we didn't have to worry. This place is spendy but well worth it...I would stay again.