Martin Johnson House Overlook

This location is on the cliff look out behind the Martin Johnson House. Exit La Jolla Shores Dr. on Biological Grade and make your way around the corner to the parking lot above the Martin Johnson House. You'll see signs that indicate Coast Trail and you'll want to find one of the free one hour parking spots in the upper lot. Once you've parked, you'll find a gate in the bushes that leads to a cliff lookout. Looking south you can see all the way down to La Jolla Cove and overlook Scripps Pier. To the north you'll see Blacks Beach and Torrey Pines golf course.

All months are a perfect time to photograph from this cliff lookout.

Sunset overlooking the Pacfic Ocean is hard to beat. If the waves are nice, you'll have a great chance to photograph surfers and have a nice wide-angle shot down the coast.

Be careful near the edge of the cliff, the drop off is very steep and dangerous.

The wider-angle lens (16mm) the better. You don't have a lot of room to move around on the cliff and a wide-angle lens helps to not cut off the palm trees on the cliff edge.

Check the surf report before visiting (the bigger the waves the more you'll capture leading lines in your shot).

Piatti in downtown La Jolla Shores has some of the best Italian food in San Diego. If you're looking for breakfast or lunch, Caroline's Seaside Cafe has great food and is just down the street (open 8AM-3PM daily).