Before it became Estancia La Jolla Hotel, this coastal retreat was actually known as Blackhorse Farm, a 248-acre thoroughbred breeding and training estate established by Bill and Ruth Black in 1948. The hotel opened in 2004, bringing a new chapter to a property with deep ties to La Jolla’s equestrian past. Today, the venue offers a cozy design and a luxurious stay for guests, among a rotating selection of signature events.
This charming setting will soon host Theatre of Magic—a live magic show created by Australian magician Christopher Wayne. It’s earned TripAdvisor’s 2025 Travellers’ Choice Award and ranks among the platform’s top 10% of experiences worldwide. If you enjoy mind-bending tricks and illusions and innovative storytelling, this family-friendly event will leave you in awe.
Estancia La Jolla Hotel: Spanish Rancho style meets historic details
The ten-acre estate was designed to echo the ranchos that shaped Southern California in the 19th century. Whitewashed façades, terracotta roof tiles and arched details create a relaxed atmosphere, giving the hotel that hacienda character.
While several original farm buildings remain at the heart of the hotel—including the lobby and Trading Post Café & Bar, once the stables, and Mustangs & Burros, formerly the tack room—new spaces have also been added for guests.
The La Jolla hotel features small, Spanish colonial–style buildings wrapped around open-air courtyards, which are adorned with native herbs and aromatic plants like lavender, rosemary, sage, and eucalyptus and pine trees.
