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La Jolla, California: Gravity Hill

Defying the laws of gravity and common sense, vehicles appear to roll backwards up a hill.

Address:
West Muirlands Dr., La Jolla, CA
Directions:
W. Muirlands Drive between Nautilus St. and Fay St. Best tested traveling from Nautilus to Fay St. Once you are on W. Muirlands line up your right rear tire with the telephone pole on the side of the street with the fairway (it has three yellow stripes). Put the vehicle in neutral and roll on!
Hours:
Public road. Hazard flashers recommended. Use at your own risk. Local health policies may affect hours and access.
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Visitor Tips and News About Gravity Hill

Reports and tips from RoadsideAmerica.com visitors and Roadside America mobile tipsters. Some tips may not be verified. Submit your own tip.

Gravity Hill

Tried this one with my boyfriend. You have to go with someone because only the passenger can see the [rolling uphill] effect. It does seem like you are going uphill when you are indeed going downhill. I could feel the truck driving downhill but it looked like I was going up. You may have to do this a few times to feel the effect fully. Or trade with the driver, etc.

[Nichole G., 01/03/2009]
Gravity Hill

This really works! It's easy to find the pole with the three stripes. The fence for the fairway is covered with ivy or something similar. The hill is just steep enough that when you are rolling up it and look back, it seems really steep!

[Alicia C., 07/18/2008]

La Jolla gravity hill.

La Jolla Gravity Hill

The first thing that makes this hill interesting is that you roll forwards up the hill, not backwards like all the other hills I've tested. It looks like a dud at first glance compared to some other hills, but your vehicle will crest the hill you are rolling "up" then proceed on a long downhill stretch where you will eventually have to stop your vehicle yourself -run out of road. This roll uphill to a downhill thing really trashes my current ranking system, but that's how 'scientific research' goes, I suppose. The uphill to a downhill section also provides the highest speed of any hill tested to date, 33.1 mph, and the longest roll, .28 mile. Worth the trip if you are in the area.

[Greg Brown, 05/25/2001]

Nearby Offbeat Places

Gift Shop Built Over a Sea CaveGift Shop Built Over a Sea Cave, La Jolla, CA - 1 mi.
Pile of Boats stuck on a WallPile of Boats stuck on a Wall, La Jolla, CA - < 1 mi.
Mount Soledad CrossMount Soledad Cross, La Jolla, CA - 1 mi.
In the region:
Boat Houses, Encinitas, CA - 15 mi.

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