La Jolla has the charm of a quiet Mediterranean
isle, with small shops and magnificent homes overlooking
enchanting coves and wide sandy beaches that are an invitation
to bask in the sun.
Greater La Jolla also offers an extravagant
array of shopping spots and shopping centers, such as University
Towne Centre, plus excellent restaurants and lots of cultural
activities. It is also the home of world renowned scientific
and high-tech institutions.
La Jolla is a little enclave in San Diego.
It is part of the city, yet a separate community. It even
has its own La Jolla postmark instead of San Diego's. A
drive along its winding streets affords a glimpse of splendid
homes perched on cliffs overlooking the ocean, interspersed
with modest cottages often hidden in lush foliage. The cottages
are evidence of earlier times when La Jolla was a turn-of-the-century
resort.
Today, La Jolla is considered to be one of
the most prestigious residential areas in the country. La
Jolla property values range from $350,000 to $30 million.
Because of La Jolla's breathtaking natural
beauty, people have been coming here since the 1880's. In
days gone by, it was a long trip over dusty roads from San
Diego, and it often took a good part of the day. Now, it
is only a 20-minute drive from
Downtown San Diego via interstate 5.
For a spectacular 360-degree view of La Jolla
and beyond, drive to the top of Mount Soledad. You can get
there via Nautilus Street or Hidden Valley Road.
Along Coast Boulevard
The best place to begin a walking tour
is along Coast Boulevard at La Jolla Cove.
La Jolla Cove is a favorite spot to swim, scuba
dive, snorkel and sunbathe, and the water is calm and clear.
You are likely to find the beach packed in summer and reasonably
crowded on warm days throughout the year. Hardier natives
swim here all year-round, and lifeguards are assigned on
an annual basis.
Stretching southward from the cove is a wonderful
broad grassy area called Ellen Browning Scripps Park. Surrounded
by graceful queen palms which are nearly 100 years old and
dotted with Torrey pines, this park is ideal for picnics
and get-togethers or simply for sitting on a park bench
and enjoying the ocean view.
To the south is the Seal Rock Marine Mammal
Reserve, located at the foot of Jenner Street. You can enjoy
watching the seals bask in the sun, but keep your distance
and do not feed the animals.
A walking tour of La Jolla's shopping and dining
district can begin almost anywhere. But the place to begin
or conclude such a worthwhile tour is definitely on Prospect
Street. Prospect Street offers an incredible variety of
restaurants, shops, galleries and boutiques that display
everything from whimsical novelties to the works of famous
artists, from the classic look to trend-setting, contemporary
fashions.
Girard Avenue
One thoroughfare not to miss while discovering La Jolla
proper is Girard Avenue. And most of the stores you'll want
to see are in the first two blocks on Girard Avenue. This
important avenue is the home of the who's who in the world
of fashion, jewelry, art and more.
Bird Rock
South La Jolla is more of paradise on earth. The homes overlooking
the beautiful Pacific Ocean are dreams come true. Many are
enhanced with tall, majestic, swaying palm trees and well-manicured
lawns. The pace is slower than that of the Village of La
Jolla, which is an attraction in itself.
En route to south La Jolla is Windansea Beach.
It is the most renowned big wave surfing spot on the West
Coast. Surfing is good year-round, with the big surf coming
in the fall. If you have a pair of binoculars, this is a
good place to use them because when the swells are big,
the surf breaks a half mile out.
South La Jolla's Bird Rock with its nice residential
district and commercial zone along La Jolla Boulevard should
definitely be discovered. Here you'll find numerous first-class
restaurants, small boutiques, galleries and a handful of
motels.
North La Jolla
Picturesque North La Jolla boasts of beautiful palm tree-lined
streets, elegant shoreline homes and one of San Diego County's
most popular beaches. Don't miss north La Jolla!
Swimmers, surfers and sunbathers flock in droves
to nearby La Jolla Shores during the summer because it's
San Diego's most beautiful and well equipped beach. It is
outstanding because of its length (nearly two miles), its
gradually sloping beach, year-round lifeguard service, public
restrooms with showers, swings and jungle gyms for children,
surfboarding year-round and beach rentals. Adjacent to the
beach is a large parking lot and Kellogg Park, a fine grassy
place for picnics.
By following the winding La Jolla Shores Drive
to the top of Torrey Pines grade, you will find yourself
in the vicinity of the University of California at San Diego
(UCSD), one of the top 10 research universities in the nation.
Its faculty includes many Nobel laureates. The nearby Jonas
Salk Institute is home to cutting edge research.
If you're a hang gliding and paragliding enthusiast,
don't miss the Torrey Pines Gliderport at Torrey Pines Scenic
Drive. They have the equipment and training staff here.
Even if you aren't one to participate in the sport, you'll
find it amazing watching the gliders take off from here
for a thrill of a lifetime!
A bit farther is the beautiful Torrey Pines
Golf Course, site of the annual Buick Invitational Golf
Tournament held each February. Just beyond the golf course
is the famous Torrey Pines State Reserve, 1,700 acres, high
on a bluff overlooking the Pacific. Below is nationally
known Black's Beach, San Diego's only "bathing suit optional"
beach.
La Jolla which has the charm of a Mediterranean
isle, is a destination not to be missed. Discover fascinating
restaurants and shops along Prospect Street and Girard Avenue.
Marvel at the magnificent homes. Enjoy miles of exciting
beaches. It's all here in enchanting La Jolla!
SignOnSanDiego.com stories: Home
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