As you drive over the peaks of the Mt. Soledad range and descend on La Jolla, it is easy to see where the city that is named after the Spanish word “la hoya”, or “the jewel”, gets its name. The ocean, along with the variety of the city’s dramatic coastline, make the city a true gem.
SOME MAY CONSIDER LA JOLLA NOT JUST A JEWEL BUT A ROYAL CROWN.
As you drive over the peaks of the Mt. Soledad range and descend on La Jolla, it is easy to see where the city that is named after the Spanish word “la hoya”, or “the jewel”, gets its name. The ocean, along with the variety of the city’s dramatic coastline, make the city a true gem.
La Jolla is not only a popular destination for travelers, but for locals as well. Real estate in La Jolla is coveted. Windy roads lead you through the various neighborhoods, unveiling these semi-precious stones that some are lucky enough to call home. Spanish architecture is among the most prevalent, but it is not uncommon to find homes with modern or craftsman finishes and anything in between. When it comes to real estate, new news is good news and an 18-million dollar home going into escrow in just five days shows the true lure of this jewel on the coast.
And just what will these home owners do in their town? La Jolla’s downtown business district holds the answer. Prospect St, Downtown La Jolla’s main drag, is anything but a drag. With dozens of restaurants, bars, boutiques, shops, and galleries, there is a little something for everyone.
Listen to the waves as they crash against the rocky cliffs that outline Downtown La Jolla or watch the surfers from Blacks Beach, while colorful hang gliders soar overhead from the Torrey Pines Gliderport.
Explore the mysteries of the ocean at the Birch Aquarium at Scripps or catch one of the performances as part of this summer’s Green Flash Concert Series at the aquarium’s Preuss Tidepool Plaza. A green flash is a rare optical phenomenon that is usually seen as the sun is setting on a clear horizon and appears as a brilliant green hue along the upper edge of the sun. What better way to experience this phenomenon than to the soundtrack of singers, songwriters, and local bands.
Catch a play at the internationally-acclaimed La Jolla Playhouse, located on UCSD’s campus. The world-premier musical Zhivago and classic drama Mother Courage will both take center stage in the month of June. Under the Artistic Director Des McAnuff, a two-time Tony Award-winner, the stellar productions that show here have merited over 300 major honors.
Now through the end of June, experience “The Mercy of the Chef” at Grand Colonial’s Nine-Ten Restaurant. Patrons can enjoy a 5-course, culinary adventure, with wine pairings, exclusively created and prepared by
Chef Jason Knibb and Pastry Chef Jack Fisher.
And with summer around the corner, a nice stroll through the La Jolla Farmer’s Market is a great way to start off any lazy Sunday. Shop for and buy fresh fruit, fresh flowers, and fresh arts & crafts to support local businesses and artists. The farmer’s market takes place every Sunday at the La Jolla Elementary School.
One not-to-miss event is the 20th annual La Jolla Festival of the Arts and Food Faire. Produced by the Torrey Pine Kiwanis/La Jolla Festival of the Arts Foundation, the festival will feature over 190 award-winning artists, a variety of cuisines, live musical entertainment, and a children’s area complete with hands-on activities. This event, ranked one of the top-rated shows in California, takes place June 24th and 25th at the University of California, San Diego’s East Campus.
Jack’s La Jolla will debut their Ocean View Room and Oyster Bar in June, featuring fresh shellfish along with the Jack’s Grille menu. Since opening last year, Chef Tony DiSalvo has introduced us to his distinct style, with a successful fusion of Asian, Mediterranean, and American flavors. And right in tune with the style and sophistication of the food, the top-floor Ocean View Room includes an open courtyard, wood-burning fireplace, and entertainment by a DJ. If the Oyster Bar isn’t your thing, check out the Live Music and Piano Bar in the Wine Bar Lounge, open seven days a week and, of course, the fine dining restaurant.