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The Jewel of San Diego
There are a number of caves along the ocean in La Jolla and some people believe the community’s name has its origins in the Spanish spelling of an Indian word for “cave.” Others insist it is a variation of the Spanish word “la joya,” which means “the jewel.”
It’s not easy to argue against the latter claim, because La Jolla really is a jewel. With seven miles of beaches, a spectacularly sculptured coastline, virtual palaces perched for whitewater views, sidewalk cafes, art galleries, exclusive and trend-setting boutiques, La Jolla is a perennial favorite in the travel sections of websites and newspapers all over the world. Like the San Diego Zoo and Sea World, La Jolla, which lies about 12.6 miles north of downtown San Diego, is always on the “must-see” lists of tourists.
La Jolla is not incorporated—it is a part of the City of San Diego. The community’s northern boundary is below Torrey Pines State Park and the southern part of the community encompasses the Bird Rock area and ends at Turquoise Street where Pacific Beach begins.
With 42,468 people, population growth has been relatively slow over the last decade or so compared to other parts of San Diego County. There is simply very little room left for new growth. The weather is superb: The average high and low temperatures are about 75 and 65 in July; 71 and 50 in January.
Beaches and Recreation
La Jolla Shores is one of the most beautiful—and popular—beaches in Southern California. Just north, Scripps is for beach lovers who want a little less of a crowd. Black’s Beach, north of Scripps, is an internationally known nude beach.
Snorkelers and scuba divers love both La Jolla Cove and Underwater Park (the latter is an ecological preserve). Windansea Beach is one of the most famous surfing beaches in the world. Tom Wolfe’s The Pump House Gang is about a group of surfers who hung out at that beach.
La Jolla boasts one of the top municipal golf courses in the U.S.—the Torrey Pines Golf Course. It hosts the Farmers Insurance Open (formerly the Buick Invitational) each winter. The course at La Jolla Country Club is also top rated.
Shopping
As cosmopolitan as they are, Girard and Prospect streets are considered the heart of what’s called the “Village.” They join Beverly Hills’ Rodeo Drive as some of the toniest shopping streets west of the Rockies. Here you’ll find numerous boutiques, art galleries, sidewalk cafes, world-class restaurants, and delightful independent bookstores.
One shop not to be missed is Warwick’s, an institution since 1896 that sells books, art supplies, and gifts. The Girard Avenue store has hosted many book signings for famous authors, including Frances Mayes, Sue Grafton, Senator Hillary Clinton, and Carl Hiaasen. La Jolla has a Farmers Market every Sunday morning in the 7300 block of Girard.
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Aerial photo by BrentHaywoodPhotography.com
Science and Tech
La Jolla has world-famous status as a scientific community. It’s the home of the University of California at San Diego (UCSD,) the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, the Stephen Birch Aquarium, the San Diego Supercomputer Center, the Scripps Clinic and Research Foundation, the Salk Institute for Biological Studies, as well as a number of thriving bio-tech companies.
The presence of these institutions and companies is one of the major reasons La Jolla has such a highly educated populace; some 67 percent of residents have a bachelor’s degree or higher. Many scientists and professors have only a five- or 10-minute commute to work.
Kary Mullis, a Nobel-prize-winning chemist, was living and surfing in La Jolla when he invented PCR (polymerase chain reaction), a vital process of genetic engineering important in researching cures for cancer and other diseases. Another world-renowned La Jollan was Jonas Salk, who invented one of the polio vaccines and established the Salk Institute for Biological Studies.
Arts and Culture
Besides its many distinguished art galleries, La Jolla is home to the stunning Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego. Events honoring the arts are also plentiful, including the La Jolla Festival of the Arts in June and the La Jolla Art & Wine Festival in October.
In recent years, the La Jolla Playhouse theater has become internationally known thanks to its commitment to producing new plays, with many ending up on Broadway. It was founded in 1947 by late Hollywood stars Mel Ferrer, Dorothy McGuire, and Gregory Peck. The latter was born in La Jolla and, among many other honors, won the Oscar for Best Actor for his work in “To Kill A Mockingbird.” Another La Jolla-born actor and long-time resident of the community is Cliff Robertson, who won a Best Actor Oscar for “Charly.”
Other famous La Jollans include the late authors Theodore Geisel (“Dr. Seuss”) and Raymond Chandler (writer of mystery novels).
La Jolla music lovers have their special places, too. The Athenaeum Music & Arts Library has a vast collection of music, art books and media and offers a gallery, art classes, and lectures and discussions. The venue also plays host to concerts of varying musical genres, such as jazz and chamber music. Especially popular are the weekly Mini-Concerts-At-Noon. Bring your lunch and enjoy a break from the workday.
The La Jolla Chamber Music Society presents concerts at various auditoriums and symphony halls throughout San Diego County, including the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego on Prospect Street and Mandeville Auditorium at UCSD.
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