 City:
San DiegoArea Population: 42,603 Elevation: 377 feet above sea level Distance from downtown SD: 14.6 miles northwest |
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La Jolla (pronounced "luh-HOY-uh") is a wealthy seaside resort
community within the city of San Diego, California. The La Jolla area was known as “La Jolla Park” at least as early as 1886. The origin of the name is obscure. Some say it is a corruption of “ahoy”, called out by sailors seeking the attention of people on the shore. Promoters of La Jolla claim it is from the Spanish “la joya”, meaning the jewel. A more likely though less glamorous theory is that “La Jolla” is a corruption of the Native American word “Woholle”, meaning hole in the mountain, referring to the caves in the north-facing cliffs next to La Jolla Cove Park. Most of these have since either collapsed due to ongoing erosion, or have been intentionally destroyed by local authorities to prevent the drownings that were once frequent occurrences. Generally the community's border starts at Pacific Beach to the south and extends along the Pacific Ocean shore north to include Torrey Pines State Reserve ending at Del Mar, California. Along the way La Jolla encompasses neighborhoods like Bird Rock, Windansea, the original or "old" village of La Jolla, La Jolla Shores, La Jolla Farms, Torrey Pines, Mount Soledad and La Jolla Village (including La Jolla Village Square). Interstate 5 forms La Jolla's man-made border to the east, with the exception of some of the University of California, San Diego (UCSD) and some commercial property east of I-5 and north of La Jolla Village Drive, which are also considered (in the wider definition) to be part of La Jolla. (More specifically, the City of San Diego defines La Jolla's eastern boundary as former Highway US 101, which is now Gilman Drive, excluding UCSD, and the northern boundary as the southern end of Torrey Pines municipal golf course. Others define La Jolla as all of ZIP code 92037.) The U.S. Postal Service has designated "La Jolla" as the only acceptable place name for use in mailing addresses for the ZIP Codes covering the area, because historically the La Jolla post office was established before the community was absorbed within the San Diego city limits.[3] These conventions can give the impression that La Jolla is a separate incorporated city, even though it is part of the City of San Diego. La Jolla has several community groups which work to unify the voice of the community. The La Jolla Community Planning Association advises the City Council, Planning Commission, City Planning Department as well as other Governmental agency as appropriate in the initial preparation, adoption of, implementation of, or amendment to the General or Community Plan as it pertains to the La Jolla area. The non-profit La Jolla Town Council organization represents the interests of the La Jolla businesses that belong to the Council. La Jolla, like most of Southern California, is an area of great natural beauty with a mixture of geology - sandy beaches and rocky shorelines good for a variety of outdoor activities. The area has a number of public beaches, parks, as well as shopping areas. Neighborhoods La Jolla Farms - the homes on top of the cliffs above Black's Beach and adjacent to the western boundary of the UCSD campus. La Jolla Shores - the residential area and the Scripps Institution of Oceanography campus along La Jolla Shores beach and east up the hillside. Also includes a small business district of shops and restaurants along Avenida de la Playa. La Jolla Heights - the homes on the hills overlooking La Jolla Shores. No businesses. Hidden Valley - lower portion of Mount Soledad on the northern slopes. No businesses. Country Club - lower Mount Soledad on the north-west side, including the La Jolla Country Club golf course. Village - a.k.a. Village of La Jolla (not to be confused with La Jolla Village) the "downtown" business district area, including most of La Jolla's shops and restaurants, and the immediately surrounding residential areas. Beach-Barber Tract - the coastal section from Windansea Beach to the Village. A few shops and restaurants, mostly on La Jolla Blvd. Lower Hermosa - coastal strip south of Beach-Barber Tract. No businesses. Bird Rock - southern/coastal La Jolla, and the lower slopes of Mt Soledad in the area. Shops and restaurants along La Jolla Blvd. Muirlands - relatively large area on western middle slope of Mt. Soledad. No businesses. La Jolla Mesa - A strip on the lower southern side of Mt. Soledad, bordering Pacific Beach. La Jolla Alta - The neighborhood east of La Jolla Mesa. Soledad South - Southeastern slopes of Mount Soledad, all the way up to the top, east of La Jolla Alta. Muirlands West - The neighborhood between Muirlands to the south, and Country Club - to the north. Upper Hermosa - North of Bird Rock, east of La Jolla Blvd. La Jolla Village - (not to be confused with the Village of La Jolla) - north-east La Jolla, east of La Jolla Heights, north and west of I-5, and south of UCSD. This neighborhood's namesake, The La Jolla Village Square shopping and residential mall, including La Jolla's two movie theatres, is located here. IIt should be noted that The Village (of La Jolla) and La Jolla Village are not at all the same; they are distinct neighborhoods within La Jolla. Activities La Jolla is also the location of Torrey Pines Golf Course, made famous by the PGA Tour's Buick Invitational held there each February (in 2005 and 2007, the competition was held in January). In 2008, Torrey Pines also hosted the 2008 U.S. Open which was played on the south course. Down the steep cliffs from the Salk Institute and the Torrey Pines Golf Course is the famous de facto nude beach, Black's Beach. Walking along the beach at all times (but especially at sunset) is popular recreation. Those ambling along may be able to glimpse the “Green Flash”. Downtown La Jolla is noted for its jewelry stores, upmarket restaurants and hotels. Prospect Street and Girard Avenue also have several famous boutiques and restaurants (including local favorites, such as the Girard Gourmet and Harry's Coffee Shop). Notable for its architectural and historical presence is the La Valencia Hotel, which used to welcome movie stars on retreat from Hollywood during the silent film era. Skimboarding and surfing are very popular at many of La Jolla's beaches including Windansea Beach. The location is mentioned in the legendary Beach Boys song, 'Surfin' USA,' in the final verse with the line "All over La Jolla..." OOcean swimming at La Jolla Cove is very popular year round, where a swimming channel in the underwater park is demarcated and marked at 1/4 and 1/2 mile distances with buoys. For many years, La Jolla has been the host of a rough water swim. The events are the 250 meter junior swim for people twelve years of age and under, the one mile amateur swim for people 18 and under, the one mile masters swim for people nineteen and over, and the Gator man, a three mile swim from the La Jolla Cove to the Scripps Pier and back. It is available for everyone, but people under 18 must have a note from their coach. In order to compete in the amateur or junior events, one must also be a member of USA swimming. Education The University of California, San Diego (including the Scripps Institution of Oceanography and the San Diego Supercomputer Center) is the center of higher education in La Jolla. National University is also headquartered in La Jolla. Among the several research institutes near UCSD and in the nearby Torrey Pines Science Park are The Scripps Research Institute, the Burnham Institute (formerly called the La Jolla Cancer Research Foundation) and the Salk Institute. The community's prep schools are La Jolla Country Day School, The Bishop's School, and The Preuss School UCSD. Elementary schools include The Children's School, Integral Elementary School of La Jolla, Delphi Academy, All Hallows Academy, Evans, Torrey Pines Elementary, La Jolla Elementary, and Bird Rock Elementary. The public high school, La Jolla High School, is in the San Diego City Schools district. San Diego Community Profile: La Jolla The La Jolla Community Planning area consists of approximately 5,718 acres and is located along the western edge of the north coastal region of the City of San Diego. It is bounded on the north by the University of California, San Diego and a portion of the University community, on the east by Gilman Drive, the University community and Interstate 5, on the south by the community of Pacific Beach and on the west by the Pacific Ocean. The northern-most portion of La Jolla is separated from the remainder of the community by the Scripps Institute of Oceanography and a portion of the University of California. Neither Scripps nor the University of California are under the jurisdiction of the City of San Diego. Visually dramatic, the primarily (58%) residential community of La Jolla is physically defined by its rugged coastline of ocean bluffs and beaches together with steep canyons and hillsides culminating at Mount Soledad. Until the mid 20th century, La Jolla was characterized by small, single family summer cottages that were located along the coastline or interspersed within the portion of La Jolla known as "The Village." "The Village" includes the area within the boundary of Prospect Street, Girard Avenue and Torrey Pines Road. In 1946, Charles Eliot created the first comprehensive plan for the community. It concentrated on conserving La Jolla as a resort and preserving those features that attracted both visitors and residents to enjoy its natural surroundings. Since then, La Jolla has experienced substantial growth and land development resulting in the community currently being 99 percent built out. Consequently, the primary development in La Jolla is infill. In 1967, the first La Jolla Community Plan was adopted. That plan proposed broad goals and guidelines for development and set the framework for the precise plans of La Jolla Shores and the Fay Avenue Extension.. In 1975, the plan was updated to address the issues of vehicular congestion, pedestrian safety, noise pollution and air quality occurring upon construction of new streets in the community. In 1995, the plan was comprehensively updated, but was only adopted outside of the Coastal Zone. Another comprehensive update to the La Jolla Community Plan was adopted by the City Council in June 2002, and was subsequently certified by the California Coastal Commission in February 2004 following City approval of a number of suggested modifications. The 2004 La Jolla Community Plan and Local Coastal Program Land Use Plan is now the effective plan for La Jolla, and supercedes all plans previously approved for the various parts of the community including the 1975 La Jolla Community Plan, the 1985 La Jolla/La Jolla Shores Local Coastal Program, the 1995 La Jolla Community Plan, the La Jolla Shores Precise Plan, and the Fay Avenue Right-of-Way Plan. Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve 12600 North Torrey Pines Road La Jolla, CA 92037 (858-755-2063) Map State Natural Reserves have outstanding or unusual natural or scenic values. Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve is a wilderness island in an urban sea. This fragile environment is the home of our nation's rarest pine tree - Pinus torreyana. Once this tree covered a larger area. It now grows only here and on Santa Rosa Island off the coast near Santa Barbara. The park preserves not only the trees, but also the last salt marshes and waterfowl refuges in Southern California. The reserve features high broken cliffs and deep ravines on headlands overlooking the ocean. Hikers can follow trails through stands of wind-sculpted pines. A picturesque, pueblo-style structure that served as a restaurant when it was built in 1923 houses the visitor center, featuring interpretive displays. Picnicking and camping are prohibited in the reserve. The reserve's rich plant community features wildflowers in the spring and visitors can see the California quail gathered in coveys in the early mornings of fall and winter. Torrey Pines State Beach can also be reached by trail from the Reserve. Torrey Pines prohibits dogs anywhere within the reserve and beach boundaries (even within a vehicle). Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve is located between La Jolla and Del Mar, California, north of San Diego. From Hwy 5, exit on Carmel Valley Road and drive west for about 1.5 miles till you reach the Coast Highway 101. Turn left and proceed along the beach for about a mile. The park entrance is on your right just before the highway begins to climb the Torrey Pines grade. Torrey Pines State Beach La Jolla, CA 92037 Map State beaches are areas with frontage on the ocean, or bays designed to provide swimming, boating, fishing, and other beach-oriented recreational activities. This wide, sandy beach stretches 4 1/2 miles from Del Mar past Los Peñasquitos Lagoon to the base of sandstone cliffs at Torrey Pines Mesa. Swimming, surfing and fishing are popular. Red-hued bluffs and wet sand make strolling on the beach popular at low tide. A picnic area and parking lot are near the entrance on North Torrey Pines Road. The beach can also be reached by trail from the Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve. (Beach access at the bottom of the trail is closed for repair until further notice. We expect to have a temporary repair done by June or July.) Torrey Pines prohibits dogs anywhere within the reserve and beach boundaries (even within a vehicle). The Beach is located one mile south of Del Mar on North Torrey Pines Road.  La Jolla Shores8200 Camino del Oro La Jolla, CA 92037 Map La Jolla Shores (8200 Camino del Oro) is a sandy beach approximately one mile long, adjacent to a residential area. In summer, waves at this beach are usually the most gentle of all San Diego beaches, although rip currents may still be strong at times. For this reason, many novice scuba classes are held at La Jolla Shores. Kellogg Park, a grassy area, is located behind the main lifeguard station and is ideal for picnicking. A wide cement boardwalk parallels a portion of the beach between the park and the sand. La Jolla Shores lies adjacent to the San Diego La Jolla Underwater Ecological Reserve. Fishing and removal of objects from this area is prohibited. At the north end of this beach lies the Scripps Institution of Oceanography and Scripps Pier. The pier is not open to the public, but the Steven Birch Aquarium is within 1/2 mile of La Jolla Shores and is open daily. La Jolla Shores has the only beachfront boat launch within City limits. Small vessels can be launched directly into the surf at the foot of Avenida de la Playa, approximately 300 yards south of the lifeguard station. This is an unimproved boat launch and vehicles are allowed to drive on the sand in a very limited area at five miles per hour or less. Four wheel drive is highly recommended.  Black's BeachLa Jolla, CA 92037 Map Black's Beach is a two mile long, sandy strip situated at the base of majestic cliffs up to 300 feet high. It is formally known as Torrey Pines City Beach and Torrey Pines State Beach in that it is jointly owned by the City of San Diego and the State of California. There is a glider port atop the cliff overlooking the beach where hangliders, paragliders and remote controlled gliders can often be seen soaring. Access to Black's Beach is very difficult due to the high cliffs and lack of improved stairways. The safest access is from adjacent beaches to the north and south, but this access may be obstructed by high tides or surf. The cliffs of Black's Beach are unstable and slides can occur without warning, so it is best to stay well away from them. Although not officially sanctioned, some patrons of Black's Beach practice nudism.  Windansea
Beach6800 Neptune Place La Jolla, CA 92037 Map The rocky shore of Windansea Beach (6800 Neptune Place) is perhaps best known for its beautiful scenery and surf breaks created by underwater reefs. Sandstone rocks act as partitions along the beach offering a secluded atmosphere for sunbathing. Much of the beach at Windansea experiences shorebreak, a condition on steep beaches which results in hard breaking surf right at the shoreline. Swimmers should enter and exit the water carefully to prevent spinal injuries.  La
Jolla Cove1100 Coast Boulevard La Jolla, CA 92037 (858-454-1444) Map La Jolla Cove (1100 Coast Boulevard) is a very small beach, tucked between adjacent sandstone cliffs. Due to its extraordinary beauty, La Jolla Cove is one of the most photographed beaches in Southern California. It is within a short walk of the commercial area of the community of La Jolla, but retains a character "all its own." The north facing La Jolla Cove has unusually coarse sand. Grassy Scripps Park is immediately adjacent and an excellent area for picnicking. Water visibility at the Cove can sometimes exceed 30 feet, making it a popular location for scuba divers and snorkelers. La Jolla Cove lies within the San Diego La Jolla Underwater Park Ecological Reserve, which helps to ensure that marine life remains plentiful. This is a look but don't touch area and the possession of game is unlawful. Children's Pool 850 Coast Boulevard La Jolla, CA 92037 Map The Children's Pool (850 Coast Boulevard), also known as the Casa, is a small beach partially protected by a seawall. The original intention was to create a fully protected swimming area, but sand has filled in much of the area inside the wall. This is a very picturesque beach with a panoramic view. During much of the year, seals and sea lions are present on or near the beach and a reserve for these marine mammals, called Seal Rock, is just offshore. The Children's Pool, is within a short walk of the commercial area of the community of La Jolla. Grassy park areas can be found a short distance to the north and south. Several small beaches are nearby including Wipeout Beach to the south and Shell Beach to the north. This is a popular beach for scuba divers because of the reefs just offshore. These same reefs can create very strong currents and other hazards, particularly in high surf conditions. Torrey Pines Golf Course 11480 North Torrey Pines Road La Jolla, CA 92037 Map Torrey Pines Golf Course is world renowned with a breathtaking view of the Pacific Ocean. Home of the Buick Invitational PGA TOUR event, Torrey Pines has been ranked the "best" place to golf in a readers poll with the San Diego Union-Tribune and San Diego Magazine, as well as one of the top ten golf courses in San Diego County according to Golf Industry Online. Torrey Pines is the only municipal course in the "best course" listing for the state.  La Jolla Recreation Center615 Prospect Drive La Jolla, CA 92037 (858-552-1658) Map The Center was built in 1915 by Ellen Browning-Scripps whose residence was next door. It was dedicated that same year to the City of San Diego for the children of La Jolla. Today the Center is considered a historical site in San Diego. Facilities: Basketball courts, 3 large children's play areas, picnic facilities, community building and 2 meeting rooms, tennis courts.  University of California, San Diego9500 Gilman Drive La Jolla, CA 92037 (858-552-1658) Map The University of California, San Diego (popularly known as UC San Diego or UCSD) is a highly selective [1] research-oriented[2] public university located in the La Jolla community of San Diego, California. The university, one of ten University of California campuses, was founded in 1960[3] around the Scripps Institution of Oceanography. UC San Diego is ranked 35th among "America's Best Colleges 2009: National Universities" by U.S. News & World Report, in seventh place for best public universities in the United States, ranked 14th in the world by Academic Ranking of World Universities, and holds many top 10 positions for its graduate programs in the same graduate rankings line up. The university operates the UC San Diego Medical Center and is ranked among the top medical hospitals in the country. The university is also situated near and associated with several research centers, such as the Salk Institute, the Burnham Institute for Medical Research and The Scripps Research Institute. A "Public Ivy", UCSD consistently ranks in the top ten list of best public universities.  Library7555 Draper Avenue, La Jolla, CA 92037 (858-552-1657) Map Post Office 1140 Wall Street, La Jolla, CA 92037 (800-275-8777) Map Post Office 720 Silver Street, La Jolla, CA 92037 (800-275-8777) Map Police 4275 Eastgate Mall, La Jolla, CA 92037 (858-552-1700) Map Fire 7870 Ardath Lane, La Jolla, CA 92037 Map Fire 809 Nautilus Street, La Jolla, CA 92037 Map Fire 2110 Via Casa Alta, La Jolla, CA 92037 Map Fire 4285 Eastgate Mall, La Jolla, CA 92037 Map  Bird Rock Elementary
(K-6)5371 La Jolla Hermosa Avenue, La Jolla, CA 92037 (858-488-0537) Map - Website Explorer Elementary Charter School (K-6) 8660 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92037 (858-554-1001) Map La Jolla Elementary School (K-6) 1111 Marine Street, La Jolla, CA 92037 (858-454-7196) Map - Website Torrey Pines Elementary School (K-6) 8350 Cliffridge Avenue, La Jolla, CA 92037 (858-453-2323) Map - Website Preuss Charter School-UCSD (K-12) 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92037 (858-658-7404) Map - Website Muirlands Middle School (4-8/7-8) 1056 Nautilus Street, La Jolla, CA 92037 ((858-459-4211) Map - Website La Jolla Senior High School (9-12) 750 Nautilus Street, La Jolla, CA 92037 ((858-454-3081) Map - Website  San Diego City WebsiteSan Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce La Jolla Demographic Profile - Fact Sheet La Jolla Demographic Profile - Map  La Jolla Weather - NOAAAir Quality Forecast Moon Phases & Astronomical Events Recent Earthquakes Surf Report Tide Information - San Diego Tide Information - La Jolla  La Jolla Homes For SaleLa Jolla Condominiums For Sale La Jolla Multi-Family Properties For Sale La Jolla Rentals  Classifieds (all areas) - Real EstateClassifieds (all areas) - Rentals Classifieds (all areas) - Household Classifieds (all areas) - Electronics Classifieds (all areas) - Collectibles Classifieds (all areas) - Automotive Classifieds (all areas) - Sales Classifieds (all areas) - Services Classifieds (all areas) - Employment Classifieds (all areas) - Personals  City of San Diego Community Profile - La JollaCity of San Diego Community Profile - La Jolla Map City of San Diego Neighborhood Maps - Northern Neighborhood California State Parks Real-Time Traffic San Diego County Business Directory - La Jolla Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve Wikipedia - La Jolla, San Diego, California |
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