The Ultimate Guide to La Jolla Restaurants

As I mentioned earlier, the print version of the La Jolla Blue Book is the local residents' go-to guide for everything, and for visitors, the Web version is an indispensible resource, especially for La Jolla restaurants.

The Web version includes a complete list of all La Jolla restaurants, and the listings contain addresses, phone numbers, directions, maps, Websites, Facebook, and Twitter links. Many also have menus.

Click on the green box next to a restaurant's name, and you will be taken to a profile page that features a description of each restaurant, hours of operation, payments accepted, feeds for that restaurant's Twitter and Facebook accounts as well as a large, easy to read map. Select restaurants also feature exclusive video content and photographs.

The site is mobile, so when diners arrive, the page recognizes that a phone is being used and adjusts the format to load the mobile version instantly. And of course, all the restaurants are also on the "Find It La Jolla" iPhone & iPad app, which makes the information accessible anywhere.

This blog - La Jolla Travel Information - is also on the "Find It La Jolla" App. Look under Visitor Information.

San Diego Restaurant Week, Jan 15-20



George's At the Cove, La Jolla, San Diego, California.

 If you'll be traveling in San Diego, California, January 15-20 and plan to take advantage of the prix fixe menus at some of the city's best restaurants - make your reservations now.

Many local residents, as well as visitors, dine out nearly every day during Restaurant Week, leaving few tables in the most popular spots.

During this limited time, two-course lunches cost $10, $15, or $20 and three-course dinners are $20, $30, or $40.

In La Jolla, participating restaurants include Apollonia Greek Bistro (one of my personal favorites), Chedi Thai Bistro, Crab Catcher Restaurant, NINE-TEN Restaurant (in the Grand Colonial Hotel), Roppongi Restaurant & Sushi Bar, and Tapenade Restaurant .

For more details go to http://www.sandiegorestaurantweek.com/

Best Restaurant Views in San Diego, California

Planning a trip to San Diego? Book a window table at
The Marine Room for a truly memorable dining experience.

When you select a restaurant, is a good view almost as important to you as good food? If so, you'll want to check out the results of Open Table's Diners’ Choice Awards for the 50 restaurants in the U.S with the Most Scenic Views.

I wasn't surprised to see several in the San Diego area - including two on the beach in La Jolla - on the list.

And the winners are:  

Bali Hai Restaurant – San Diego, California

Bertrand at Mister A’s – San Diego, California

Chart House Restaurant – Cardiff, California

Il Fornaio – Coronado, California

Island Prime – San Diego, California

***The Marine Room – La Jolla, California

Peohe’s – Coronado, California

The Shores Restaurant – La Jolla, California

According to Open Table, "In keeping with its reputation for culinary excellence and expansive, natural beauty, California claimed half the spots on the list, with eight winners alone in ”America’s Finest City,” a.k.a. San Diego."

Click here to see the complete list of 50 restaurants with outstanding views.

Bon appetit!

***Insider tip: The Marine Room's last two high-tide breakfasts of the season are January 7 and 8 from 7-10am. Make reservations now to enjoy award-winning cuisine and the unforgetable sight of waves crashing on floor-to-ceiling windows.  

Seals at La Jolla's Children's Pool

A colony of harbor seals live at The Children's Pool Beach in La Jolla, California

What to do in La Jolla, California? The most popular free activity in the village - especially if you're traveling with kids - is visiting the seals at The Children's Pool. The rope barrier that went up here recently indicates the beginning of the pupping season for the colony of harbor seals who call the cove home.

While the pups aren't usually born until March and April, the rope keeps onlookers at a safe distance from the rookery while the seals are most vulnerable. All onlookers, that is, except for the beach-use advocates who insist on swimming in this area despite the fact that the water is contaminated. The pro-seal advocates believe that this action constitutes illegal harassment of a federally protected species.

City officials are seeking a permit from the California Coastal Commission to leave the rope up permanently instead of just during pupping season, but for the time being it goes up in December and comes down in May. The seals cope by just sliding into the water and going for a swim when the humans become too bothersome.

The seals have been in the area for decades, but no one paid much attention until their numbers became significant. The anti-seal people are primarily long-time La Jollans who learned to swim at The Children's Pool and would like to see their children and grandchildren have the same opportunity. In 1931 philanthropist Ellen Browning Scripps gifted the sea wall that encloses the cove so that La Jolla kids would have a safe place to learn to swim.

But that was then and this is now. The Children's Pool Beach is 130 feet long and San Diego offers 70 miles of coastline. The rookery is the only mainline harbor seal colony in Southern California south of Carpinteria.

This area of San Diego's coast is naturally rich in sea life and has been declared a marine sanctuary. At this time of the year, gray whales can be spotted off shore as they swim south to give birth in the warmer waters of Baja California, Mexico.

In addition, sea lions have taken up residence at the nearby La Jolla Cove where long-distance swimmers work out year round. They are joined by huge flocks of pelicans, the ubiquitous sea gulls, and significant numbers of cormorants.

If you visit with your family, the kids may notice that the various animal species get along just fine.

La Jolla is 12 miles from downtown San Diego. Click here to find out how to get to La Jolla from San Diego.

Click here if you would like help planning your trip to La Jolla.

San Diego Hotel Deals and News



Dramatic winter storm surf draws visitors to La Jolla, California.


If you’re planning a trip to Southern California in the near future, you’ll find some of the best hotel bargains in La Jolla – San Diego’s favorite coastal community.

Located only 12 miles from the San Diego Zoo and downtown, La Jolla offers beautiful beaches, great shopping and restaurant options, and panoramic ocean views.

How to get to La Jolla from San Diego.

I’ve already written about the new Pantai Inn on Coast Boulevard, close to the La Jolla Cove and the Children’s Pool seal colony. The Pantai is offering a great deal: $299 per room including free parking and breakfast. When the hotel is completed, there will be 44 suites with full kitchens, but right now they have seven suites ready and four more will be finished by the end of the month.

More hotel deals? Estancia La Jolla Hotel & Spa has extended their “late summer special” of $134 a night, which includes a $25 a day per room credit that can be used in the restaurant, bar, spa or for room service. This rate is subject to availability and they are already sold out for January 17-19. Estancia is located on Torrey Pines Road across from UCSD (University of California San Diego) and is a good choice for visitors with a car.

The Grand Colonial is busy sprucing up their lobby and meeting spaces, but their guest rooms are unaffected. The renovations will be complete in January. In the meantime, it's possible to find a room here from $199, depending on the category and availability.

Hotel La Jolla, on the other hand, has closed most of the hotel – only a handful of rooms are available – while they do major renovations to the restaurant, guest rooms, swimming pool, and other public spaces. Having said that, for travelers who just want a place to sleep, the Hotel La Jolla might be perfect. Call 858-459-0261 for availability and rates.

The “new” Hotel La Jolla, located at the gateway to our community, will re-open in May with a revamped ocean-view restaurant on the 11th floor and a cozy enclosed lounge with fire pits on the front lawn. Kimpton Hotels will manage the property,

La Valencia Hotel is in the process of replacing their quaint, old-fashioned elevator. This means that guests in the main building are using the stairs to access their rooms, but rest assured that ample staff is on hand to carry luggage. The west wing of the hotel is fully functional. Rates at La Valencia – and every hotel in the world, for that matter – are subject to availability – but it’s worth noting that AAA members receive a 10% discount, and the hotel is offering some good-value packages. The elevator in the main part of the hotel is expected to be operational by mid-February.

The La Jolla Shores Hotel has extended their "Kids Eat Free" offer for children 8 years and under who are dining with a paying adult. This includes a free children's breakfast and a complimentary brownie sundae with dinner.

Nearby, the La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club has put together a great New Year's Eve package with the Marine Room, and this renown oceanfront restaurant will offer the last high tide breakfasts of the season on January 7 and 8.

I'd be happy to help you plan your trip to La Jolla. Click here to read about the services I offer and click here to review more La Jolla hotel deals.

Happy holidays everyone!

What’s On at the Theater in La Jolla, California?

Paul Nolan as Jesus in JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR.

San Diego is best known for beautiful beaches and its world-famous Zoo, but we also enjoy a rich cultural life – including great theatre.

Since mid-November, the Stratford Shakespeare Festival production of JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR has been wowing audiences at La Jolla Playhouse. I saw the show about a week ago and was positively stunned by the music and the drama.

The show reminded me why I loved all of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s earlier works, but the credit for this production of Superstar goes to Des McAnuff, Director Emeritus of La Jolla Playhouse and now the Artistic Director of the Stratford Shakespeare Festival in Ontario, Canada.

McAnuff directs Paul Nolan in the role of Jesus, a very appealing Chilina Kennedy as Mary Magdalene, Josh Young as Judas, and Jeremy Kushnier as Pontius Pilate. Tom Hewitt, who was wonderful in THE LION KING on Broadway and as DRACULA at La Jolla Playhouse, stepped in briefly for Kushnier.

The reviews of Superstar have been terrific:

San Diego critic Welton Jones: “Any doubts that JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR is a genuine modern musical masterpiece should be banished forever by the splendid production in residence at the La Jolla Playhouse.”

L. A. Times reviewer Charles McNulty: “O ye of little faith. To all those who made snarky comments when it was announced that JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR was being resurrected by Des McAnuff, I say unto you, ‘Go down to La Jolla Playhouse and observe the benevolent gift of this revival, which has had the miraculous effect of turning even an Andrew Lloyd Webber denier like me into a momentary believer.’ ”

The ground-breaking rock opera will open on Broadway at the Neil Simon Theatre in March. Previous La Jolla Playhouse shows currently running on Broadway include Tony-Award winners MEMPHIS and JERSEY BOYS.

So you can wait and see Superstar in New York (in March at Broadway prices) or you can call the La Jolla Playhouse box office (858-550-1010) or go online right now and buy tickets. The show runs until the end of December.

Seems like a no-brainer to me.

Click here if you need help planning your trip to La Jolla.

Photo courtesy of La Jolla Playhouse.

New Hotel in La Jolla, California

Pantai Inn, La Jolla, California.

The Pantai Inn just opened in San Diego’s favorite coastal community and is offering travelers great deals on ocean view suites.

The inn will eventually expand to 44 suites, but at the moment – I was there two days ago – only 7 suites are available, and these are being offered at discounted rates as low as $299 a night including continental breakfast, wi-fi, and free parking.

This has got to be Southern California’s best hotel deal at the moment, and it’s great for traveling families because all suites include a full kitchen, a living room, and at least one separate bedroom - right across the street from the ocean.

Here are some tips, based on my tour of the new boutique hotel:

#106 would be best for 3G (three generation) family travel because it offers 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms, a balcony (but only a partial ocean view and no fireplace).

#201 is my favorite because is has a full ocean view and a gas fireplace, and the master bedroom has a canopy bed, but I also really like…

#208 which has a spacious oceanfront patio, a gas fireplace, an especially nice kitchen, and a wall bed in the living room, plus a separate bedroom.


Ocean-view balcony, Pantai Inn, La Jolla, California.


The Pantai Inn, on Coast Boulevard, was originally the Shell Beach Motel - a random collection of studios, cottages, and bungalows built along the La Jolla Coastline between 1900 and 1930.

Historical significance kept the property from being razed. Instead, the new owners have completely re-done the interiors and added every imaginable high-tech gizmo and first-class furnishings, while preserving the property’s original charm. They are also adding Balinese art, artifacts, and furniture which fit right in with the waterfront location.

The hotel does not have a restaurant, but is within a block or two of dozens of dining and shopping options. It is also within sight of the Children’s Pool and steps from the La Jolla Cove.

Sales & Operation Manager Bernardo Zavala, formerly with La Jolla’s La Valencia and the Four Seasons Aviara, told me they expect to have 11 suites completed by the end of this month. Another 29 will be ready by next summer, with all 44 finished by the end of 2012.

La Jolla’s mild climate lures visitors year round – and the savvy ones will take advantage of the discounted rates at the Pantai Inn -while they last.

The Pantai Inn is steps from The La Jolla Cove.


Click here if you need help planning a trip to La Jolla.

Photo credit: ADAMS / HANSEN STOCK PHOTOS.

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When to go to La Jolla, California

The La Jolla Christmas Parade will take place Sunday, December 4, 2011.

We’ve talked about how to get to San Diego’s favorite coastal community, but if you’re planning a trip, you also need to think about the best time to be here.

Weather -

Weather is certainly a consideration – even though the temperature in San Diego is mild year round, and we get less than 10 inches of rain a year (usually from November to March). Click here for some rainy day suggestions.

Daytime temps range from a low of 64°F (about 17°C) in December to a high of 79°F (about 25°C) in August. Nighttime temps are 15-20 degrees cooler. We get a fair amount of coastal fog in May and June – known locally as “May gray” and “June gloom” – and the best beach weather is July though September. Visit in the spring (especially in April and May) to see our colorful gardens at their very best.

Insider tip: I think of September as San Diego’s secret season, because the crowds are gone and the weather is wonderful.

Annual Events -


Annual events are also a consideration when planning a trip to La Jolla. Here are some to factor into your plans:

January and September - San Diego Restaurant Week includes lots of La Jolla restaurants offering good-value prix-fixe menus. Next: January 15-20, 2012

January – The Farmers Insurance PGA Golf Tournament is played at the Torrey Pines Golf Course. Next: January 23-29, 2012.

February – This is free museum month in San Diego. La Jolla participants include the Museum of Contemprary Art San Diego, Birch Aquarium at Scripps, and the La Jolla Historical Society.

March - Meet the Masters. Sponsored by the Village Garden Club of La Jolla, Meet the Masters features well known personalities from the world of flowers. Next: March 8, 2012 – London floral designer Shane Connolly – “the man who put the trees in Westminster Abbey for the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton.”

April – The La Jolla Concours d’Elegance (formerly La Jolla Motor Car Classic), sponsored by the La Jolla Historical Society, takes place in Scripps Park near the La Jolla Cove and draws droves of classic car enthusiasts. Next: April 1, 2012.

May – The Secret Garden Tour of La Jolla, sponsored by the La Jolla Historical Society, provides an opportunity for local residents and out-of-town visitors to walk through the gates that surround our community’s most beautiful private gardens. Next: May 19, 2012

May – February - La Jolla Playhouse presents a year round program of musicals, comedies, and dramas Next: Jesus Christ Superstar, November 18 - December 31, 2011.

July – On the 4th of July, fireworks explode from the La Jolla Cove.

August – La Jolla Music Society's SummerFest is a nationally-recognized chamber music festival featuring over 70 world-class artists and ensembles performing concerts during the month of August.

September - La Jolla Rough Water Swim. America's premier rough water swim has taken place at the La Jolla Cove since 1916. Next: September 9, 2012.

October - Kids are free at local museums when accompanied by a paid adult.

December – April – This is whale watching season. Visitors can go out on a boat with a Birch Aquarium or BYO binoculars and scan the waves from vantage points along the La Jolla Coast.

December – May - La Jolla Music Society’s Winter-Spring Series includes a variety of music and dance performances. Some of these are held in Sherwood Hall in the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego and at the Neurosciences Institute in La Jolla.

December – The La Jolla Christmas Parade and Holiday Festival is a family-friendly community event. Next: December 4, 2012.

Click here if you need help planning your trip to La Jolla.

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Photo credit ADAMS / HANSEN STOCK PHOTOS.

How to Get to La Jolla from San Diego, California?

The La Jolla Cove is a favorite spot of visitors and locals.

La Jolla’s fame as Southern California’s most beautiful beach community draws travelers from all over the world. Unfortunately, most visitor maps don’t make it clear that La Jolla is part of San Diego, which can make getting here a bit confusing.

I’ve already discussed La Jolla’s location, but I never really explained how to get here. (Apologies.)

Your best bet for finding a map online is to go to Mapquest.  If you’re driving, they can provide good directions. If not, you’ll be able to appreciate how close La Jolla is to other popular areas such as the San Diego Zoo, Little Italy, and Sea World. (This comes as a shock to visitors who think that La Jolla is about halfway between San Diego and Los Angeles.)

If you’re using public transport, the MTS bus #30 from downtown will drop you off right on Silverado Street at Herschel in the heart of La Jolla. From that point, the La Jolla Cove, the Children’s Pool, myriad shops and restaurant options, the San Diego Museum of Contemporary Art, my favorite little gift shop, a popular local café and many more attractions within easy walking distance.

Alternatively, Tour Guide Tim provides tours of La Jolla that are both fun and informative. His guided coach tours leave from the Santa Fe train station on Kettner Boulevard and include Mt. Soledad, the village of La Jolla, La Jolla Shores, and the Torrey Pines Golf Course. Passengers have time to shop, eat lunch, and walk along the water in the village, or they can spend their time at La Jolla Shores Beach. Here, kayaking, surf lessons, or just hanging out in the sand are a few of the options. Tim also provides great maps on his site.

If you decide to taxi, the ride from downtown will set you back about $40 plus a gratuity. That’s a hefty fee for only 12 miles, so you might consider renting a car for a day and doing the driving yourself. With a car, you can go to Torrey Pines State Park (hiking with a gorgeous ocean view), stop in at the Torrey Pines Gliderport (a fun place for lunch and watching paragliders), and you can drive to the top of Mt. Soledad (a war memorial with a 360-degree view).

No matter how you arrive in La Jolla, I hope you have fun while you're here.

Click here if you need help planning your La Jolla vacation.

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Photo credit ADAMS / HANSEN STOCK PHOTOS.

La Jolla, California, Hotel Deals

The La Jolla Shores Hotel and its neighbor, the La Jolla
Beach & Tennis Club, are San Diego's only beachfront places to stay.

All savvy travelers - including those headed to San Diego - are looking for the best hotel bargains.

The reason I have the Hotels Combined and Booking.com boxes on this blog is that they claim to offer some of the lowest rates available.

To check this point, I just did an experiment: I ran a comparison on the rates offered for the La Jolla Shores Hotel, checking in on October 27 and out on October 28 for two adults in one room.

The results: Hotels Combined can do the deal for $187. I then checked with Kayak.com, Travelzoo, Expedia, Orbitz, and all the usual suspects, and their best price was $199 - the same as the hotel's website.

Those two hotel boxes are taking up a lot of real estate on this site, but if they help you get a good deal on a hotel in La Jolla - it's worth it to me to leave them there.

Click here if you need help planning your trip to La Jolla.

Where is La Jolla, California?

La Jolla is a community within the city of San Diego - located 12 miles from downtown.

I started writing “La Jolla Travel Information” 3 years ago because I want visitors to get the most from the time they spend in my community.

However, it recently occurred to me that while I was busy leading you off the beaten path in La Jolla, I may have overlooked some critical information…

Do you know where La Jolla is?

The city of San Diego is located in the southwest corner of the United States - just above the border with Mexico and along the Pacific coast. It is the 8th largest city in the U. S. and is comprised of many distinct and diverse communities. La Jolla, located 12 miles from downtown San Diego, is one of these neighborhoods. The city of Los Angeles is 110 miles north of La Jolla.

I often refer to La Jolla as “San Diego’s favorite coastal community,” because our beautiful beaches, scenic sandstone cliffs, marine wildlife, restaurants, hotels, shops, architecture, ocean viewpoints, luxury homes, and colorful plant life draw visitors from across the city and around the world.

The population of San Diego is more than 1.3 million people. Of that number, about 32,000 residents live in La Jolla, which is itself divided into smaller neighborhoods, such as The Shores, the "Village,” Bird Rock, and others. La Jolla Lodging By Location helps clarify these various neighborhoods.

In my next post, I’ll suggest ways to get to La Jolla – because I really want you to come and visit.

Photo credit: ADAMS / HANSEN STOCK PHOTOS.
 
Click here to see more photos of La Jolla.

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What to do in San Diego in October?

Kids enjoy the hands-on marine life exhibit at Birch Aquarium in La Jolla.

This is a great month to travel in Southern California. The weather is cooler, but the “rainy season” hasn’t started, and daylight savings time doesn’t end until November 6.

In La Jolla, San Diego’s favorite coastal community, visitors can expect daytime temperatures of about 75°F (22°C) and overnight lows of around 58°F (14°C).

Kids are free

During the month of October, kids 12 and under are free at 24 San Diego County museums when accompanied by a paying adult. The program is limited to two children per adult and requires a coupon that can be downloaded at http://www.sandiegomuseumcouncil.org/

In La Jolla, the museums include Birch Aquarium at Scripps, the La Jolla Historical Society, and the San Diego Museum of Contemporary Art La Jolla.

Kids will find lots of things to do at Birch Aquarium, including hands-on exhibits with marine life, viewing underwater wonders in the Hall of Fishes, and watching the Shark Reef feeding.

Elsewhere in San Diego, young visitors will enjoy free admission at the museums in Balboa Park, at the San Diego Zoo, and at the San Diego Safari Park

La Jolla Art & Wine Festival

Held on October 1 and 2, the La Jolla Art & Wine Festival draws more than 100 artists from Southern California and northern Mexico. Their work attracts about 20,000 local residents and San Diego visitors. The Festival also features children's activities and tastings by regional wineries and local breweries.

The popular event takes place from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Girard Avenue between Pearl and Genter streets. Admission is $10 for adults, $5 for seniors 65 and above, military, and children 12 and under. Children 2 and under are free. Proceeds benefit La Jolla schools.

Have fun!

Photo credit: ADAMS / HANSEN STOCK PHOTOS.
Click here if you need help planning your trup to La Jolla.

La Jolla’s Newest Ocean View Café

The terrace at Caroline's Seaside Cafe on the SIO/UCSD
campus is a breezy, ocean view spot for breakfast and lunch.

Caroline’s is perched on a sandstone bluff and serves up a 180° blue-water panorama, as well as healthy, California-style meals.

Some time ago, I wrote about “San Diego’s Best Beach Breakfast,” which described Snackropolis on the SIO (Scripps Institution of Oceanography) campus. However, that landmark closed in early August when Caroline’s Seaside Café opened in the nearby Scripps Seaside Forum.

Caroline’s is named for the wife of Nico Nierenberg, whose father William A. Nierenberg served as director of SIO from 1965 to 1986. Dr. Nierenberg helped build Scripps into one of the world’s leading environmental research institutions.

I’m so nuts about this place, that I’ve already enjoyed lunch and the amazing view at least a half dozen times. So far my favorite midday meal is the chicken Caesar salad, but I also really enjoy the poached pear and goat cheese salad, and the turkey wrap. I’ve been told that Caroline Nierenberg’s favorite is the tuna melt.

Breakfast items include oatmeal, housemade buttermilk pancakes, and freshly-baked bagels.


Caroline's offers a sweeping panorama from Scripps Pier to the village.

This is Chef Giuseppe Ciuffa’s third café in San Diego. The others are the popular Museum Café at the San Diego Museum of Contemporary Art La Jolla and The Sculpture Garden Café in Balboa Park.

Born in Ferrara, the food capital of Northern Italy, Giuseppe relies on fresh ingredients from regional California farms and olive oil from his family’s farm in Italy. He arrived in San Diego in 1994 and shortly thereafter opened La Taverna in La Jolla.

Caroline’s is open 7am to 4pm Monday – Friday and 8am to 3pm weekends, except during UCSD holidays and campus closures. Diners have the choice of indoor or terrace seating – both provide a view of La Jolla Shores Beach and the ocean from Scripps Pier all the way south to the village area of La Jolla.

No need to worry about the dress code here, but a few tips about parking are in order. Please note that there is no public parking Monday - Friday in the lot near the café (8610 Kennel Way). On weekends, diners may park here, but must purchase a permit at the pay station in the parking lot and display it on their dashboard. During the week, I suggest you park on one of the streets in the adjacent neighborhood (such as El Paseo Grande or Paseo del Ocaso) or find a spot in the lot at Kellogg Park and walk up the beach to the café.

Trust me. You’re going to love this place.

Photo credit: ADAMS / HANSEN STOCK PHOTOS.

Click here if you need help planning your trip to San Diego.

San Diego Restaurant Deals

The Marine Room Restaurant overlooks La Jolla Shores Beach.

Author's note: San Diego Restaurant Week is such a hit that it's been extended through Friday, September 30. That includes 2-course lunches for $10, $15 or $20 and 3-course dinners for $20, $30 or $40 at participating restaurants.

California is known for its great restaurants and many of the best ones are in San Diego.

If you’re lucky (or were clever enough to plan ahead) your vacation will coincide with San Diego Restaurant Week, September 18-23.

As you’ll see from the map on the website, quite of few of the participating restaurants are in La Jolla, San Diego’s favorite coastal community.

Travelers who want an ocean view while they dine will head to The Steakhouse at Azul on Prospect Street (3 course prix fixe dinner, $40) where you’ll have a choice of sitting indoors or on the patio.

Prefer seafood to steak? The Crab Catcher – also on Prospect Street and also with an ocean view – is offering 2-course lunches for $15 and dinners for $30.

La Valencia Hotel’s Sky Room (3-course prix fixe dinner, $40) has a bird’s eye view of the coast, and the hotel’s Mediterranean Room is also participating (2-course lunches for $20 and 3-course dinners for $30).

Chedi Thai Bistro on Pearl Street doesn’t have a view, but during Restaurant Week their 3-course dinners cost only $20 (and fried banana ice cream is one of the dessert choices). That’s a great deal, but probably not as good as the $15 lunches at Roppongi Restaurant & Sushi Bar.

Having said all that, I’m a beach person, so my personal preferences are the Shores Restaurant in the La Jolla Shores Hotel (dinner, $30) and the Marine Room at the La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club (dinner, $40). Both face La Jolla Shores Beach, which is beautiful night and day.

Regardless of which restaurant you choose, be sure to make reservations as far ahead as possible. San Diego visitors will be competing for tables with more than 100,000 locals who also want to take advantage of these great deals.

Enjoy.

San Diego Alert: Barack Obama and The Real World

Aerial view of Mt. Soledad and La Jolla's north coast.

Traffic Alert: President Obama will visit San Diego as part of his swing through Southern California. In fact, he'll  be having lunch in La Jolla on September 26. That's bound to cause a few delays - maybe even a road closure or two. If you'll be in town that day, you might want to avoid Mt. Soledad.

This peak provides a great panorama, but on that day, the cars carrying those guys who wear dark glasses and talk into their lapels might clog up the access.

The event - no, I wasn't invited either - is at the home of Elizabeth and Mason Phelps in the Muirlands area of La Jolla. The President will be the guest of honor at a noon lunch limited to 160.

What else is happening that week? September 28 is the start of Season 26 of MTV's The Real World. If you've been paying attention, you know that Season 26 was filmed in San Diego, and the cast lived in a house in the Bird Rock area of La Jolla.

I bet that all those folks who belly-ached about having the show taped in their family neighborhood will be glued to their TVs. 

Photo credit: ADAMS / HANSEN STOCK PHOTOS.

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Famous La Jollans



Mitt Romney's Jolla, California, home.

 Mitt Romney – yes the GOP candidate – is La Jolla’s newest celebrity resident. In fact, he and his wife Ann bought their beachfront home here in 2008, but no one paid much attention until he filed an application to bulldoze the $12 million house and build a much larger mansion on the site.

If you’re in town and would like to see the “before,” the house is located at 311 Dunemere Drive. The best view is from the beach, which can be accessed from the end of Sea Lane. Island Architects is working on a plan for a new two-story, 11,000-square-foot structure.

The Romney house is in an area of La Jolla known as the Barber Tract, adjacent to the home formerly owned by Cliff Robertson. The actor grew up in La Jolla and graduated from La Jolla High in 1941.

Another actor, Gregory Peck was born in La Jolla and his pharmacist father worked at Putnam’s Pharmacy (where Nine-Ten Restaurant is now) in The Grande Colonial Hotel on Prospect Street. In 1947, Peck co-founded La Jolla Playhouse with his friends Dorothy McGuire and Mel Ferrer. The Playhouse has sent many shows to Broadway and won a Tony Award for Best Regional Theatre.

Raquel Welch, Robin Wright (Penn), director Gore Verbinski, and film maker Yoav Potash also went to La Jolla High. Dustin Hoffmann doesn’t live in La Jolla, but seems to enjoy the Whaling Bar at La Valencia.

It’s possible that actors, politicians, and world-renown scientists choose to live in La Jolla, not only because it’s beautiful, but because they know they won’t be pestered by local residents.



Salk Institute for Biological Studies.

I passed Jonas Salk on La Jolla Shores Beach one day and never broke my stride – in spite of the fact that I know he invented the polio vaccine that saved millions of lives.

Salk and his wife Francoise Gilot moved to La Jolla in 1960, where he established the Salk Institute for Biological Studies. If you haven’t seen this stunning complex designed by Louis Kahn on North Torrey Pines Road, add it to your sightseeing list. Completed in 1967, the original Institute buildings were declared an historic landmark in 1991. (BTW, Salk, who died in 1995, never patented the vaccine or earned any money from it.)

Speaking of La Jolla Shores Beach, Senator and Cindy McCain own a condo in the area.

Geisel Library at UCSD, La Jolla, California.

The late Ted Geisel, also known as Dr. Seuss, arrived in La Jolla in 1948 and built a home at the top of Mt. Soledad. It was here that he wrote the popular books that became children’s classics. He died in 1991 and the library at UCSD is named in his honor. His widow is one of several La Jollans that have been on the Forbes 400 list.

Other "richest" include Irwin Jacobs (Qualcomm), Ted Waitt (Gateway Computers), the Spanos Family (San Diego Chargers), and Ron Burkle (supermarkets and more).

The concrete and glass UCSD library, in the shape of a lantern, is the perfect tribute to "Dr. Seuss," a man who continues to delight children with his fanciful characters.

Photo credit: ADAMS /HANSEN STOCK PHOTOS.

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Kind Words About "La Jolla Travel Information"

Elizabeth Hansen

I write this blog because I really like La Jolla and I want visitors to have a good experience when they are here. For the most part, it's a labor of love...so when someone notices and acknowledges my efforts, it really makes my day.

"Need La Jolla Travel Information? Check out this 'insider’s guide' to San Diego’s favorite coastal community."

September 2, 2011 · My Point of View, 

by Michelle Silverman.

"Have you met Elizabeth Hansen? She’s a long-time La Jollan who started a blog about our community because, as she explained, "it drove me nutty to see visitors walking up and down Prospect Street with an over-priced ice cream cone thinking they were seeing La Jolla.”

"Over 100 posts later, La Jolla Travel Information has covered places to walk, vacation rentals, hotels, places to eat, destination weddings, cooking classes, controversies (seals, The Real World), the gliderport, the Open Aire Market, and other only-in-La Jolla activities. About four times a year she includes a comprehensive calendar of upcoming events that is a great resource.

"Unlike commercial blogs, Elizabeth writes her “insider’s guide to San Diego’s favorite coastal community” from a local point of view and includes places and activities that out-of-towners might overlook

Click here to read the rest of Michelle's blog post...

La Jolla’s Secret Sandwich Spot

The Sandwich Club is tucked away in the
sunlit courtyard of the Merrill Lynch Building.

A little lunch place in the courtyard of the Merrill Lynch Building (Fay at Silverado) is a perfect example of why I started this blog. I want visitors to San Diego’s favorite coastal community to wander off the beaten path and discover places that aren’t touristy.

The Sandwich Club of La Jolla is just such a place. I first heard about it from my friend Christie Dangler (who recommended the BLT), but I got discouraged when I couldn’t find it.

Fast forward about a year and I joined the La Jolla Sports Club – also in the Merrill Lynch Building – and one day in the middle of a Pilates class, I had this great ah-ha moment. The secret spot I’d heard about was right outside the window.

I watched La Jollans pick up their meals and sit at tables in the sunlit patio right outside the studio where I was working my core – and suddenly getting really hungry.

I‘ve since learned from a friend who taught at La Jolla High that The Sandwich Club is a faculty favorite. In fact, it seems to be a favorite of a lot of people. The “in” crowd knows to order ahead of time (858-456-7548 or 456-7549) to avoid standing in line.

Sandwiches include Gina Lolllobrigida (hot pastrami), Shamoo (tuna), and The Godfather (Genoa salami, mortadella, ham and provolone cheese with Italian dressing on a French roll). They also serve wraps, salads, and a soup of the day.

The Club opens at 7am Monday to Friday and closes at 2:45. On Saturday, they are open Saturday from 10:30 to 2.

Tourists flock to the restaurants on Prospect Street and enjoy a pricey lunch with an ocean vista.

The Sandwich Club is for travelers who want good value, flavorful food, and a view of authentic La Jolla.

Click here if you'd like my help planning your trip to La Jolla.

Photo credit: ADAMS / HANSEN STOCK PHOTOS.

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La Jolla’s Best Gym

The La Jolla Sports Club, located on two levels of the

Merrill Lynch Building, is the best gym in La Jolla.

Most travelers today want to maintain their work-out routine while they’re on vacation. If this includes you, head to the La Jolla Sports Club in the village. It’s the best fitness club around – and I should know, I’ve tried them all.

For many years I was a member of the La Jolla Family Y, but I really prefer the classes and facilities at the La Jolla Sports Club. The Pilates classes are particularly good, and I’ve also taken a good stretch class. I’m not into spinning, but that’s offered, too – and I’ve heard their yoga instructors are good. (If lap swimming is your thing, head to the Coggan Family Aquatic Complex on the corner of Nautilus and Fay.)

You don’t have to be a member to work out at the Sports Club. Hotel guests can buy a day pass for $18 – and that includes two hours of free parking in the underground garage they share with the other businesses in the Merrill Lynch Building. The Club offers child care while you’re working out and has a physical therapist and an esthetician (facials, massage, body treatments, and waxing) on staff.

The La Jolla Sports Club is located on the corner of Fay and Silverado, in the heart of the village. It’s open every day of the year except December 25 and January 1.

If cardio and strength training make you hungry, the legendary Sandwich Club is located in the courtyard of the Merrill Lynch Building and – if you’re being super healthy – Lean and Green is right next door. They offer a choice of organic, vegan, or gluten-free salads and wraps.

Pretty handy, huh? You can workout, grab some lunch, and then head to the beach. Just remember to practice safe sun.

San Diego Vacation Rental at La Jolla Shores Beach



The Southern California surf lifestyle is evident

in this La Jolla Shores (San Diego) vacation rental.



It’s no surprise that Southern California’s surf lifestyle is evident throughout this family home on Paseo del Ocaso in La Jolla Shores. The owner is the founder of Rusty Clothing, the “surfer gear” that has become popular around the world. 

Bob Skoldberg was also the World Giant Slalom Skateboard Champion in 1977 and “the man to beat” in the skateboard movie Lords of Dogtown.

Son Erik is a La Jolla artist, and his large colorful paintings add to the very beachy feel created by surfboards mounted on the walls and the ocean view from a wrap-around deck.

The 2,800-square-foot house, managed by SeaBreeze Vacation Rentals, sleeps 10 comfortably. Because two bedrooms, a bathroom, and a sitting area are on a separate level, this would be an ideal home-away-from-home for two families traveling together. The master bed is a king, and others are all queens. The kitchen and bathrooms have granite counters.

Occupants wouldn’t need a car because it’s just a short walk to the beach, Kellogg Park, shops, and restaurants. The house comes with a hot tub, outdoor shower, and barbecue and, like all SeaBreeze Vacation Rentals, wi-fi and cable TV are provided. SeaBreeze also provides beach chairs, surf boards, coolers, wetsuits, bikes, helmets, cribs, and boogie boards for a nominal fee. They don't provide sunscreen, however, so BYO and use it often.

Ask about rental #8418 and use Promo Code SB2565 to receive a 10% discount.

Kids and pets are welcome here. In fact, I think this family home would seem strange without them.

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La Jolla Destination Weddings

This Tuscan-style villa in La Jolla, California,

is available for very special - and private - weddings.

It’s no surprise that San Diego’s favorite coastal community is a popular place for destination weddings. Our mild year round climate and beautiful scenic location make La Jolla a wonderful spot to get married.

I’ve already mentioned that the La Jolla Shores Hotel and La Valencia Hotel are ideal for weddings ceremonies and receptions, as well as several other local venues.

In addition, I’ve recently learned that several of my fellow La Jollans open their homes and gardens to brides seeking very special – and private – wedding sites.

One house is a beautiful Tuscan villa on Hidden Valley Road on the south slope of Mt. Soledad. Owner Barbara Lubin gives brides the option of bringing in their own wedding planner and vendors or using the services of her Rose Garden Events.

The Lubin’s 6,500 square-foot house and surrounding garden, pool, patio, and putting green can accommodate up to 60-70 guests for a sit-down dinner reception and dancing. With up to 100 guests, a cover can be used to convert the pool into a dance floor.

After the party, the bride and groom are welcome to spend the night in the Lubin’s intimate guest suite, which is completely separate from the rest of the house, and they can enjoy “room service” breakfast the next morning.

“We’ve always done a lot of entertaining,” the hostess explained to me, “so we have all the glassware and dishes anyone could need.”

In fact, I’ve never seen a larger or more beautiful collection of Italian ceramics. The European interior design of the house also includes lots of Venetian glass and antiques Barbara inherited from her grandmother.

This accommodating wedding host asks for at least two months notice to make all the necessary arrangements, including booking her favorite photographer, florist, officiant, caterer and so forth.

The best way to contact Barbara is via email: blubin@san.rr.com

Cheers! (and best wishes)

Photo credit ADAMS / HANSEN STOCK PHOTOS.

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La Jolla Locals’ Favorite Ocean View Café

Goldfish Point Cafe offers a great ocean view.

Goldfish Point Café is one of La Jolla’s best kept secrets. The regulars – and there are many – include La Jolla Cove swimmers, who gather here for coffee and conversation after their morning workout. The young and the restless also roll in regularly with their laptops and avail themselves of the free wi-fi. Other folks choose this breezy spot for the privacy it offers and the great ocean view.

The location – uphill from The Cove at 1255 Coast Boulevard – may account for the fact that few visitors find their way to this gem. In contrast, out-of-towners will wait an hour for a table at nearby Brockton Villa Restaurant because it’s larger and more visible.

At Goldfish Point, I love the “local hangout” atmosphere, the view, and the fact that the proprietor is so committed to our community that he provided free coffee to the volunteers in a recent Coast Walk clean-up. This walking trail (with a breathtaking view of La Jolla Shores) starts across the street – just around the corner from the Cave Shop.

My family and I recently lingered over lunch and the view at the cafe. I liked my Cobb Salad, while the others enjoyed paninis and a Greek Salad. The service was friendly and prices were reasonable.

La Jolla has other good places for coffee, breakfast, or lunch, but Goldfish Point is the most "local," casual, and laid-back.

Here, the only suits you're likely to see are the "wet" ones that keep surfers and swimmers warm.

Open 8am to 3pm daily. (858) 459-7407.

Photo credit: ADAMS / HANSEN STOCK PHOTOS.

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Buying a House in La Jolla

Some homes on Mt. Soledad in La Jolla enjoy this north shore view.

Let me guess: When you planned your San Diego vacation, your list of things to do said “San Diego Zoo, SeaWorld, snorkel at La Jolla Cove, hit the beach, and hike in Torrey Pines State park.”

However, our mild Southern California climate and beautiful scenery has gotten the best of you, and now you want to look at real estate.

Take heart – you aren't the first and you aren’t alone. Michelle Silverman of Prudential California Realty specializes in introducing visitors to the La Jolla lifestyle and showing them potential dream homes.

In fact, her website “Views of La Jolla” focuses as much on visitor information as it does on real estate. When we met, I was surprised to meet a Realtor who didn’t want to talk about the last big sale – but really wanted to tell me about the clients from out-of-town who are now enjoying the local lifestyle.

Michelle has been helping people find their place in La Jolla and other areas of San Diego for over two decades and consistently ranks in the top 1-2% of Prudential sales professionals nationwide. She uses Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, phone, and email to stay on top of the ever-changing San Diego market.

On “Views of La Jolla,” you can browse the MLS listings and take a virtual tour of coastal homes for sale, but Michelle – a San Diego native – also has “Community Links” to dozens of helpful sites and a blog that combines real estate news with local visitor attractions and activities.

Most people buy souvenirs when they visit – beachy tee shirts, a watercolor painting of The Cove, a San Diego Zoo mug – but a lucky few acquire a second home, a place to retire, or an investment property.

And if Michelle Silverman is their agent, they also acquire a new friend.

Photo credit: ADAMS / HANSEN STOCK PHOTOS

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