Getting Hitched in La Jolla

These days, about 20% of marriage ceremonies take place away from home. Given our great weather and beautiful backdrops, it’s no wonder that La Jolla is a popular spot for destination weddings.
Following are a few ideas about places to enjoy your special day:

Cuvier Park, also called The Wedding Bowl, is a small park located at Coast Boulevard and Cuvier Street in La Jolla - directly across from the San Diego Museum of Contemporary Art (see photo). The park site is about five steps below street level, which provides some privacy from passersby. It is the most popular spot for weddings along the La Jolla Coastline.

Darlington House, a beautifully maintained historic villa between the village and the ocean, can be rented for wedding ceremonies and receptions. I’ve attended many events here and always enjoy the rich Spanish décor that includes patios surrounded by colorful flowers - complete with Roman arches and tiled benches. However, my favorite room is the handsome library, inspired by Moorish architecture.

The Congregational Church of La Jolla is a good choice for those who want to marry in a place of worship. Unlike other denominations, the Congregational Church does not restrict weddings to their members. In fact, it is the most open and welcoming church in La Jolla. The church is located in the village and has a beautiful sanctuary that seats 150. Receptions can be held in the social hall or at one of several hotels located within walking distance

The Martin Johnson House on the campus of Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UCSD is a wonderful old world cottage on a rise that provides a stunning ocean view.

Scripps Seaside Forum is also on the campus of SIO but, in contrast to the Martin Johnson House, the Forum is brand new and offers a beachfront location.

If you need more information on wedding or reception venues, please feel free to post a comment. I want to help you have a very special day in La Jolla.

Photo courtesy Urs Baumann.
Click here if you need help planning your trip to La Jolla.

La Jolla Festival of the Arts - June 20-21

I just realized that in my last post I included the La Jolla Festival of the Arts in the Calendar of Events, but I didn't point out that it's this weekend - June 20-21 from 9am to 5pm. More than 200 artists will be exhibiting their work. Live music and a food court will add to the fun.

If you're planning to visit La Jolla this weekend, you might want to go to the Festival on Saturday when the forecast is for clouds and save sunnier Sunday for the beach or a bike ride.

The Festival will take place at the east campus of UCSD at Genesee Avenue and Regents Road. Admission is $10, but active military and children under 10 are free of charge.

For more information call 858-456-1268 or go to http://www.lajollaartfestival.org/.

Have fun!

Timing Is Everything - A Calendar of La Jolla Events

Important Travel Information:

A Calendar of Events and Weather Information

When planning a trip to La Jolla – or anywhere else – it’s important to be aware of seasonal weather changes. Our community is known for its mild climate, but that doesn’t mean you can comfortably wear a swimsuit on the beach in November. It’s also good to keep in mind “May gray” and “June gloom.”

September is my favorite month in La Jolla because the weather is great and the crowds are gone. I wrote about the advantages of a fall visit for The Dallas Morning News and posted the clip on my website at www.elizabethhansen.net/travelWritingClips/insiders.htm

Special events may also influence your decision. Car guys will definitely want to be here in January for the La Jolla Motor Car Classic. Other folks will want to attend the Rough Water Swim or the Christmas Parade. The calendar below can help you decide when to visit La Jolla.

January - La Jolla Motor Car Classic (http://www.lajollamotorcarclassic.com/). In 2010, this event will take place on Sunday, January 10 from 9am to 3pm.

The annual Buick Invitational at Torrey Pines Golf Course will take place January 25-31, 2010 (http://www.buickinvitational.com/)

February – This is prime whale watching season. Birch Aquarium at Scripps Institution of Oceanography conducts twice daily trips with one of their naturalists onboard. http://aquarium.ucsd.edu/Education/Public_Programs/Outdoor_Adventures/Whale_Watching/
March – The Spring Egg Hunt Celebration takes place at the La Jolla Recreation Center, 615 Prospect St. on the day before Easter (858) 552-1658.

April – The La Jolla Half Marathon (http://www.lajollahalfmarathon.com/) will take place on Sunday, April 25, 2010. The race starts at the Del Mar Fairgrounds and follows a scenic route along the coast.

La Jolla’s Mediterranean climate means that in April our gardens burst into bloom. Horticulturally-inclined out-of-towners might want to spend some time driving slowly around town admiring them.

May – The Secret Garden Tour of Old La Jolla (see my April 23, 2009 post below) provides a unique opportunity to visit some of La Jolla’s most interesting home gardens. The event benefits the La Jolla Historical Society (http://www.lajollahistory.org/).

June – Free live concerts at Scripps Park near the La Jolla Cove start at the end of June and run through early September. BYO picnic blanket on Sunday afternoons from 2-4 pm. (http://www.lajollaconcertsbythesea.org/).

The season of the Tony-Award winning La Jolla Playhouse starts in June and runs through the end of the year (http://www.lajollaplayhouse.com/)

La Jolla Festival of the Arts (http://www.lajollaartfestival.org/) is a two-day event of art, food, music, and more. Sponsored by the Torrey Pines Kiwanis Club, the event benefits disabled San Diegans.

July – This is when the really wonderful summer weather starts. Don’t miss the Fourth of July fireworks at The La Jolla Cove.

August – Whether you want to surf, kayak, swim, or just laze in the sand, this is high season at the beach. Nothing beats summer in La Jolla.

September – The La Jolla Rough Water Swim (http://www.ljrws.com/) is a sight to behold. See my July 7, 2008 post below. This year the race will take place on September 13.

October – If you’re in town for Halloween and choosing a spot for dinner, I’d recommend Barbarella Restaurant & Bar at 2171 Avenida De La Playa (858) 454-7373. Host Barbara Beltaire goes all out with spooky decorations.

If you're a diver and you'd rather catch your dinner, note that spiny lobster season opens October 3 and runs through March 17, 2010.

November – The annual San Diego Jewish Book Fair, one of the top Jewish literacy events in the nation, will take place November 5-12, 2009 at the Lawrence Family Jewish Community Center, 4126 Executive Drive. (858) 457-3030. (http://www.lfcc.org/)

December – Join locals at the very family-friendly La Jolla Christmas Parade & Holiday Festival (http://www.ljparade.com/) on December 6, 2009.

And keep in mind that visitors are welcome at any of these events. There's nothing we La Jollans like more than showing off our community. The important thing is that you enjoy yourself.

“Are we already at Disneyland, Daddy?”

You wouldn’t be the first to hear this if your small fry are looking out the window as you zoom along Interstate 5 on the way to La Jolla. The San Diego Mormon Temple rises up seemingly out of nowhere and looks a lot like Sleeping Beauty’s Castle in the Magic Kingdom.

The stunning white structure, with spires that soar to 190 feet, was built in the early ‘90s. A gilded statue of the angel Moroni sits atop the eastern peak.

EXPLORING THE MORMON MYSTERY

Upon completion, locals of all faiths (or no faith) were invited to tour the interior of the temple. Over 720,000 curious San Diegans accepted the invitation. It was so exotic, fascinating, mysterious – I’m not sure what the right word is – that I went twice, each time slipping on shoe covers to protect the white carpet. For its good neighbor efforts, the Church was presented with the Public Relations Society of America's prestigious Silver Anvil Award.

The open house ended when the Temple was dedicated in April 1993. Today only "recommended" Mormons can enter. However, the beautiful grounds and gardens, which cover seven acres, are still open to visitors Tuesday through Saturday. Church staff are available to show you around, answer generic questions about their religion, and discuss the architecture from 7am until dark.

Technically, the Temple isn’t in La Jolla because it’s on the east side of I-5, but it couldn’t be closer. To get there, exit I-5 at Nobel Drive and go east to Lebon Street. Turn right onto Lebon and then right again onto Charmont Drive.

There’s more information at http://sandiegomormontemple.org/ or you can call 858-622-0991.

A Picnic Table With A View

It seems like everyone who visits San Diego wants to find a restaurant with a good view. Certainly there are several of these along La Jolla's Prospect Street, but savvy locals know that the show-stopper vista is up at the Torrey Pines "International" Gliderport.

Here, the Cliff Hanger Café (858-452-9858, open daily) serves great made-to-order deli sandwiches, soups, and salads to diners who have an up-close-and-personal view of hang gliders and paragliders taking off over the Pacific. It’s truly a breathtaking sight.

To get there, take North Torrey Pines Road to Torrey Pines Scenic Drive and turn west. The first thing you’ll see is the landmark Salk Institute designed by architect Louis Kahn. As you continue driving towards the water, colorful paragliders and hang gliders floating over the sandstone cliffs will come into view.

Is this really an “international” gliderport? Just listen to the languages spoken by the pilots. They consider La Jolla to be the ultimate destination for their sport.

If you decide to try a tandem flight, you might want to wait and have lunch afterwards.