La Jolla Calendar of Upcoming Events

The 2011 La Jolla Motor Car Classic will take place on Sunday, April 3.

Now through April 10 – Join the team from Birch Aquarium at Scripps for naturalist-guided whale watching. Twice-daily cruises will look for gray whales on their round-trip migration. Also search for seals, sea lions, dolphins, migrating birds, and more. Naturalists will showcase gray whale biofacts and will answer your marine animal questions. Dress in layers and don't forget your camera.


Now through early May – It's Pupping season at The Children’s Pool and a great time to visit La Jolla's beautiful coast.

Now through May – UCSD is offering The Campus Guide Architectural Tour in celebration of UC San Diego’s 50th Anniversary. These special edition tours featuring inspired architecture and The Stuart Collection of outdoor sculpture are offered the second Sunday of each month. Advance registration is required.

January 22, February 19, March 26 and April 30 – The La Jolla Music Society presents the Revelle Chamber Music Series at Sherwood Hall in the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego, 700 Prospect St, La Jolla

January 29, February 13, and February 27 – Explore Local Tide Pools with Scripps Institution of Oceanography. See Birch Aquarium at Scripps for details.

January 30 and March 18 – The La Jolla Music Society presents the Frieman Family Piano Series at Sherwood Hall in the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego, 700 Prospect St, La Jolla.

February is Museum Month in San Diego and 40 area museums offer half-price admission, including The Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego and Birch Aquarium at Scripps Institute of Oceanography in La Jolla. Guests can participate by picking up a free San Diego Museum Month Pass at any area Macy's location. With the pass, they can receive half-price admission for up to four guests per visit.

Now through February 12 – The Athenaeum Music & Arts Library presents “Concepts Realized: The Stuart Collection at 30,” a retrospective exhibition celebrating UCSD’s Stuart Collection – 18 sculptures that enliven the La Jolla campus.

Now through February 13 – the La Jolla Art Association presents the first all members art show "Natural Vibrations." The Artists' Reception is Sunday, January 30, 3-5 PM at the LJAA Gallery, 8100 Paseo del Ocaso in La Jolla Shores.

Now through the end of February - Join La Jolla Wine Tours for fine wines and gourmet food tastings at five romantic stops in La Jolla. This 3-hour experience costs $65 per person and includes special Valentine’s gifts and surprises.

February 10 - 20 – The Annual San Diego Jewish Film Festival, at five venues around San Diego, features 45 short, documentary, and feature films exploring Jewish life, history, and culture.

February 15 - March 27 – La Jolla Playhouse presents Little Miss Sunshine.

February 18, 10:30 AM – Cooking class and lunch with Chef Urs Baumann at the Riford Center. “Kitchen Basics” plus easy lunch. $40 for members, $45 to non-member. 6811 La Jolla Blvd.

February 24, 6:00 PM – Urs Baumann cooking class and dinner at the Riford Center. “Easy French Cuisine” includes classic French onion soup, Boeuf Bourguignon, and Tarte Tatin– the French, upside down, caramelized apple tart. $40 for members, $45 to non-members. 6811 La Jolla Blvd.

March 6 and April 10 - The La Jolla Music Society presents the Discovery Series at The Neurosciences Institute, 10640 John Jay Hopkins Dr., La Jolla.

April 3, 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM – The seventh annual La Jolla Motor Car Classic will take place in Scripps Park near the La Jolla Cove. This event, along the picturesque oceanfront setting of La Jolla, raises essential funds for the La Jolla Historical Society and the Monarch School, providing education for children who might otherwise not be given the opportunity. Tickets cost $35 in advance, $40 at the event; children 13 and under are free.

April 7, 1:30 PM – The Village Garden Club of La Jolla presents Meet the Masters: Renowned London floral designer Paula Pryke will speak and give a floral demonstration at the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego in La Jolla, 700 Prospect St. Tickets include valet parking and a tea reception following at St. James Hall. $55 VGCLJ member, $65 non-members.

May 14, 10 AM to 4 PM –The 13th annual Secret Garden Tour of Old La Jolla presented by the La Jolla Historical Society provides an opportunity to see behind the walls that conceal some of La Jolla’s most spectacular homes and gardens. The self-guided tour is $40 for Society members, $50 for non-members. The Platinum Tour, sold on a limited basis, is $140 for Society members, $150 nonmembers.

Visitors to La Jolla are welcome to enjoy all of these events and activities.

Want to Fly On the Farmers Airship?

Farmers Airship flying over the Torrey Pines Golf Course, La Jolla

"I wonder what it would be like to fly on one of those things?” I said to hubby when I saw the Farmers Airship float over the Home Depot parking lot on Saturday.

Well, guess what? I’m about to find out – and you can, too.

The Zeppelin Eureka is in town to cover the Farmers Insurance Open Golf Tournament at Torrey Pines in La Jolla this week, but Tuesday and Wednesday from 10am to sunset, scenic flights are being offered at a cost of $495 per person.

The one-hour tours will begin at Montgomery Field and take in downtown San Diego, the harbor, and Coronado. Seats are limited, so if you are interested call Airship Ventures right away at 650-969-8100 ext 111.

The Farmers Airship’s cabin holds 12 passengers and has oversized windows, an on-board restroom with a view, and a rear loveseat complete with a panoramic, wrap-around window.

The ship - one of only three Zeppelins in the world and the only in the U.S. – will be in San Diego through Sunday providing CBS and Golf Channel viewers an aerial look at the tournament.

The Farmers Airship is a Zeppelin, not a blimp. She is 15 feet longer than a 747 and 50 feet longer than the largest blimp. At 246 feet in length, the Farmers Airship Eureka is the largest airship in the world.

Heads up everybody!

Tiger Playing in Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines

Tiger Woods will return to the site of the 2008 U. S. Open next week when he plays in the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines Golf Course. Hometown boy Phil Mickelson will also be there for the tournament that runs from Monday, January 24 through Sunday the 30th. The Farmers Insurance Open was formerly known as the Buick Invitational.

Admission is free of charge on Monday. Savvy spectators will save time and money by purchasing tickets ahead of time on the tournament website. Tuesday tickets (only available online) cost $16. Admission on Wednesday - Sunday is $26 in advance and $32 at the gate for adults and $16 in advance and $21 at the gate for 60+. A pass for the week costs $105.

All active military are free with family (ID required) and youth 15 and under are free with an adult.

Check the website for information on schedule, parking, and shuttles.

"Go Tiger" was written in the sky over the Torrey Pines Golf Course during the U. S. Open.
Photo credit: ADAMS / HANSEN STOCK PHOTOS.

San Diego Restaurant Week January 16-21

Just a quick reminder: Many La Jolla restaurants are included in San Diego Restaurant Week which runs from January 16 - 21, 2011.

Look for bargains at the Crab Catcher Restaurant, George's at the Cove, the Marine Room, NINE-TEN Restaurant, Roppongi, Tapenade (my personal favorite), The Shores Restaurant (great beach view), Whisknladle (well known for their exotic cocktails) and many more.

All of the participants are offering a 3-course meal for $20, $30 or $40 per person, depending on the restaurant.

For a complete list of La Jolla options see SD Restaurant Week.


Photo courtesy Georges at The Cove.

La Jolla Food and Wine Tours

Where are La Jolla’s best restaurants?
Our eclectic food and wine scene can be a bit overwhelming for the first time visitor, but Shira Wiseman will be happy to help you get the lay of the land.

This local foodie offers culinary walking tours of the village and, in the process, helps fellow San Diegans and out-of-towners find our best food and wine gems.

Her three-hour excursions include four to five stops, including local restaurants, a purveyor of chocolates, and a little-known source for gourmet cheese. Trips are customized to the interest of participants and always contain a few surprises.

La Jolla restaurants offer a wide variety of ethnic cuisines (think Moroccan, Indian, Japanese and the whole gamut of Mediterranean options), and Shira enjoys mixing it up. Guests enjoy hearty samples and wine pairings that range from Sushi to tapas to chocolate made on the premises.
Participants in her La Jolla Wine Tours wander off the beaten path and discover merchants and eateries on the side streets of the village – the places the locals enjoy and tourists rarely discover. Along the way, she shares her knowledge of La Jolla history as well as shopping tips, what’s on info, and her passion for our beautiful scenery.

Most tours are from 3 – 6 PM and guests often end up canceling their dinner reservations. Act fast and you can enjoy one of Shira’s food and wine walking tours for only $55, but she’s about to put the price up to $69.50 – with a 10% discount if you tell her you read about the tours on La Jolla Travel Information.

Here’s what one satisfied guest had to say: “Chocolate, wine, sushi, sake! I love La Jolla Wine Tours!”

La Jolla Wine Tours also offers excursions to San Diego County wineries in Escondido, Ramona, and San Diego.

And here's a helpful tip: If you're visiting San Diego and will be returning home by plane, you don't have to worry about putting your wine purchase in your checked luggage. JetBag makes a sealable padded bag that absorbs up to 750 ml of liquid. If you use a JetBag, your clothes are protected even if the bottle breaks.

Enjoy!