Upcoming La Jolla Events



A "green flash" is a rare optical phenomenon caused by
 refraction of light as the sun sets on the horizon.

La Jolla's year round good weather and scenic beauty make it a perennial favorite of out-of-town visitors and San Diego residents, but spring and summer are especially wonderful. A few of the many upcoming events and activities are listed below:

Now through May 15 – 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. Advanced registration is required.

May 5, 10:30 p.m. - 12:30 a.m. – Join Birch Aquarium at Scripps Institution of Oceanography for a guided “grunion run.” Observe the mysterious grunion spawn on the beaches of La Jolla - hundreds of the small, silvery fish ride the waves onto shore for this remarkable mating ritual. “Grunion runs” will also take place May 19 and June 3. Reservations must be received in advance by registering online or calling 858-534-7336.

May 8 – Many La Jolla hotels and restaurants are offering Mother’s Day brunches and lunches. These include La Valencia Hotel (858-551-3744), A. R. Valentien at The Lodge at Torrey Pines (858-777-6635), George’s At The Cove (858-454-4244), Piatti (858-454-1589), The Shores Restaurant in La Jolla Shores Hotel (858-456-0600), The Steakhouse at Azul (858-454-9616), and Whisknladle (858-551-7575).

May 14, 10 a.m to 4 p.m. – 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 costs $40 for Society members, $50 for non-members. The Platinum Tour is sold out, but regular tickets are still available on the LJ Historical Society website. You might also want to check out Estancia Hotel's "Bountiful Botanicals Package" for Secret Garden guests.

May 17 - June 12 – La Jolla Playhouse presents the world premiere of A Dram of Drummhicit, by Arthur Kopit and Anton Dudley, directed by Playhouse Artistic Director Christopher Ashley. For tickets, call the Playhouse box office (858) 550-1010 or book online.

May 18 - September 21 – Green Flash Concert Series at Birch Aquarium. Wednesdays: May 18, June 15, July 20, Aug. 17, and Sept. 21, 6-9 p.m., Ages 21+ General admission: $25 with RSVP ($120 season pass), $30 at the door. RSVP: 858-534-4109. The concert series combines live music with panoramic ocean views on the aquarium¹s stunning outdoor tide-pool plaza. Savory happy-hour appetizers, craft beers and wines are available for purchase. Keep an eye out for a real "green flash," a rare optical phenomenon caused by refraction of light as the sun sets on the horizon. May 18 - Performer: EARL THOMAS & THE BLUES AMBASSADORS

May 19, 11 p.m. - 1 a.m. Join Birch Aquarium at Scripps Institution of Oceanography for a guided grunion run. See May 5 for details.

June 3, 10:30 p.m. - 12:30 a.m. Join Birch Aquarium at Scripps Institution of Oceanography for a guided grunion run. See May 5 for details.

June 15 – Green Flash Concert Series at Birch Aquarium Performer: DONAVON FRANKENREITER
(See May 18).

June 28 - July 24 – Peer Gynt, by Henrik Ibsen, adapted and directed by David Schweizer, running in the Sheila and Hughes Potiker Theatre at La Jolla Playhouse. For tickets, call the Playhouse box office (858) 550-1010 or book online.

July 4 – BYO chair and enjoy the annual fireworks show at The Cove. Free, but donations in advance are welcome. http://www.lajollafireworks.org/

July 10 - September 4 – La Jolla Concerts By the Sea in Scripps Parks near The Cove. Free - and families welcome. Sunday afternoons at 2pm. Check website or call 858-454-1600 for schedule of performances. 

July 19 - August 21 – La Jolla Playhouse presents the new musical: Sleeping Beauty Wakes (book by Rachel Sheinkin, music by Brendan Milburn, lyrics by Valerie Vigoda, directed by Rebecca Taichman) in the Mandell Weiss Theatre. Tickets online or call 858-550-1010.

July 20 – Green Flash Concert Series at Birch Aquarium. Performer: FITZ & THE TANTRUMS
See May 18.

August 3, 7 p.m. – Free open-air concert at The La Jolla Cove, presented by the La Jolla Music Society. BYO chair and blanket.

August 3 - 26 – SummerFest concert series. La Jolla Music Society's SummerFest is a nationally-recognized chamber music festival featuring over 70 world-class artists and ensembles. Since its inception in 1986, SummerFest has welcomed over 650 renowned artists and ensembles, four talented artistic directors, and nearly a quarter of a million audience members at venues in San Diego and over the airwaves nationwide. See website for details.

August 17 – Green Flash Concert Series at Birch Aquarium. Performer: STEVE POLTZ
See May 18.

August 30 – September 25 La Jolla Playhouse presents the world premiere of Milk Like Sugar, a co-commission with Theater Masters, by Kirsten Greenidge, directed by Rebecca Taichman, in the Sheila and Hughes Potiker Theatre. Tickets 858-550-1010 or online.

September 21 – Green Flash Concert Series at Birch Aquarium. Performer: BRETT DENNEN
See May 18.

Great Deal at La Valencia 4-26/27

La Jolla's La Valencia, which dates from 1926, is a local landmark.

Tonight (Tuesday, 4-26) and tomorrow, La Jolla's beautiful La Valencia Hotel is offering their Facebook Fans an exclusive rate - $209 including valet parking. That's a bargain you won't want to pass up if you're able to organize a spontaneous stay-cation or happen to already be visiting San Diego.

Tomorrow's temperature is predicted to be 78. I can't imagine anything lovlier than sitting in a lounge chair and soaking up the sun at La V's oceanview pool.  

Act fast.

Easter - Last-Minute Plans

View of La Jolla Shores from The Cove.

It's sunny in La Jolla right now and, with any luck, the weather will also cooperate for Easter Sunday.

If you haven't already made plans, I recommend The Shores Restaurant at The La Jolla Shores Hotel (858-456-0600) and The Marine Room at The La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club (858-459-7222). These restaurants are very near each other on La Jolla Shores Beach.

Alternatively, in the "village" area of La Jolla, you can have a good meal and an ocean view at The Steakhouse at Azul (858-454-9616).

La Valencia Hotel (858-454-0771) also offers an excellent Easter brunch.

Regardless of which place you choose - call now for a reservation.

Alternatively, you could put together a picnic, gather all your bunnies, and enjoy the scenery from Ellen Browning Scripps Park, The Cove, or Kellogg Park at La Jolla Shores.

I just came back from a beach walk at La Jolla Shores. The tide was out and lots of families were poking around the tide pools at the north end of the beach.

The low tide tomorrow is going to be at 10:06am - just right for an Easter morning beach walk and tide pool visit.

Wherever you dine and whatever you do, I hope you enjoy Easter in La Jolla.

Also, FYI - There's no Farmers' Market on Easter Sunday.

Photo credit: ADAMS / HANSEN STOCK PHOTOS.

Unique Things To Do In La Jolla

The Geisel Library at UCSD, La Jolla, California

Our part of San Diego is known for great beaches, restaurants, and shopping.

In addition, here are my Top Ten Favorite Only-in-La Jolla Activities:

1. Take a surf lesson. Surf Diva in La Jolla Shores is the world's #1 surf school for women - and they also offer co-ed surf camps for would-be surfers ages 5-17.  Established in 1996 by twin sisters Izzy and Coco Tihanyi, Surf Diva also has a beachy clothing boutique on Avenida de la Playa.

2.  Go hiking in Torrey Pines State Reserve. Of the eight short trails, my favorite is the Beach Trail: walk uphill to the park headquarters and then follow the trail down to the  beach.

3.  Savor UC San Diego's award winning architecture. The gorgeous Geisel Library is named for Dr. Seuss - a long-time La Jolla resident. Do a self-guided tour at any time and for a limited time UCSD is also offering free guided tours.

4. Do a tandem Paraglide or hang glide at Torrey Pines Glider Port. You could also just go and watch others jump off the sandstone cliffs and glide gracefully over the ocean.

5. Hit a bucket of balls at Torrey Pines Golf Course - the site of the 2008 U. S. Open and the annual Farmers Insurance Open. It's challenging to get a tee time on the two championship courses, but anyone can practice their swing. If you want to play the course, San Diego Golf Reservations can help.

6. Check out the seals at The Children's Pool and the sea lions at The La Jolla Cove. They're cute and controversial.

7. Snorkel in the San Diego La Jolla Underwater Park. Look for Garabaldi, our state fish, and giant sea bass. The more than 6,000-acre reserve stretches from south of The La Jolla Cove to north of Torrey Pines State Reserve.

8. Enjoy a self-guided walking tour along the coast. This is my favorite because it offers great ocean views.

9. Browse the La Jolla Open Aire Market on Sundays from 9am to 1pm. Known to locals as "the Farmer's market," this is a great spot to shop for picnic ingredients and gifts - and have lunch.

10. Watch the grunion run. You can go on your own or join a group from Birch Aquarium.

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

Photo credit: ADAMS / HANSEN STOCK PHOTOS.