Walk Around Town
Coast Walk, La Jolla Caves
Story by Lorene Ireland

To visit San Diego's best-kept secret, La Jolla, is to ever after see the rest of the world as monochromatic. Couples stroll, hand in hand, past the charming quaint cottages along the coast and through the park. Children giggle as they play in the sand at the Cove beach. La Jolla seems to have floated into the 21st century from another era. This sleepy little village maintains its charm, only a 15-minute drive from downtown San Diego. On the ocean, the clean, fine-grained sands of the La Jolla Shores beach drape the town's northern shoulder. Beachgoers linger at day's end to pay reverent tribute to the spectacular sunsets. Nothing much changes here. Well, maybe a few things have changed, but certainly not La Jolla's relaxed, neighborly feel. In the center of town, village shops overlook a magnificent view of the ocean, Scripps Park and the Cove. On any given day you can see the swimmers and snorkels making there way to the cliff caves for some vigorous exploration. Along Prospect Street, the heart of the shopping district, colorful flower baskets hang from vintage light posts. Browsers wander into each shop, eagerly in search of a new discovery, maybe a seascape or a unique handcrafted piece of art glass. In La Jolla time stands still. Cars pause to let pedestrians amble across the street all while the ocean breeze ruffles your hair.

La Jolla has been an art colony since the early 1900's, with the long established La Jolla Art Association, featuring some of La Jolla's best emerging artists. The Athenaeum Music and Arts library has an art school where you can take a painting or drawing class. Sculptures sprout up in public places all around town and even on the seahorse iron benches sitting on the narrow city sidewalks.

Just down the street, the Art and Wine Festival was being held at Simic Galleries on Prospect Street. On this particular Sunday, June 13th, I was fortunate to meet the feature artist, Jane Seymour. I found Ms. Seymour to be a gracious and lovely presence in this beautiful gallery. Over 500 people attended to gaze and admire her splendid landscapes, still lives, and figurative paintings. Fine wine was served by Falkner Winery, which was just the right touch to a fine art opening. Patrons lined up to pose for photographs with this famous actress/artist and to show off their recently acquired paintings.

If you are fortunate to venture into La Jolla on a Sunday, come early and take in the Open Aire Market on the corner of upper Girard and Genter streets. This is a locals' thing, filled with farmers and artisans, who sell freshly baked breads, fruits and vegetables, flowers, pasta, cheese, eggs and pies and of course, there is the famous La Jolla Cookie Lady. You can sit and enjoy a wonderful French crepe or a breakfast burrito while listening to some live music to liven up your morning.

Stay for the whole day and enjoy the La Jolla Concerts by the Sea at La Jolla Cove (Scripps Park). Concerts are from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Bring your lawn chair or just sit on the grass and enjoy some of the best pop, jazz and big band music in the city. This is your chance to dance in the park. It is the best time to watch children, parents and grandparents swinging to the band. If you are still hungry after your morning delights, try a hot dog or chocolate ice cream bar in the park.

As the day settles down in La Jolla, it's time for a short stroll around Scripps Park at dusk. You will see some of the most beautiful sunsets. The brilliant orange and red glow of the sun just before it says good-bye to your day, will leave you with images of sparkling orange and white diamonds glittering across the ocean as if they were ballerinas dancing to Mozart.

Often, there will be a musician playing a flute in one of the famous little turquoise huts or a guitarist playing his music on the grass. You may be lucky enough to smell the aroma of a newly lit fire or barbeque on the beach below. It is my favorite time of day and of course one of my favorite walks. People are pleasant as they pass by with dogs or children. If you walk far enough you will reach The Children's Pool for a view of a seal or two or three. Actually a lot of seals hang out here, so it is worth a look. And as the sun passes under the horizon, you are left with a dusty blue and yellow haze lingering over the sea. Just as the night begins to fall the air turns cool and a refreshing breeze comes up to gently kiss your face as if to say good night to a long and wonderful day.

LA JOLLA ATTRACTIONS

Athenaeum Music and Arts Library
1008 Wall St. 858-454-5872
A Library of music and art with events and performances year around.

Birch Aquarium at Scripps
2300 Expedition Way 858-534-FISH
An aquatic museum featuring local and exotic sea life.

Black's Beach
Entrance at Torrey Pines Glider Port
2800 Torrey Pines Scenic Drive
World class surfing, majestic cliffs, beautiful sandy beach.

Children's Pool
Beach Coast Blvd. below the Cove.
View the famous seals. Children's pool originally given to the children of La Jolla by Ellen Browning Scripps in 1923, it is currently home to many seals, a very popular attraction.

John Cole's Book Store
780 Prospect St. 858-454-4766
Opened in 1946 and located in charming, historic Wisteria Cottage. The Cole family offers a unique selection of books, cards, gifts, CD's, harmonicas & unique children's collection.

Kellogg Park
Camino del Oro, La Jolla Shores
Beach-side Park with a children's playground.

La Jolla Caves
1325 Prospect Street
Historic 1902 tunnel which was dug to the "Sunny Jim". Famous stairway in the tunnel leading to the ocean below. Home of the Cave Store.

La Jolla Concerts by the Sea
At La Jolla Cove, Every Sun. June1 to Aug. 31
Enjoy weekly Sunday concerts in the park throughout the summer. Concerts are free.

La Jolla Cove
Prospect Street and Coast Boulevard
A sheltered cove good for snorkeling, diving and swimming for locals and tourist.

La Jolla YMCA Firehouse Center
7877 Herschel Ave. 858-459-1640
A local hot spot for family activities in the La Jolla Village.

La Jolla Stage Co.
YMCA Firehouse
7877 Herschel Ave. 858-459-7773
Experience local theater at its best.

La Jolla Music Society
858-459-3724 San Diego's premier classical music presenter featuring world-renown soloists, ensembles, and orchestras in four series. An internationally acclaimed chamber music festival.

La Jolla Historical Society
7846 Eads Ave. 858-459-5335
A historical archive of La Jolla.

La Jolla Recreation Center
615 Prospect St. 858-545-2071
Community activities, playground and sporting areas.

Mount Soledad Park
Via Capri and La Jolla Scenic Drive South.
Spectacular views of the coastal communities and of San Diego. A memorial cross dedicated to our veterans.

Museum of Contemporary Art
700 Prospect St. 858-454-3541
Major art works representing the past half century. The museum is a local attraction with an international reputation.

Open Aire Market, La Jolla Elementary
Corner of Girard & Genter
Sundays 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. (rain or shine)
Enjoy the weekly fresh offerings of over 30 certified farmers and artisans, including freshly baked bread, fruits and vegetables, flowers, cheese, pasta, pies, live music and more.

Scripps Park
North end of Coast Blvd. next to the cove.
A seaside grassy setting on the beach.

Torrey Pines Golf Course
11480 N. Torrey Pines Road 858-570-1234
Two 18-Hole par 72 championship courses. Spectacular ocean views. Home to the Buick Invitational.

Torrey Pines Glider Park
2800 Torrey Pines Scenic Drive
Para-sailing and hang gliding.

Torrey Pines State Reserve
858-755-2063
Entrance at Torrey Pines State Beach.
Scenic nature trails with a nature museum.

(featured in South Coast Magazine Festival 2004 )
(paintings by Lorene Ireland)