La Jolla Sky Tour

I thought I knew La Jolla, but something happened last week that has given me a new perspective.

I flew over my hometown of several decades – not in a big jet that was in a hurry to get someplace, but in a five-seat Piper Seneca with time to meander along the coast.

The scenic flight was a way of introducing out-of-town guests to the area, but I almost think I enjoyed the aerial view more than they did.

I picked out my favorite landmarks and saw how things fit together – where the country club is in relation to the village, how close Torrey Pines State Park is to the gliderport and the golf course, that kind of thing. I’ve driven past these places hundreds of times, but the birds-eye view was both beautiful and instructive

I came away feeling very lucky to live here – and very glad that our home is not clinging to a sandstone cliff.

We booked the tour through Air2Air (http://www.air2aircorp.com/) and President Michael Doerr was our pilot. I felt totally safe, especially after he mentioned that he formerly flew jets out of Miramar and was a Captain at Northwest Airlines for 19 years.

The twin-engine light aircraft is fixed with comfortable club seating, which enables business passengers to hold mini-meetings en route to their destination. It also makes it easy for sightseers to point things out to each other and pass cameras back and forth.

The flight left from Palomar Airport and, after cruising the La Jolla coast, continued over Lindbergh Field and Coronado to South Bay. The panorama of downtown San Diego gives meaning to the term “urban resort,” and I loved that someone had written a huge “Coronado” in the sand in front of the Hotel del.

I’ve often been asked about the best view points in La Jolla and other parts of San Diego, and I’ve hesitated, qualified my reply, and felt the need to explain – but from now on, I know what my answer will be.

Why am I doing this?

I live in La Jolla and I'm a travel writer.

What that means is that, in addition to enjoying my home town's great weather, beautiful surroundings, and range of cultural and recreational options, I also see La Jolla - and the rest of San Diego - as a travel destination.

And what I see sometimes drives me batty. People flock to La Jolla, but don't take advantage of everything our community offers, so I decided to start this blog and provide a heads up for would-be visitors. The "inside scoop for out-of-towners," if you will.

Hey. I figure if I can write The Insider's Hong Kong (http://www.ranchandcoast.com/archives/february2006/travel.html) and The Insider's India (http://www.ranchandcoast.com/archives/october2007/travel.html), I ought to be able to lead readers off the beaten path that starts just outside my front door.

And in the process, I'm having fun revisiting my favorite places and discovering some new ones.

Travel writers are naturally snoopy, and this blog is my excuse to have a good ol' sticky beak around my home town. Stay tuned...

In Search of the Best Beach

Even though I live here, La Jolla’s beautiful beaches still take my breath away. To best sure you see the most scenic viewpoints, follow this route:

Starting at the south end of La Jolla - at La Jolla Boulevard and La Cañada Street - take La Cañada towards the ocean. You’ll have a good view of Bird Rock – literally a big rock offshore covered with birds – on your left just after you pass Avenida Cresta. This landmark gives its name to the surrounding neighborhood and is a popular surfing spot.

Continue north on Camino de la Costa, past a gaggle of beautiful homes, and jog left at Palomar Avenue. Now you’re on Neptune Place - witnessing drop-dead gorgeous Windansea Beach. The surf shack on the beach is a designated historical landmark. For decades, Windansea’s surf has attracted the world’s best riders. It was also featured in Tom Wolfe's book The Pump House Gang. For more information, see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windansea_Beach

As you follow the coast, you'll pass the Children's Pool (see my April 6 post: “The Children's Pool Has Gone to the Dogs....er Seals”) en route to the La Jolla Cove. From here, walk along Coast Walk (a pedestrians only dirt trail). The path, which starts to the left of The Cave Store (http://www.cavestore.com/), offers one of the most beautiful blue-water vistas in our Golden State.

After stretching your legs, take Prospect Street to Torrey Pines Road and make a left turn. Turn left again onto Princess Street and you’ll find yourself passing the Marine Room, home to the best beachfront dining in town (http://www.marineroom.com/).

Continue along the water, past the La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club (http://www.ljbtc.com/) to La Jolla Shores Beach – another great spot for walking and very popular with kayakers.

To see more beaches, continue up La Jolla Shores Drive and turn left onto North Torrey Pines Road. Turn left at Torrey Pines Scenic Drive and follow signs to the Torrey Pines Gliderport (www.flytorrey.com). This spot offers a rare up-close-and-personal view of hang gliders and paragliders (tandem rides offered for the uninitiated). It is also my favorite off-the-beaten-path place for lunch. (See June 2 post: “A Picnic Table with a View.”)

From the Gliderport, continue north on Torrey Pines Road for a beautiful view of Torrey Pines State Beach. The Reserve (http://www.torreypine.org/) above the beach offers more great views...guaranteed to take your breath away.

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.