More Beaches, More Surf

If you like looking at beautiful beaches and have an extra vacation day, head north from La Jolla through the coastal communities of Del Mar, Solana Beach, Cardiff by the Sea, Encinitas, Leucadia, and Oceanside.

Of these, I think Swami's Beach in Encinitas is the most scenic. The best view of the surf and sand is from the garden at the Self-Realization Fellowship Retreat (http://www.yogananda-srf.org/temples/encinitas). You'll also have a good view from Sea Cliff Roadside Park, right off Highway 101. Swami's produces consistently good waves, and this park is a great place to experience North County's surf culture.

To hang with the locals for a while, treat yourself to coffee at the Pannikin Cafe (http://pannikincoffeeandtea.com) on the ocean side of Highway 101 in Encinitas. Housed in an historic Santa Fe Railway Station, built in 1888, the Pannikin is also known for their baked goods.

If you'd like a look at some Orange County beaches, take I-5 through Camp Pendleton, then turn onto Highway 1 at Dana Point. Laguna Nigel, Laguna Beach, and Newport Beach are more built up than San Diego coastal communities, but they all have great beaches. In Huntington Beach, north of Newport, the locals have managed to retain their all-surfing-all-the-time lifestyle.

Walk out onto the lovely old HB pier (built in 1904) and watch surfers riding waves back to the shore. This is the real "Surf City USA" - a fact that was proven in court where the words to the Beach Boys' song were offered as evidence. This is also a great spot to watch beach volleyball - and be sure to check out the International Surfing Museum (http://www.surfingmuseum.org/).

By the end of the day, you will have seen Southern California's most beautiful beaches and witnessed that, while Gidget may be past her prime, our surf culture is alive and well.

Which beach is your favorite? Please feel free to post a comment and share your opinion with other travelers.

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.

La Jolla Shores vs. “the Village”

In addition to dispensing La Jolla travel information via this blog, I also answer questions on TripAdvisor’s La Jolla Forum. It’s recently become apparent on this site that many visitors aren’t aware that what we locals call “the village” is not the same place as “the Shores.”

The village (think Prospect Street and Girard Avenue) is great for shopping and dining, but (about a mile away) the Shores is THE PLACE for wiggling your toes in the sand, surfing, and kayaking. In addition, Avenida de La Playa – the main street in the Shores – is home to some of La Jolla’s best restaurants.

Admittedly, The Cove is great for snorkeling, but La Jolla Shores Beach is the best overall for families. Surf Diva (858-454-8273) offers surf lessons for females of all ages, and Menehune specializes in teaching kids to hang ten http://www.menehunesurf.com/ Kayak rentals are available at La Jolla Kayak (2199 Avenida de La Playa, 858-459-1114; http://www.lajollakayak.com/).

Most folks seem to know that The La Jolla Shores Hotel (http://www.ljshoreshotel.com/) is right on the beach. In addition, you might consider staying at the La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club. It's right next door and offers free parking, as well as a private, less crowded beach. Their website is http://www.ljbtc.com/

The “B&T” is primarily a private club, but savvy visitors can take advantage of the resort’s wide variety of accommodations, including two-bedroom, two-bath units.

I live about a mile from La Jolla Shores Beach and walk along this beautiful stretch of sand several times a week year around.

I also dine in the Shores regularly. My favorite place is Osteria Romantica, 2151 Avenida de la Playa, Tel 858-551-1221, http://www.osteriaromantica.com/

Book early for dinner during the summer. It’s easier to get a table at lunch because all the nearby parking is consumed by beach-goers. Osteria Romantica’s food is great, and I love the waiters – imported directly from Italy.

Fabio and his staff will make you feel like familia. .

The La Jolla YMCA

The La Jolla Y is one of the best deals in town. Locals pay as little as $30 a month to use the heated outdoor pool and a very well-equipped gym. We can also take any number of classes from an extensive weekly menu that includes Pilates, aqua jogging, studio cycling, line dancing, stretch & strength, cardio kick boxing, and yoga (basic, hatha, hatha flow, vinyasa flow, power, and restorative). Surf lessons are offered for adults and teens during the summer.

And here's the surprising part: visitors can use all of the Y's facilities for only $10 a day. I know that many La Jolla hotels and resorts have their own fitness centers, but none compare with the options at the Y. This is the perfect set-up for out-of-towners who want a great workout in a top-notch place. It's also a good option for folks who don't like sweating alone. For instance, "Walk Fit" draws a congenial group of local women who take a serious stride around the neighborhood three mornings a week.

Don't have a hard body? No worries. Our Y caters to little kids and great-grandparents and every age in between. Seriously - an 85-year-old woman is a regular in my favorite Pilates class.

Located off La Jolla Scenic Drive North (just south of La Jolla Village Drive and UCSD), the Y also offers tennis courts, racquetball courts, saunas, a whirlpool spa, and special classes and camps for kids. Two hours of childcare are complimentary while parents are working out.

The Y (8355 Cliffridge Ave., La Jolla; tel. 858-453-3483) is open Monday to Thursday from 5am to 10pm; Friday from 5am to 9pm, and Saturday and Sunday from 7am to 6pm. Check out the website at http://www.lajolla.ymca.org/.

See you there.