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.

Something fishy going on in La Jolla

If you're visiting La Jolla and notice groups of locals on the beach at night shining flashlights onto the surf, chances are good the grunion - tiny little fish - are going through their odd mating ritual. Nothing - well, almost nothing - intrigues San Diegans like a good grunion run.

On certain spring and summer nights following high tides, hundreds of the small, silvery fish ride waves onto shore for this remarkable dance. While on the beach, female grunion bury themselves in the sand to lay eggs, while males wrap themselves protectively around the females to fertilize their eggs. Both catch a wave to return to sea.

You can grab a flashlight (and jacket) and head to La Jolla Shores on your own or you can join the folks at Birch Aquarium (http://aquarium.ucsd.edu/) for a more educated approach to the spawning phenomena. Reservations must be made in advance by calling 858-534-7336. The program costs $12 per person.

Dates of the spring Birch Aquarium escorted runs are:

Friday, April 16, 9:30-11:30 p.m.
Friday, May 14, 9:30-11:30 p.m.
Friday, May 28, 9-11 p.m.
Saturday, May 29, 9:30-11:30 p.m.

If you want more info, "Grunion Groupies" meet Saturdays and Sundays, April 3-June 6 at 11:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. at the Birch Aquarium at Scripps. Here, naturalists describe the tale of the elusive California grunion, including how these fish "run" up our local beaches and lay their eggs in the moist sand.

The Grunion Groupie lecture is included in the cost of admission to the Aquarium: $12 adult, $9 senior, $8.50 youth 3-17, and children under 2 free.

The California Department of Fish & Game also provides information on their website and posts the schedule for the "expected grunion runs" March - August 2010 http://www.dfg.ca.gov/marine/grunionschedule.asp

You really haven't seen La Jollans at their kookiest until you've been to a grunion run.

Watercolor courtesy of Grunion Greeter Don Longacre, www.grunion.org

Art + Culture La Jolla

La Jolla is known for its beaches, great restaurants, and variety of shopping options. In fact, it's these features that draw most visitors to our community and make it one of San Diego's most popular places.

However, in addition to seals and sand, we also offer a wide range of cultural activities. Unfortunately, until recently, it wasn't easy for out-of-towners to discover our highbrow side - and get the scoop on our performing arts, concerts, art exhibits, literature, and family activities.

Enter http://www.artculturelajolla.com/ - the brainchild of Nancy Warwick, owner of La Jolla's beloved Warwick's Books on Girard Avenue.

Nancy, with the help of Nancy Bockoven, has built a website chockablock with a comprehensive listing of events that are part of "La Jolla's vibrant and diverse arts scene."

Whether you are looking for a family activity, stimulating performing arts, an exhibit, or a musical concert - I'm willing to bet you'll find something of interest at www.artculturelajolla.com