Don’t Wait – the Cows Are Mooving On

“Whacky” is not a word usually used to describe La Jolla, but since the arrival of 40 artfully-painted full-size bovines – it’s the perfect descriptor. The colorful fiberglass cows are on display throughout the village and they make me – and a lot of other people – smile as we go about our business.

The mod moo moos were painted by local artists, and will eventually be auctioned to raise funds for Rady Children’s Hospital and the San Diego Zoo. In the meantime, you can go to http://www.cowparadelajolla.com/ for more information and a map of their locations.

My favorite, "Designer Genes" wears trendy denim pants, bright red lipstick, and yellow star earrings. Across the street, on the corner of Girard Avenue and Wall Street, “Digesting the News” appears to have eaten so much newspaper that his body is covered in black-and-white sections. In contrast, “Cowsablanca” has blue legs, a purple face, and a green, red, and orange body.

“Public art” often conjures up images of serious bronze figures that add gravitas to a site, but these fashionistas are whacky – and I love it.

CowParade was started in Chicago in 1999, and since then herds have turned up in 50 cities on six continents, including New York, Paris, London, and Mexico City.

La Jolla’s cows are mooving on June 15, and you really don’t want to miss seeing them. They’re udderly adorable.

The Children's Pool Has Gone to the Dogs....er Seals

To fully appreciate La Jolla's Children's Pool - the lovely little cove along Coast Boulevard where the seals hang out - it helps to know the back story.

In 1931, philanthropist Ellen Browning Scripps funded the construction of a sea wall around the cove so that La Jolla kids would have a safe place to swim. All was well until about ten years ago when seal numbers in the area increased noticeably and, in fact, the area became a rookery.

At this point, some La Jollans began defending the rights of the seals and others became very vociferous about how this should be a place for children, blah, blah, blah. At times the battle bordered on ridiculous and, of course, it ended up in court.

The city (remember, La Jolla is part of San Diego) roped off the area so that humans couldn't pester the seals, but in 2005 a judge ordered the rope removed. The judge also directed the city to reduce the bacteria level in the area so that it would be safe for swimming.

The California Supreme Court has refused to overturn the ruling, and to dredge or not to dredge is hotly debated every week in the two La Jolla newspapers. In the meantime, pro-seal volunteers patrol the area 24/7 and answer visitors' questions.

March and April are great months to visit the Children's Pool because it's pupping season - and while you're there, you might say thanks to the seal's tireless supporters.

La Taverna

La Jolla has lots of “destination restaurants” that serve good food – and sometimes a view – to out-of-towners.

Then there are the restaurants the locals patronize…places that depend on return business and don’t have a vista to distract from other weaknesses. One of these is La Taverna – snuggled between a dry cleaners and a shoe repair shop at 927 Silverado Street (858-454-0100; http://www.lataverna.com/).

The tiny restaurant offers only a half dozen tables inside and about the same number on a sidewalk patio. The menu of Italian comfort food includes grilled salmon on white bean salad (my favorite), pan-roasted shrimp with garlic and arugula-basil pesto, Parmesan chicken on roasted garlic mashed potatoes, and other satisfying dishes.

At La Taverna, everything is made on site, including wonderful bread, sausages, and gnocchi. If you go, leave room for dessert. The restaurant's multi-layer banana cake is the stuff of legends. Lunch is served Monday - Friday and dinner is Monday - Saturday.

Chef/Proprietor Mary Ann Vitale also owns Sorella della Taverna (7420 Girard Ave., La Jolla, 858-866-6400), a deli where locals load up on items such as eggplant lasagna, penne pasta, and grilled vegetables. She also offers salads, sandwiches, and pizza. This gourmet-to-go spot is the perfect place for assembling an extraordinary picnic. They're open 10-5 Monday - Friday during the summer. Best to call for winter hours.

Bon appetito.

The La Jolla Rough Water Swim

America's Premier Rough Water Swim takes place at the La Jolla Cove every year on the first Sunday in September - that's the 7th this year. Not being a competitive swimmer, I'd never made an effort to attend, but having once seen it "by accident," I'm a regular spectator now.

More than 2,000 swimmers churning up the water make for a memorable sight. Most of them follow a triangular one-mile course, but elite swimmers opt for a more grueling Gatorman three-mile challenge. Juniors have a 250-yard option.

This event has been part of La Jolla's history since 1916, and it's taken place almost every year since 1931. (Concerns about polio and sharks caused cancellations in 1948 and 1959 respectively.)

If I hadn't been having Sunday brunch with friends at Azul La Jolla (1250 Prospect, tel. 858-454-9616, www.brigantine.com/locations_azul.html), I wouldn't have realized what I was missing. I still think Azul is the best viewpoint - so book early and request a window table. They open for brunch at 10am.

My other favorite annual event is the La Jolla Christmas Parade - which will take place this year on December 7. More about that later.

For lotso info on the Rough Water Swim, go to http://www.ljrws.com/.