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La Jolla (IPA pronunciation , i.e. "lah-HOY-yah") is a seaside resort community of 42,808• residents within the city of San Diego, California. La Jolla borders Pacific Beach to the south and extends north to Torrey Pines State Reserve and Del Mar, California. Along the way it encompasses neighborhoods like Bird Rock, Windansea, The Village of La Jolla (including "downtown La Jolla"), La Jolla Shores, La Jolla Farms, Torrey Pines, Mount Soledad and La Jolla Village (including La Jolla Village Square). Interstate 5 forms La Jolla's man-made border to the east, with the minor exception of some University of California, San Diego and commercial property east of I-5 and north of La Jolla Village Drive also considered by those who live and work there to be part of La Jolla. Identity La Jolla residents and business owners sometimes refer to the "city", "village", or "town" of La Jolla. The U.S. Postal Service has designated "La Jolla" as the only acceptable place name for use in mailing addresses for the ZIP Codes covering the area, even though such addresses lie within the San Diego city limits. These conventions can give the impression that La Jolla is a separate incorporated city, even though it is part of the City of San Diego. La Jolla has several community groups which work to unify the voice of the community. The La Jolla Community Planning Association advises the City Council, Planning Commission, City Planning Department as well as other Governmental agency as appropriate in the initial preparation, adoption of, implementation of, or amendment to the General or Community Plan as it pertains to the La Jolla area. The non-profit La Jolla Town Council organization represents the interests of the La Jolla businesses that belong to the Council. Additionally, a group that calls itself Independent La Jolla was formed in 2004 to advocate for the secession of La Jolla from the City of San Diego. Neighborhoods It should be noted that The Village (of La Jolla) and La Jolla Village are often confused (by taxi drivers, for example), but are distinct neighborhoods within La Jolla. Landscape With its palm-lined streets, large estate homes, and Mediterranean climate and atmosphere, La Jolla is reminiscent of a southern European village with touches of Beverly Hills along the upscale retail shops on Prospect Street. The highlights of La Jolla, from a natural aspect, are the view of the ocean and Mount Soledad. Narrow curvy roads follow the contours of Mt. Soledad, and hundreds of homes overlooking the ocean are nestled on the slopes. The sandy beaches, dotting the coastline extend from the south to the north, are Windansea Beach, La Jolla Cove, La Jolla Beach and Tennis property, La Jolla Shores, Scripps, and Black's Beach (leading up to Torrey Pines State Reserve). Education The University of California, San Diego (including the Scripps Institution of Oceanography and the San Diego Supercomputer Center) is the center of higher education in La Jolla. National University is also headquartered in La Jolla. Among the several research institutes near UCSD and in the nearby Torrey Pines Science Park are The Scripps Research Institute, the Burnham Institute (formerly called the La Jolla Cancer Research Foundation) and the Salk Institute. The community's prep schools are La Jolla Country Day School, The Bishop's School, and The Preuss School UCSD. Elementary schools include the innovative Integral Elementary School of La Jolla. The public high school, La Jolla High School, is in the San Diego City Schools district. Blacks Beach Childrens Beach In recent years, harbor seals have taken over the Children's Beach, a quaint man-made cove near downtown. The seals are protected animals under federal law, so removing them has become a difficult and controversial issue. As of October, 2006, the beach is open and a rope that previously separated people from the seals has been removed. However, harassment of the animals is still prohibited and swimming is allowed but not recommended. La Jolla Cove The La Jolla Cove is a small beach in walking distance from the children's pool and is one of the most beautiful beaches in Southern California. Scripps Park, a grassy area excellent for picnicking, is right next to the beach. The beach is also in walking distance of many shops and restaurants. This beach is popular for scuba diving and snorkeling. The La Jolla Cove is within the San Diego La Jolla Underwater Park Ecological Reserve. La Jolla Shores La Jolla shores is located by residential area and is approximately one mile long. Because the waves are the most gentle this is a great beach for children. Surfing and scuba diving lessons are popular at this beach. Attractions and activities La Jolla is also the location of Torrey Pines Golf Course, made famous by the PGA TOUR Buick Invitational held there each February (in 2005, the competition was held in January). Down the steep cliffs from the Salk Institute and the Torrey Pines Golf Course is the famous de facto nude beach, Black's Beach. Walking along the beach at all times (but especially at sunset) is popular recreation. Those ambling along may be able to glimpse the "Green Flash." Downtown La Jolla is noted for its jewelry stores, upmarket restaurants and hotels. Prospect Street and Girard Avenue also have several famous boutiques and restaurants (including local favorites, such as the Girard Gourmet and Harry's Coffee Shop). Notable for its architectural and historical presence is the La Valencia Hotel, which used to welcome movie stars on retreat from Hollywood during the silent film era. Marine street is in within walking distance from La Jolla High School, which makes it a great hangout for students when they are done with class. The shore break is unlike the other beaches and is known as "womp," which makes the beach more dangerous than others. Skimboarding and Surfing are very popular at many of La Jolla's world-famous beaches including '''Windansea and the People's Wall'''. For many years, La Jolla has been the host of a rough water swim. The events are the 250 meter junior swim for people 12 and under, the 1 mile amateur swim for people 18 and under, the 1 mile masters swim for people 19 and over, and the Gator man, a 3 mile swim to the pier and back. It is available for everyone, but people under 18 must have a note from their coach. In order to compete in the amateur or junior events, you must also be a member of USA swimming. The USS La Jolla, a nuclear submarine, is named in its honor. Spectacular views of the ocean and much of San Diego can be seen from the Mount Soledad Memorial Park at the top of Mount Soledad. Origin and pronunciation The area was known as La Jolla Park at least as early as 1886. The origin of the name is obscure. It is pronounced "Lah HOY-Ya," not "Lah Ho-Ya" as it should be in Spanish. Some say it is a corruption of ahoy, called out by sailors seeking the attention of people on the shore. The people of La Jolla claim it is a misspelling of La Joya, meaning "The Jewel" in Spanish. The most-likely, although least-glamorous, theory is that La Jolla is a corruption of the Native American word "Woholle," meaning "hole in the mountain," referring to the caves in the north-facing cliffs next to La Jolla Cove Park. Most of these have since either collapsed due to ongoing erosion, or have been intentionally destroyed by local authorities to prevent the drownings that were once frequent occurrences. Notable residents In popular media The title article in Tom Wolfe's The Pump House Gang is about a group of surfers from Windansea Beach in La Jolla who "attended the Watts riots as if it were the Rose Bowl game in Pasadena." (see * for an excerpt) | |||||||
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