Located in San Diego, a small seashore by the name of La Jolla rests. La Jolla "The Jewel" of San Diego is just like any other jewel, crafted to perfection. Beginning in 1893 with the introduction of the railroad, tourists have been flocking to this beautiful seaside looking, for one thing, an oasis. Over the years La Jolla has grown to accommodate many tourists, whether they are looking for a beach paradise or small city-owned boutiques. In a place like La Jolla, you will never be bored.

The Beaches and Its Caves

Within the seaside of La Jolla lies some of the most stunning views and the vast cornucopia of marine life; La Jolla is home to many beaches such as Windansea Beach, Black Beach, Torrey Pines State Beach, Children’s Pool, and Wipeout Beach. As if the beautiful blue Pacific wasn’t enough to catch your eye, La Jolla is home to seven caves, with a coastline ranging up to 100 feet high. The seven caves encompass White Lady, Little Sister, Shopping Cart, Sea Surprize, Arch Cave, Sunny Jim’s Cave, and Clam’s Clave. Out of all of these caves the only one accessible by land is Sunny Jim’s Cave.  Whether you want to Kayak through the cave or walk down its 133 stairway steps it's mysterious, yet the quite breathtaking view is what keeps tourists coming back. With only $3 for children and $5 for adults at the Sunny Jim’s Cave store, the trek through the caves via the stairs is accessible to anyone. If you would rather Kayak through the caves there are many options, whether you want to rent a kayak or have a guided tour. Some companies with cave tours are La Jolla Sea Cave Kayaks, Bike and Kayak Tours, and La Jolla Kayak.

Underwater Park

The view isn’t the only sight to see because under the water lives a world beyond your imagination. Within the water lies a secret gem, a 6000-acre underwater park The Underwater Park, otherwise known as the La Jolla Ecological Reserve, is located between Scripps Park and Torrey Pines State Beach. Because of the minimal waves and vast sea life, the Underwater Park has become a popular destination for tourists looking to scuba dive, snorkel, or Kayak. Some of the marine life includes dolphins, leopard sharks, Garibaldi, sea lions, and shovelnose guitarfish.

Beyond the shores, there is also another marvel in the Underwater Park. The La Jolla Canyon drops to about 600 feet and is filled with marine life. Because of its vertical walls and abundance of marine life, the La Jolla Canyon is a popular destination for divers.

Restaurants

La Jolla is known for its high-end restaurants but La Jolla isn’t just high end, but rather has affordable pizza, sandwich shops, taco stands, and of course an abundance of fish. Some of the best Mexican, and for a great price, is the Taco Stand. Family owned, the Taco Stand is inspired by the stands in Tijuana. At this authentic taco stand, you will experience handmade corn tortillas, fresh ingredients, and fresh meat. Given a 4.7 on Yelp, this is an experience you are not going to want to miss.

However, if you are looking for something more high-end look no further than George’s at the Cove. At George’s at the Cove any seat has a million dollar view, whether you want to sit on the terrace or enjoy a meal inside you will always have a clear site to the mesmerizing Pacific coastline. With a California Modern theme, you can enjoy fresh fish tacos, sandwiches, pasta, seafood, and more. If you are looking for extravagant dining, tasting menus range from 4 to 8 courses. Both you and your stomach will be happy after an experience like this.

Boutiques

La Jolla is home to some of the most fashion-forward boutiques in the area. Whether you are looking for high-end or something on a budget you can find it here. Beach Bunny swimwear is stocked full of bikini’s, cover-ups, and other swim accessories. With an extensive knowledge of brands and the store floor, the staff at Beach Bunny swimwear can help you find exactly what you are looking for.

If you are looking for something not as pricey go no further than Mimi & Red, here you can find prices ranging from affordable to more expensive, no matter your price range you will be able to find a spectacular outfit to match your personality. Mimi & Red is specialized in casual clothes so no matter your taste you will be able to find something that is absolutely stunning.

Phone Numbers and Addresses for companies:

La Jolla Sea Cave Kayaks                                                     858 454 0111

Avenida de la Playa, La Jolla, CA 92037

Bike and Kayak Tours                                                          858 454 1010

2158 Avenida De La Playa, La Jolla, CA 92037

La Jolla Kayak                                                                      858 459 1114

The Taco Stand                                                                                          

621 Pearl St, La Jolla, CA 92037

George’s at the Cove                                                                                   

1250 Prospect St, La Jolla, CA 92037

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Other Things to Know About La Jolla

[Updated] With the recession slowly fading into history and the housing market rising into prosperity, this month we are focusing on the beautiful beachside community of La Jolla known as the Jewel of Southern California and the wonderful properties it contains. La Jolla has everything that an artistic, worldly city of San Diego can ask for. From scenic ocean beaches to elegant downtown communities, it’s no wonder La Jolla is called "the Jewel of Southern California."

La Jolla’s communities are top-notch across the board. La Jolla Farms houses the Torrey Pines Gliderport and the Salk Institute, while La Jolla Shores hosts the Scripps Institution of Oceanography campus and shops and restaurants along Avenida de la Playa. La Jolla Heights and Hidden Valley offer residential getaways of tight-knit communities. The Village of La Jolla is the downtown business community that includes most of the restaurants and shops found in the heart of the city. All communities boast elegant houses in a variety of styles and endless scenery.

La Jolla is home to many landmarks made famous across California and the nation. The Torrey Pines Golf Course is one such attraction located in La Jolla and is the site of an annual PGA Tour events like the Farmers Insurance Open (formerly the Buick Invitational). La Jolla hosts the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego, which contains a collection of more than 3,500 post-1950 artwork both by Americans and Europeans. The museum includes paintings, photographs, sculptures, and more, and is a symbol of the elevated cultural etiquette that La Jolla embraces.

The beaches that La Jolla offers are pristine and famous across Southern California. La Jolla Shores is approximately a mile long and encompasses the Scripps Institution of Oceanography campus, Kellog Park, the Scripps Pier, and borders the San Diego-La Jolla Underwater Park Ecological Reserve. Kayaking tours and beach boat launches make this beach a favorite for tourists and locals alike.

La Jolla Cove is a marine refuge area and part of the San Diego-La Jolla Underwater Park. While surfing, boogie boards, and kayakers are prohibited, snorkel and scuba explorations among the coral reefs are popular, and the marine life is vibrant and treasured.

The Windansea Beach in La Jolla contains "The Surf Shack at Windansea Beach," which was originally constructed in 1946 and made into an official landmark in 1998. A surfer’s beach with the largest waves in La Jolla, this strip of sand is full of surfing history and is the preferred surfing location in Southern California's Jewel, La Jolla.

La Jolla is home to the prestigious University of California, San Diego (UCSD), and includes the San Diego Supercomputer Center as well as the Scripps Institution of Oceanography. University of California San Diego is proud to be ranked as the number one school in the nation by Washington Monthly’s 2014 review, based on the criteria of Social Mobility, Research, and Service.

La Jolla is under the San Diego Unified School District’s service and contains public schools like La Jolla High School and La Jolla Elementary, and private schools like The Bishop’s School and Delphi Academy. There is a variety of other public and private schools so that you have plenty of options as to where your children can get a high-quality education.

La Jolla is a high-class beachside community that merges a bustling downtown atmosphere with the seclusion of rolling hillside vistas. Numerous attractions and activities including the La Jolla Playhouse, the Torrey Pines Golf Course, the Museum of Contemporary Art, and the La Jolla Coves all make La Jolla a unique city rich with a  premier lifestyle and the golden goose of San Diego. If you’re looking for a new city to call your home, you won’t find a more seductive assortment of style, culture, and luxury homes.

By Ryan Standifird