La Jolla, The Dazzling “Jewel by the Sea”

AWARENESS MAGAZINE March/April 2016

The idyllic seaside town of La Jolla, situated 15 miles north of downtown San Diego and approximately 100 miles south of Los Angeles, is well known for stunning natural beauty and old-world charm. The dramatic coastline curls around glimmering sandy beaches, giant cliffs and small cozy coves.

This magnificent world-class location, where luxurious homes stream down the hillsides to the sea, has long been a favorite destination for writers, artists and scientists. La Jolla is the headquarters for sophisticated arts, chic boutiques, cheery sidewalk cafes and renowned think-tanks. Scripps Institution of Oceanography and the Salk Institute are located here.

During this trip, my friend DJ and I wanted to stay in two distinctly different areas: in the village, where we could walk to galleries and restaurants and in the hills, where we could hike in the nature reserve at Torrey Pines.

We first checked into the La Valencia Hotel. Famous for its pink facade and mosaic-tiled tower, this enchanting landmark is renowned for its ornate Spanish Mediterranean-style, hand painted murals, colorful courtyards and endless ocean views. Since opening its doors in 1926, distinguished visitors and Hollywood stars, including Greta Garbo, have been drawn to this alluring place by the sea.

The MED, the hotel’s elegant signature restaurant, features creative and dazzling dishes. We sampled Miso Chilean Sea Bass with laughing bird shrimp dumpling and Naked Scallops with wild mushrooms, herb gnocchi and sun choke puree. Amazing! After dinner, we lounged on the ocean view terrace and treated ourselves to a decadent dessert, while watching the moonlight dance across the water.

Endless outdoor activities awaited us in the morning as we stepped outside the door to this quaint enclave. La Jolla Cove is home to a 6,000 acre Ecological Reserve and Marine Life Refuge and the perfect place for swimming, kayaking and snorkeling. The Museum of Contemporary Art is a short walk away. Enhancing our walk were the dazzling Murals of La Jolla. These works by internationally renowned artists added a colorful vibe as we strolled through the village.

A perfect way to get a birds eye view of this alluring paradise is to join Fly Rides for an electric bike tour that ascends to the highest view point, Mt. Soledad. This thrill ride was a true highlight of the trip! Our guide gave us perfect instructions about how to ride and filled us with endless tales of La Jolla history.

In the evening, we discovered dozens of dining options, ranging from farm-to table fare, outdoor cafes and elegant dining. We headed to Dukes, just up the street from our hotel and made our way to the huge outdoor deck overlooking the cove. With passion and flair, Chef Anthony Sinsay whips up custom Hawaiian- themed dishes like Roasted Tristan Lobster Tail and Shrimp Croquettes.

The Marine Room, a notable San Diego restaurant for over 70 years, is located ON the beach of La Jolla Shores. The experience of dining here is simply exhilarating as we take in the spotlighted nighttime scenery long after the sun has set. Sophisticated dishes and seasonal offerings are prepared with the assistance of Executive Chef Bernard Guillas, one of only two Maitres Cuisiniers de France in San Diego.

The next morning, we stopped at Scripps Institution of Oceanography and Torrey Pines Gliderport as we headed into the hills of La Jolla. We had lunch at A.R. Valentien in The Lodge at Torrey Pines. This notable restaurant, with a reputation for showcasing fresh seasonal dishes, has been named one of the Top 10 Farm-to-Table Restaurants in the U.S. by Epicurious.com.

After lunch, we checked into the Estancia La Jolla Hotel & Spa. This AAA Four Diamond adobe-style luxury retreat, situated on close to 10 acres, has the look and feel of a private paradise far removed from the city. Picturesque pathways showcase a beautiful garden oasis filled with native plants, fountains, outdoor fireplaces and alluring dining venues. The spa, recognized by Conde Nast Traveler in 2012 as one of the top spas in the world, features treatments with Mediterranean and Asian influences. Many of the signature treatments are performed under a real rain bar that exfoliates and hydrates skin while 12 shower heads simultaneously massage the body. The outdoor area, just outside the spa, is one of the most beautiful I’ve ever seen, with an exquisite saltwater pool surrounded by cabanas, flowering plants and enticing lounge areas.

IMPORTANT CONTACT INFORMATION:

Birch Aquarium at Scripps - Contact: www.aquarium.ucsd.edu

Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego in La Jolla: Contact: www.mcasd.org

La Valencia Hotel - Call (858) 454-0771 or contact: www.lavalencia

Estancia La Jolla Hotel & Spa - Call 1-(844) 875-2800 or contact: http://estancialajolla.com