La Jolla is a hilly, seaside neighborhood located twelve miles north of downtown San Diego. It contains seven miles of curving coastline along the Pacific Ocean and is surrounded on three sides by bluffs and beaches. La Jolla is pronounced like the Spanish word “la joya,” which means “the jewel” (the community’s nickname). It is a vibrant village with scenic coastal views and the setting for several scenes in one of my books.
La Jolla Cove contains a protected marine reserve and is popular with swimmers and snorkelers due to the abundance of sea life. The beach is relatively small but houses a manned lifeguard tower to safeguard the beachgoers. The horseshoe-shaped beach is surrounded by sandstone cliffs and rocks. After descending the staircase to the sandy shores, the setting feels like a private enclosed beach, other than the teeming masses of people. In addition to swimming in the sea, visitors can enjoy the beautiful seaside park that sports a paved walkway that runs along the scenic coastline. Wooden kiosks are situated on the exterior perimeter, sitting high above the crashing waves, with a breathtaking panoramic view of coastal La Jolla. Tourists can watch the sea lions and other wildlife from the bluffs or take guided kayak tours to the nearby sea caves.
We are fortunate to reside in a nearby neighborhood. When my kids were younger, we spent many hours wandering the streets of La Jolla and basking in the sunshine on their sandy beaches. My kids were entranced by the animated storyteller at the “White Rabbit” children’s bookstore, which unfortunately shuttered its doors long ago, silencing the voice that had transported us to another world. We gamely trekked down the jetty at the Children’s Pool as the ocean waves crashed against the railing, strategically dodging the sprays of water. We enjoyed watching the sea lions frolic in the sea and flop on the sand. The memories always make me smile. The sound of the lapping ocean waves and sight of the sandy shores always instill peace in my soul. The sea is like saltwater soup for the soul.
