Lovely La Jolla the perfect winter escape
CALIFORNIA: Beaches, boutiques and golf will deliver anytime of year
There is no such thing as perfection when it comes to holiday destinations; but the picture-perfect village of La Jolla by the Sea on the southern California coast north of San Diego comes as close to achieving that ideal as possible.
Let’s start with the weather. It’s nearly always excellent. Never too hot, never cold, a refreshing breeze off the ocean. For Canadians looking for a guaranteed winter beach getaway, this is as good as it gets.
The average high temperature stays in the high teens year-round, with winter lows in the low teens. Surprisingly, given its proximity to the beach, La Jolla has almost no humidity. Rainstorms are rare, with average yearly rainfall totals less than 25 cm.
I’ve been to La Jolla several times and it’s a toss-up as to what’s most interesting; the beaches, shopping or golf. I’m not a shopper, but you could spend all day walking around the compact village centre looking at cute little boutiques.
There are many darling cafés and restaurants to choose from. We sat outside on the patio at Nine Ten in the Grande Colonial Hotel at noon, nicely located right on the main street. We weren’t that hungry, so we went light with the cochinita pibil tacos.
The village is perched on a cliff, so we ambled down to La Jolla Cove where various sea lions display themselves for your edification and photographic needs. They are cute but they stink, so best to go after you’ve had lunch. Or maybe before.
The cliffs are riddled with sea caves, of special fascination to kayakers who paddle over from nearby La Jolla Shores Beach. The cove has a fine little beach, terrific for swimming and snorkelling with an abundance of bright orange Garibaldi fish and other tame marine life to watch. Right next to the cove is Scripps Park, where picnics, weddings and kite flying are popular.
La Jolla Shores across the bay is a milelong crescent of prime sand beach favoured by active beachgoers of all interests.
Anchored by the Scripps Institute of Oceanography pier, this is a busy swimming area popular among families and surfers alike.
Golf in La Jolla means making a reservation at the world famous Torrey Pines course, just north of the village and the site of several U.S. Opens. This is a public course and open to all. Best rates for foreigners are mid-week. Call and reserve ahead.
Prospect Street, the main east-west thoroughfare, proved best for lazy strolling, with side streets spinning off to small boutiques and fashion malls. The new La Jolla Village Information Center provides friendly tips on accommodations, shopping, dining, transportation, events and maps.
If La Jolla by the Sea isn’t paradise, it certainly comes close.