A FAMILY DAY AT LA JOLLA

A DAY WITH NAT, ANGEL & NES AT LA JOLLA

Introduction

Planning a family trip where everybody gets the chance to enjoy each moment and still experience "me time" is what every member of the family looks forward to. Even children have their own thoughts of what a vacation with family entails. So, if you have children with you, consider their needs and wants to make their trip an enjoyable and memorable one. Well, you as parents know what itinerary to follow.

Choosing a place to go is the expertise of my daughter Angel since, many years ago, she was connected with the department of tourism of the city where we once lived. She's no newbie to the business of planning the trip, selecting the places to visit, choosing the best hotel, restaurants, and bars, as well as listing activities on this travel.

The Summer is one of the best seasons of the year to visit La Jolla, a tourist destination in San Diego, California. Hereunder are a few places you can visit at La Jolla. Depending on the number of days you will be staying here, you can do as many activities as you please.

The Long Drive to La Jolla

It took them several hours to drive to La Jolla. It is really an enjoyable trip because you can stop at a certain point when you knew, beforehand, that there is a point of interest or a tourist spot along the way. Visiting this place or places enroute to your destination is an added bonus to your adventure. If you are new to this route, that will be a learning experience added to your cap.

Along the road, there are Rest areas where you can grab a sandwich and a drink before continuing your drive. There are signages along the road that announces the distance to the Rest areas. There are restaurants and shops there as well as restrooms.

Long-distance drive means plenty of storytelling, identification of interesting places, and a few times singing the favorite songs played on the radio. It is a spontaneous learning experience.

The park near the hotel is ideal for biking, jogging, walking, and of course, playing around the wide well-manicured lawns.

Photo by Nes.

Nes inspecting this aircraft carrier.
Photo by Angel.

Is La Jolla part of San Diego?

La Jolla "is a hilly, seaside neighborhood within the city of San Diego, California, occupying 7 miles (11 km) of curving coastline along the Pacific Ocean. The population reported in the 2010 census was 46,781." Source: Wikipedia.

La Jolla is surrounded on three sides by ocean bluffs and beaches and is located 12 miles (19 km) north of downtown San Diego and 45 miles (72 km) south of the Orange County line. The climate is mild, with an average daily temperature of 70.5 degrees Fahrenheit or 21.4 degrees Centigrade. Source: ibid.

What is La Jolla known for? It is known as the home of Scripps Institute of Oceanography.

La Jolla is also home to the Salk Institute of Biological Studies. It is named after Jonas Salk, the developer of Polio Vaccine.

The Salk Institute also conducts studies and researches that benefit humanity be it in the area of Cancer, Alzheimer's Disease, climate change, and infectious diseases among others.

I just learned that La Jolla is also the hometown of Hollywood celebrities like Gregory Peck, Raquel Welch, Cliff Robertson, the musician Michael Frank and the Hearst Family.

Source: www.salk.edu or search.yahoo.com

The Hanging Bridge with Nat, Angel, and Nes.

* * * * * * * *

WHERE TO STAY

There are several hotels, inns, and Airbnb that are available in La Jolla. Just visit the website of the hotel of your choice to see the cheapest deals possible. For Airbnb, you can search the internet for an Airbnb available in the area where you choose to visit.

Now, I will feature The Lodge Torrey Pines Luxury Resort. It is a resort hotel that is rated as AAA Five Diamond hotel. It is overlooking the world-famous Torrey Pine Golf Course with a breathtaking view of the Pacific Ocean.

The Lodge Torrey Pines Luxury Resort.

Photo Credit: LTPLR website or lodgetorreypines.com

From The Lodge Torrey Pines Luxury Resort Hotel, shops, restaurants, bars, malls, museums, and other interesting sites and places can be reached after a few minutes' drive.

* * * * * * * *

DINING

For travelers and tourists visiting La Jolla, there is an abundance of restaurants and bars as well as shops.

Visit this website for a list of restaurants and bars: https://www.lajolla.com/guides/food-la-jolla/

Burgers

a. Burger Lounge b. Hennessy's La Jolla c. Public House d. Torrey Pints, and others.

Sushi

a. Shiku Sushi b. Cafe Japengo c. Sushi Mori

Tacos

a. The Taco Stand b. Wahoo's c. Galaxy Taco d. Jose's

For Italian Food

a. Barbarilla b. Catania c. Piatti d. Osteria Romantica

For Mexican Food

a. Verdes El Ranchero b. Puesto c. Un Mundo Mexican Grill d. The Taco Stand

French Food

a. Le Petit Bistrot b. Cafe La Rue on Prospect c. The French Gourmet

Seafood

a. Crabcatcher b. Eddie V's Prime Seafood c. George's At The Cove d. Cusp Dining and Drinks

Dining By The Sea

a. Crabcatcher b. Cusp Dining and Drinks c. Cliffhanger Cafe d. The Shores Restaurant

Acai Bowls and Smoothies

a. Fruititude b. Juice Crafters c. Lean and Green d. Nekter Juice Bar

For Fine Dining and Other Restaurants

a. Fleming's Steakhouse La Jolla

b. Eddie V's Prime Seafood

c. Donovan's Steakhouse

d. George's At The Cove

e. Nine-Ten

f. Duke's La Jolla

g. Promiscuous Fork

h. The Cottage La Jolla

i. Prepkitchen

j. Herringbone La Jolla

k. WHISKNLADDLE Bistro & Bar

Sorrento Ristorante Bar e Pizzeria.

Check out their carpacio di polipo, gamberi portofino, pizze profumata, Inguine neri, orechiette e cime di rapa, and tiramisu al limoncello.

COFFEE HOUSE

a. Living Room Cafe & Lounge La Jolla

b. Pannikin Coffee & Tea

c. Sugar & Scribe

d. Brick & Bell Cafe

Source: La Jolla Restaurants & Food Guide at https://www.lajolla.com

Five minutes drive from their hotel, there are restaurants that offer good food and of course, fine dining.

The Lodge at Torrey Pines.

Photo Credit - The Lodge at Torrey Pines Resort or https://www.reservations.com/hotel/the-lodge-at-torrey-pines

* * * * * * * * *

THINGS TO DO

There are so many things to do in La Jolla. You can visit the beaches, parks, monuments, aquarium, museum, university, and many more.

SURFING.

If your "trip" is Surfing, La Jolla has one of the best surfing areas that I know. Its swell can reach as high as 4 - 5 feet which they say is ideal for Beginners.

In HUNTER WE! SS - Youtube Channel, they reported a swell that reached 8 - 12 feet on December 17 and 18, 2018.

This must be an incredible surf. They say that the most incredible wave is Epic or a great wave, not a 9 but a 10. (www.surfline.com)

KAYAKING & PADDLEBOARDING.

Others prefer Kayaking and Paddle Boarding. There are areas ideal for these activities.

Biking is a popular activity. Tourists Bike in areas where it is allowed. Since the father, mother, and daughter did not surf, kayak, or paddleboard, they Bike around the park near their hotel. Most kids love the Bike.

If your trip is SHOPPING, here is a list of shopping malls and specialty shops you can visit. But first do not forget to bring your cards, lol.

1. La Plaza La Jolla

2. Westfield UTC

3. Clairemont Towne Square Shopping Center

4. Balboa Mesa Shopping Center

5. The Shops at La Jolla Village

6. Fashion Valley

7. Torrey Hills Center

8. Renaissance Towne Center

**and many more.

Source: Yelp at yelpdotcom -

Visit this site - - -

https://www.yelp.com/search?cflt=shoppingcenters&find_loc=La+Jolla%2C+San+Diego%2C+CA+92037

An Italian Restaurant.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Father and Daughter at play. Photo by the Mother, lol.

* * * * * * * *

THINGS TO SEE

1. La Jolla Shores Park

2. La Jolla Cove

3. Gerard Avenue and Prospect Street where you can find nice restaurants and bars.

4. Mt. Soledad National Veterans Memorial

5. Children's Pool on the beach where breakwater was constructed to make this area safe for children who will be swimming on the beach. This reminded me of the "Royal Baby Pool" at Horseshoe Bay Beach in Bermuda.

6. Birch Aquarium at Scripps

7. Torrey Pines Gliderport

8. Map and Atlas Museum at La Jolla

9. Mushroom Beach

10. Coast Boulevard Park

* * * * * * * *

HOW TO GET THERE

My Tip - Get the location of the hotel you are going to stay in or the place you wanted to visit. Use your iPhone and use the Maps App, enter the address or location of the place you want to visit. Your iPhone will guide you on what Routes to take to reach your destination. This sounds funny, because I know everybody knew how to do this.

Comments:

Spending time with family is an important element that connects children and parents in the spirit of friendship and camaraderie. A family that travels together stays together. Sounds familiar?

Relaxing and recharging one's "battery" at the end of a very busy day can be a fulfilling experience when husband and wife share a moment to relax and enjoy the day with their child or children.

Away from the "hurly-burly" of city life, and free from the nitty-gritty of things at work, Nes, and Angel together with daughter Nat decided to spend time together in a relaxing place they have chosen during the Summer - La Jolla.

So, if you have the time to relax, go for an adventure away from home and the cares of life and enjoy every minute of it. Remember, you pass this way but once. Treat yourself.

TIME