The hilly seaside luxury enclave of La Jolla, California, has been attracting artists and travelers for decades. But what is it actually like to live in paradise? We think if you ask any of the community’s 46,000 or so residents, they’d say it’s about as perfect as it gets.
La Jolla at a glance
While many may think that La Jolla is its own city, it’s actually a neighborhood within the borders of San Diego. The name La Jolla means “The Jewel” in Spanish, and many would argue that it has some of the most beautiful coastline in Southern California. La Jolla is surrounded on three of its sides by beaches and ocean bluffs and is located about 12 miles north of downtown San Diego. It has long been known as an art colony and attracts both residents and visitors because of its trendy restaurants and boutiques, most of which are located in the community’s commercial center, the Village of La Jolla.
La Jolla neighborhoods and real estate
La Jolla is situated along seven miles of coastline and contains many smaller neighborhoods. Some of the most popular areas include:
- La Jolla Shores – This neighborhood includes the area along La Jolla Shores Beach and east on the hillside and is home to the Scripps Institution of Oceanography.
- La Jolla Heights – Like the name suggests, this community includes homes that overlook La Jolla Shores.
- La Jolla Farms – Just north of UCSD, this posh neighborhood includes homes that sit on the cliff overlooking Black’s Beach.
- La Jolla Mesa – This neighborhood is located at the base of Mt. Soledad on the south side.
- La Jolla Alta – This master-planned community is east of La Jolla Mesa.
La Jolla is an affluent area, and the home styles and prices reflect the tastes of those who live here. The median home price in La Jolla is approximately $1.1 million.
La Jolla history
The area that is La Jolla was incorporated as part of the city of San Diego in 1850. But it took another 20 years before any permanent settlers arrived. Daniel and Samuel Sizer were the first to buy plots here, and in 1886 Frank Botsford purchased a lot with the help of Geroge Heald. Botsford then subdivided the land. The railroad arrived in La Jolla in th 1890s, connecting it to San Diego. Real estate developers saw the potential to attract visitors to the shore and cottage-style homes began to be constructed along Girard Avenue and Prospect Street. La Jolla developed into an artist colony, and newspaper heiress Ellen Browning Scripps settled here. Throughout her life she shared her wealth to help the community grow. Tourism to the area became popular and led to much growth, and by 1960 there were more than 17,000 living in La Jolla. Today the community continues to flourish and is known for its research institutions, art galleries, restaurants, and beaches.
La Jolla amenities
As we’ve stated above, La Jolla is particularly well-known for its beautiful beaches. The weather in La Jolla is temperate year-round with gentle surf and warm waters in the 70s. There are a wide variety of outdoor activities to enjoy at the beach including kayaking, scuba diving, swimming, snorkeling, and surfing. Whale watching is also a popular pastime.
Outdoor pursuits are plentiful in La Jolla. Enjoy a round of golf at the famous Torrey Pines Golf Course. Or soar over the beach cliffs on your own hang glider at the Torrey Pines Gliderport. Families will have fun picnicking at Scripps Park, which is also home to concerts and Fourth of July fireworks.
There’s also an abundance of culture in La Jolla. It is home to the Birch Aquarium at Scripps Institute of Oceanography, the La Jolla Playhouse, and the Museum of Contemporary Art. You’ll also find many independent art galleries as well as upscale retailers and trendy restaurants in The Village.
La Jolla schools
Students in La Jolla are served by the highly-rated San Diego Unified School District. Public schools in La Jolla include Bird Rock Elementary, Torrey Pines Elementary, Muirlands Middle School, La Jolla Elementary, and La Jolla High School. There is also a public charter school, Preuss School, and several private schools. In addition, La Jolla is home to the prestigious University of California San Diego (UCSD).
Explore La Jolla today!
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