getaway

About the only thing you may get wrong when visiting La Jolla is the pronunciation of the name — la hoya. You will not go wrong if you’re searching for an area with great natural beauty with a mixture of geology — sandy beaches and rocky shorelines. You’ll also find topnotch golf courses, art galleries, fine shopping and dining. Just 15 minutes from downtown San Diego, the protected waters of La Jolla Cove are home to bright orange Garibaldi fish and wild seal congregations. Sea caves indent the cliffs

If you’re coming for the beautiful beaches and crystal clear water, you won’t be disappointed. La Jolla Cove, with some of the clearest water of all San Diego beaches, make it ideal for scuba diving and snorkeling. La Jolla Shores is a mile-long beach, which features gentle waves during the summer — making it the prime beach for family excursions and novice snorkelers.

Birch Aquarium at Scripps is the public exploration center for the world-renowned Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego. Perched on a bluff overlooking the Pacific Ocean, the aquarium features more than 60 habitats of fishes and invertebrates from the cold waters of the Pacific Northwest to the tropical waters of Mexico and beyond. An interactive museum showcases research discoveries by Scripps scientists on climate, earth, and ocean science.

There’s much more than water in La Jolla, though, so make sure to pack your golf clubs to experience a premier municipal golf course. Torrey Pines Golf Course sits on the coastal cliffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean and offers two picturesque and widely recognizable championship 18-hole golf courses. It is one of the most accessible public facilities for the die-hard enthusiast wishing to play at a world-renown facility that nearly all golfers know by name.

You don’t have to be outside to enjoy La Jolla. The city’s streets are alive with the world’s shopping elite. From high-end art galleries to charming boutiques, you’ll be tempted by countless opportunities to bring a piece of La Jolla home with you. Five-star restaurants and cozy eateries serve every appetite.

For those who may want a fine dining experience while taking a comfortable stroll should reserve a spot with a La Jolla Walking Wine Tour. A three-hour epicurean tour led by a local expert introduces La Jolla’s wine, food, and culture scene to well-satisfied visitors.