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La Jolla Luxury Homes and Real Estate
Brief History of La Jolla
The Village of La Jolla is a beautiful part of San Diego that, while is within City limits, can definitely be considered a city in its own right. Renowned nationwide as one of the most affluent communities in the nation, La Jolla can claim some of the world’s best beaches, finest dining, and art galleries galore. La Jolla is also home to prestigious research facilities, such as the Salk Institute, and one of the finest learning institutions in the world, the University of California, San Diego.
The word la Jolla is Spanish for “the jewel”, La Jolla’s name sums itself up quite nicely. The first permanent settlers of La Jolla came about in the late 1860’s, when two brothers each purchase an 80-acre plot from the City of San Diego for the paltry sum of $1.25 per acre (if only those prices were still available!). In the 1890s, La Jolla was experiencing a boom as a tourist attraction, as real estate developers constructed resorts to attract visitors. Additionally, cottage-style homes were constructed in the immediate area as well.
It wasn’t until the 20th century, however, that La Jolla began to resemble its present day self, a world-renowned town known for both its beauty and its brains. In 1909, the prestigious Scripps Institute of Oceanography was founded, and has since become a part of UCSD, which itself was founded in the community in 1959.
Nowadays, you can still find traces of La Jolla’s rich history, from the eclectic architecture to the names of key establishments and places. Filled with distinguished art galleries, beautiful beaches, and some of the finest dining in San Diego, you will have no doubt as to why the name translates into “the jewel”.
Demographics
Filled with many different areas, such as Bird Rock, Mt. Soledad (home to one of the most beautiful views in all of San Diego County), Torrey Pines, etc. La Jolla is a very beautiful and peaceful place. Here are some facts and figures regarding La Jolla:
Total Population: approximately 46,869
Median Age; 37 years old
Average Income: $150,954
Crime Risk: At or below all county averages (except auto theft)
Less than 15 minutes away from Lindbergh Field
Average Home Selling Price: $1,250,680
Beaches
La Jolla Shores – La Jolla Shores is a beautiful beach approximately one mile long. Its gentle waves are usually the most gentle of all San Diego beaches, although rip currents may still be strong at times. Because of the gentle conditions, many novice scuba classes are held at La Jolla Shores. Kellogg Park, a grassy area, is located behind the main lifeguard station and is ideal for picnics. A wide cement boardwalk parallels a portion of the beach between the park and the sand.
Fishing and removal of objects from this area is prohibited. At the north end of this beach lies the Scripps Institution of Oceanography and Scripps Pier. The pier is not open to the public, but the Steven Birch Aquarium is within 1/2 mile of La Jolla Shores and is open daily.
La Jolla Shores has the only beachfront boat launch within City limits. Small vessels can be launched directly into the surf at the Avenida de la Playa, approximately 300 yards south of the lifeguard station. Vehicles are allowed to drive on the sand in a very limited area at five miles per hour or less. Four-wheel drive is highly recommended.
La Jolla Cove – La Jolla Cove is a very small beach, smack dab between adjacent sandstone cliffs. Because of its extraordinary beauty, La Jolla Cove is one of the most photographed beaches in Southern California. It is within a short walk to fantastic boutique shopping.
Grassy Scripps Park is immediately adjacent and an excellent area for picnics. Water visibility at the Cove can sometimes exceed 30 feet, which makes it a popular location for scuba diving and snorkeling. This is a look but don't touch area, and oftentimes you will be able to find seals and sea lions (DEFINITELY look but don’t touch) lounging lazily on the beaches.
Schools
La Jolla is a part of the San Diego Unified School District (SDUSD), one of the finest school districts in the nation, and the second largest school district in California. The SDUSD has also recently received a $17.5 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education for its Striving Readers program, which was one of only eight grants given out nationwide this year.
La Jolla is also home to several prestigious private schools, not the least of which is La Jolla Country Day School (LJCDS), which serves over 1,000 students from nursing school all the way through 12th grade. LJCDS is an excellent academic institution, with above average scorings in the SATs, Advanced Placement tests, and very individualized college preparatory programs for students grades 9-12.
Public High Schools
La Jolla High School – ljhs.sandi.net
Middle Schools
Muirlands Middle School – www.muirlandsms.org
Elementary Schools
Bird Rock Elementary School (K-5) – sandi.net/birdrock
La Jolla Elementary School (K-5) – sandi.net/ljes
Torrey Pines Elementary School (K-5) – sandi.net/torreypines
Private
La Jolla Country Day (K-12) – www.ljcda.org
The Bishop’s (7-12) – bishops.com
Preuss School UCSD (6-12) – preuss.ucsd.edu
National University Virtual High School (9-12) – nuvhs.org
Southern California Yeshiva High School (9-12) – scyhigh.org
All Hallows Academy (K-8) – allhallowsparish.com
Stella Maris Academy (K-8) – stellamarisacademy.org
San Diego French-American School (K-8) – efsd.org
The Gillispie School (K-6) – gillispie.org
Delphi Academy of San Diego (K-6) – delphisandiego.org
The Children’s School (K-6) – tcs.pvt.k12.ca.us
UCSD (University of California San Diego)
La jolla is home to the world renown university of UCSD. UCSD is one of the nation’s top universities. UCSD is situated on a parklike, 1,200-acre site high on the bluffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean in the seaside community of San Diego called La Jolla.
You can v visit the schools website at www.ucsd.edu for more information an details.
UCSD offers graduate and undergraduate programs in a wide range of disciplines leading to bachelors, masters, M.D., and Ph.D. degrees. Scripps Institution of Oceanography is internationally renowned, and UCSD's School of Medicine has won national acclaim for excellence. UCSD's Graduate School of International Relations and Pacific Studies is the only school of international affairs in the UC system. At the undergraduate and graduate levels, UCSD's curricula and programs have been highly ranked in recent surveys of American higher education.
Entertainment
La Jolla is a bustling place filled with many things to do, both during the day and into the night. Where does one start off in La Jolla? The obvious answer is the beaches, and the beachfront. Since La Jolla fills up seven miles of coastal property, one could say all of La Jolla is a beachfront. From the beautiful beaches of La Jolla, many exciting shopping boutiques and art galleries (including the Museum of Contemporary Art) are just a short walk away. There is also the beautiful and family friendly Birch Aquarium at the Scripps Institute, featuring over 64,000 sq. ft. of exhibits, such as the thrilling 13,000 gallon Shark Reef tank.
Restaurants
As day turns to night, there are a myriad of dining options, from upscale such as Georges at the Cove, to more casual affairs such as Jose’s Court Room. Additionally, there are several bars open late night for the adult crowds. Also, San Diego’s famous Gaslamp District is only fifteen minutes away, with its own amazing nightlife, featuring a plethora of options, from casual dive bars to its own selection of upscale nightlife.
Fine Dining
Georges at the Cove – www.georgesatthecove.com – An award-winning restaurant (including multiple Four Diamond Awards), Georges at the Cove recently reopened its main dining room as Georges California Modern. If you are looking for one of San Diego’s perennially most popular restaurants, this is it. Featuring exemplary service, spectacular ocean views, and modern décor are all part of the dining experience at Georges, and definitely explains why Georges is as popular as it is.
Jacks La Jolla – www.jackslajolla.com – Jacks La Jolla contains three different restaurants, featuring everything from casual to upscale dining. The upscale dining, located in The Dining Room, is a always amongst a list of San Diego’s best restaurants. Featuring an elegant environment to match its delectable menu along with an extremely outstanding wait staff, dining at Jsacks will leave you with a satisfied palette and a smile on your face. Featuring everything from seafood to lamb, the menu does not leave for much wanting.
The Marine Room – www.marineroom.com – Always in the running for San Diego’s Best of the Best (and winner of it more often than not), the Marine Room is one of San Diego County’s premiere dining establishments. Featuring spectacular views that are matched by its spectacular menu, the Marine Room will surely not disappoint anyone looking for a perfect meal. Don’t let the name fool you, the Marine Room offers a healthy selection of land fare in addition to its variety of seafood as well.
Casual Dining
Jose’s Court Room – www.joses.com – If you’re looking to try out some delicious Mexican style food, then Jose’s is the place to go in La Jolla. Offering almost every single flavor of Mexico, from shrimp to calamari to carne asada, Jose’s does not disappoint. For the more adventurous eater, trying one of Jose’s interpretations is your best bet. The next time you’re at Joses’s, start off with an order of the Stuffed Shrimp Poppers, and an S.O.S. for your entrée. If you saved room for dessert, the Buneulo is excellent!
The Melting Pot – www.meltingpot.com – At the melting pot, it’s all fondue all the time! With a simple four stage menu (selct your cheese, then salad, then entrée and cooking style, and finally select a chocolate fondue), this sort of affair is definitely a step outside of normal dining. Offering a wide variety of entrees, and a good assortment of fondues (including their delicious dessert fondues – try the Yin & Yang!), your palette will have gone through a wide variety of flavors before the night is over.
The Brockton Villa Restaurant – www.brocktonvilla.com – Serving a succulent variety of dishes, the Brockton Villa is a fantastic place to take your family if you are looking for fine dining in a more casual environment. Featuring some rather exotic items such as the Tangerine-Ginger Glazed Wild Boar Back Ribs and the Mustard Seed Encrusted Australian Lamb Rack to more traditional fare, the menu has a little something for everyone. If you want to stop in for lunch, you will find an amazing variety of sandwiches, including the outstanding Kobe Beef Patty Melt.
Golf
La Jolla is home to the world famous Torrey Pines Golf Course.
You don't have to be a golfer to appreciate the magnificent views at the Torrey Pines golf courses in La Jolla, California. These seaside courses meander along the coastline, and are bordered by deep canyons with thick vegetation and abundant wildlife. High cliffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean provide the breathtaking views for which Torrey Pines Golf Course is widely known.
The Village of La Jolla is a beautiful part of San Diego that, while is within City limits, can definitely be considered a city in its own right. Renowned nationwide as one of the most affluent communities in the nation, La Jolla can claim some of the world’s best beaches, finest dining, and art galleries galore. La Jolla is also home to prestigious research facilities, such as the Salk Institute, and one of the finest learning institutions in the world, the University of California, San Diego. 
La Jolla Shores – La Jolla Shores is a beautiful beach approximately one mile long. Its gentle waves are usually the most gentle of all San Diego beaches, although rip currents may still be strong at times. Because of the gentle conditions, many novice scuba classes are held at La Jolla Shores. Kellogg Park, a grassy area, is located behind the main lifeguard station and is ideal for picnics. A wide cement boardwalk parallels a portion of the beach between the park and the sand.
La Jolla Cove – La Jolla Cove is a very small beach, smack dab between adjacent sandstone cliffs. Because of its extraordinary beauty, La Jolla Cove is one of the most photographed beaches in Southern California. It is within a short walk to fantastic boutique shopping.
La jolla is home to the world renown university of UCSD. UCSD is one of the nation’s top universities. UCSD is situated on a parklike, 1,200-acre site high on the bluffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean in the seaside community of San Diego called La Jolla.
As day turns to night, there are a myriad of dining options, from upscale such as Georges at the Cove, to more casual affairs such as Jose’s Court Room. Additionally, there are several bars open late night for the adult crowds. Also, San Diego’s famous Gaslamp District is only fifteen minutes away, with its own amazing nightlife, featuring a plethora of options, from casual dive bars to its own selection of upscale nightlife.
