La Jolla (pronounced "la hoya") extends along a 7mi/11km curved strip of coastline, 14mi/22km north of Downtown San Diego (take the U.S. 5 and then the Ardath Road exit). It has rich vegetation and enjoys mild weather all the year round, but, like all places on the coast, it is plagued with mists in summer.
Although the name translates as "jewel
", the original name of La Hoya (as still recognizable from the pronunciation) comes from a geographical word for "cave".
Today La Jolla has about 40,000 inhabitants, the numbers having increased appreciably during the last decade.
Autonomy
Even though La Jolla forms part of San Diego and is the seat of the University of California at San Diego, it functions quite independently, so that most visitors consider it more of a village enclave than a suburb of San Diego. It has in fact been able to preserve its idyllic atmosphere. Mail posted there is stamped "La Jolla", not "San Diego". The abundance of elegant shops in Girard Avenue is a distinguishing feature.
As a result of the university and other research institutes being here, many academics, budding artists and writers have made their homes here. This intellectually active life has produced numerous galleries and, in particular, a museum of contemporary art.
A tour of the town
The heart of La Jolla is best explored on foot, especially Girard Avenue, mentioned above, and the main street, Prospect Street, with the town's finest hotel, Hotel Valencia. You should also take a stroll along the coast road, the northeastern extension of Prospect Street, beginning at the junction of Park Row and Prospect Place. You will pass the famous La Jolla Cove (small bay) and Ellen Browning Scripps Park, some 100ft/30m below Prospect Street, with shallow steps leading down to it.
Another somewhat longer walk will take you to the scientific institutes and past many modern houses.
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