La Jolla, California

La Jolla's entertainment scene consistently caters to a remarkable range of tastes. Art patrons are astounded by the extensive list of prestigious galleries, while night owls relax at casual comedy clubs. Meanwhile, La Jolla's cooperative weather allows for numerous outdoor adventures. Whether you prefer upscale culture or outdoor action, this seaside community will prove itself worthy of your entertainment buck.

Art

La Jolla's streets are absolutely full of distinguished art galleries. The community celebrates an extensive array of artistry, yet most galleries seem to favor contemporary pieces. Quint certainly does, featuring paintings in oil and watercolor, as well as photography and sculpture. Nearby Carlton Gallery is strictly devoted to nothing but sculpture, though it has been known to spotlight Asian artists in particular. Alcala Gallery is home to quite a collection of 20th century paintings as well, many of which were produced here in California. If American art is not your thing, give Cosmopolitan Fine Art a try. They specialize solely in French impressionist and post-impressionist paintings.

Music

While art is well represented in La Jolla's cultural atmosphere, music is certainly not neglected. A variety of venues bring music to La Jolla's residents and tourists. Athenaeum Music and Arts Library has a vast collection of books and other pieces devoted to the musical arts. This establishment also hosts concerts such as the Mini-Concerts-At-Noon, a weekly presentation featuring classical musicians and touring ensemble groups.

During the summer months, the waterfront is home to Concerts by the Sea. Located at La Jolla Cove, this annual series presents live music in an incomparable locale. If you are a strict adherent to the tenets of the world of classical music, you will adore concerts presented by the La Jolla Chamber Music Society.

Theater & Film

The La Jolla Playhouse is the most popular theater in this community. Originally founded by Hollywood stars and located on the UCSD campus, the theater is now known for championing new playwrights. Meanwhile, in the film world, film critics and other cinephiles flock to La Jolla by the busload each year for the annual San Diego International Film Festival.

Research Institutes & Exhibits

Who would have thought that this community, so revered for its arts scene, would also be famous for its world-renowned scientific institutions. Salk Institute, named for the famed curer of Polio, draws spectators from near and far. In addition, the highly-respected Scripps Institute of Oceanography offers incredible displays of marine life at Birch Aquarium, located along the La Jolla shoreline.

Outdoor Activities

Sunny La Jolla abounds with outdoor activities as well. See a panoramic view of San Diego County from Mount Soledad, or climb through mysterious caverns in the La Jolla Caves. Golf fanatics can't miss the luxurious Torrey Pines Golf Course, the only public course on the PGA circuit. Lastly, adventurous souls may view La Jolla from the sky with an airborne experience at Torrey Pines Gliderport.

Located just 15 minutes north from downtown San Diego, La Jolla's seven-mile stretch of coastal property is technically within the San Diego city limits. Yet La Jolla has undoubtedly earned a reputation as a city in its own right. Known as one of the most affluent communities in the United States, La Jolla boasts premium beaches, fine dining and distinguished art galleries. In addition, this seaside town hosts world-renowned research facilities, such as the Salk Institute. La Jolla's history is short, but engulfed in mystery, drama and humor.

Artifacts found in this geographic area indicate Native American settlements along the La Jolla shoreline over 3,000 years ago. Archaeologists have found stone utensils. However, the remains are small and scattered, leaving historians unclear about the fate of these earliest inhabitants.

The La Jolla lands became incorporated as part of San Diego in 1850. However, there were no permanent settlers in this section of town until 19 years later. Two brothers, Daniel and Samuel Sizer, each bought a plot of La Jolla land in 1869. The City of San Diego sold these 80-acre plots for the price of USD1.25 per acre. Little did the Sizer brothers know that their plots of land, located between present-day Fay Street and La Jolla Boulevard, would be worth $1.25 million per acre by the late Twentieth Century.

When Frank Terrill Botsford arrived via boat in San Diego in 1886, he scribed in his diary, "Magnificent day at La Jolla!" Like the Sizer brothers, Frank Botsford purchased a plot of land, but Mr. Botsford also went a step further. He was the first to develop La Jolla property, earning his title as "the father of La Jolla." With the help of George Heald, who purchased one-quarter interest of this property, Frank Botsford surveyed and subdivided the land. Although Botsford could not find drinkable water in the area, he still attempted to auction pieces of the land, with Bob Pennell serving as the auctioneer. The auction was successful and Pennell's persuasive techniques were so effective, he even convinced himself to purchase a plot of land.

La Jolla's name is a somewhat controversial subject among town historians. No one has an absolute account regarding the establishment of this name. What has been confirmed is the meaning of La Jolla, which stands for "the jewel" in Spanish. It is also confirmed that this name has appeared in all land grant and mission records since 1928. Yet, the name "La Jolla" also appears in scattered documents prior to this date, including one 1870 map designating plots of land in "La Joya."

While mystery surrounds the exact date, place and circumstances surrounding the origination of La Jolla's name, there is no doubt about the validity of the name. Between the sparkling Pacific waters, mysterious caves and glorious beaches, this stretch of land is clearly “the jewel” of Southern California.

In the 1890s, the railroad extended to La Jolla, enabling additional growth for this booming suburb. Around this time, real estate developers began to take an interest in the coastal property of La Jolla, constructing resorts to attract visitors from San Diego proper. La Jolla Park Hotel opened its doors in 1893, boasting three stories and 80 rooms. In addition, cottage-style homes were built along Prospect Street and Girard Avenue. The Union Congregational Church was established, as well as the La Jolla Woman's Club, which began as a women's reading circle.

During this time frame, La Jolla's devotion to the arts was born. One of La Jolla's citizens, Miss Anna Held, established her famous Green Dragon Colony in 1894, where she allowed artists and novelists to work without expense.

Newspaper heiress Ellen Browning Scripps settled in La Jolla in 1896. Her countless gifts to the La Jolla community are clearly noted in the plethora of institutions bearing her name, such as Scripps Institute of Oceanography and Ellen Browning Scripps Park.

However, growth was not entirely smooth sailing for the seaside town of La Jolla. The La Jolla Park Hotel had difficulty maintaining business and eventually burned to the ground in June 1896. Regardless, La Jolla continued to flourish into the Twentieth Century.

The Twentieth Century marks the establishment of countless institutions as the small town of La Jolla grew into a world-famous city. The first building of Scripps Institute of Oceanography was erected in 1909. This world-class research institute, which includes Birch Aquarium, has since become part of the University of California at San Diego (UCSD), founded in the La Jolla community in 1959. In addition, La Jolla's first newspaper, known as The La Jolla Breakers, began in 1906.

In 1913, the The Grande Colonial Hotel opened for business with 28 apartments and 25 single rooms. Charging $1 per night, the hotel experienced such incredible success that a second building opened shortly after. The hotel has since been renovated many times and stands today, open for business, in the heart of La Jolla Village.

By the 1930s, La Jolla's luxurious resorts and incredible beach views attracted scores of Hollywood stars. Initially, celebrities simply came to La Jolla for relaxation and retreat. Yet, by the 1940s and 1950s, a few Hollywood stars began creating and producing plays at The Summer Playhouse, now known as The La Jolla Playhouse.

Remnants of the La Jolla's early settlers are still evident throughout the town, from the names of key institutions to the eclectic form of architecture, primarily Mediterranean-style, which has evolved over the decades. With a current population of 38,000 people, La Jolla manages to host world-renown research institutions, breathtaking beaches, distinguished art galleries and top-notch restaurants—all in a seven-mile stretch along the California shoreline. Thus, while the mystery of this town's name may never be solved, La Jolla's tourists and residents clearly see why it is called "the jewel."