Local La Jolla - on a Budget

Description:

This restaurant's country French decor will put you at ease as you savor your meal or baked goods. Sit outside and take in a bit of sunshine as you visit with friends or read the newspaper. Try the Spinach Sandwich or the Curried Chicken Sandwich. The Pasta Salad also comes highly recommended. As for the baked goods, try the Blueberry Coconut Coffeecake, the Cream Pecan Coffeecake or one of the delicious breads. Standard items like fresh scones, muffins and a variety of cookies are also available.

Description:

Just minutes from downtown La Jolla and surrounded by the University of California, San Diego's famed Scripps institute of Oceanography, La Jolla Shores is home to some of San Diego's most diverse sea life and tourists. Just blocks from the La Jolla Hotel, beaches are packed with the surrounding tourist destinations for restaurants, outdoor activities (kayak rentals, scuba tours and surfboard rentals) and California beach shopping. The beach is often most crowded during late spring and summer months. If you're looking to learn how to surf, this is the place, as amateur surfers enjoy the mild waves and won't pound on you for being a tourist. What makes the Shores even more enjoyable is its grassy knolls directly adjacent to the beach (and adorning running path). With bar-b-que pits, tons of space and several park benches as well as picnic tables, the Shores offers enough space for large parties looking to harmonize both the beach and sunny California's weather - but get there early during the prime months as spots are taken quick.

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Climb 145 steps down into Sunny Jim Cave, the largest of the grottoes in La Jolla Cove. The area is now run by the Cave Store, which displays historic photographs of La Jolla and offers a small concession where visitors can purchase souvenirs, postcards and T-shirts. A trip here provides a fascinating glimpse into what lies under, as well as over, the scenic California coastline.

Description:

Only steps away from the famous La Jolla Shore, this establishment is always crowded with locals, ranging from college students to business professionals. An eclectic assortment of tables and chairs is accompanied by lively jazz music playing overhead. In addition, a surprisingly extensive menu features breakfast, lunch and dinner. Popular entrees include the Tuna Melt, Shrimp Pasta Salad and Turkey Lasagna. Meanwhile, dozens of pastries line a glass display case at the order counter. Choose from tarts, cakes, croissants and danish.

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MCASD La Jolla has a permanent collection of more than 3,000 works from different genres created after the 50s. There are paintings, sculptures, works on paper, photography, video, film, and installation. MCASD is an established patron of the arts and has helped many artists achieve success. MCASD maintains an extensive collection of minimalist, pop, conceptual, installation, Latin American, and Californian art. MCASD's downtown San Diego location is also worth a stop. On the third Thursday of each month, the museum is open from 11 am to 7 pm. For more information please see the website.

Description:

It has become La Jolla's main attraction thanks to its breathtaking coastal views and vast menu of cocktail and happy hour specials. Prospect Bar & Grill is the new La Jolla hot spot for all adventures after the sun goes down and beyond, with great guest DJs hitting the smaller, upscale venue on the weekends, special events happening year round and drink specials every night. Not only that, but during the afternoons the bar serves up some great eats like burgers or grill, making the Prospect Bar & Grill somewhere to hit no matter what time of day.

Description:

While its ambiance might not be the typical La Jolla scene that tourists might expect, this breakfast and lunch destination is a cornerstone in the beach side location. From the simplest of simple meals like the cheese omelet, Greek omelet and the Spanish omelet to short stacks and golden brown waffles, while the menu is shorts it's the friendly faces and chats beneath a coffee cup that make it a landmark. Harry's is what made La Jolla what it is today - the mom and pop shops of yesteryear. With comfort food and a carefree attitude toward calories, this La Jolla classic is a must-have.

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One of only two places on the California coast where these gnarled, once nearly extinct specimens grow, visitors will witness more than 3000 Torrey Pines in this untamed 2000-acre reserve. You will also see cliffs, mesas, canyons, beaches and wetlands. Discover eight trails ranging from a 20-minute walk to a two-hour hike. Trail maps are available at the Visitor's Lodge, where you'll also find a modest natural history museum (complete with souvenir shop). Despite the shade, it can be hot in the summer - bring your own water. See website for maps, online resources and more.

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Wanna soar over the sea? Since 1928, adventurers have been soaring from the cliffs at this location. Paragliding lessons and hangliding lessons are available. The fastest way to experience flight is to go tandem with an instructor for a 20-minute ground school followed by a 25-minute in-air flight. Reservations are required for lessons, none accepted for tandem flights, just call for weather conditions before coming. For the less bold, sit and watch the activity from the outdoor cafe or browse through the High Flying Gift Shop. The Gliderport has been selected as number six in the top ten ultimate adventure camps in America by the Outdoor Life Network.

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Head up the hill from downtown La Jolla's scenic beach arena and you'll see what everyone is talking about - the view from Mt. Soledad, the historic spot that overlooks the ocean, the city's landscape and more - is worth every minute. On a sparkling day (which San Diego has many of), Mt. Soledad's view is breathtaking - from La Jolla's pristine beaches, downtown's skyscrapers, the Mission Beach bay and all the tiny people, this is a picture-perfect spot. In addition, the Mt. Soledad view pays memorium to the Veterans of the area, with a sky scraping cross and personal stories of the lives lost at war; an American flag plays toward a historic backdrop in these iconic pictures as well.

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• Aloha Sushi doesn't just welcome sushi lovers with its Hawaiian inspired ambiance (complete with flowers adorning every table and tiki lights) but also with its excellent cuisine. Apart from selling outstanding sushi, where special rolls are the perfect complement to your exotic drink special (night happy hour specials are the ideal time to visit this place), this small, La Jolla sushi bar offers a lively night club experience once the sun goes down. With cabanas stretching to the back of the lot, sushi is accompanied by loud music, strobe lights and dancing. It's perfect for a large party who want to feel like they are in downtown San Diego without making the trek into the city. For fans of something cooked, their grill is equally superb, with large sized portions. With its great location and a resort-like ambiance, it's a great place to treat yourself.