Nestled along the Southern California coast, just a short drive north of San Diego, lies La Jolla. This charming town is known as the jewel of California, since the name comes from the spanish “joya” which means a jewel or gem. With the spectacular setting of steep bluffs, sandy beaches, and the beautiful blue sea that surrounds the town on three sides, the name certainly fits.
La Jolla is an affluent community, and when you stroll through town, you will find plenty of upscale art galleries, elegant jewelry stores, cute boutiques, and fine dining opportunities. There’s another side to the place too, though. For something quite different, check out the wild side of La Jolla on a wildlife walk along the coast.
La Jolla’s coastal walk
You can start your walk at Coast Boulevard Park, and head north along the waterfront. The expansive views are spectacular. On a clear day, you can see for miles up and down the coast. Sandstone cliffs rise out of the deep blue sea, and crashing waves add sound effects as they hit the shore. Even without the wildlife, this would be a refreshing and enjoyable stroll.
The first portion of the walk is level and easy for walking. Further along, there are areas where you can walk down some stairs and clamber over the rocks if you feel like it. If that’s something you want to do, plan ahead and wear shoes with good traction, since the rocks can be slippery.
Seals, sea lions, and other marine life
La Jolla Cove is within a marine refuge area, the San Diego-La Jolla Underwater Park, which protects the naturally abundant sea life here. Kids young and old enjoy watching the many sea lions and harbor seals that make their home here.
