What should you know about La Jolla, California

1.Geography

La Jolla is an affluent community defined by hillsides, sandy beaches, rugged ocean bluffs and steep canyons. It is located in San Diego County, and its land stretches 7 miles along the Pacific Ocean shoreline north (to include Torrey Pines State Reserve ending at Del Mar), according to Wikipedia.com.

Gilman drive and the Interstate Highway 5 mark the city’s eastern border, while the neighborhood of Pacific Beach borders the city to the south.

Some of the neighborhoods in La Joya include: La Jolla Shores, the Village of La Jolla, Bird Rock, Muir Lands, Torrey Pines, Mount Soledad and La Jolla Farms.

1.a Climate

One of the many advantages to move to La Jolla is its mild Mediterranean climate: sunny and temperate most of the year.

The city gets less than 10 inches of rain in 12 months.

Between November and March (peaking in February) is usually the period with more probability of precipitation.

The number of days with any measurable rainfall is 42, and on average, the residents enjoy 263 sunny days each year.

The July high is around 75 degrees, while the January low is 48.

La Jolla has almost no humidity and the rainstorms are very rare, but during the months of May and June, the morning fog can be very thick. Fortunately, the fog burns off early enough to keep enjoying clear skies.

2. Economy

At about twenty years ago, La Jolla was a small sleepy town; today it is a renowned cultural and business center in southern California.
The home-owned businesses became fewer in the 1980’s, when larger business buildings replaced the 1920’s era style construction. But even with all the booming, the city is still primarily (58%) a residential community.

In 2015, 255 software companies were created in the San Diego area, and over the past two years, 44 startup companies were established in La Jolla.

Major educational and research facilities are based in the city, including the University of California at San Diego, Scripps Research Institute, Pfizer La Jolla campus, Salk Institute for Biological Studies, Southwest Fisheries Science Center (SWFSC). Some research divisions such as the Antarctic Ecosystems Research Division, Fisheries Resources Division, and Marine Mammal and Turtle Division are located also in la Jolla; as well as the Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute, the Operations and Management Division and Information Technology Services.

It’s also good to know that the City of La Joya belongs to San Diego County, where the largest concentrations of academic and biotechnology institutions in the world are situated.

As we mentioned above, 255 software companies were created in the San Diego area in 2015, the fourth most in the state, but also, 82 life science firms and 50 companies working in communications, computers and electronics were established; resulting in more than 1,600 additional jobs.

La Jolla is also home to a variety of businesses in the areas of lodging, dining, shopping, finance, real estate, medical practice and scientific research.

3. Government

The La Jolla Town Council is a Government association comprised of 24 Trustees, focuses on land management and civic affairs. It’s been servicing the residents and businesses for over 50 years, and its mission is to work proactively as a unifying voice on behalf of the entire La Jolla Community.

The Town Council is supported entirely through the volunteer memberships of residents and businesses in La Jolla. Various committees conduct the work of the Town Council.

The Council ratifies zoning, transportation and quality of life issues for 45,000 merchants and residents of La Jolla via seven sub and joint Committees and Trustee vote.

The La Jolla Town Council meets regularly the second Thursday of the month at 5:00 p.m. at the La Jolla Recreation Center located at 615 Prospect Street.

4. Education

4.a Public Education

The San Diego Unified School District (SDUSD) serves La Jolla, and it manages the following the public schools: La Jolla High School, La Jolla Elementary, Muirlands Middle School, Torrey Pines Elementary, Bird Rock Elementary, as well as The Preuss School UCSD (a public charter school).

La Jolla Elementary School is a 2008 and a 2012 California Distinguished School! This recognition is given to only 5% of California schools.

The University of California, San Diego (UCSD) is the center of higher education in La Jolla, and it includes the Scripps Institution of Oceanography and the San Diego Supercomputer Center.

The National University is also headquartered in La Jolla, and it has several academic campuses located throughout the county and the state.

Among the several research institutes near the University of California, San Diego (and in the nearby Torrey Pines Science Park) we find: the Scripps Research Institute, the Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute (formerly called the La Jolla Cancer Research Foundation), La Jolla Institute for Allergy and Immunology (LIAI) and the Salk Institute.

4.b Private Education

There are multiple private schools in La Jolla, serving 6,863 students.
Some of the community’s prep schools are: The Bishop’s School, which was the first private school opened in 1909; The Children’s School, Delphi Academy, Stella Maris Academy, The Gillispie School, the Evans School and the La Jolla Country Day School, which is located in the nearby community of University City.

4.c Library

The La Jolla/Riford Library is located at 7555 Draper Ave La Jolla, CA and it was recently listed as the world leading community biology lab by the San Diego Magazine in the top ten of its annual list of ‘Reasons to Love San Diego’.

Some of the innovative programming introduced at the La Jolla/Riford Library include: biotechnology, 3D printing, robotics and coding –to name only a few.

The library also boasts four active book clubs: Literary, Graphic Novel, Chinese language and middle school.

Shakespeare readings take place on the first Sunday of the month. During these sessions, attendees enjoy tea and scones provided by the Brick and Bell, as well as open rehearsals by the Early Music Society.

5. Infrastructure

5.a Transportation

Getting around in La Jolla is mostly done by foot, car or bike. If your plan is using public transportation, you will be required to take multiple transfers (depending of course, of your destination).

If you are getting into La Jolla from the airport via San Diego, public bus routes 30, 31, 41, and 101 take you there. But most visitors take a taxi to La Jolla from the San Diego’s international airport, Lindbergh Field.

5.b Utilities

The City of San Diego Public Utilities Department provides water and water sewage services to the community, while the Energy Conservation and Management Division, and the Environmental Services Department are responsible for energy services.

San Diego Gas and Electric Utility Company (SDG&E) also provides electrical and gas service to the residents.

La Jolla Electric Company specializes in electrical and low voltage communication services for commercial/industrial facilities in La Jolla and the Southern California area, for the military and schools, and for the La Jolla and San Diego government departments.

6. Points of Interest

La Jolla is famous for its breathtaking beaches and for all the amenities along the coastline. The city has been a favorite vacation haven due to its excellent weather and multiple hotels, shopping, dining, events and attractions.

Some of the La Jolla’s top beaches include: Windansea Beach, La Jolla Children’s Pool, La Jolla Cove, La Jolla Shores and Black’s Beach.

Scattered throughout the city, there are clean and safe parks such as the Ellen Browning Scripps Park, and Kellog and Cuvier Parks. All of them adjacent to the ocean!

Gorgeous trails with sea views are located in La Jolla Walking Trail and in Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve. From some sections of the hiking trails is possible to spot harbor seals, bottle nose dolphins and even gray whales.

Residents and vacationists enjoy other great activities in the city, including: shopping (at La Villa), golfing, diving, biking, surfing, sunbathing, whale watching, spa and salon sessions, visiting museums and art galleries (like the Birch Aquarium at the Scripps Museum, and the Africa and Beyond Art Gallery ), among others. And of course, La Jolla never disappoints with its wide variety of dining choices, from fine cuisine and international renowned restaurants, to neighborhood favorites and unique cafes.

Conclusion

We’d like to finish our article saying that, due to its importance as a tourist hub, La Jolla has been designated as a special community of regional and state-wide significance by the California Coastal Act. And for that reason, you are very fortunate for deciding to move to such a prominent city!

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6 Reasons to Move to La Jolla, CA