La Jolla Cove

As a newbie to the SoCal region, I’ve been trying to conquer the local hotspots much like a tourist would. After browsing Google a bit for the must-see locales, I set out with camera in hand to gain deeper perspective on why so many visitors frequent La Jolla Cove.

La Jolla Cove is a stretch of coastline with grass parks and paths that provide easy access to beach coves and the upscale downtown district of La Jolla. From the primary walkway, which sits directly above cliffs overlooking the ocean, visitors can see many different sea wildlife as they progress down the coast. We started on the Northern most section, which is the beginning of Prospect Street, and worked our way down the coast. Upon walking up to a railing and looking over, there was a swim club of what looked to be experienced swimmers entering the ocean. What most surprised me was that the swimmers were sharing this section of beach with numerous seals and were swimming right up next to them. Personally, I’d be a bit freaked if an umpteen pound sea creature came up swimming beside me, but maybe that’s just me.

Further down the cove was an actual beach cove that numerous kids had already claimed as their personal playgrounds. Frightened that I may be perceived as the big kid without a clue, I steered clear from exploring the cave (which was crawling with 7 year olds) and observed from a far.  One day when it’s a little less crowded, I’ll probably go back to take a more thorough look.

Further still, is a section of La Jolla Cove known as the children’s pool, a manmade section of the coast designed for kids to swim while sheltered from the pull of the ocean waves. The children’s pool is a source of contention for locals who are aware of what is was supposed to be and what it has become. What was supposed to be a safe children’s swimming area has become inhabited by seal colonies that have turned it into their own private sun bathing paradise. Nature conservationists set up tables at the cove each weekend to promote the conservation of the area for the seals. Locals who are still upset about the children’s pools demise also set up table with pamphlets asking for donations and raising awareness that they hope will one day bring back the children’s pool. I’m still on the fence about the issue, though I’m sure that once I live here a little longer and learn more about it, my opinion will form. One thing is for sure, the seals do add a specific odor to parts of the cove that isn’t all that pleasant.

I’d like to leave you this week with a video of the sea wall that protects the area that used to be the children’s pool. This weekend, I was standing in the middle of the wall and luckily their weren’t waves like those in the video here.

 

RATING

Four out of Five

Testing the Waters

While California is a stone's throw from the Grand Canyon State, it truly feels a world away. My first thoughts upon driving back to the Golden State (I was born a few miles from San Fran): Where do all these people come from?! California, particularly Southern California, is notorious for the daily calamity known as rush hour traffic. Perhaps the clean, smooth and often empty highways of Arizona have contributed to my naivete of other state's driving habits. 

California is the most populous state and is home to eight of the nation's 50 most populated cities. All in all, the CA (as I like to call it), is home to more than 37 million people (a whopping 12 percent of the total US population) and for good reason. With 840 miles of picturesque coastline California has the third largest coastline of all the states, coming after Alaska and Florida, neither of which have California's gorgeous mediterranean climate.               

Although impressive, these statistics don't give someone who has never been to California insight into why so many people choose to make this state their home. Over the next few months I hope to go beyond these statistics and rediscover what makes California so great in the eyes of so many. 

Throughout my journey, my aim is to be able to help people understand how California became the most populous state by exploring and uncovering all it has to offer (well, within the confines of San Diego County- gas ain't cheap).  

From the best beaches to exceptional eateries and maybe even a museum mall or two, you'll see Cali through my eyes as I learn the region. There's sure to be hits and most definitely misses, but I promise to try to make it interesting, semi-educational and always a blast. Think of me as your travel guide... more Anthony Bourdain than PBS travel special.

RATING 

Look for this rating section in each of my posts... I will do my best to show you guys which places you can go for a good time, stops that should be avoided and hotspots that cannot be missed. I'll try to examine each place from an objective point of view. Look out next week for an original rating system that has yet to be devised. Once I come up with one, you'll be the first to know.