Lovely La Jolla, California - 10 reasons to visit this beachside paradise

my personal favorite beach town

10. Family Friendly

9. Seaside dining

8. Live Sea Lion Entertainment

7. Boutique shops line the strand

6. World class Golf

5. Oceanside walks, La Jolla Cove

4. HH prices you won't believe

3. Sweet Beaches and Green Park areas

2. Beautiful Sunset views

1. La Jolla Caves

 

La Jolla is the mature, lush secret of San Diego. One of my all time favorite beach towns, La Jolla has a well manicured, affluent energy that draws in discerning tourists from all over the world, for the right reasons.
The La Jolla cliffs overlook a calm part of the Pacific ocean with walking paths which make the views accessible to visitors while minimally disturbing the local inhabitants. The well groomed paths are lined with florals, and the sweet birds they attract, enticing visitors like a charming, fairy-tale village.

The serenity and quiet vibe La Jolla exude make it:

Sunny La Jolla Cove

10. Family friendly - this is a place you can take grandpa and the toddlers. Age appropriate activities for every member of the family. The pace of La Jolla is suitable for ages 2 to 82.

Shops dedicated to children and their needs, as well as full service, family accessible restaurants and shops alongside the beaches. There are many dedicated trails along the cliffs to provide safe hiking experiences for the entire family.

For adult experiences, couples, or after the kids go to sleep there are:

9. Fantastically sexy, high-end restaurants and bars. The seaside dining is superb. Famous chefs, a reputation for white tablecloth service, and the most divine seafood along the coast. You can find lobster and oysters on almost every menu in this city.

The bar scene is fancy. Like Aspen in January, fancy. If that's your thing, you'll love it. It is the only part of San Diego where flip flops and tee shirts aren't truly welcome.

Sea Lions

8. The sea lions will keep you highly entertained for hours and hours. They play in the ocean and swim back and forth nudging one another with nose kisses. They bounce along the sand finding friends and mama sea lions to sun next to. The days grow long watching these sea creatures enjoy the lazy days of beach living.



When you've had your fill of the sea creatures life on the beach, make your way up the winding streets for your recommended dose of retail therapy:

7. The boutiques that line the curved streets of La Jolla are filled with various trinkets, boutique clothing items, as well as beach wear, and golf attire. Anything you might need for a weekend in California, you can find along the streets of this sweet town. The children's stores are reminiscent of animated stories and candy, with their bright colors and sweet accessories.

If you are not a big shopper, but still want to be outdoors:

6. Don't forget your putter. You will find world class golf in La Jolla, including the famous Torrey Pines golf course where Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson have been teeing up for many, many years. The greens are beautiful. The grounds are well maintained, and it is one of the most scenic golf courses I have ever had the pleasure of walking.

serene shell lined walkways

Before the sun begins to set, or you are looking for an early morning introspective walk along the oceans edge:

5. Walk the dedicated paths that line the cliffs in La Jolla cove. The walks will soothe your soul as you listen to the waves and feel the soft earth under your feet. The smell of the ocean and the sound of the water will take you to your happy place and you will never want to leave. It is a great place to meditate and reflect. This space was constructed with peace and solitude in mind.

As the day progresses and the warmth of the sun and the "feel goods" start to prepare you for the light of evening:

4. Sip a late afternoon cocktail at one of the famous restaurants and bars who dim their prices for the twilight crowd. I like a discounted glass of wine on the beach. Who doesn't? Yet, the bartenders at these spots have been around as long as the waves have been crashing against the beachside windows that overlook the ocean. They would give these new "mixologists" a run for their money.

One of the best Happy Hours in the area is notably at the Marine Room. They do have a dress code if you reserve a seat in the dining room, but the views are well worth the coat and tie. Sit in the bar area and enjoy the lovely background of ocean waves as families, and couples stroll along the sand taking in the gift from Mother Earth.

3. Some of the best beaches, albeit intimate and quiet, are located in this small strip of land. The beach areas are just as beautiful as the green spaces. Parks are everywhere - take the kids and the dog, or simply find a quiet place to rest the head of your lover on your lap for an afternoon of memory making to share with your own grandchildren in 30 years. Some of the park areas are so small, they seem to be made solely with you and your special one in mind, for an impromptu picnic. Just enough space for you, your love, the blanket you sit upon... and your picnic basket. Enjoy the moments. Appreciate the intimacy la Jolla offers. If you stay long enough to catch a sunset:

2. Make certain you enjoy a sunset view from the cliffs. Take advantage of the optimally placed benches along the cliff trails. Sit and watch the sun disappear into the ocean, or stand along the palm trees or on the bridge that connects the top of the cliffs with the city limit. But take it in. Breathe it in. Take a few minutes to observe one of natures most famous daily events and wonder how such a lovely gift is offered to us mere mortals each and every day if we stop long enough to appreciate it. The oranges and yellows as they finish the ocean blue is the perfect combination of the beginning and ending of life itself, in the form of day to night.

And finally, one of my favorite things to do in La Jolla is visit the seven caves at the foot of the cliffs:

1. La Jolla caves, whether by kayak, or via foot; Find yourself traversing down 145 steps to the inside of the caves. Read about the history of ancient pirates, human trafficking, and original migrant workers here along the coast back in the day. It's fascinating and well worth the couple of bucks it costs to check it out firsthand.

the steep trek into Sunny Jim Cave

Each of the seven caves has a name and a story associated with the cave. From The Cave Store ($5 for adults/ $3 for children), you can climb down the steep stairs into the only cave accessible by foot.

There is a kayak excursion which will take you on a scenic tour of all the caves and even allow you to enter the only cave large enough to allow traffic, the Clam Cave. If the tide is low enough, that is.

The caves represent history, and perhaps folklore from the time. The white woman cave gets its name from the story of a young bride who was swept away and never seen again. These tales, as interesting as they are, still represent the danger of the ocean and the very real consequences of daring too far to tempt Mother Nature.

La Jolla is the intuitive breast of California. I embrace this town for the peaceful space it represents (in myself).

"Shift your vibration to change your reality. Vibrate on a frequency that attracts what you desire. Make it your reality." SSK

Sweet Thailand; Bangkok and Ko Phi Phi

Bangkok and Ko Phi Phi

Talk about a ‘round the world experience. I traveled from Washington D.C. to Abu Dhabi, to Sri Lanka, to Bangkok. That was my trip itinerary on the way to my destination. On the way back, I came from Ko Phi Phi to Phuket, to Beijing, to Washington D.C.. Literally, all the way around the circumference of the globe. There were so many things I took in during this trip. I soaked in all the customs, of every country I touched. I was also acutely aware of the customs of countries who are not especially fond of Americans, or who still treat women as second tier citizens. I was conscious of the clothing I wore in many of the cities I passed through. There were even times I did not speak aloud, aware of the political climate, in fact hiding any premise that I was American. Even in Thailand, I noticed the looks and vulgar comments I overheard from a few groups of Arab, and Russian men. I never forgot to be vigilant about my own personal safety. 

Thailand is safe and beautiful. The locals are lovely. Other tourists were more on my radar as potential safety risks, especially when traveling solo.

I was also aware of the anti-homo sexual perception I noticed towards my friends, by other tourists. As friendly and beautiful the country of Thailand is, I noticed repeatedly the intolerance of other visitors. Tourists bringing their bias and hate to other countries. It is always shocking for me to witness other visitors acting ugly outside of their homeland.

I did think about my safety moreso on this adventure than I have in the last twenty years traveling solo. I questioned, was it the country and the element it attracts, or the climate of the world that has changed so direly?

Tuk Tuk for hire

downtown Bangkok

Upon arrival into Bangkok, I was immediately surprised and impressed with the city itself. It is contemporary and boasts a world competitive sky line. It resembles any typical city in the U.S. I expected more flat, and congested areas similar to Bali. That said, the buildings were beautiful and modern. The street traffic was no more busy than any other industrial city.

Traffic, busy sidewalks and skyscrapers line the downtown area. I did notice traditional items that one would not expect to see in a busy city, like Tuk Tuk’s for hire and street vendors with unique fruits and liquor. But, hey, thinking of places like Las Vegas and New Orleans, this was also just unique to this city.

I met my friends here, and we stayed in a hotel central to the New Years eve activities at the city center. The hotel was beautiful and provided high end amenities and full service in regards to NYE activities. We spent quite a bit of time on the rooftop pool deck and even retreated there after midnight on New Years to keep the party going.

We visited a popular and well known temple, the Grand Palace. We found mainstream tourist activities in an attempt to have a well rounded experience even though we were specifically there to celebrate the New Year.

 

Once we moved on to Ko Phi Phi, we had more of a traditional experience with the locals of Thailand. We were able to experience numerous islands and bays via longboat rides.  The sunrises and sunsets were spectacular and the locals were inviting and friendly. The food was everything I anticipated and I enjoyed every drop of Tom Gah soup I was lucky enough to slurp. Even in the 100 degree heat, the delicious soup was a daily staple of my diet.

nighttime on Ko Phi Phi

The walks along the beach at night time were calm and peaceful. The ocean would roll out just long enough to travel up and down the beach for dinner and make it back to your resort before high tide came in. The resorts were well lit, and even the back roads between resort and village had decent lighting if you stayed on the road.
It is actually quite romantic on the side of the island I stayed on, which is completely opposite the area near Tonsai pier which I understand is where the more aggressive partying takes place.

Phi Phi sunrise

longboat at sunrise

My morning walks allowed me to witness sunrise and see the island before the tourists piled out on to the beaches and roads. I appreciated the quiet moments between myself and the universe, allowing me time to center myself and connect. I find time to inhale the earth's gifts and reflect. Many times this is where I find peace for the day. I generally do not make resolutions, but in 2018 I do want to reflect more, learn to meditate effectively and maybe practice yoga a bit. We'll see. I got a great head start in Thailand.

I was able to explore the jungle and the beach, hike the mountains and walk out into the ocean during low tide. Everything I imagined was met and exceeded. To say the island was beautiful is an understatement. The island is lush and I tried to soak in every moment knowing I would probably never travel this far for vacation ever again.

Some of the beaches were so overcrowded it made me sick to be a tourist, and part of the over abundance. It made me really aware of my footprint and conscious of what impression we make when traveling. I watched an entire boat of Europeans screaming and jumping in the quiet swim bay as we made our way to "The Beach" which Leonardo DiCaprio made famous. I thought two things: I did not want to get off the boat and participate in this vulgar display of tourism, and the premise of the movie may have had a solid point. This was the only day, besides arriving at the tremendously chaotic and over crowded Tonsai pier, that I would have preferred stay in my bungalow. If you have ever been to Waikiki Beach, this was twice as bad.

I rarely give unsolicited advice on travel, but please be aware of your footprint, and respect this earth.

Youtube Video highlights!

“One’s destination is never a place, but a new way of seeing things.” -Henry Miller

 

Bali, Indonesia Video

Here is a short taste of the Bali experience I recently had - see written accompaniment above.
And Welcome Back!!

BALI youtube