La Jolla Cove

Tucked below Scripps Park, adjacent to La Valencia, the petite beach nestled between sandstone cliffs lies within the San Diego-La Jolla Underwater Park Ecological Reserve with water visibility sometimes exceeding 30 feet, creating a diving and swimming paradise. Due to its extraordinary beauty, La Jolla Cove is one of the most photographed beaches in Southern California. (1100 coast Boulevard)

La Jolla Shores

Located at 8200 Camino del Oro, a short drive from La Valencia, the Shores is approximately one mile of sandy beach with some of the most gentle waves in all of San Diego. Many novice scuba classes are held at the Shores; the area includes a grassy park ideal for picnicking and an assortment of delightful restaurants and shops within walking distance.

Windansea Beach

Situated between Pacific Beach and La Jolla, Windansea is a rocky shore known best for is beautiful scenery and surf breaks created by underwater reefs. Sandstone rocks create a perfect area for sunbathing; however, due to the rocky shore and popular surf breaks, swimming and surfing can become quite crowded and challenging for the novice.

Children's Pool

The Children's Pool (850 Coast Boulevard), originally known as the Casa, is a small picturesque beach with a panoramic view. Originally intended as a fully protected swimming area, sand has filled in much of the area inside the wall and is now a haven for sunbathing seals. You can venture out across the seawall, watching seals as they sunbathe or play in the surf; the area is usually closed to swimmers due to the seals.

The streets of downtown La Jolla are familiar territory to the world's shopping elite. The range of storefronts is dazzling. From exclusive designers to charming boutiques, you'll be tempted by countless opportunities to bring a piece of La Jolla home with you. For a list of local boutiques and shops, please visit www.lajollabythesea.com

Athenaeum Music & Arts Library

The Athenaeum Music & Arts Library, located in the heart of La Jolla, is a rare cultural institution devoted exclusively to music and art. The museum has an outstanding and ever-expanding collection of books, periodicals, reference materials, sheet music, music scores and librettos, as well as one of the most significant collections of artists' books in Southern California. The Athenaeum also sponsors an eclectic, year-round schedule of art exhibitions, concerts (classical, jazz, and new music), lectures, tours and special events. www.ljathenaeum.org

Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego

Located 7 blocks from La Valencia, the MCASD is focused on the collection, preservation, exhibition and interpretation of works from 1950 to the present. Founded in 1941, MCASD has an international reputation for its permanent collection, highly acclaimed varied schedule of thought-provoking exhibitions, lectures, performances and scholarly publications. www.mcasd.org

La Jolla Music Society

The present La Jolla Chamber Music Society, heir to the Musical Arts Society of La Jolla founded in 1941, was established in 1968 the with the mission of presenting the finest classical music and musicians in the world. In its first season, the Society sponsored the La Jolla Chamber Orchestra and presented a few soloists, and has evolved today as the major presenter of classical music in San Diego County and a leading presenter in the west. www.ljcms.org

Torrey Pines Gliderport

Experience foot launched aviation and flight at its finest! Torrey Pines Gliderport has been the #1 ranked Paragliding School in North America since 2000 and offers education programs in paragliding instruction, flight tours, tandem instructor training and also advanced courses including over the water training. Join the 1000's of paragliding, hang gliding, sailplane and scale model pilots that have flown the majestic cliffs in San Diego. www.flytorrey.com

La Jolla Historical Society

The La Jolla Historical Society is an organization dedicated to the collection and preservation of La Jolla's historical artifacts, memorabilia, sites and structures. The society is located at 7846 Eads Ave, and is a wonderful destination showcasing the rich history of La Jolla and La Valencia. www.ljhs.org

La Jolla Caves

Located on Prospect Street, this man-made tunnel was dug in 1902 into the Sunny Jim Cave, named after a 1920's cartoon character, and is home to the Cave Store that features images of old La Jolla Cove and historic La Jolla.

Mount Soledad Memorial Park

More than 800 feet high, the park features a cross, erected to commemorate soldiers of the Korean and two World Wars. The park, with its winding roads, and views of the La Jolla shores and the coastline north to Orange County and south to Mexico, creates a spectacular location for biking, picnics and photographs. www.soledadmemorial.com

The Bishops School

Founded in 1909, the Bishops School was founded by noted philanthropist Ellen Browning Scripps and designed by renowned architect Irving Gill, responsible for a multitude of buildings in downtown La Jolla, including La Valencia. The school, originally a boarding school for girls, became co-educational in 1971 and over the past 12 years 86 graduates have been named Advanced Placement Scholars for their top performances.

Tennis

Play tennis at La Valencia's "sister" property, Rancho Valencia Resort and Spa. Located 25 minutes from the La Valencia and named "One of the Top Ten Tennis Resorts in North America" by Tennis Magazine, Rancho Valencia offers day tennis packages, 1/2 day clinics and lessons to La Valencia guests. Complimentary transportation is available.

Golf

Torrey Pines Golf Course
Located 15 minutes north of La Valencia, the world-famous Torrey Pines Golf Course offers championship golf with jaw-dropping views of the Pacific Ocean and is the site of the Buick Invitational each year and the 2008 U.S. Open. Hang gliders overhead and the historic Torrey Pine trees add dramatic scenery to your golfing experience on two par-72 courses. www.torreypinesgolfcourse.com

Four Seasons Aviara
Designed by the legendary Arnold Palmer, Aviara offers a memorable 18-hole costal layout. Hailed by both Golf Digest and Golf Magazine as one of America's best resort courses, the 7,007-yard, par-72 course is sculpted around the natural topography with water hazards positioned as visual extensions of the lagoon below. Located 30-45 minutes north of the La Valencia.

Maderas Golf Club
Designed as a collaborative effort by Johnny Miller and Robert Muir Graves, Maderas is set within a secluded valley in the rolling hills of Poway. Characterized as a "classic," Maderas is surrounded by meandering creeks, massive rock outcroppings and crashing waterfalls which create a world-class challenge in a setting of breathtaking beauty. Rated #1 Golf Course in San Diego by 2003 Zagat Survey. Located 45-55 minutes northeast of the La Valencia. www.maderasgolf.com