Windansea Beach

Past all of La Jolla's ritzy homes, hotels, and well
known restaurants, lies Windansea Beach.  Down the
hill, this beach is flanked by surfers and sunbathers
on hot summer days.  With sandstone cliffs, a sandy
beach, and amazing surf breaks, Windansea Beach has
been a popular surfing haunt as far back as the 1940s
and a gathering spot of the Windansea Surf Club since
the 1960s.

The shack on the beach that was built by surfers during
World War 2 is now a San Diego Historic site.  The
beach is also great for body surfing and snorkeling.
The north end of Windansea is fairly rocky, with the
south being sandier, great for walking along the edge
of the water.  You can also enjoy a picnic in the
grass next to the beach and bask in the splendid views
of the Pacific Ocean.

At Windansea Beach, there are no restrooms.  During
the summer months, lifeguards are stationed all along
the beach, even in some weekends of fall and spring.
There are separate swim and surf zones at the beach,
with no wheelchair access.  When you visit, you can
park on the street or try the tiny single lot near
the beach.

Getting to the beach
You can find Windansea around 6800 Neptune Place.
From the north, follow I-5 south to the Genesee
Avenue exit then head west.  Turn left on Torrey Pines
Road and follow the road into downtown La Jolla.
Turn left on Girad Avenue then take a right on Pearl
Street.  Take a left onto La Jolla Boulevard then
make the right on Nautilus Street and your there.

From the south, follow I-5 north to the Ardath Road
exit, Ardath Road will become Torrey Pines Road.  Take
a left from Torrey Pines Road onto Girad Avenue.
Make a right onto Pearl Street then take a left onto
La Jolla Boulevard.  Take the next right on Nautilus
Street and your there.

Windansea is possibly one of the most beautiful
beaches in Southern California - and a great place
for romantic strolls at sunset.  Parents should
use caution with small children at the beach, as the
surf often breaks directly onto the shore with a
lot of intimidating power.

If you plan to visit the Windansea Beach, you should
make sure you get there early.  As with most beaches
in San Diego, getting there early will help you
get the best parking and more privacy when the crowds
start to arrive.  Windansea is a very amazing beach,
and worth your time on hot summer days.

Where To Stay

During the year 1913, La Jolla's premiere hotel, The
Grande Colonial, opened its doors for visitors,
charging just $1 a night.  Since that time, La
Jolla has blossomed into a resort community, with
modern hotels only helping to enhance the shine
of the community.

No matter if you're looking for a modern building
and maximum services for a business or romantic
venture, seaside cottage, or vacation - La Jolla's
accommodations won't disappoint.  For business
travelers, many of La Jolla's hotels will provide
Internet access, data ports, meeting rooms, and
other types of business services.  Leisure visitors
are equally pleased, as hotels here offer breathtaking
views of the Pacific Ocean, coupled with luxury
services and nearby attractions.

Business district
In the high technology side of La Jolla, a number
of modern hotels cater to primarily business
travelers.  The Hyatt Regency La Jolla is
conveniently located off I-5.  The Hyatt is a sleek,
rusk colored building, with a contemporary building
with incredible business conveniences.

East of I-5, the Marriott La Jolla is located among
a cluster of business establishments, including
corporate buildings.  Offering extensive meeting
room space and an executive floor, the Marriott is
very popular among business travelers.

The Village
While the professional area of La Jolla will cater
to business travelers, the village area offers
luxury and romance for leisure travelers.  The
Best Western Inn by the sea is located in the middle
of the village, with premium restaurants and shops
seconds away from the lobby.

May consider the most famous hotel in the village
area to be The Grande Colonial, which is very well
known for its $1 per day rate upon opening.  The
historical building has been renovated several
times, now with beach views and in close proximity
to the best dining room La Jolla has to offer.

Shoreline
A block away from the ocean is Hotel Parisi, which
is considered by many to be the most luxurious of
all hotels in the entire area of La Jolla.  This
Mediterranean style hotel offers plenty of elegance,
from the flowing fountain outdoors to the VIP
seating that's provided for hotel guests at the
nearby exquisite restaurants.

The Prospect Inn of La Jolla offers style and
extended stay rates while the Cove Suites provides
studio type apartments as well as secretarial
services for the business traveler who seeks the
best of seaside accommodations.

Hotel La Jolla offers garden and beach view rooms,
with interior decorating by top designers of
Beverly Hills.

Those who are looking for a more secluded stay
should try Scripp's Inn, which is located at the
southern tip of La Jolla Cove.  This hotel features
an ocean view from every room, with a location
on the beach that's still tucked away from the
business nature of the cove.

La Jolla continues to shine and amaze with it's
first class hotels.  Whether you visit for business
affairs, leisure activities, or both, you can find
everything you need and then some in the splendid
town of La Jolla.

Weekend Getaway In La Jolla

Translated, La Jolla means "the jewel", which is an
apt name for a splendid and beautiful town full of
blue water.  One of California's best oceanside
towns, La Jolla is also home to many of the best
beaches in the state.

When you visit, you'll notice that there are many
things to do.  If your looking for something to do,
here are 5 great things to occupy your time:

1.  Beaches - When you hear that San Diego
has great beaches, it's the truth.  La Jolla Cave,
La Jolla Shores, and Windansea are the best in
San Diego, and possibly even the state.

2.  Birch Aquarium - Although it's a small
aquarium, it's packed with a lot of interesting
stuff and best of all - it won't wear you out.

3.  La Jolla Playhouse - This theater
company is highly known around the world.

4.  Walking tour - Hike Bike Kayak will
offer you a splendid one hour tour that focuses
on the beauty and splendor of the La Jolla Coast
and the history of the city.

5.  Kayaking - The Hike Bike Kayak company
also offers a tour of the La Jolla sea caves,
with no experience required.

A weekend trip to La Jolla is an excellent time
to enjoy a leisurely brunch.  The Cottage serves
great cruisine in a beach bungalow atmosphere,
while the Marine Room at the Sea Lodge was voted
the best Sunday brunch in the area several times
in a row.  If your looking for a simple
breakfast, with great views and few tourists,
follow Coast Blvd. to the Goldfish Point Cafe.

For a getaway for the weekend, La Jolla is a hard
place to beat.  There's plenty to do here, with
the beaches in the summer.  If you visit on hot
days, you'll spend a majority of your time on
the beaches - and loving every minute of it.

Torrey Pines Glider Port

For over 75 years, the Gliderport in Torrey Pines
has been the learning place for aviation greats
such as the Lindbergh's, Boyles, and many other
greats.  First established as a soaring site in
1928, the Gliderport has defined the world of
motorless flight.  Today, the Gliderport is home
to hang gliding, paragliding, scale models, and
even sailplane flight.

The Gliderport also provides quality, instruction,
certification, tandem flights, equipment sales,
adventure tours, repair services, and even year
round flying conditions.  From the first day of
instruction to master pilot and instructor
certifications, the Torrey Pines Gliderport can
support all of your needs with flying.

If you've ever wanted to pursue a career in flying,
the Torrey Pines Glider Port can help you achieve
that very goal.  You can learn everything you've
ever wanted to learn about flying, as well as
get your license or certificate.  There are many
types of flying you can learn, even if you have
no prior experience.

The Gliderport also operates the most successful
paragliding school in North America.  Their team
of highly trained instructors and support staff
ensure that their students recieve the highest
level of flight training available.

Depending on your skills, they offer classes
from beginner to advanced.  They also offer a
wide range of special clinics and classes for
pilots of all levels to upgrade their knowledge
and skills.

With plenty to do nearby, the Gliderport is a
great place for your learning.  If you plan to
travel to La Jolla for the Gliderport, you can
rest assured that there will be plenty to do
with your free time.

If you've ever wanted to learn how to fly, the
Torrey Pines Gliderport is where you need to be.
The costs are very reasonable and the Gliderport
is in an excellent location.  All you need to do
is check them out - and let your journey begin.

The Birch Aquarium

Smaller and more intimate than other aquariums, the
Birch Aquarium is one place where you can get close
to all of the animals, and still take your time to
simply enjoy being there.

Due to its intimacy, adults and children alike are
energized by the aquarium.  You can watch an
octopus flow up and down the glass, or watch a
jellyfish move slowly through the water.  This is
an excellent thrill, for everyone in your family.

The most popular exhibit at the Birch Aquarium is
the sea horse exhibit.  It offers many different
species, from the tiny miniature sea horses that
are under an inch tall, to the taller and more
amazing sea dragons.

The many interactive exhibits at the aquarium will
help you lean the history of oceanography.  By
taking a simulated trip in a deep water submersible,
you'll learn the wonders and oddities of the deep
ocean, even though it may move a bit too slow for
smaller children.  Children of all ages enjoy
the exhibits that illustrate how the ocean products
appear in every day items.

If you are planning to take pictures of the exhibits,
be aware of the glass and the reflections.  If you
can, move in close (around a foot away) and set
your flash to a 45 degree angle.  Make sure that
you don't get too wrapped up in taking photo's
inside the aquarium - as you may end up missing
the show going on outside.

If you are visiting La Jolla as a vacation or if
you live there, the Birch Aquarium is worth a
visit.  There are some amazing exhibits here, with
something for everyone.  You can spend hours and
hours here, making it one place you shouldn't
hesitate to check out.