About La Jolla
La Jolla, CA
La Jolla is a community within the city of San Diego. The name La Jolla comes from the Spanish phrase “la joya” which means “the jewel”. But the local Native Americans, the Kumeyaay called this place “mat kulaaxuuy” meaning “land of the holes”, probably for the holes at the sea-level caves located at the bluffs. The Spanish settlers might have translated this as “la joya” and the name stayed.
In 1890s, a railway was built connecting La Jolla to the rest of San Diego. It became known as a resort area and a dance pavilion, bathhouse, cottages, and bungalows were built along with tent cities during the summer. Two of those cottages in a prime location above La Jolla Cove from 1894 still exist but have been vacate since the 1980s. Tourism remains a large part of La Jolla’s economy with its numerous attractions and activities.
University of California San Diego and Scripps Institution of Oceanography call La Jolla home.
Scripps was founded in 1903 by William Emerson Ritter with funding from Ellen Browning Scripps, and her brother E.W. Scripps, both publishers. Scripps Institute first opened its doors in 1907. It became the nucleus for UCSD. UCSD began it’s planning stage after WWII after the need for local training of scientists and engineers became apparent.
Downtown La Jolla, also known as the Village, is noted for shopping and dining with many boutiques, restaurants, and hotels. A downtown business district is here also. The highlight of La Jolla is its oceanfront. Beaches in the Village include Windansea, La Jolla Shores, La Jolla Cove, and Children’s Pool Beach