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Spend some quality time in the “Jewel of San Diego.”

THREE DAYS IN Ah, La Jolla. This little seaside village (pronounced La Hoya) is built on the cliffs of the San Diego coastline and has been hosting jet-setters, celebrities, and regular folk since its beach-town beginnings in the 1890s.

It’s all here—upscale shopping, historic buildings, art galleries, fine dining, fabulous beaches, outdoor recreation and consistently perfect weather. So why not enjoy a getaway in a place that does it all so well?

ROAMLA JOLLA 25 FORT WORTH 28 OTTAWA 30 HALIFAX 32

La Jolla

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MORNING Start your first day with a hike at Torrey Pines State Natu-ral Reserve. Adjacent to

the famed Torrey Pines golf course property, this 2,000-acre reserve is criss-crossed with trails and is home to the rare Torrey Pine tree. Stand atop the bluff and take in the breath-taking view out over the red cliffs to the ocean.AFTERNOON Stop in at the grand, Craftsman-style Lodge at Torrey Pines and enjoy lunch at the award-winning A.R. Valentien restaurant, overlooking the golf course. Try the sumptuous Roman-style duck breast—you’ve earned it. Afterward, cruise through the Birch Aquarium at Scripps Institu-tion of Oceanography. Check out the huge tanks of marine life—one is based on the marine life in the La Jolla area, where you feel as though you’re under the pier in a kelp forest. EVENING Get a little dressed up and head for La Valencia Hotel, the elegant “Pink Lady” built into the cliffs. Settle into the Mediterranean-themed ambiance of The Med, order a glass of something cold and crisp, and gaze out at the Pacific. Now, shall it be the pumpkin lobster soup or the spice-rubbed Skuna Bay salmon?

MORNING Head to the beach early for some sea kayaking with Ev-eryday California tours.

Once you make it through the surf, it’s smooth sailing; you’re in the La Jolla Underwater Park and Ecological Reserve, so keep an eye out for sea li-ons, seals and bright-orange garibaldi fish. Afterward, indulge in a hot stone massage at the luxurious Estancia La Jolla Hotel & Spa.

AFTERNOON Enjoy a late lunch on the glass-walled Ocean Terrace of George’s at the Cove. Order the grilled fresh fish tacos with jalapeno-lime mayonnaise, then admire the oversized mural on the wall of the adjacent building—it’s part of a local art project called The Murals of La Jolla. After lunch, take a stroll through the shops and galleries that make La Jolla a browser’s paradise, whether you want souvenirs, a new out-fit or a piece of artwork. Check out the La Jolla Art and Design District, based along Girard Avenue.EVENING Step out for a dinner at NINE-TEN, a bistro featuring seasonal Cali-

fornia cuisine from San Diego’s 2014 Chef of the Year, Jason Knibb. Then head to the La Jolla Playhouse, a tiny theatre renowned for mounting Tony Award-winning Broadway shows— The Who’s Tommy, Jersey Boys and Memphis all started here.

MORNING Start the day with a relaxed breakfast at the charming cottage-turned-restaurant Brock-

ton Villa, a local favourite famous for its fluffy, delicate “Coast Toast.” Now, let’s assume you’re clad in sensible footwear. Head to the Cave Store on Coast Boule-

1 Torrey Pines State Park2 Fish tacos at George’s at the Cove3 Sea kayaking4 NINE-TEN bistro

HISTORIC WALKING TOURPick up a guidebook from the La Jolla Historical Society and take a self-guided walking tour of La Jolla Village. Stroll past historic landmarks and homes and learn the stories of famous La Jolla residents like Dr. Seuss and architect Irving Gill.

vard. Make your way down a long tunnel of stairs to a platform inside Sunny Jim Sea Cave—the only land-accessible sea cave on the California coast.AFTERNOON By this point you will cer-tainly have heard that Theodor Geisel, a.k.a. Dr. Seuss, lived in La Jolla. You may have seen the locally renowned “Lorax Tree” (a Monterey Cypress) in Scripps Park. For more on Geisel’s lega-cy, head to Legends Gallery on Prospect Street, which features the eye-opening exhibit The Secret Art of Dr. Seuss. After that, there’s just enough time to check out the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego (MCASD).

EVENING It’s your last night. Time for a very special dinner out at The Marine Room, a 70-year-old, iconic restaurant built right on the beach, where you can watch the tide come in—sometimes right up to your window. Dine on the award-winning cuisine of executive chef Bernard Guillas, and be sure to try the trilogy of lobster, tuna and scallops.

Finally, if you’ve brought a sweater and the tide is right, step outside for a stroll along the beach. Why not? It’s the perfect end to your perfect escape. —Pam Fieber

CREATIVE HUBThe Athenaeum Music & Arts Library always has something going on, whether an art exhibit, jazz or classical concert, lecture or studio art class. This is the place to get the full story—and a guided tour—of those ubiquitous Murals of La Jolla. —PF

GREAT GALLERIESThe La Jolla Design and Art District along Girard Avenue features some hot galleries worth a visit. Favourites include Monarch-Arredon Contemporary, R.B. Stevenson Gallery, Joseph Bellows Gallery and Quint Gallery.

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