La Jolla Cove

La Jolla is a long time affluent coastal community north

of San Diego. One area where the cliffs descend to the ocean

is called La Jolla Cove.

Ella has a postcard of La Jolla, and so it became our second

most wanted place to visit. 

Although it is a bit of a drive from

the coastal community where I grew up, it was a nice place to visit

for picnics. The hill above it also has streets lined with fancy shops

and hotel where my family used to get together to eat lunch.

During this visit, being with the ocean was the place I most

wanted to be. Ella agreed, and learned a lot! There are seals on the

beach near the rock wall. The lifeguards continued to remind people

to stay away from the seals as they are wild animals. People got

very close to the seals for photos.

Seagulls are common around the ocean, but we don't

see them over the Rio Grande in New Mexico!

In elementary school, we ate lunch at tables outside.

Seagulls often flew around and near us to take what we dropped at lunch.

The top of the cliffs has grass and sidewalks for people

to walk along the ocean and enjoy the view.

This tree is a Monterey Cypress.

There used to be a grove of them along this cliff area.

This is the only one left in this area. When we visited on Saturday,

there was an event occurring behind a fence they placed up for their event,

so the tree was on the corner of their event.

I was disappointed to not photograph the tree by itself.

Dr. Seuss and his wife moved to La Jolla after World War II.

As he wrote children's books, this tree became his inspiration.

Dr. Seuss labeled his interpretation of his version of these trees

 the Truffula Tree.

Ella and I continued to enjoy the ocean as we walked

down the sidewalk.

She was brave and posed for a photo on a fence post!

In one area with access to the beach there is a steep

stairway and a collection of large ocean rocks.

Unlike rocks in the ground in places like New Mexico,

rocks with streams of water become smooth with erosion.

Ella smiled when we saw more seagulls!

We thoughtfully watched the ocean tides as we kept

walking south on the sidewalk.

The end of our walk was where there was a wall into the ocean.

People could not go down to the beach from

December 15-May 15 due to the mating and birth habits

of the harbor seals, but they enjoyed seeing them from above.

Seals are primarily swimmers. They do not move well

on land surfaces. 

After we observed this area, we turned around and walked

back up north. It turned into another viewpoint.

We saw the Monterey Cypress again!

We returned to the main cove area where my parents,

who had each chosen what they wanted to do in La Jolla,

came to pick me up.

This is the area where people swim.

There are divers diving in the cove water.

It has a long history of visitors!

Ella loved the ocean, but did not want to get so close!

Many visitors also walked down on the rocks where

the sea lions were. 

The sea lions are more mobile on land.

They also have ear flaps.

And I really love my zoom where I could take good photos

without being so close!

We watched the rocks below near the cove

while waiting for my parents to pick us up.

Ella groaned.

NOW the sky was blue!!!