“One day, we’ll look back on our time here and reminisce about living in La Jolla.” We were walking patch down to the La Jolla Cove and had stopped to watch the surfers catch the last waves of the day before the sun melted into the ocean. Pinks, oranges and yellows filled the sky. However, instead of feeling the calm of our day setting, my heart started pounding in my chest. “Leave?,” I asked. ”I don’t wanna leave.” However, I knew what Seth meant. In a few years, we will say goodbye to our lovely little rental and buy a house that doesn’t get an ocean breeze, requires a drive to see a Pacific sunset, and is miles from plush beaches. Thus, my 2012 New Year Resolution and Goal list to enjoy La Jolla and a bit beyond:
1. Hike Torrey Pines...as much as you want! Wow, is this place beautiful! If labor hill is too intimidating, you can park at the top and enter the trails from the other side.
2. Workout at Armone’s Core Connection. I love that place. Seth loves that place. Patchy loves that place, because then he gets to stretch out on our bed and sleep in while dad and mom workout. Armone always has new client specials so you can check out some of the awesomeness at her beautiful new fitness studio. You’ll enjoy a very challenging workout on the reformer, spin, kickboxing, and much more with pretty rad girls and guys. Yes, rad!
3. Go have a cappuccino at Bird Rock Coffee with friends. It’s the 2012 Winner of the Micro Coffee Roaster of the Year - a nationwide competition. Take your kids, there’s a place for them to hang out, too.
4. Visit Seal Beach when the pups arrive in the spring. Blubber has never been so adorable.
5. Check out Birch Aquarium. How have I not been to this place? I’m signing up for their e-newsletter so that I get notices about special deals and exhibits!
6. Go to the La Jolla Playhouse. It’s one of the best and it’s right here!
7. Wander around Warwick’s. These people actually read the books they put out and have personal recommendations. Plus, they are dog friendly and invite Patchy inside. He’s so happy, that his tail is just a blur of puppy wags.
8. Attend a book reading and signing at Warwick’s. Last year, I went to see the artist of the Fancy Nancy books, Robin Preiss Glasser. I had really just wanted to get her to sign a few books for my nieces and ended up enjoying her entire performance. This lady was hilarious, that’s a fancy way of saying funny ;) On January 10th Tea Obreht, the author of The Tiger’s Wife will be reading. Who wants to go with me?!
9. Go to Happy Hour at La Valencia Hotel for a martini, Wisknladle for a London’s Burning, George’s at the Cove for a margarita with a side of ocean view, and The Public House for delicious beer on tap. PH is so good that I refused to go at all during my pregnancy. It just wasn’t fair to sit there and watch Seth down a cold beer. Luckily, he found another drinking buddy who didn’t mind being the “designated walker.”
We call this Patch’s “Cleopatra” pose. He loves all the attention the staff gives him at The Public House :)
10. Eat out…a lot at places we can walk to. My personal favorites are The Cottage for brunch or lunch and Prep Kitchen for dinner. If you want to get really fancy, there’s Nine-Ten for the special occasion.
This is the meat and cheese platter at Prep Kitchen. I started it calling it our “Second Kitchen,” because we go there so with Patchy. Seth corrected me, saying it was more like our “First Kitchen.” :/
11. Just walk along the coastline.
I love all the weddings.
12. Watch as many ocean sunsets as possible. When Seth and I went to Costa Rica for our honeymoon, we would go swim in the ocean during sunset. The water was warm and glassy. It was just an incredible experience to be a part of the end of each day. I remember thinking that everyone else on the beach was so silly for just standing there. Then is dawned on me that most of the guests were from non-coastal states. Seeing the ocean sunset was the epitome of beautiful. We San Diegans can start to take its regularity for granted. Even as I write this, the sky is changing colors outside and I have to think about making the effort to go see what’s going on…Okay, I’m back. Each ocean sunset is so unique and glorious.
The same goes for each sunrise. I hope you start off each day appreciating the beauty of La Jolla and all that it has to offer.
