La Jolla and Coronado Beach

La Jolla

Today we headed to La Jolla (La Hoy-ya), to the north of Pacific Beach. It's where the richo snooty types live. I guess it's a bit like Palm Beach in Sydney. There was even a Bugatti Verron in a luxury car show room. Our intention was to have a look around and go to the Birch Aquarium.
We headed to the Aquarium first. It wasn't too bad but there were loads of school kids on an excursion that made it a complete nightmare. There was a nice view of La Jolla (set on the far peninsular above) from the front of the touch pools.

Having been through the La Jolla township on the way to the aquarium, we figured that it was too spread out and we didn't really have much idea what was there. We revised our plan was to head to Old Town for lunch and have a nosey around there. During our nosey we found a tourist trolley tour bus that runs from Old Town to the city to Coronado, back through the city and then Old town. It was early in the afternoon, so were figured why not?

Hotel Del Coronado

The trolley bus we hopped on cruised through the downtown area and over the bridge to Coronado Island.

The big attraction with the island is the Hotel Del Coronado. It's quite the sight and the main building structure is made entirely out of timber. It's a very extravagant place and costs a bomb to stay there.

It looks nice with a beautiful beach in front but don't be fooled. The final approach path for the air base runs right along that pristine beach. When we arrived, two F-18 Hornets banked right in front of the hotel to line up their landing. It was exciting for me, but I don't know what the beach goers and hotel guests thought.

The private houses on the island have very interesting architecture I'm guessing because the local by-laws prevent two houses being the same anywhere on the island. Cool! Calgary should learn from them instead of building thousands of identical little boxes.

Crystal Pier. 

 

I probably should make a comment about Crystal Pier.
The little buildings on the pier in fact make up a hotel. The general public are allowed out on the pier between 8.30am and half an hour after sunset. I think it is a nice touch and fits in with the relaxed and friendly atmosphere of Pacific Beach.