13 Things You Didn’t Know Existed in La Jolla

It may seem like there are no stones left unturned in La Jolla — from off-the-beaten-path attractions to the most secluded restaurants, there is a lot of information out there about even the most supposedly ‘secret’ spots in La Jolla; which is why we’ve decided to go the other route!

Here are a few La Jolla “hidden gems” you may not have seen around town — but have always been there, in plain sight!

1. World War II-era bunkers

Remnants of WWII remain scattered throughout La Jolla (and all of San Diego; especially atop Cabrillo National Monument). During the 1940s, there were several military bases scattered from the coast all the way inland. Our unique coastal position, facing towards the Pacific, granted us endless lookout spots.

During these years, the military and many local citizens were preparing for a possible Japanese invasion on our own coastline. Cement-encased bunkers were built all around Mount Soledad, where they stood for several years.

Almost all of these WWII bunkers, including some in the Muirlands, were destroyed or removed over the years, though some say there are still fragments here and there on the hill (the locations of which are still a mystery but if you leave a comment we might just reveal one of the locations!)

4. Two old stone bridges tucked away in the hills

Also known as the “troll bridges,” the two old stone bridges built in the hills of Mt. Soledad in the late 1920s and early 1930s have become part of La Jolla lore. Their classic, arched look is similar to that of the larger Cabrillo bridge that passes through Balboa Park, though they still remain a bit of a mystery.

You can find the bridges quite easily. Follow Exchange Place onto Soledad Road and make a right on Al Bahr Drive for the first one, and by taking Hillside to Castellana Road for the second.

5. Buried evidence of ancient Native American villages

It turns out there are multiple archaeological sites in La Jolla, the most well-known of which is the aptly named “La Jolla Complex” in the Torrey Pines, Scripps Estates, and Spindrift areas.

La Jolla is considered a prime spot to find prehistoric Native American hunting and other artifacts because of its soft soil, which helps preserve remnants from its cliff sites. These sites have revealed a cultural cross-section of evidence, and some of the most well-preserved bits of archaeological evidence in San Diego. [source] Archaeologists have found evidence that dates back 9,500 years beneath the soil here, meaning they are among some of the oldest remains ever found in the United States.

According to archaeologist well-preserved, “there have been units in yards in parts of La Jolla where (archaeological) deposits were a good 10-feet deep.” (La Jolla Light).

Further investigation of the remains have been thwarted by legal obstacles; it’s still uncertain what will become of them in regards to preservation or study.

6. The two oldest surviving examples of late-Victorian beach cottage architecture in the US

The Red Rest and the Red Roost cottages were built in 1894 and have been vacant for decades. Sadly, they have fallen into disrepair and more recently been a subject of controversy over “demolition by neglect” and the question of how best to preserve them.

The previous owner wanted to knock them down and build a resort in their place, but the request was denied. The windows have been boarded up and the land vacant ever since despite being sold in 2015 to a large apartment investment company.

The cottages are an official San Diego Historic Landmark and are revered for being some of the best examples of the bungalow-style structure that influenced a generation of architects, including our own Irving Gill. Somewhat ironically, the structures were not built by architects, but by a few skilled carpenters.

7. A secret sea cave you can walk to

Contrary to popular belief, you don’t always have to kayak (or take steps down to) the La Jolla sea caves. At very, very low — preferably minus — tides, you can hike to a couple of hidden caves via a path that begins next to the Marine Room. Just work your way south, across the tide pools, to a grotto that soars to heights upwards of 50 feet.

Inside, you’ll see sandstone walls stained with a rainbow of colors; in the back, there will be a low passage leading to another, smaller grotto. Be extremely cautious when walking, and always be aware of the incoming tide! Once it gets even slightly higher, you’ll want to start heading back out.

9. The site of the first black church in La Jolla

There was a time when an African-American community worked, lived, owned property and managed businesses in La Jolla; they contributed much of what La Jolla is today.

The black community attended services at the large white Presbyterian Church on Draper Avenue until the mid-1920s, when they received funds to construct a new church. In 1926, the La Jolla Union Mission Church, the first African-American religious congregation, opened on Cuvier Street; the same lot where Prince Chapel by the Sea African Methodist Church stands today. It was a welcome home to black families that felt accepted in very few churches locally at the time.

10. A B&B that is comprised of several small historic cottages

Given La Jolla’s historic flair, it only seems natural that one would be able to actually stay in a place that’s more than a century old. And there is — the quaint Redwood Hollow Cottages, located a bit off the main drag farther along Prospect Street, have been there since 1915.

The property was first bought by a man named Walter Scott Lieber in 1907 when he decided to call it “Prospect View.” Over the years, the land underwent a few changes and rearrangements; but today, eleven cottages sit among its lush foliage and brick walkways — all with memorable names, including “Hemingway” and “Sea Biscuit.”