Weekend Escape to La Jolla

Atop a rocky peninsula 10 miles north of downtown San Diego lies the idyllic community of La Jolla, filled with drop-dead views of surf, coves, hills and lagoons. You could easily spend your entire visit at the luxurious Lodge at Torrey Pines. The Craftsman architectural style popularized in early 20th century California inspired this 171 room retreat which sits perched just above the 18th green of Torrey Pines Golf Course and the rugged coastline of Torrey Pines State Reserve.

The Lodge resembles a large wealthy country house brimming with clinker-brick masonry, dark rich wood accents, art glass windows and doors and Stickley furniture. If money is no object, book one of the Palisades rooms overlooking the golf course and the sea where you can snuggle by the cozy fireplace amidst Tiffany-style lamps, period wallpaper, oil-rubbed fixtures, leather chaise and easy chairs and lush natural surroundings. Visit the 9,500 square foot feng shui designed spa for marine and botanical based treatments utilizing sage and other local plants before heading to the high wooden-beamed ceilings, handmade stained glass lanterns and plush private booths in the dining room at A.R.Valentien, the resort’s signature restaurant. Named after the California artist, the restaurant is home to many of his paintings and vases but the true art is the food. The seasonally influenced menu changes daily and includes fresh produce and ingredients from local farms. For warmer nights, dine alfresco on the deck beneath a canopy of Torrey pines with views over rolling fairways to the Pacific Ocean.

Take a trip to the nearby Birch Aquarium to view colorful marine life in more than 60 habitats. Observe seahorses, sharks, eels, turtles, jellyfish and a variety of fish displays and sit and watch the huge two-story 70,000 gallon Giant Kelp Forest Exhibit to view an amazing underwater forest ecosystem.

Head to upscale Prospect Avenue in La Jolla for an early afternoon of art gallery hopping and boutique shopping. For a closer look at the sea, explore the seven caves lining the La Jolla Cove shoreline via kayak. La Jolla Kayak offers 90-minute tours along the cliffs and coves where you can paddle alongside sea turtles, leopard sharks and seals. Or opt to linger over a picnic lunch at Grassy Scripps Park before taking an oceanfront stroll, wading in the waves or exploring nearby tide pools.

Just before sunset, head to the Eddie V’s restaurant for outstanding views of the Pacific Ocean and delicious surf and turf dishes. Standout menu items include their shellfish tower with lobster, shrimp, oysters and crab; jumbo lump crab cake; Chilean sea bass in a soy broth; Mediterranean branzino; filet mignon with lobster tail; grilled asparagus; lobster mashed potatoes and their bananas foster butter cake flambéed tableside with butter pecan ice cream.

Lodge at Torrey Pines, 11480 N. Torrey Pines Road, 858.453.4420, www.lodgetorreypines.com

Birch Aquarium, 2300 Expedition Way, La Jolla, 858.534.3474, https://aquarium.ucsd.edu.

La Jolla Kayak, 2199 Avenida de la Playa, 858.459.1114, www.lajollakayak.com

Scripps Park, 1100 Coast Boulevard, La Jolla

Eddie V’s, 1270 Prospect Street, La Jolla, 858.459.5500, https://www.eddiev.com.