In February I took a coast run from Oceanside down to Ocean Beach just to get out and take some photos. Oceanside was a disappointment, mostly because of the heavy overcast when I got there. It was my first time going to O-side's harbor and coast, believe it or not, so I will need to head over again to get a better feel for the area. I could tell that there is a lot of potential for photos when the weather is a bit better.
After the Oceanside stop I headed down I-5 for Torrey Pines Glider Port, one of my favorite photo spots. Again the overcast interfered with the picture taking, so I continued on to La Jolla Cove. I thought the Cove and the nearby Children's Pool would be more likely to have good shots since I could move around to have the sun behind me. Well, I was right for a change - I was able to get some nice pictures. But maybe more than that I discovered a new-old walk I hadn't known about before, and I've lived almost all my life in the San Diego area.
So where is this new-old walk? It's the Coast Walk along the cliffs between Torrey Pines Road and Coast Blvd. Normally when I hit this part of La Jolla I go straight over to the Children's Pool or maybe hang out by Scripps Park, but this time I ended up parking close to the Cave Store, a local landmark that includes the landward entrance to Sunny Jim Cave (my next goal in La Jolla). While I was shooting some pictures I wandered up what turned out to be the Coast Blvd. entrance to the walk, and I just kept going.
The easiest place to start is at the Cave Store on Coast Blvd. Just outside the store is a nice little area with some benches and an observation deck at the edge of the cliff. A small fence separates you from the "Unstable Cliffs" but when I was there a small gate was open. It is not a place to let little children run loose, but basically safe for anyone who is careful. After you check out the view from the deck, turn around and head up the path. At first you might think it will take you back to the Cave Store, but then it turns and heads along the cliffs.
Now here is where it got interesting for me. I've always been very intersted in birds, in fact when I was young I used to help out some friends who banded birds. When I came up the hill and saw this cliff just covered with cormorants it was almost like being in a nature film. I plan to get back here in a few weeks when they begin nesting.
If you continue along the path you have a great view of the La Jolla Cove and La Jolla Shores beach. This day I came across a group that was doing a photo shoot just off the trail. No telling what you'll find around the next bend. From up on the path I could also watch a kayak group heading out to explore the sea caves from the ocean.
The path continues along to a wooden bridge over a small canyon. From there it's just a short walk to Coast Blvd., which takes you up to Torrey Pines Rd. At this point you'll probably want to turn around and head back along the trail. The walk along TPR is definitely not the most scenic, and you get to see everything you just enjoyed all over again.
So I'm recommending the Coast Walk in La Jolla for anyone who enjoys the coast and moderate walks. Have fun!
Were you able to come back for the birds? It seems like you are very fascinated with 'em, since you know when they'd start nesting. It wasn't my first time seeing a photo of these birds altogether, but yours is the best so far.
Posted by: Allison McCumber | 02/16/2012 at 10:08 AM