Ah, La Jolla, "the Jewel" of the Pacific Coast! Only 15 minutes from downtown San Diego, it has wonderful beaches, cultural activities, and fine restaurants. It also has the Scripps Institution of Oceanography and the Stephen Birch Aquarium & Museum, as well as many bio-tech and software companies. It's definitely not just another pretty face!

Ranked as one of the most affluent communities in the country, La Jolla combines the atmosphere of a Mediterranean coastal resort with Southern California fun. Its people are down-to-earth and helpful to visitors. Who could be otherwise when surrounded by such natural beauty And where else might you find a community that sponsored a clean-up contest suggested by a resident who wanted his neighbor to clean up his property? No angry altercations here!

One of the community's best known residents was Theodore Seuss Geisel, better known as Dr. Seuss, author of The Cat in the Hat (1957) and many other wonderful books designed to improve children's literacy. His efforts won him the Pulitzer Prize in 1984 and two Academy Awards. But children were not the only beneficiaries of his skill: At the request of the La Jolla Town Council (of which he was a Trustee and avid supporter), Dr. Seuss drafted a whimsical booklet about signage abuse. His powerful statement against unwarranted outdoor advertising resulted in cutting-edge solutions, and is credited with helping to maintain this unincorporated community's special character. To this day, there are no real estate signs posted or flashing neon lights or billboards to mar this exquisite locale.

Until recently La Jolla was the only unincorporated community to have its own postmark. It is still the only one with a US warship named for it. Its high school ranks as one of the finest public schools in the country, and its university is top-notch. Even its retirement communities are rated as among the best in the land. La Jolla stands true to its heritage of both a caring small town and a bohemian art colony, with a tradition of outstanding philanthropy and community service.