La Jolla is a wealthy seaside resort community, occupying seven miles of curving coastline along the Pacific Ocean in Southern California. Although within the northern city limits of San Diego, California, La Jolla retains its own small-town atmosphere and its own civic pride. Home to roughly 42,808 residents, La Jolla is defined on three sides by its rugged coastline of ocean bluffs and beaches, backed by steep canyons and hillsides culminating at Mount Soledad. Located twelve miles north of Downtown San Diego, and 40 miles south of Orange County California, La Jolla is probably best known for its beautiful weather year round with an average daily temperature of 70.5 °F making this area a tourist hotspot. In addition, La Jolla is well known for its elite shopping and dining, with upscale boutiques, import shops, and gourmet restaurants lining Prospect Street.

La Jolla is home to the University of California, San Diego (UCSD), the Salk Institute, and the Scripps Institution of Oceanography.

La Jolla Neighborhoods

La Jolla Farms - the homes on top of the cliffs above Black's Beach and adjacent to the western boundary of the UCSD campus.

La Jolla Shores - the residential area and the Scripps Institution of Oceanography campus along La Jolla Shores beach and east up the hillside. Also includes a small business district of shops and restaurants along Avenida de la Playa.

La Jolla Heights - the homes on the hills overlooking La Jolla Shores. No businesses.

Hidden Valley - lower portion of Mount Soledad on the northern slopes. No businesses.

Country Club - lower Mount Soledad on the north-west side, including the La Jolla Country Club golf course.

Village - a.k.a. Village of La Jolla (not to be confused with La Jolla Village) the "downtown" business district area, including most of La Jolla's shops and restaurants, and the immediately surrounding residential areas.

Beach-Barber Tract - the coastal section from Windansea Beach to the Village. A few shops and restaurants, mostly on La Jolla Blvd.

Lower Hermosa - coastal strip south of Beach-Barber Tract. No businesses.

Bird Rock - southern/coastal La Jolla, and the lower slopes of Mt Soledad in the area. Shops and restaurants along La Jolla Blvd.

Muirlands - relatively large area on western middle slope of Mt. Soledad. No businesses.

La Jolla Mesa - A strip on the lower southern side of Mt. Soledad, bordering Pacific Beach.

La Jolla Alta - The neighborhood east of La Jolla Mesa.

Soledad South - Southeastern slopes of Mount Soledad, all the way up to the top, east of La Jolla Alta.

Muirlands West - The neighborhood between Muirlands to the south, and Country Club is to the north.

Upper Hermosa - North of Bird Rock, east of La Jolla Blvd.

La Jolla Village - (not to be confused with the Village of La Jolla) - north-east La Jolla, east of La Jolla Heights, north and west of I-5, and south of UCSD. This neighborhood's namesake, The La Jolla Village Square shopping and residential mall, including La Jolla's two movie theatres, is located here. It should be noted that The Village (of La Jolla) and La Jolla Village are not at all the same; they are distinct neighborhoods within La Jolla.