Bird Rock

 

The neighborhood community of Bird Rock is a well-established area of La Jolla. Bird Rock sits on the southwestern end of La Jolla and borders Pacific Beach to the South, but retains its own unique charm. Bird Rock is known as one of the best surfing spots in San Diego, and combines the sunny disposition of the Southern Californian lifestyle with a family-oriented focus. While Bird Rock is a popular place to live, it also has some of La Jolla’s more affordable coastal homes, apartments, and condominiums. Locals know that Bird Rock can be spelled as two words, “Bird Rock”, or as one word, “Birdrock”

 

 

There are a number of recreational activities available in Bird Rock, and members of the community enjoy an active, outdoor lifestyle. Bird Rock has 3 different parks which are perfect for taking the dog for a walk, or enjoying a weekend picnic in the beautiful California sunshine. With the ocean on their doorstep, Bird Rock residents often spend time at the beach, walking, swimming, or surfing. The area also has a number of beautiful walks along the La Jolla coastline.

 

The quaint Bird Rock shopping district, recently revitalized, is a charming area that features many different local businesses. From unique boutiques to salons, to Mom n’Pop restaurants, the Bird Rock merchant area is a popular spot for locals to gather, shop, and dine. Many residents stay “in the neighborhood” to have coffee, get their kids’ hair cut, have their clothes cleaned, join a number of exercise studios or even tap dance! There are 14 different restaurants and cafes alone, with everything from coffee shops to sushi. Outdoor dining is very popular in this area of La Jolla, and many restaurants offer street seating where diners can enjoy the fresh air, the beautiful landscaped streets and indulge in some fun people-watching. Traffic is slow because of the 4 roundabouts, and to see cyclists, baby strollers and joggers is a common occurrence in Bird Rock.

 

 

This tightly-knit community of Bird Rock also has a number of excellent local events. There are plenty of festivals, concerts, and holiday events held throughout the year. Popular Bird Rock events include the 4th of July Parade, the annual community picnic and the tour of Bird Rock Homes that is held in January of each year. This well attended tour is sponsored by the Bird Rock Community Council with proceeds going to Bird Rock Elementary, and is a wonderful way to discover the many gorgeous Bird Rock homes in the area. Each year, six homes in Bird Rock are selected to be a part of the tour, each considered unique in its own way, whether it has an unusual design, unique landscaping, or employs savvy green technology to help reduce the carbon footprint of the inhabitants. The Bird Rock event draws people from all over La Jolla and San Diego.

 

 

The Bird Rock area is also home to one of San Diego’s top elementary schools. Families with small children usually end up sending their kids to Bird Rock Elementary School, which recently received the California Distinguished Schools Award for educational excellence. It’s a daily treat to watch moms and their children walk in the mornings along the tree lined streets with strollers and bicycles in tow, heading to the school to drop off their students. Afterwards, many of these moms convene at the local coffee shops to share their days with each other.