Upcoming Events in La Jolla, California

[Elizabeth Hansen]

Now through May 15 – UCSD is offering The Campus Guide Architectural Tour in celebration of UC San Diego’s 50th Anniversary. These special edition tours featuring inspired architecture and The Stuart Collection of outdoor sculpture are offered the second Sunday of each month. Advanced registration is required.

May 5, 10:30 p.m. - 12:30 a.m. – Join Birch Aquarium at Scripps Institution of Oceanography for a guided “grunion run.” Observe the mysterious grunion spawn on the beaches of La Jolla - hundreds of the small, silvery fish ride the waves onto shore for this remarkable mating ritual. “Grunion runs” will also take place May 19 and June 3. Reservations must be received in advance by registering online or calling 858-534-7336.

May 8 – Many La Jolla hotels and restaurants are offering Mother’s Day brunches and lunches. These include La Valencia Hotel (858-551-3744), A. R. Valentien at The Lodge at Torrey Pines (858-777-6635), George’s At The Cove (858-454-4244), Piatti (858-454-1589), The Shores Restaurant in La Jolla Shores Hotel (858-456-0600), The Steakhouse at Azul (858-454-9616), and Whisknladle (858-551-7575).

May 14, 10 a.m to 4 p.m. – The 13th annual Secret Garden Tour of Old La Jolla presented by the La Jolla Historical Society provides an opportunity to see behind the walls that conceal some of La Joll.... The self-guided tour costs $40 for Society members, $50 for non-members. The Platinum Tour is sold out, but regular tickets are still available on the LJ Historical Society website. You might also want to check out Estancia Hotel's "Bountiful Botanicals Package" for Secret Garden guests.

May 17 - June 12 – La Jolla Playhouse presents the world premiere of A Dram of Drummhicit, by Arthur Kopit and Anton Dudley, directed by Playhouse Artistic Director Christopher Ashley. For tickets, call the Playhouse box office [phone] or book online.

May 18 - September 21 – Green Flash Concert Series at Birch Aquarium. Wednesdays: May 18, June 15, July 20, Aug. 17, and Sept. 21, 6-9 p.m., Ages 21+ General admission: $25 with RSVP ($120 season pass), $30 at the door. RSVP: 858-534-4109. The concert series combines live music with panoramic ocean views on the aquarium¹s stunning outdoor tide-pool plaza. Savory happy-hour appetizers, craft beers and wines are available for purchase. Keep an eye out for a real "green flash," a rare optical phenomenon caused by refraction of light as the sun sets on the horizon. May 18 - Performer: EARL THOMAS & THE BLUES AMBASSADORS

May 19, 11 p.m. - 1 a.m. Join Birch Aquarium at Scripps Institution of Oceanography for a guided grunion run. See May 5 for details.

June 3, 10:30 p.m. - 12:30 a.m. Join Birch Aquarium at Scripps Institution of Oceanography for a guided grunion run. See May 5 for details.

June 15 – Green Flash Concert Series at Birch Aquarium Performer: DONAVON FRANKENREITER
(See May 18).

June 28 - July 24 – Peer Gynt, by Henrik Ibsen, adapted and directed by David Schweizer, running in the Sheila and Hughes Potiker Theatre at La Jolla Playhouse. For tickets, call the Playhouse box office [phone] or book online.

July 4 – BYO chair and enjoy the annual fireworks show at The Cove. Free, but donations in advance are welcome. http://www.lajollafireworks.org/

July 10 - September 4 – La Jolla Concerts By the Sea in Scripps Parks near The Cove. Free - and families welcome. Sunday afternoons at 2pm. Check website or call 858-454-1600 for schedule of performances. 

July 19 - August 21 – La Jolla Playhouse presents the new musical: Sleeping Beauty Wakes (book by Rachel Sheinkin, music by Brendan Milburn, lyrics by Valerie Vigoda, directed by Rebecca Taichman) in the Mandell Weiss Theatre. Tickets online or call 858-550-1010.

July 20 – Green Flash Concert Series at Birch Aquarium. Performer: FITZ & THE TANTRUMS
See May 18.

August 3, 7 p.m. – Free open-air concert at The La Jolla Cove, presented by the La Jolla Music Society. BYO chair and blanket.

August 3 - 26 – SummerFest concert series. La Jolla Music Society's SummerFest is a nationally-recognized chamber music festival featuring over 70 world-class artists and ensembles. Since its inception in 1986, SummerFest has welcomed over 650 renowned artists and ensembles, four talented artistic directors, and nearly a quarter of a million audience members at venues in San Diego and over the airwaves nationwide. See website for details.

August 17 – Green Flash Concert Series at Birch Aquarium. Performer: STEVE POLTZ
See May 18.

August 30 – September 25 La Jolla Playhouse presents the world premiere of Milk Like Sugar, a co-commission with Theater Masters, by Kirsten Greenidge, directed by Rebecca Taichman, in the Sheila and Hughes Potiker Theatre. Tickets 858-550-1010 or online.

September 21 – Green Flash Concert Series at Birch Aquarium. Performer: BRETT DENNEN
See May 18.