Though relatively compact, the Village block section bounded by Cave Street on the north, Coast Boulevard on the west, Prospect Street on the east and Eads Avenue on the south is surprisingly diverse, boasting an Asian restaurant, an international luxury hotel and a renowned art gallery. The first stop on this Aug. 7 trip around the block was Madison Gallery, at 1020 Prospect St., #130. One exhibition featured artist Donald Martiny, whose exhibit titled “Gestures” was ending, and another, featuring the “Summer Group Show,” was scheduled Aug. 22 to Sept. 30. “It’s Prospect (Street), so there’s a lot of foot traffic,” said Madison employee Amanda Fernandez-Leon, noting the decade-old gallery changes exhibits about every six weeks. On exhibit at that time was the unique work of abstract impressionist painter Martiny, whom Fernandez-Leon noted “works with natural materials like marble. “It’s not a typical painting,” she said, adding that Martiny is noted for his ingenious pigments and brush strokes. No discussion of this part of the Village would be complete without mention of one of the community’s cornerstone attractions, Sunny Jim’s Sea Cave Store, at 1325 Coast Blvd. Sunny Jim’s is known for its subterranean tunnel leading down to the ocean and its namesake cave. “We are one of the oldest-running businesses in La Jolla,” noted the cave store (which also has a gift store) in an email. “We have walking access to the inside of one of seven local sea caves.”
The Cave Store’s proprietors noted that “We like our location very much, though the one-way street and traffic build-up is an issue for everyone.” They added they “love La Jolla and Coast Boulevard. We get to meet thousands of people each year from around the world, and it can be very rewarding.”
At the other end of the bluffs, where a trail leads from the Cave Store, lies Goldfish Point Café, at 1255 Coast Blvd.
“Goldfish Cafe is a local favorite and a hidden gem offering a fantastic view,” the family eatery emailed, noting patrons will find great seafood and choice microbrews and wines there. Next door to Goldfish is Aaron Goulding Photography Studio, at 1255 Coast Blvd.
Going down “the Dip” toward “the Cove” is Taste of the Himalayas, at 8008 Girard Ave., #170, which offers the finest in Nepali, Indian and Tibetan cuisine. In that same building are Dr. Juice, La Jolla Cove Salon & Spa, and Stella Italianfare.
Nearby is another of the Jewel’s favorite restaurants, Cody’s La Jolla, at 8030 Girard Ave.
The colorful Casa de Manana retirement center, which hugs the coast at 849 Coast Blvd., is just a hop, a skip and a jump from Children’s Pool. And don’t forget Indonesian-themed Pantai Inn, a boutique hotel, at 1003 Coast Blvd.
Other businesses in this block section include La Jolla Cove Suites, Bobboi Natural Geleto, historic Brockton Villa, La Jolla Cove Gifts and Little Korea.