La Jolla provides tourists and natives alike with a variety of nightlife entertainment. Spice up the night with a little salsa at the Marriott. Dance all night long at the Marriot, or at least until 2 a.m. The La Jolla Marriott, 4240 La Jolla Village Drive, offers salsa dancing lessons on Friday and Saturday evenings. There is no cover charge before 8 p.m. The hotel does validate parking passes, but be prepared to pay a few more bucks if staying for the entire night. Lessons start around 8:30 and begin with the basic salsa dance steps. They also include learning a few more difficult combinations during each session, such as outward and inward turns. The lessons give newcomers the opportunity to meet and socialize with potential salsa partners before the free dance. It is a popular dance spot and can be crowded. “The Marriott is a mainstay in the salsa community,” says Michael, a Marriott regular for the past eight years. The dance area is a little small to accommodate all the people who attend the lessons. Watch out for flying elbows and toes. Someone forgot to mention that salsa was a full-contact sport. While there are many beginners each week, there are also salsa regulars who are more than willing to help a novice practice some of the basic steps and maybe learn a couple of more advanced moves. “Everyone is open here,” says Robert, who has been coming to the Marriott for the past month. “La Jolla is a good place to go for salsa,” says Iran Castillo, salsa instructor and Saturday’s regular DJ. “It is quiet around here and there is no parking downtown.” For more information, call (858) 587-1414. Clay’s has spectacular view. If pursuing a more relaxing atmosphere, Clay’s, 7955 La Jolla Shores Drive, 11th floor atop Hotel La Jolla, is a good place to go. The stage area is small and intimate. There are some comfortable sofas and tables set up next to the stage and close to the window so that the view of the beach can be enjoyed as well as the performance of the musician scheduled for the evening. “Everything is nice here. It is pretty kickback,” says Antonio Fernandez, a musician originally from Guadalajara, Mexico. Fernandez, who is scheduled regularly on Thursdays, describes his music as “classic guitar.” In addition to this gig, he plays in a band called Xolmani, a Spanish rock group that plays rock music with a mixture of reggae and pop. “I try to mix it up with different rhythms,” he says. His music during his set at Clay’s is pretty mellow, with a nice beat good for toe tapping and head nodding, but not so loud that conversation is impossible. His set starts around 8 p.m. During the summer, the spectacular view of the beach can still be seen as his set begins. “Good place to come for the view,” agrees Michael Choate, a Virginia native who had been in La Jolla for only three days. “Now I want to move.” “I would recommend it for happy hour,” says Lauren Kelley, another customer at Clay’s. It is a nice place to go for a couple of drinks and some appetizers before sunset because the view is not as visible once the sun goes down. For more information call (858) 551-3620. The Manhattan is the epitome of class. Searching for something classy to do while visiting La Jolla? The Manhattan at the Empress Hotel, 7766 Fay Ave., could be just the thing with jazz night on Thursdays and Saturdays. “I love The Manhattan because of the staff. They support jazz and believe in the music,” says Tokeli, a jazz vocalist who has been playing at The Manhattan for the past year and a half. “The Manhattan is the premier jazz place in San Diego.” Her quartet includes Mikan Zlatkovich, musical director and pianist, Brett Sanders, drummer, and Danny Weller on the bass. Gilbert Castellanos plays with them as well. The Manhattan boasts an intimate interior with a small stage area situated next to the bar. There are four or five glowing fish tanks placed around the restaurant. The rest of the décor is more New York style, with artsy modern paintings depicting jazz musicians placed on the wall. The atmosphere is subdued and the conversation is whispered. “I like the intimacy of the La Jollan culture that I don’t particularly find in any other area,” Weller says of his experience playing in the area. The audience consists of jazz enthusiasts and diners who listen quietly to the show while enjoying a plate of pasta and a glass of wine. When discussing jazz, Zlatkovich states that he never practices. “I really believe this. You don’t practice jazz,” Zlatkovich says. “You just let it go.” “It would ruin the spontaneity,” Tokeli adds. “My style (of jazz) is very old, keeping something alive that is historic.” For more information, call (858) 459-0700. Beaumont’s rocks out. Beamont’s, 5662 La Jolla Blvd, hosts live music every Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Try this local hot spot if looking for some nightlife excitement away from the more touristy sections of La Jolla. Recently, December’s Children, a Rolling Stones cover band, played the crowded, excited bar. The group was discovered by one of the owners when playing at a friend’s house. December’s Children has been playing at Beaumont’s about once a month for the last year and a half. “It’s a wonderful life. Surf and music,” says John Yelenosky, bass guitarist. “We grew up in La Jolla. It’s exactly where we want to play,” agrees Justin Richard, guitarist. The other members of the band are Andrew Harvey on drums and Danny Baker on guitar and vocals. The atmosphere inside Beaumont’s is welcoming and open, with people dancing to good rock music. It is a perfect place to go if looking for a night at a local bar with some excellent music and friendly local people. For more information, call (858) 459-0474. Have fun in the outdoors, too. If you are searching for an experience of La Jolla nightlife without the crowds, take a drive up to the top of Mount Soledad. The view of the city is amazing. According to one recent La Jolla transplant, Mark Rauennzdnn, “Coolest thing is to go to the Shores and watch the sunset from a surfboard.” Now that is something you can’t do just anywhere.