Great American Beaches 2008
La Jolla, California
Great For: Seclusion. The closest thing to an undiscovered find on a bustling, built-up coast, Horseshoe will never draw big crowds with its location; the crescent moon of shoreline is only accessible by an unmarked stairwell (off Coast Boulevard near Prospect Street). It’s so secluded, in fact, that you can barely make it out in the above photo.
T+L Tip: At high tide, a rock jetty on the northern end of the beach doubles as a natural diving platform.
Where To Stay: The nearby 28-room Hotel Parisi is a locally owned boutique hotel with suitably So-Cal services (craniosacral massage, Pilates).
Last-Minute Shopping: Three blocks away from the beach, JEP boutique carries a small but chic collection of beachwear, from punky-preppy designs by Trovata to hipster shades by Initium.
