La Taverna

La Jolla has lots of “destination restaurants” that serve good food – and sometimes a view – to out-of-towners.

Then there are the restaurants the locals patronize…places that depend on return business and don’t have a vista to distract from other weaknesses. One of these is La Taverna – snuggled between a dry cleaners and a shoe repair shop at 927 Silverado Street (858-454-0100; http://www.lataverna.com/).

The tiny restaurant offers only a half dozen tables inside and about the same number on a sidewalk patio. The menu of Italian comfort food includes grilled salmon on white bean salad (my favorite), pan-roasted shrimp with garlic and arugula-basil pesto, Parmesan chicken on roasted garlic mashed potatoes, and other satisfying dishes.

At La Taverna, everything is made on site, including wonderful bread, sausages, and gnocchi. If you go, leave room for dessert. The restaurant's multi-layer banana cake is the stuff of legends. Lunch is served Monday - Friday and dinner is Monday - Saturday.

Chef/Proprietor Mary Ann Vitale also owns Sorella della Taverna (7420 Girard Ave., La Jolla, 858-866-6400), a deli where locals load up on items such as eggplant lasagna, penne pasta, and grilled vegetables. She also offers salads, sandwiches, and pizza. This gourmet-to-go spot is the perfect place for assembling an extraordinary picnic.

Bon appetito.

The La Jolla YMCA

The La Jolla Y is one of the best deals in town. Locals pay as little as $30 a month to use the heated outdoor pool and a very well-equipped gym. We can also take any number of classes from an extensive weekly menu that includes Pilates, aqua jogging, studio cycling, line dancing, stretch & strength, cardio kick boxing, and yoga (basic, hatha, hatha flow, vinyasa flow, power, and restorative). Surf lessons are offered for adults and teens during the summer.

And here's the surprising part: visitors can use all of the Y's facilities for only $10 a day. I know that many La Jolla hotels and resorts have their own fitness centers, but none compare with the options at the Y. This is the perfect set-up for out-of-towners who want a great workout in a top-notch place. It's also a good option for folks who don't like sweating alone. For instance, "Walk Fit" draws a congenial group of local women who take a serious stride around the neighborhood three mornings a week.

Don't have a hard body? No worries. Our Y caters to little kids and great-grandparents and every age in between. Seriously - an 85-year-old woman is a regular in my favorite Pilates class.

Located off La Jolla Scenic Drive North (just south of La Jolla Village Drive and UCSD), the Y also offers tennis courts, racquetball courts, saunas, a whirlpool spa, and special classes and camps for kids. Two hours of childcare are complimentary while parents are working out.

The Y (8355 Cliffridge Ave., La Jolla; tel. 858-453-3483) is open Monday to Thursday from 5am to 10pm; Friday from 5am to 9pm, and Saturday and Sunday from 7am to 6pm. Check out the website at http://www.lajolla.ymca.org/.

See you there.