Ellen Browning Scripps Park

Ellen Browning Scripps Park is a 5.6-acre urban park located in La Jolla, a community in San Diego, California. The park sits atop a sandstone bluff overlooking the Pacific Ocean, offering panoramic coastal views. It features approximately 1,500 feet of shoreline and includes several small beaches such as La Jolla Cove, Point La Jolla, Boomer Beach, and Shell Beach.

The park is named after Ellen Browning Scripps, a prominent journalist and philanthropist who significantly contributed to the development of La Jolla. It is considered one of the most picturesque locations in San Diego, with the Automobile Association of America (AAA) reportedly describing it as the most photographed spot in the city.

The landscape of Ellen Browning Scripps Park features a 3.8-acre lawn area, which gently slopes towards the cliff face. The park's vegetation includes heritage plantings such as groves of pink melaleuca trees, exotic dragon trees from the Canary Islands, Monterey cypress, and a row of Mexican fan palms. Various ground covers and succulents, including ice plants and sea figs, create colorful carpets along the adjoining beach cliffs, particularly vibrant during spring and early summer.

A concrete path encircles the lawn, providing access to scenic overlooks and staircases leading down to the beaches. The park's eastern edge is lined with palm trees, originally planted in 1904 by a local resident named Walter Lieber.

Ellen Browning Scripps Park serves multiple purposes for the community. It's a popular spot for picnics, sunbathing, and various sporting activities. The park also hosts several community events throughout the year, including summer concerts and the finish line for the annual La Jolla Half Marathon.

The park is open to the public 24 hours a day, making it accessible for early morning activities or evening strolls. Its location adjacent to La Jolla Village makes it a convenient recreational space for both locals and visitors exploring the area's shops and restaurants.