UTC/La Jolla

Where in San Diego is UTC/L a Jolla? What is UTC?

“Where and what in San Diego is UTC/La Jolla?” That was the question I asked when I first relocated to San Diego in 2003. I'd heard of the Village of La Jolla and La Jolla Shores, etc. but UTC? I was told when I moved here it's this great mixed-use, newer neighborhood in “the Golden Triangle”.

“Ok UTC is in the Golden Triangle-not really helpful yet”. Well, I come to find out a day or two later, that's exactly where I had moved to when I relocated from San Mateo, CA to San Diego in 2003 and it's where I live & own to this day.

University Towne Centre is what UTC stands for and it refers to the Westfield UTC Mall. This is an open air shopping mall, (currently being remodeled and expanded started in 2008-expected to be complete late 2013) located near UCSD, Scripps Hospital and what I call the mini financial/corporate district of University City/La Jolla. Since this Westfield UTC Mall is the largest landmark in this area, I discovered the locals nick-named this area of San Diego where three distinct communities converge; UTC after the mall. Often referred to as UTC/La Jolla (I think for some status stripping from La Jolla). See technically some of these businesses that claim to be in La Jolla, really by zip code are not; hence UTC/La Jolla. In fact if you were to ask anyone in La Jolla Proper, they don't consider anything from UCSD and East part of the "real La Jolla"

I do love living here because it's a predominately 15 year old & newer area. There are a few condo complexes and businesses that date back to the 1970's, but UTC/La Jolla has a great new look and is vibrant with a mix of families, tourists, UCSD students and young professionals. It's one of the main "landing sites" for relocation folks, since (in my opinion) it's a safe and convenient area to start off residence in San Diego. Familiar to many due to the many hotels located in UTC/La Jolla, where many stayed as tourist before their move here.

As a homeowner and local area expert, I encourage you to consider this part of San Diego for your move and welcome your questions. In future blogs I'll review and offer detailed info on the various businesses, hotels and residential communities here.