Have you heard of the La Jolla Troll Bridges? Nestled on a beautiful point of coastline in Southern California, La Jolla has been known for many iconic places, beaches, and landmarks. We have La Velnica hotel and restaurant also known as the “pink lady of La Jolla”. The La Valencia hotel was well known amongst the Hollywood glam scene during the roaring 20’s. The highly disputed war veteran memorial or “the cross” which sits atop the peak of Mt Soledad. The Cross was part of a more than 25 year battle of the distinction of church and state which finally ended in 2016. And don’t forget about the beloved Children’s Pool in the La Jolla cove area.
These attractions are well known to La Jolla residents and visitors alike. However, unless you are part of the local La Jolla communities or have driven through many of the hill-laced streets along the neighborhoods of Mt Soledad, you may be unfamiliar with the secret bridges of La Jolla called the “La Jolla troll bridges”.
La Jolla Troll Bridges
That’s right, there are La Jolla troll bridges hidden within the hills of Mt Soledad and they are worth your time to find if you are visiting the area. Skip to the bottom of this post for directions to both La Jolla troll bridges.
While you’re unlikely to find any trolls living under these bridges, they are worth the drive over to explore the surrounding areas complete with multi-million dollar homes. Originally built by William French Ludington, the son of a local La Jolla family, in the 20s and 30s. The bridges were, of course, initially constructed to make it easier to access a plot of hard to get to land that was purchased by Ludington. An early resident, Marguerite R. Ames, reminisces on them saying “the street was made of cobblestones, and as a little girl, I could hear the milk wagon go clopping by in the morning.” The La Jolla troll bridge’s aesthetic features are quite pleasing with beautiful landscaping that drapes over them and, of course, their amazing ocean views.
Bridge 1:1501-1503 Kearsarge Rd. La Jolla, CA 92037 // 32.844028, -117.265141.
FROM 5 NORTH
Exit onto La Jolla Pkwy 1.1 mi. Then continue onto Torrey Pines Rd 1.1 mi. Turn left onto Exchange Pl. 0.1 mi. Continue onto Soledad Ave 292 ft. Turn right onto Al Bahr Dr 0.1 mi. Keep going onto Kearsarge Rd.
FROM 5 SOUTH
Bridge 2: 1818-1800 Puente Dr. La Jolla, CA 92037 // 32.845510, -117.259716.
FROM 5 NORTH
I-5 N toward Los Angeles. Take exit 26A for W La Jolla Pkwy 0.7 mi. Continue onto La Jolla Pkwy 1.1 mi which will turn into Torrey Pines Rd 0.6 mi. Make sure to turn left onto Hillside Dr 217 ft. Turn left to stay on Hillside Dr 0.2 mi. Then turn right onto Castellana Rd.
