La Jolla Recreational Center

La Jolla Recreational Center is a recreational building with flat roofs, white exterior walls, and casement windows that follows Irving Gill's modernist design principles. The grounds include multiple indoor spaces, outdoor courts, play equipment, and picnic areas for various activities.

The building was constructed in 1915 and shows Gill's innovative approach to California architecture using reinforced concrete techniques that were advanced for that period. The construction was pioneering for the development of modern public buildings on the West Coast.

The facility serves as a social hub where La Jolla residents gather regularly for classes, sports events, and local celebrations. This role as a meeting place for the community has remained stable over decades and continues to shape neighborhood life.

The center operates daily and offers programs for children, adults, and seniors across different locations within the building and grounds. Visitors should plan which activities interest them, as the facility is extensive with multiple areas to explore.

Ellen Browning Scripps, a wealthy philanthropist, commissioned the building as part of her vision to create public facilities serving La Jolla for generations. This origin as a privately funded community project makes the center a notable example of how individual donations shaped neighborhood development.

Architects: Irving Gill

GPS coordinates: 32.84336,-117.27782

Latest update: December 14, 2025 13:05