On a midwinter's day in La Jolla, as the temperature hovers near 70 degrees and the sun over the Pacific highlights a line of migrating gray whales, one might forgive the locals for feeling as if they've won the jackpot in the great geographic lottery. Take in the view for yourself from cafe along chic Prospect Street, from the third tee at world-famous Torrey Pines South, or from the grassy park above the limestone cliffs at La Jolla Cove, and you'll be hard-pressed not to agree. You'll also be hard-pressed not to want a piece of the winning ticket for yourself. This is, after all, a part of southern California blessed with natural beauty, an active civic life, marvelous public spaces, and tasteful architecture. La joya in Spanish means jewel, and while a decades-old spelling mistake gave this city a slightly different name, it's easy to appreciate just how appropriate the meaning is.