About the La Jolla Cove Bridge Club

Our Location – San Diego’s World-Celebrated La Jolla Cove

La Jolla Cove Bridge Club is located on beautiful Point La Jolla in the village of La Jolla, California. We sit adjacent to Ellen Browning Scripps Park and atop the La Jolla Cove which is San Diego’s most alluring spot for swimming, diving and snorkeling. The panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean here are breathtaking, the sheer variety of abundant marine life is extraordinary and our sunsets are a true wonder to behold. This area has lured visitors from around the world throughout La Jolla History.

The Cove, surrounded by cliffs is protected as part of The La Jolla Underwater Park and Ecological Reserve, consisting of several habitats which include rocky reefs, sandy flats, kelp forest and two underwater canyons. The reserve spans 6,000 acres and is sanctuary to diverse species of marine flora and faun including seals, sea lions, dolphins the spotted leopard sharks and even migrating whales.

A Piece of La Jolla History Since 1939

Part of the La Jolla community since 1939, the La Jolla Cove Bridge Club has a rich and fascinating story—one you may not yet know. Discover how this historic gathering place has brought people together for decades through games, social events, and shared experiences by the sea.

Learn more about our story and the role we continue to play in the life of La Jolla.

Club Timeline

1932 - Shuffleboard Club Organized

On October 27, 1932, La Jolla’s Chamber of Commerce announced formation of the “La Jolla Shuffle Board Club.” It’s main purpose was to provide a central, outdoor meeting place with “light recreation” for visitors to La Jolla. Resident members would be urged to welcome visitors and ensure that shuffleboard games were available for all. La Jollans were urged to “put forth an effort” to make the visitor’s stay in La Jolla a pleasant one.

The plan, locals were told, was to put two courts on Girard Avenue along with equipment and a caretaker. A membership fee (which to this day remains remarkably inexpensive) was announced as only $1.00 for 3 months and entitled the member to not only play, but bring a guest at no extra charge.

The plans using Girard Avenue as our location never materialized, but they would, eventually be moved to Scripps Park.

1939 - Clubhouse & Shuffleboard Courts Built

On June 6, 1939 La Jollans were happy to hear that work had begun on Point La Jolla for a new San Diego recreational improvement project. Designed by Master Architect Richard Requa, this would include the construction of a specially designed clubhouse and eight shuffleboard courts overlooking the “bathing cove.” Visitors and locals alike would enjoy “comfortable quarters for those who enjoy chess or checkers” (along with other games like horseshoes) and would feature glass facing the sea and folding doors on the opposite side to be closed in less favorable weather. The clubhouse and courts were to be “operated by a club, with a small membership fee” to cover maintenance. Today, the Club continues to operate in much the same manner.

The site chosen was City park land set aside by La Jolla Park developer Frank T. Botsford in 1886 and deeded to the City in 1903. The park was occupied by a variety of buildings and uses, including bathhouses, dance pavilions, and a marine biology laboratory and museum throughout the first quarter of the twentieth century, until the last of the buildings was demolished in 1925.

Labor was provided under President Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s “Works Progress Administration.” The WPA was created in 1935 by Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s presidential order and was originally known as the Works Progress Administration. The WPA was the largest New Deal agency, employing millions of people and affecting almost every locality in the United States, especially rural and western mountain populations. The WPA provided almost 8 million jobs and desperately needed income to the unemployed during the Great Depression between 1935 and 1943. (In San Diego County, the first of over 1,000 WPA projects began in October of 1935 with the construction of a road up Palomar Mountain to facilitate the building of the observatory. The County Administration Center is one of San Diego’s most prominent examples of WPA architecture.)

On a grand, sunny Tuesday afternoon, November 21, 1939, the Grand Opening was held of the new Shuffleboard Club building. The director of San Diego City Parks as well as the president of the La Mesa Shuffleboard Club joined La Jolla residents, local officials and members of the newly formed “La Jolla Adult Recreation Center Club” (A.R.C.) which would be in charge of the new facilities.

It should be noted that later that same year, the La Jolla Journal (later to merge into today’s La Jolla Light) reported the courts were filled to capacity and “a few enjoyed bridge in the clubhouse, though there will be more of that probably when the weather outdoors is not quite so enticing.” Our future was thus, foretold.

1945 - WWII & Bridge Now Rivals Shuffleboard

Though the world war in Europe was concluded in May of 1945, it wasn’t until September of that same year that the war in the Pacific came to an end. La Jolla attracted many members of the armed forces stationed or visiting our town. Military visitors have been charmed by our town throughout La Jolla history.

Dwight D. Eisenhower, Army Chief of Staff, enjoying bridge, 1940s

In June of 1945, an article in the La Jolla Journal reported how in its early days, the club house was only lightly used, but that this was no longer the case and that growing interest in playing bridge now had cards rivaling shuffleboard and surpassed other indoor games such as checkers and chess.

“However, one does not need to play anything to enjoy its benefits,” according to the Journal, “it is a grand place to rest and for conversation and to meet one’s friends and to form new acquaintances, and in these these days the acquaintances are from all parts of the world as the service people are coming in increasing numbers. These service people have all the use of the club at no expense for they are the guests of La Jolla. Local residents can perform a real service by being there to greet and help to entertain these young citizens of the world who are far away from their homes.”

Clubhouse Modifications Over The Years

Palm trees and sunset mirrored in windows

1959 – Clubhouse Enlarged

Along with the enlargement which featured the large glass windows framing the ocean which we love today, new fluorescent lights were installed by the City of San Diego. Members also contributed funds for new vinyl-asbestos floor tile, cards tables and chairs, and draperies which were made by some of the women in the Club.

1967 – Reconstruction & Expansion

A reconstruction project provided a larger social room with wall-to-wall carpeting, the addition of hot and cold water, a kitchenette, a rest room and a larger storeroom. New draperies and furnishing were purchased by the club. The new building was dedicated in June in the presence of the Mayor and other officials of San Diego and La Jolla.

1968 – Florence Riford Gifts Further Expansion”

In September, 1968 Mrs. Florence Riford, an active member of the Club, offered funds for the addition of a lounge and small office on the north side. The generous offer was accepted and at the same time the City of San Diego added another rest room, a tool room, room and space for wraps, provided new light fixtures, a ventilating system, a new roof and an enclosing fence. Outside flood lights controlled by a time clock and new plantings completed plans long advocated by the Board of Directors. Dedication ceremonies took place January 16, 1970. Image showing modifications to the La Jolla Cove Bridge Club over the years.

1990’s – No More Shuffleboard

Sometime in the mid ’90s, as a reflection of the fact that shuffleboard had long lost its popularity and, in fact our courts were seldom used, we removed the word shuffleboard from our name and became simply “The La Jolla Cove Bridge Club.”

In 1998, a plan was presented for removing our old, rather deteriorated, shuffleboard courts and on July 30, 1999, a special golden shovel was used to break ground on a brand-new lawn and garden featuring gorgeous seasonal flowers and attractive landscaping. This also expanded our usable area for weddings and other special events. Today, our garden area is one of the most popular features of our lovely grounds and has served as a beautiful backdrop for many outdoor La Jolla weddings along with both social and business events.

2004 – Murals Add Artistic Beauty

Scenic seaside landscape with vibrant flowers

Much character and beauty was added to our clubhouse in 2004 when San Diego artist Rik Erickson was commissioned to add his unique touches. Erickson came to San Diego in 1983 from Chicago and since then, has adorned many buildings and landmarks throughout San Diego with his mural work, faux, fine art reproductions and other art.

Starting in the main room, Erickson create a “trompe-l’œil” depiction of La Jolla Cove which so pleased our Board that they immediately asked him to come back and add his “Palm Garden by the Sea” to the Riford Room.

The artist was given some ideas but was allowed free reign. “They just kind of gave me permission to proceed as I see fit. A lot of times you really can’t picture something until you start,” he explained. “Since they allowed me that freedom, I had nothing to weight me down. So the creativity just flowed.” The beauty of the location was tremendously inspiring and he remembers his time at the Club fondly as a joyous time being creative in his temporary studio by the Pacific Ocean.

The resulting arches and artistic embellishments he created show views of palm trees and bushes, the ocean, sky and birds. “It kind of progressed slowly as I went along, and new ideas came to me as I created,” he noted. “looking out at the ocean every day helped inspire this painting. It’s very realistic looking.”

Erickson studied art at the College of DuPage in Wheaton, Ill. To see much more of Rik’s art, visit MuralsFantastic.com

(Our thanks to Tanya Kurland and the Village News)

Coastal landscape mural with pink flowers

Decorative room with painted arch murals

2009 – Designated A Historical Landmark

San Diego historical landmark plaque, 1939

On March 12, 2009, the City of San Diego’s Historical Resource Board recognized our historical importance to La Jolla and San Diego at large.

They designated us a San Diego historical treasure, calling us “a special element of La Jolla’s historical, cultural and social development by providing recreational, leisure and social activities to the residents and visitors alike since its construction in 1939.”

We couldn’t be prouder of our heritage.

Duplicate Bridge and the Club Today

For many years, card games served as an alternative to shuffleboard, played after outdoor sessions or during cold or stormy weather.

In 1964, Club President Allan Perkins—having observed the growing popularity of duplicate bridge during a trip to the East Coast—decided to introduce duplicate bridge at the La Jolla Shuffleboard Club. During a period when membership and finances were at a low point, the program quickly became a resounding success. It has remained the centerpiece and most popular activity of the club — now known as the La Jolla Cove Bridge Club.

Today, for a modest fee, both members and non-members may participate under the guidance of a professional director. Players may bring their own partners or contact the club to help them find a partner.

Duplicate Bridge is played three days a week from 11:30 AM to 2:30 PM. Coffee, tea, and snacks are available throughout the game.

Please visit our Games Page for the current schedule, fees, and additional details.