It was a warm summer day in June. The sky was blue. The sun was out. The plan was set. A little drive through La Jolla to check out a new restaurant that was beckoning. There was nothing extraordinary about the day. La Jolla is extraordinary in and of itself, but we were simply looking for grub. Let's face it, eating trumps all.

Driving along Prospect Street, we saw what we always see. We crossed La Jolla Blvd. and continued on Prospect. Stop. Back up. We looked at each other and said, "What was that?" We saw a historic landmark plaque and that cute little red man (see photo above). The property and historic marker intrigued us. We had to stop, park the car, and take a closer look.

Finding a place to stay in La Jolla can empty your wallet faster than a pick-pocketing gypsy outside the train station in Florence, Italy. Finding something that has old craftsman-style charm, about two blocks from the beach, at reasonable rates, rarely happens in La Jolla. Enter Redwood Hollow Cottages.

Let's be honest, this place may not be for everyone. It is not the Ritz-Carlton. It is not the Four Seasons. It is the historic Redwood Hollow Cottages. For the repeat customers of Redwood Hollow, it is a their favorite place to stay in San Diego. For us, and for many, it is a new discovery that has long been standing in that very same spot since 1915.

This utterly charming and quaint hidden secret in La Jolla might be of interest to you if you are coming to San Diego soon or you are a resident of San Diego with relatives on the way or you just need a little break yourself.

The Redwood Hollow Cottages is a hideaway that is hardly visible from the street and is surrounded by contemporary condo and apartment buildings. Long ago, Redwood Hollow had grand views of the ocean. Over the years, the development of La Jolll eventually changed the look and feel of old village of La Jolla. Now, those grand ocean views are obstructed, but the secluded feeling is almost enhanced by the larger buildings all around it.

Redwood Hollow is made up of single-story cottages considered to be mountain-style and craftsman-style in architecture. There are seven cottages available to rent (daily, weekly and monthly). Four units are occupied by year-round residents. Many of the cottages have fireplaces. Six have redwood or cedar floors which are wonderful to see in a humble abode. We looked at many units and each present different qualities or special features. Remember, no one is puttin' on the ritz here. The units are made homey with books, rugs, and simple decorations. Most of the cottages have some sort of kitchenette and even a couple of vintage 1940's stoves. You'll find bbq's and outdoor fireplaces, but you'd be hard-pressed to find 50" plasma TV's. Actually, there are cautionary notices with regard to the use of electrical devices as the property has the original electrical wiring. This only means you can't fire up the blow dryer and toaster at the same time. What all the units have in common is that they are all spotless and comfortable.

The Redwood Hollow unit sizes vary. There are tiny studios and a unit so large that it could easily fit two families, a bunch of friends or whatever might float your boat. The prices are right, discounts are available, and laundry facilities are available. To be able to almost re-live the old days of having a beach cottage in La Jolla, close to everything La Jolla has to offer, makes Redwood Hollow a ticket to the past.

The property is scaled back in size from what it once was, but the remaining units sit amidst a lush, rustic garden setting nestled in a pocket of posh La Jolla. Each unit has a sense of privacy complete with a small or large patio. The property has an old brick winding pathway surrounded by bougainvilla and a simple, yet enchanting landscape. Redwood Hollow isn't the sort of place that has a pool or jacuzzi on the premises. Just remember. the Pacific Ocean is a five-minute walk away. In fact, as you nod off at night, and all is quiet, you can hear the waves crashing under the moons glow.

Redwood Hollow Cottages has been in business a long, long time. Something must be special about this place. Generations of families have made staying at Redwood Hollow a tradition, not for the fancy-schmancy-ness, but for the charm that only historic places can offer.