Amazing views, delicious food/drinks and awesome ambiance with live music on Sundays!!! Service is great too read more

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What I loved most about Duke's was the vibe, the fact that it reminded me of being on Maui. Also, that hula pie--the hula pie is ice cream and sweetness on top of a chocolate shell--and if I had a third a stomach, I would've finished the whole thing on my own. The huli huli chicken was bland and beige and it tasted just like it looked. The kalua pork sandwich was also average but it's ok. Duke's gave me the feeling of being on an island vacation, and that makes it all worth it. read more

Perfect summer lunch spot to soak up the gorgeous sunny La Jolla coast! Worth fighting for parking spaces to get to this restaurant (or simply pay $20 for public valet). The menu consisted of the typical surf & turf fare that you would expect in this neighborhood. Our server was attentive to our needs and not overbearing as we leisurely took our time with our meal, especially since we were lucky enough to get a table overlooking the LJ Cove. Our dishes were delicious and just the right portion for lunch. But it was the Hula Pie that truly made our meal a standout happy ending! It's their signature dessert, and I would suggest leaving room for this yummy sweetness. Overall, it's a delightful spot to gather, whether to celebrate or enjoy a good meal with friends, especially if you want the Pacific Ocean waves as your background setting. read more

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Mud pie. I love mud pie and this is where you can get it. Classic duke's/kimo's fare. Fusiony. read more

To my surprise, the view of this restaurant is spectacular during sunset. Easy to find. Some street parking but best to come by uber. Came here with a group of 7 for a company group outing. This place is great for big groups, company meal, or romantic dinner. Their outdoor patio dining is where to sit at. I almost felt like I was in Hawaii. The staff were very accommodating as we wanted to sit closer to the ledge to see the water. I didn't know how everyone's food tasted but my husband's and my dish were good. For appetizers, we tried their 'crab wontons' and 'panko crusted calamari'. I loved the crab wontons had a good amount of filling that you didn't need the sauce. That is how it should be like. The squid in the calamari could be a tiny bit softer. I think it was a little overcooked but still tasted good with the sauce. We had their Mai Tai and Lavender Colada. The Mai Tai was all alcohol but better that way for the price! Haha The Lavender Colada, you have to add dark rum on top. It was good but did not taste any lavender in it but the coloring. I had their Hot Pot and it was excellent. Flavor of the coconut cilantro broth was so good, I finished the soup. It came with a small lobster tail, mussels and white fish. A good balance. My husband's had the 'Filet Mignon'. I thought it was cooked well with good seasoning. Didn't like the corn with it though but then I am not really into corn. They only have two desserts that we liked and that was the Hula pie and Key Lime Pie. Key Lime Pie is the one to get! I love the crust! You just have to be wary if you are not sitting underneath the big umbrellas as outdoor eating attracts the birds. Make sure you are fully underneath the umbrella. Still a great place for service, food and views. Totally recommended this place. [105R,2025] read more

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It was so nice to be recognized by Taylor and Grant! They went out of their way to make us feel special. Thank you. We were here last month and had a wonderful time. We came on Mother's Day and knew it would be busy. Things went well. We were seated at our reservation time and given a beautiful table at the glass rail. Sean was very friendly. The food was delicious. The service was ok considering how busy they were. One plate side was incorrect but it wasn't a problem. The wait between the starter and the enter was extremely long. When I mentioned to Sean that they were really busy he said that we could take our time. Odd comment. We were waiting for our entree, not just lounging and enjoying the view. The food came out quickly after him checking on us and filling our water and tea. The view is amazing, but late afternoon to sunset the sun is very intense and 2 in our party are burnt from being in the direct sun so long. We really enjoyed ourselves, but a few little things kept it from being outstanding. We will definitely return. read more

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BEAUTIFUL seating on the patio. We came in for lunch while on vacation-- food was great (portions were generous but not excessive) and service was attentive. Our server even gave us a tip for how to get down to the walkway along the shore where you can see the seals. read more

Back again for Mai Tais and Hula Pie!!! Come for the view as well... both levels have a fantastic view of the Pacific. The food is good I am sure, as Duke's is a well run chain. The Hula Pie is just too good to pass up. Leave plenty of room for dessert! read more

Duke's La Jolla - Mai tai - New American Near Me - La Jolla, California

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We went in for a late lunch and got seated immediately. They gave us the perfect spot, closest to La Jolla coves overlooking the ocean. Out waitress, I forget her name but was very attentive making sure all our needs were met. The food was delicious we started w the black bean nachos that were crispy and had the perfect amount of toppings. My husband and I both got the Huli huli chicken and the lavender pina colada. And the kids got fish and chips and a burger. All of us were happy and satisfied after dining here. Great job dukes! read more

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How have I lived here for nearly two decades and have never come to Duke's?! This cute little place seem's small when approaching from the curb... but this is such a magical place! We were seated on the patio and able to watch an overcast sunset. Loved it! We ordered the crab wontons and short ribs for starts. And whoa! Talk about amazing and talk about fast! The wontons were extra crispy and packed with flavor! The filling was plentiful. No skimping there. The short ribs... ugh. My absolute favorite. They were tender, juicy, and melted in your mouth. I could honestly order 6 of these apps and eat them as a whole meal! For dinner I ordered the filet with lobster. I'm such a freak for a solid protein and this was amazing for not being a steakhouse. Perfectly done at medium rare, accompanied by the most delicious creamed corn and mashed potatoes. I could've swam in that alone. The lobster was the Star. I could bath in the clarified butter. I dipped the lobster in the short ribs bbq and lowkey was the greatest thing. At the end, we ordered the Hula Pie... and wow. Timed just right on my cycle and this pie was heaven. Speckled with macadamia nuts inside and out, it was beyond my favorite. I'd love to come back and just grab like 6 plates of short ribs and a pie how addicting! I can't wait to come back. read more

Duke's La Jolla - Hula Pie - New American Near Me - La Jolla, California

Visited dukes in La Jolla to meet with family friends. Everything we ordered was very good and fresh, but very overpriced. The ambience is nice, even better if you're able to grab a table with a view. The service was wonderful, everyone was attentive and helpful. Our favorite item was the hula pie! read more

Duke's La Jolla - View from the restaurant - New American Near Me - La Jolla, California

Had a group lunch with coworkers (about 10) and were able to be seated at their outdoor patio which has a spectacular view of the ocean. Definitely make reservations ahead of time to ensure you get seated right away. The vibe is modern coastal with a vintage flare. There are two floors with the first floor being the main dining space and a second floor with additional tables and a small bar. The second floor also has an outdoor dining patio, but smaller. Yes, heaters are available; we know the coast be cold most of the time. THE FOOD. - Sautéed Mac Nut & Herb Crusted Fresh Fish. It's a mild flavored fish; crispy exterior surface, but flaky and tender inside. The bok choy slaw and macadamia nuts add crunchiness while the mac salad and white rice are soft and chewy. Good dish. THE DRINK. - Passion Fruit Iced Tea. Mellow and slightly sweet. THE PARKING. Street parking or you can park next to the restaurant in a parking garage for a fee. Remember, San Diego parking is like LA and SF parking... hard to find and pricey. THE RETURN. The view alone is enough to come back, but I'd also like to try other dishes. read more

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What a delicious experience Katie was a wonderful, juggling from serving water , refilling, cocktails, lunch with specific requests without skipping or messing an order. The food was delicious, however the service was epic Made it very special. Will be back. read more

Duke's La Jolla - amazing Katie - New American Near Me - La Jolla, California

I got to try out Duke's a few weeks ago, and I had a decent experience. We were seated upstairs on the balcony, and we had a nice view! We ordered the loco moco & sauted mac nut and herb crusted fresh fish. The loco moco was pretty standard. I certainly have had better in Hawaii. I was not a fan of the salad that it came with as the dressing was a bit too sour for my liking. On the other hand, the fish dish was so delicious. It tasted quite buttery and nutty, and it paired so well with the rice and macaroni salad. I definitely liked this dish better of the two. The service was just alright. Our server had forgotten our drink order and hadn't stopped by much. Overall, however, I enjoyed my time at Duke's. I would certainly return. The food was delicious, but the portions were a bit on the smaller side. read more

Duke's La Jolla - sauted mac nut & herb crusted fresh fish - New American Near Me - La Jolla, California

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We visited Duke's La Jolla for Thanksgiving dinner and it was a pretty good experience. The restaurant is nicely decorated and has a warm and welcoming ambiance. We arrived exactly at our reservation time and initially noticed a bunch of people waiting by the entrance and main lobby. The host was friendly but didn't mention they were running behind when I checked in, so I assumed the wait would be shorter. We were seated after about 20 minutes, and our server promptly took our orders. I liked that they had a few specials for Thanksgiving along with the regular dinner menu. Duke's La Jolla also has an extensive drink menu with several cocktail options. Customer service was pleasant, mainly due to our server, I think her name was Mila, but I can't remember. She was attentive and quick with addressing any requests and questions. The actual meal was mostly mediocre unfortunately. We ordered the Crispy Coconut Shrimp as a starter, and it was alright, but the portion was a bit small. I made the mistake of ordering a mushroom ravioli dish instead of my original choice of the Thanksgiving plated special, which included roasted turkey, stuffing, and vegetables. The ravioli dish had a coconut curry flavored sauced with some mushrooms, corn, potatoes, onions and red bell peppers. The sauce was not very tasty, and while the ravioli was good, I felt the overall dish was underwhelming. My mom ordered the Miso Glazed Salmon and mostly enjoyed her dish, except for the fact that it was overcooked, her salmon was slightly burnt and it was the same for the broccolini. Luckily, I sampled some of the new york steak that my dad ordered, and that was quite tasty and better than expected. The restaurant was very busy/crowded. I imagine the restaurant staff might've been overwhelmed and that could've impacted the quality of food. We did enjoy the hula pie for dessert, which was delicious and enjoyable. However, I thought the dinner was average and not as good as I would've hoped. I am still curious about trying other locations, as there are a few more in California and Hawaii. I would possibly return to Duke's La Jolla in the future, but would avoid visiting on holidays. read more

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Food great service not so great . All servers acted entitled and not excited to be there .. Bob was our server and didn't want to clean off the table we had old drinks sitting g there but I understanding young ..I'm coming back at the end of the month and expect better service read more

2 stars for the food. Both pulled pork sandwiches at our table had copious amounts of fat. There was a slab of lard in one and chunks of fat in the other. The pork was not "pulled " instead large pieces. This sandwich was a favorite in Waikiki, no one seems to be paying attention in the kitchen of the La Jolla location. Service was great as is the ambiance. I only wish the food was as great. read more

Decided to try a new spot for my partner and I's anniversary this past weekend and had the best time at Duke's! The staff (especially the bartenders) are some of the friendliest people I've met and gave incredible service. We booked a reservation but be prepared to wait since it gets packed on the weekends. If you don't want to wait, they will let you sit at the bar and eat there! Since it gets busy, accommodation might not be honored either but luckily they gave us a table outside after asking! I was going to get a full entre but I was too obsessed with the Korean sticky ribs and ended up getting two orders of those. Highly recommend as an app! read more

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As someone that's been to all but one TS Restaurants, I'd say I'm pretty close to a Duke's expert ;) This Duke is no exception to the quality and beautiful presentation I've come to expect from these restaurants. The thoughtful presentation of food, top-notch ocean view and friendly service all rank high in my book. Taking a star for having to ask for the music outside to be turned down multiple times, as it was LOUD. I don't like to have to shout across the table. Our food was fantastic; I got the beachside nachos, my husband the burger, son the teriyaki chicken and my daughter the lobster tail. All came out in a timely manner and were just how we ordered. Love this Duke's. read more

Duke's La Jolla - New American Near Me - La Jolla, California

Very cold but extremely delicious. Gorgeous views, delicious drink, great service. Terrific night and will come back again soon but I need to bring an extra layer! More deets now that I'm warming up at home: --poke tacos: super yummy: not huge for the price but I didn't care. Delicious --mac nut fish: delicious, vegetables were great too. This is not earth-shattering flavorwise, but outstanding Hawaiian comfort food. Added on their mac salad which is delicious. Cocktails: --I really like the mai tai at Leilani's (one of the Maui restaurants in the Duke's group); it's rums, orgeat, orange curacao, lime - and no tropical juices. They tried to make it for me here and it wasn't perfect, but it was VERY STRONG. That helped with the fact that it was FREEZING. Yes, even as it warms up and they have heaters - bring extra layers and even a blanket here to dine at night - the wind is strong coming off the water! Service was extremely friendly: guys at the host stand were great, server was very friendly. We'll be back - I'll just bundle up next time! read more

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As if the view wasn't good enough at this Duke's location, the food and service are also excellent. I love that they have a vegan ravioli and we often share the poke tacos for an appetizer. Delish! I think what I love most is how kid friendly it is. They have a kids menu with great options, including fish and chips, and a scavenger hunt built into their menu. When the kids find all the items they can request a prize from the treasure chest in the front. My kids loved this!! We spent our whole dinner waiting for the lava cake to come out so they could check it off. : ) Such a beautiful spot for a stroll after dinner as well. read more

A wonderful place to hang out, have drinks, eat dinner, watch the sunset, watch the waves, and relax. This was my first time visiting and I'm in love. I love everything about this place. The ambiance. The service and staff. The drinks and food. The location is amazing! The interior design is on point! Everything is great. This is a kid friendly place. There's an upstairs and an elevator. The bathrooms are clean and pretty. Our bartender was super nice and friendly. We got some drinks and hug out here for a while. It was a really nice place. I'd definitely return. read more

Duke's La Jolla - View from terrace - New American Near Me - La Jolla, California

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For obvious reasons (location, legacy) they are always busy, so I'm really thankful that they take reservations! We came for a weekend birthday brunch and had a great time seated on the patio in the shade. The group's items were - local kine breakfast, breakfast sandwich, duke's eggs benedict, and beach boy breakfast burrito. Plus 2 rounds of bloody mary's, a mai tai, a lychee martini, and a birthday hula pie. Everything was super tasty and service was great until the end when it got busy and I think we got forgotten about for a little bit. But I'd definitely visit again, though be prepared for $30 parking in the structure or attempting to find street parking (like winning the lottery). read more

Duke's La Jolla - Hula pie - New American Near Me - La Jolla, California

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My favorite was the Rocket salad (with beets). Rum was pretty strong in the POG cocktail. Korean sticky ribs didn't really work, and the banana leaf steamed fish and shrimp was okay. CRISPY COCONUT SHRIMP, RIB & CHICKEN PLATE, and USDA PRIME TERIYAKI SIRLOIN were good. KIMO'S ORIGINAL HULA PIE was very good. Service - I felt a bit rushed to order, and then the team suddenly rushed everyone out due to a private event, without any notice that there was an event starting soon. Forewarning would have been appreciated. Ambiance - sat on the deck and saw a beautiful sunset. read more

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Took the family to a surprise morning outing at La Jolla and decided to give Dukes a try. Have to say, everything was awesome. We arrived around 11:30 AM and were promptly seated and attended. The facility is nice and our table got a pretty good view of the ocean. Our server Robby was professional, friendly, and prompt. Wife got the fish tacos, daughters got the kids cheeseburger, and I got the fish sandwich (with a salad). They nailed everything. We decided to get dessert and got the Hula Pie. It was an incredible ice cream cake and everyone loved it. Right before my youngest took the last bite of the Hula Pie, she stopped, lowered her spoon, looked around, and then reflectively said, "This place is great, we should come again." With that being said, the portions are slightly smaller and pricier, but honestly, it was completely worth it. read more

Unparalleled views with a great service team and the worst food in all of San Diego. Went for brunch and tried the breakfast burrito (how do you mess up a burrito?), pancakes, breakfast sandwich and I PROMISE you better tasting food is coming out of the kitchen at IHOP. It's so sad, such spectacular views should be matched with spectacular food for a memorable experience. read more

Duke's La Jolla - Views - New American Near Me - La Jolla, California

Made reservations for brunch. I was hoping to sit by the window but was seated at a booth. I wish there was a way to determine seating. Customer service was great. I ordered a lavender pina colada didnt really taste like lavender. To eat I fried the coconut crusted french toast which was actually really good. The bacon and eggs were cooked really well. I enjoyed brunch and would visit again. read more

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We came here for brunch on a Sunday at 10:30am. We made two reservations in advance because the website wouldn't allow us to make a bigger group reservation all together. Once we got there, they initially said they couldn't sit us together unless we sat inside instead of outside on the patio. For some reason, someone else in our group tried asking and they were able to make it work for us to all sit together and still be outside on the patio. Didn't make any sense, but oh well! The patio view is fantastic. Even if you aren't by the railing, you can still see the ocean and it's such a vibe. I enjoyed all the surf decor here and learning about the story of Duke, the legendary Hawaiian surfer who is this restaurant's namesake! I was here with some friends from Hawaii and they recommended the pog slushie which is a staple in Hawaii. It is a mix of passion fruit, orange, and guava. I got it without alcohol and it was so refreshing! I've never had spam before and was excited to order the breakfast sandwich that had both spam and bacon on it. I thought the sandwich was delicious! It came with several toppings including cheese and avocado, everything went together really well. It was served with potatoes as a side and the portion size was generous. Everyone seemed happy with their meals! We had our baby with us, they provided a high chair and some coloring pages for her which was nice. Service was good, prices were affordable, and food came out in a timely manner. We had a great experience here and the view cannot be beat! read more

Duke's La Jolla - Patio view - New American Near Me - La Jolla, California

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We usually stop at Duke's every time we go to Maui. So on our recent trip to San Diego, I was excited to see that there was a Duke's near our hotel. Although, our last time we dined at Duke's I Maui, our experience was subpar. But we dined at Duke's in SD tonight and I was so impressed. I ordered the Ahi Steak and it was delicious! I was practically licking my plate. My daughters ordered the fish n chips and my hubby got the sirloin. Everything was so good and definitely way better than the last time we visited Duke's in Maui. Will definitely visit this Duke's every time I'm in SD. read more

Duke's La Jolla - Furikake Ahi Steak 4/25 - New American Near Me - La Jolla, California

Reasonably nice restaurant with a view if seated outside. Service was great and our server Nathan was spot on. Food is good but not very refined. Had the banana leaf seafood. Good taste bit soggy and had very little fish in it with 3 shrimps. The veggies were ultra soft, were they sautéed? My wife had the seafood hot pot, good flavor, fish was bland, mint does not belong as it overpowers the cilantro; broth was ok and the shrimp was more flavorful than the fish, a bit too salty as well. All in all, price point is good, view is great outside, just adjust your expectations. In a pinch, it is ok. read more

Duke's La Jolla - Banana leaf steamed seafood with ponzu - New American Near Me - La Jolla, California

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This is my second time going to Dukes and I brought my whole family this time and everyone loved it! We got seated outside with a beautiful ocean view, even better if you go in the day time but at night you can see the lights in the distance. They have heaters outside but on a chilly night still bring a jacket. The food was amazing! The fish tasted so fresh and had the perfect crust that wasn't too thick and the fish was not dry at all. The sides and veggies were done very well with a nice variety of flavors on each plate. I do wish there was more vegetarian options other than the ravioli but my brother still enjoyed the meal. The hula pie dessert it a MUST but definitely a shareable plate. The servers were kind and helpful with recommendations, definitely hoping to be back soon. read more

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This was the 3rd time I've been here. The food is just ok, the view of the ocean is spectacular. The seal poo smell coming off the beach is enough to make your stomach turn. read more

My boyfriend loves Hawaii, so we decided to celebrate his birthday at Duke's in La Jolla. The service was quick, and the staff was friendly, making the experience even better. We sat on the outdoor patio with a beautiful view of the water, which was the perfect backdrop for a birthday dinner. They even brought out a delicious dessert to celebrate his birthday, which was a nice touch. We had a wonderful time and will definitely be back! read more

Duke's La Jolla - New American Near Me - La Jolla, California

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My family and I just came here for a birthday dinner and it was a good first experience. We sat in the corner on the patio and luckily they had their lamps on it was a bit chilly. It was well light and not too loud with the other people around. Our server was a nice gentleman who offered us dessert for my Dad. He was attentive and made sure food was served how we wanted. We order the hot pot, Banana leaves shrimp and fish, Furikake Ahi Steak and the Filet Mignon. All was done beautifully and we loved the food. Definitely would return back it was a lovely experience. They also do 2 dollar off public valet at George's At The Grove (20-18). Finally for seating preferences they do it upon arrive not in "notes" section. read more

We had nice branch. The service was excellent. The food was good. Crisis was very affordable. The server was excellent. His name is Joseph O. I recommend this place to our friends and family read more

Duke's La Jolla - Promo Hula pie - New American Near Me - La Jolla, California

My favorite restaurant in La Jolla and San Diego! The ambiance overlooking the ocean in La Jolla Cove, combined with friendly service and outstanding Hawaiian food, make this restaurant very special. The bar food specials are great value and only $15 for dinner on Wednesday night "Wind & Sea Wednesday" for Kalua pork, teriyaki chicken, or a unique Aina bowl. On Taco Tuesday, the Baja fish tacos are the best and only $14 for two large tacos with chips and salsa. read more

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We got very lucky with our table and our server was super nice; we were there at lunchtime on a Monday and it was busy but not too busy. I had the mango bbq chicken salad which was reminiscent of CPK's chicken salad, except with crispy chicken. Everyone was happy with their food. read more

Duke's La Jolla - View from our table. - New American Near Me - La Jolla, California

Really cool spot with an amazing view of the ocean. I came in with an old friend who was visiting and really wanted a beach view, and this place did not disappoint. That mixed with the delicious food and great service from Zac, it's no surprise this place is as popular as it is. I'll definitely be back again. read more

I love the brand. I've been to many of these restaurants in Hawaii and couldn't wait to go to this one for my birthday. Staff were friendly and attentive. Service was good except when it came to a to-go box. Suddenly our waiter disappeared and no one noticed us trying to get anyone's attention. It is a big open dinning area and it can get loud. Not what I was expecting. The restaurants in Hawaii were smaller and more intimate. They were also decorated nicely. This restaurant was more like a warehouse. It did have a nice ocean view. Some of the food was how I remember it. The fish was really good. However, unlike Hawaii, the portion size was very small. The rice was abundant. The price was outrageous. There was a side of macaroni salad which confused me. I definitely don't remember that being served in Hawaii. There was also a small salad of bok choy. The dressing was really good. I'm not much of a vegetable eater, but I'm sure veggie lovers would like this. The hula pie was exactly how I remembered it to be! I shared it with the whole dinner party I was with. It was delicious and a huge portion! The restaurant did receive a few points back for that. I understand this restaurant is not in Hawaii, it's in SoCal, but I really wanted to reminisce and this place overall didn't do it for me. read more

An SD class and must try!! Everytime I have someone visiting SD, I bring them to Dukes. Its in a beautiful location in la jolla with a lovely ocean view on the patio. My go to is always the macnut fish, literally a dish I think about regularly. The desserts are also some of the best parts, their Hula Pie is an essential and you must get it LOL. Servers here are always attentive and sweet! read more

Duke's La Jolla - New American Near Me - La Jolla, California

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