‘Blessed’ view: Fans of La Jolla Shores overlook get a platform to enjoy it

Walking or driving near the coast with his dog or his wife, Nancy, Brian Malk was struck by the beauty of a spot off La Jolla Shores Drive near Discovery Way and how many people stopped to see it.

“I would go past that side and see people sitting in their trucks or standing on the sidewalk taking pictures,” Malk told the La Jolla Light. “I thought how blessed I am to enjoy that view when I wake up every morning and how nice it would be to build a beautiful deck there.”

Four and a half years later, that dream has become a reality. The UC San Diego Brian & Nancy Malk Sunset Overlook opened in late July, offering impressive views of the Pacific Ocean via a disabled-accessible deck.

In addition to its viewing platform, the space is surrounded by native, drought-tolerant plants and features benches and a pathway to take in the sights. A sign pays homage to the Kumeyaay tribe of Indigenous people who formerly occupied the land where UCSD and the overlook are now located.

The overlook came to be through a call Brian Malk made to the office of UCSD Chancellor Pradeep Khosla. Four months later, he received a call back and pledged to fund the project himself.

Malk said the university was “marvelous” and “supportive,” running the project and including him in the design process.

“We are grateful to Nancy and Brian Malk for their meaningful gift, which has created a new space for campus and community members to safely and easily enjoy the majestic ocean views that have come to define our university’s spirit,” Khosla said in a statement.

The Malks, who are longtime La Jolla Shores residents, also are key contributors to the expansion of UCSD’s Department of Economics. Brian C. Malk Hall, which has been slated for completion in 2026 west of Geisel Library, is to house the department as part of the university’s Ridge Walk North Living and Learning Neighborhood.

Brian Malk also was instrumental, along with his sister Ann Lipschitz, in getting a plaque installed at the Scripps Park Picnic Grove in La Jolla in honor of their late mother, Selma Malk, who lived at La Jolla’s La Valencia Hotel for more than 30 years.

Brian Malk said he has visited the new overlook and that it has been very well-received so far.

“I visualized this, and every time I go past there on my way home I see people sitting there with laptops and picnic baskets,” he said. “I had a strong expectation that would happen.

“The hope was that I could do something like this for the community. Now that it’s a reality … I get so many emails from strangers saying ‘Thank you so much for doing this.’”