Kayaking
La Jolla Caves Beach is a craggy stretch of beach only accessible by boat. There’s not much sand along the shore, but the real attraction is the sea caves. There are seven large sea caves, all of which you can see if you take a kayak out to the area.
Seals
Despite the name, The Children’s Pool isn’t necessarily a family-friendly swimming beach, though there are lifeguards and restrooms. Instead, the area has become a popular choice among the local seal and sea lion populations as a nursery, and they can be spotted regularly on the shores from December to May.
Snorkeling
La Jolla Cove is a word-famous beach with sandy shores and calm waters thanks to the surrounding bluffs. This makes it perfect for swimming, but you can also snorkel or take photos of the seals and sea lions out on the rocks. There are lifeguards, restrooms, and outdoor showers available.
La Jolla Underwater Park is a boat-accessible area of the ocean designated for underwater exploration. It offers once-in-a-lifetime sights for scuba divers, including a breathtaking reef, underwater caverns, a kelp forest, and plenty of fish and other sea creatures. You might even spot an Orange Garibaldi, California’s state fish.
Take a family vacation and visit beautiful Shell Beach & Boomer Beach! Explore the waters of La Jolla at Boomer Beach bodysurfing, snorkeling and carefully swimming. Visit Shell Beach to comb for shells and see the tide pools come alive at low tide! Perfect for kids, couples, and families alike.
Sunbathing
If you’re looking for picturesque views, Marine Street Beach is an excellent choice. During the day, you can sunbathe and enjoy some challenging surfing if you’re an experienced surfer. As the sun goes down, watch the beaches breathtaking descent over the Pacific Ocean and be sure to snap some pictures.
Surfing
Big Rock Reef isn’t especially wide or sandy, but what it lacks in sunbathing opportunities it makes up for in perfect surfing conditions. The waves here are heavy and fast at mid-tide, which makes for an exciting experience for any surfer. You can also check out the beach’s tide pools.
Bird Rock Beach’s namesake is a large rock formation offshore, though the rest of the beach is fairly rocky as well. Surfing is best for shortboarding at high tide. You can catch a glimpse of what’s lurking underwater in the tide pools, which form when the tide goes out.
Blacks Beach is known for having some of the best surfing in all of San Diego, with powerful waves perfectly suited to more skilled surfers. It’s important to note that the southern part of this beach is clothing-optional, so don’t be surprised if you see someone getting a full tan!
The somewhat secluded reef and rocky beach at Hospitals makes for amazing waves as big as 10 feet tall! This definitely isn’t the beach for beginners, but surfers looking to challenge themselves should feel right at home. When the tide goes in, check out the tide pools along the shore.
Most surfing at Scripps beach takes place south of the pier. It tends to draw smaller crowds than more well-known La Jolla beaches. It features lifeguards and has some solid waves for avid surfers. Other popular activities at the southern end of this beach include swimming, scuba diving, and kayaking.
Windansea is an iconic surfing beach with fairly strong currents. It hosts surfing contests throughout the year, and local legends frequent the waves. The beach has lifeguards and a boardwalk. It’s also the home of the Surf Shack, a historical landmark from the early days of San Diego’s surfing culture.
Swimming
If you’re looking for an ideal swimming spot in La Jolla, La Jolla Shores is a popular choice. The beach is sandier and the waves are calm enough for a relaxing swim. You can also enjoy the nearby boardwalk, and the beach has amenities including fire pits, restrooms and lifeguards.
Tide Pools
Casa Beach & Wipeout are less crowded than many other La Jolla beaches. Rough waters and riptides make them inhospitable to swimmers, but Wipeout has some outstanding tide pools filled with all kinds of sea creatures. These beaches have restrooms, lifeguards, and a boardwalk with plenty of games.
The La Jolla Tide Pools are a great family-friendly San Diego attraction. Here, adults and kids alike can learn more about the sea creatures that populate California’s shores through examining the tide pools along the craggy beach. When you’re done, you can take a stroll down the beach too!