La Jolla Cove and Beaches

Very near to downtown La Jolla is the La Jolla Cove and several small beaches.

The cove itself is a beautiful natural spot, and is great for kayaking, swimming, snorkeling, or scuba diving. At very low tides you can even explore part of the cove on foot.

The beaches near the cove include the Cove Beach, Seashell Beach, and the Children's Beach.

The Cove Beach is the largest beach, and it faces the main La Jolla Cove. It is a fairly narrow beach with stars down to it. This is a perfect beach for swimming, snorkeling, or scuba diving. You can't surf here.

The Seashell Beach is a smaller beach just south of the Cove.

The Children's Beach is a small beach with a wall that protects it from the ocean waves. Seals discovered the beach, and had taken to sleeping there and raising their young. In recent years some local residents have advocated evicting the seals, which has met with great criticism from other residents and animal advocates.

On the eastern side of the beaches is the Ellen Browning Scripps Park.

There is only street parking around the beaches, most with a two or three hour limit.

Tourists and Seals at the La Jolla Children's Pool	Birds and Kayakers in La Jolla Cove
No Seals to Watch With the Rope Down at the Children's Beach	A Beach Just South of the Children's Beach in La Jolla
Shell Beach in La Jolla	Cove Beach in La Jolla
Shell Beach with the Children's Pool in the Background	Sign at the Children's Pool