La Jolla Cove

Seriously stinky but so worth the close up of the seals!!! You get to see and take pictures of them and soon the you will get used to the smell.

La Jolla Cove is cool, definitely worth checking out if you’re an animal lover/​semi sea lion infatuated. I’m both so my heart did a little pitter-​patter when I stumbled upon this listing on Unilocal.
We were hanging out in San Diego for the day so this was only around 20 or 30 minutes from us. Parking was incredibly hard to find so we ended up a few blocks away at a parking garage. La Jolla as a whole seems to draw large crowds, but it might not be so bad in the off season.
There was a park right off the cove where I noticed a lot of people in wet suits, getting ready to go out on kayaks. Pretty cool. And even though most of the immediate area seemed to be rocky, there was quite a few families with small children swimming. I’ll be honest though, there is a smell — a mixture of bird poop and heat — that just wasn’t all that appealing to me, swimming wise.
I’d definitely come back again to get some sea lion watching in and I might even do the kayak thing next time. Really cool spot and there’s a lot of food options nearby.

Put this place on «what to do in San Diego»
Get here early to find free parking, or pay cheap at the parking structure that is 2 blocks away… starts at 10 dollars and the later it gets, parking goes up to 20…
Great place to enjoy a beautiful day! Small park that you can lay down and enjoy… or simply sit out by the small Cliffs and enjoy the ocean…
You can walk down to take selfies with the seals… so many peaceful seals… Let me warn you: the smell is bad! Those seals do stink… but after a while you will get used to it…
It’s close by restaurants and gift shops… most of the restaurants have the view of the ocean so makes it worth while to eat there…
Nothing bad to say about this place… it’s just a to-​do thing when you visit San Diego…

Simply LOVE this beach for the iconic San Diego views, palm trees, cool ocean breeze, spectacular bird and animal life, gorgeous sunsets over the ocean, turquoise blue waters… I could go on and
short, this is the place that for me captures the essence of San Diego. When I had moved to Seattle for a year I really missed this
ialso has some cool rock formations and sea caves and tide pools. I like standing over the lookout wall near the seals! Fabulous restaurants and gelato places next to it too… make a good day/​half day of it!

I visited the Lajolla Cove today and it was fun. The entrance to the «Sunny Jim Sea Cave» is through The Cave Store. Be prepared to walk down 145 stairs to reach the actual cave. Some of the stairs may be wet so be careful and use the handrails. Once you reach the platform you can watch the waves splash in and out the cave and admire the various boulder and rock formations that make up the cave. Traveling up the 145 stairs is a great workout and along the way you may need to stop and let others pass; one stair case with two way traffic. Adults cost $ 5.00 kids $ 3.00.
The Lajolla Cove has really nice scenery: seals lying on the beach, unusual looking birds and lots of tourist and local folks. Parking is awful but sooner or later you find a spot. There are many shops just waiting for you to come in and make a purchase.

So beautiful there! Looks just like a postcard. The breeze is great and the sea lions/​or seals (not quite sure which) are adorable! Quite the sight to see!

I never get tired of this place. Such a small but beautiful cove surrounded by cliffs in La Jolla, San Diego, CA.
Love the view.
Love the breeze.
Love the sea lions.
Because La Jolla Cove is within the San Diego-​La Jolla Underwater Park (a marine refuge area) and is an ecological reserve, there are quite a few restrictions
— no swimming devices (surfboards, boogie boards, and even inflatable mattresses)
— no kayaking
— no fishing
— no collecting of marine invertebrates (even taking dead specimens of seashells)
I personally don’t go near the water. I just like looking out into the sea and watching the sea lions from afar.

This place is a must when coming to San Diego. I couldn’t believe how close we were to the seals. There are several awesome photo spots.

I was in the area recently for the Rock n Roll San Diego Marathon and decided to check out this local hot spot post race. All of the locals recommended it so I said hey, why not? First of all, it’s awesome because it’s free, it’s a short drive away from the main part of SD and you can get a ton of stunning photos and get a glimpse of wildlife. The sea lions were absolutely sweet and didn’t at all seem to mind folks getting close to them for a snapshot. I imagine around here they are pretty used to tourists sharing their lovely home. It’s very relaxing and you could practically walk around all day long and see something new every corner you go to. The area is also very close to surrounding restaurants and shops so you can grab a bite to eat after all of that walking. They also have a little tour for $ 5 you can go down some stairs and into a secret beach cave. We didn’t park but I hear parking can be a pain out here… I recommend über-​ing it to get in and out of there. Great people watching too! There were folks doing yoga on top of rocks and stuff. Everyone’s just so zen and loving life… good vibes. I can dig it.

This is one of the MUST COME visit spot in San Diego!!! It is located right in the neighborhood of La Jolla shores and it is extremely close to Mt. soledad (another place to visit with the whole San Diego view)… They are located walking distance to downtown La Jolla, with a lot of great and cute little restaurants!!! There are a lot of good spots to hang out either for a weekend brunch or a weekend night out with friends! ;) Super chill and worth seeing!!! Bring a cardigan in your car! It gets chilly after the sun comes down or even just on a regular day with this perfect San Diego weather!

Great place to check out sea lions. You can get pretty close to them too, which makes for some great pictures. I’ve also gone sea kayaking from the cove and ventured out to the caves that they have there too. You can definitely do a lot of water activities from here. Only con is that it gets busy there no matter what time of year you come. It can be difficult to find parking, but if you park far it’s okay cause there is an abundance of stores and art galleries that you can visit on your way to the cove. Definitely a must see!

Breath taking view! If you are around here you MUST stop by La Jolla Cove. There is some traffic going in, but there is public parking for $ 10 and if you gret lucky if might find a spot on the streeet! There are a few picture perfect spots. If you are either vacationing on the West Coast or a local you MUST come here. Trust me you will not regret it.

What an awesome experience! The sea lions were so much fun to look at. Some were being super lazy, some were posing, others were playing and some were just testing the tourists. I was one of the tourists who gave them space. Felt it was right. Nearby there is a small little sea cave where you can walk thru in less than 2 minutes. Once you are out of it, its gorgeous! You will see more sea lions laying on rocks with colorful marine algaes that any one can appreciate.
Bring your significant other to this gem, he or she will love you!

I am from LA area and I’ve been to most of the beaches. I could tell by come to La Jolla that SD has some unique views to offer. It doesn’t look similar to any beaches I’ve been near LA. Rock formations are unique and water seemed very clear.
If you come at the right season, there are seals all around rocks you can observe at pretty close distance. They weren’t bothered by me at all even though I was about 15 ft away from them. Most of them were sleeping and were lazy, but few of them were swimming around and seemed playful with other seals.
Parking was tough to find on a Saturday and it was kind of crowded. Not too bad though.
I think I would come back if I am ever back in SD again.

La Jolla Cove is one of my favorite places! It is something special and beautiful views all around. Where else can you get so close to so many sea lions basking on the beach? They are so precious and adorable to watch.
There aren’t any signs that prohibit you from swimming here, but you can swim at your own risk as there are signs warning of high bacteria levels.
Remember, it is not a petting zoo. Just because they’re lying there and not moving, doesn’t mean you can touch them. They will bite! Don’t be that ignorant tourist.
Very limited street parking. Good luck finding one. It might take a while, but it’s all worth it in the end!

This is the real San Diego Zoo, albeit one that’s free of admission and limited to just two different species. I’m reading that seals frequent this beach as well, but only sea lions were in sight during my stop. There had to have been 50 of them roaming around. Despite the warning signs on the steps down to the beach, you can really get as close as you want. Well worth a special trip just to see.

Life does not get much better than this. Bright colored fish, hilarious sea lions and seals. Gorgeous water and waves. Just don’t forget they are wild animals and they need some space. No poking! The water is questionable at best in terms of how clean it is… so I suggest good showers. The waves are calm in the morning but swimming back to shore is trickier than it looks. don’t forget it gets deep out there quite suddenly.

Arriving at La Jolla Cove very early in the morning, hoping to see sunrise. Too bad, it is overcast, very foggy. Kind of disappointed. However, after we walked around… guess what we found? OMG! OMG! OMG! LOTS OF SEALS resting on the beach!!! They are just too adorable~ It is amazing to see them up close. You don’t see this often at any beach!

Truly recommend this area, especially with the beautiful sea lions so close up and personal! Be careful not to get too close, and don’t touch the sea lions to prevent them from becoming agitated. Other than that, nature and beauty at its finest is located at this cove, especially if you are a very outdoorsy person. Get lost in adventure through the caves that peak out into the ocean. Take off your shoes and sandles to enjoy the sand and water at your feet. You might even find a sea lion swimming back to shore, cutest thing ever.

The cove at La Jolla is an awesome natural cove under the cliffs along the ocean where sea lions hang out. You can easily walk up to them if desired though be warned they smell pretty bad. The area isn’t much use as a beach because of the crowds of both aquatic mammal and the droves of tourists crowding the area. The surf can be a bit rough as well. It’s a great spot for surfing or snorkeling though because of the wildlife and the waves. The walkway along the cliff also offers great views over the ocean and along the shore and sea lions crowd the surrounding areas as well.

Each time I head down to SD, this is one of my must stop places to just swing by and just enjoy Coast Blvd where La Jolla Cove is located. As you’re walking down the street, you can glance from afar a little area where you can see huge rocks and just a beautiful sight of the water splashing against the rocks. As you inch closer, you can see that there’s actually stairs that lead down to the beaches and if you catch it in the right time, there are actually sea lions down beneath interacting right along side people who are close by watching them and taking pictures of them.
These sea lions seem to have gotten use to being near people as they aren’t afraid and actually almost seem to be entertaining them with their playful fighting and there was even one particular sea lion that was sitting atop a lone rock barking at the crowd of people that was surrounding him. Off to the distance to your immediate right hand side, there is another large rock that’s more sectioned off and really only more accessible by the sea lions where they lay sunbathing in the sunlight.
The waters are a crystal refreshing blue, the sun is usually shining, kids are frolicking in the waves and people and sea animals are side by side, just enjoying each other’s company. Truly a wonderful place with a peaceful, idyllic ambiance where people can hang on the beach, eat, play and hang out after catching a meal at the restaurants near by.

Beautiful and breath taking view! Had so much fun coming here as a kid and it’s even more amazing as an adult. Parking was a b word but once I found the last available spot, I enjoyed walking along the sidewalk looking out into the ocean.
SD weather was fluctuating so I arrived to the cove in jeans and rainboots, but I gladly became barefoot so that I was able to enjoy the cove alongside the seals.

This was the first stop on our San Diego vacation and the first time at a California beach for my boyfriend. Great first stop! We were able to watch some surfers and body boarders but the best part was definitely the sea lions. They were everywhere and wanted to put on a show for the many tourists that began (in the early morning) to invade their sunbathing routines. Although I can’t condone disturbing their lounging and intruding on their space, many people took advantage of the proximity to take great pictures and get a (little to close for comfort) next to the sea lions. Watching them swim in the ocean and enjoy the pleasures of beach life was mesmerizing.
I was impressed by how clean the sidewalks were and even the construction didn’t hinder our enjoyment of a nice long walk along the ocean. There were many people running, biking, and practicing yoga along our walk and it was great motivation to walk a little further and eat a little healthier for the day.
We rented a convertible for our drive up the coast and we both agreed that La Jolla was one of the nicer towns we drove through. We appreciated it’s boutique markets and upscale beach vibe. Definitely would recommend renting a car or getting out of the City a bit to see a different side of the ocean along the coastal roads.

I give this place 4 stars only because it was really busy even on a weekday and the smell. Its such a small area that it easily fills up with people. But more then the people the sea lions rule this beach. The smell was not pleasant but not unbearable.

There’s not really a beach to swim at but, if you enjoy just looking out at the ocean and watching the sea lions, it’s a beautiful place. The cove is pretty nice as you can see all the sea lions swimming really close to shore and basking in the sun on the their big rock.
Parking is almost impossible most times; you either have to go a long way away or keep circling until something opens up.
After your done, you can go up the hill and either shop or eat in one of the many shops and restaurants.

Oh my goodness — I think I have found heaven on Earth!
I’ve visited San Diego a few times before and everyone told me this time I needed to drive the 20 minutes to La Jolla as I wouldn’t regret it. I didn’t. I decided to drive out before my flight last Thursday and I didn’t want to leave!
The weather was perfect — and it’s gorgeous in general driving up to the coast at La Jolla with the palm trees lining the beach and blue skies framing the ocean.
I stopped to see the tide pools, the beach, the cliffs, but in particular, La Jolla Cove, which is this review — was very neat! It was the last on my whirlwind of stops but I was able to snap some photos and see the sea lions laying in the sun. I almost missed the walk-​out over the ocean with all the sea lions sunning themselves but found it at the last minute and was able to go down and see some of the cute little babies sunning themselves, whipping their flippers around and scooting out of the water so they didn’t get wet and disturb their slumber.
While I was standing taking photos a big wave came and hit the metal walkway and I got all wet with a few other curious onlookers but it’s all part of the fun — the wet feet the 8 hour flight home were worth it!
When in La Jolla be sure to stop in if only for a moment — my next trip I plan to try to stay much much longer. Beautiful!

This is a place that I come to at least once a year and used to go to every weekend when I first moved to Los Angeles. There’s something about it that’s very relaxing and peaceful even when it’s very crowded. Also, it’s the only place where I’ve ever been able to take a selfie with a seal. They get so close and are so relaxed. Down by the beach they are pregnant and the seal protectors (no idea if this group is official) keeps people from getting close, but behind a white fence and on the side of a cliff are seals that are unfazed by humans and that actually seem to bask in the attention as well as the sun.
The entire area is surrounded by beautiful shops and great restaurants and there’s a large park in front of the ocean as well as many tide pools further down the beach. It remains one of my favorite places on the planet.

It’s hard to find something to say that hasn’t already been said. We came on a Tuesday afternoon and were lucky to have already found parking in front of the Museum of Contemporary Art. We had lunch at the museum café, visited the museum, and then walked down to the Cove and spent awhile watching the sea lions. Very relaxing and refreshing. I do know it gets pretty packed on the weekend so come early and/​or be prepared for crowds!

When I snorkel, it’s usually not in California, but when I do go here this is one of my favorite places!
La Jolla Cove is a protected area for fish and other sea-​creatures. Probably because of that there’s a large population of seals that live on the rocks. On days when the harsh sun hits the huge amount of seal and bird guano on those rocks there is a scent emitted that local restaurateurs are mucho unhappy about.
On rare occasions, swimmers and snorkelers have been bothered in a couple of publicized instances by the more aggressive of the seals (maybe the males protecting their harem or the moms protecting their young???)
Anyway, go into the water at your own risk. The more adventurous water frolicker will be jazzed about swimming with the seals; the scaredy-​cats might just want to stay on shore and wet their feet at the edge of the cove. If you do go in, be careful about swimming close to the rocks especially in heavy surge, as you could end up getting pounded and at the very least frightened. Fortunately, the lifeguards are right on it if they see someone in trouble in the water.
Traffic into La Jolla can be nightmarish especially in the summer when tourists descend upon this artsy village. Parking sucks. Even handicapped parking is almost nonexistent. Go in the off-​season and during off-​hours for a better driving experience.
Be sure to bring a camera, it’s one of the most iconic and photographed spots in San Diego!

New to San Diego? Just visiting for the next few days? Here’s a staple tourist spot!
Scenery: You basically come to California to see this view. The water is rich blue, the rocks and cliffs are breathtaking, the waves are majestic and the sea lions tickle your fancy! There are plenty of places to grab ice cream, coffee or smoothies from so you can sip while you soak in the view and enjoy the serenity.
Smells: One of the two cons. The sea lions are adorable and you want to watch them and their every move up until your nose has had it. They are STINKY! The ocean masks the smell only slightly, so once you see those cute lil creatures, you’ll wanna head down coast a little further to watch the tides.
Parking: Here’s con number two. It will take a while. It may take you half an hour to find parking depending on the time you decide to go, but it may also only take you your first try! It’s all your luck.
WHALES: I saw my first whale this week! Actually, there were several swimming together! Just amazing!!! Been going here for over a year now and each time I go I pray I see one. Also, your luck ;-)
What to do — I’ve seen people bring kites, drones, play soccer in their open field, picnic or take professional photographs. My husband and I once brought a couple of canvases and painted by the sea and it was GLOOOORIOUS! Might’ve been one of the most therapeutic days since we moved to California! There are endless possibilities of activities — be creative!

If you’re in SD, you mist visit the cove. It’s like going to Vegas and not gambling. The view is beautiful and make sure to walk around and enjoy the California weather and beach!

La Jolla Cove really blew me away! As an East Coaster this was my first real experience seeing the beauty of the socal coastline and it did not disappoint.
Loved that you could go down on the beach and get up close and personal with the seals (who don’t seem phased by humans at all) for a photo op. There were also a ton of seals sunning themselves on the rocks and a lot of other wildlife perched on the cliffs which was fun to observe. The views from the walking path over the cliffs are also breathtaking and it was really fun to watch the surfers out in the distance take on some huge waves!
There seems to be a good amount of parking down by the water even if you have to scout out someone leaving, we were able to get a spot pretty quickly.
Overall this is a must do if you are in the area and I hope to come back soon and do it all over again!

Such a beautiful part of La Jolla to stroll around with a date, family, or just by yourself. It’s so calking to see the waves crashing on the cliffs or see the sunset in the evening.

When you grow up in San Diego, you become almost numb to the beauty of the beach towns. It is easy to take the sunshine and gorgeous views for granted when you can just hop down the way to take it all in.
La Jolla cove is one of those places. Beautiful, lush, and very walkable, whether you’ve lived in San Diego for years, or it’s your first time in town, this is a must-​see.
If you are looking for a sandy beach, head north to the shores. If, however, you are more in the mood to watch the waves crash, or hear the seals bark at each other, the coves is the place for you. In addition to the natural offerings, there are also all manner of restaurants, hotels and retail shops here.
Parking can be a real challenge, but the payoff is worth it.

San Diego = Must do all the touristy stuff = including La Jolla Cove!
Being a resident here all my life, I still can’t get over how absolutely beautiful La Jolla Cove is. It is a beautiful picturesque cove surrounded by marine life… seals, the beach and cliffs. There is a lifeguard in this area (thank god) since the swells can be crazy but in the summer the waves really arn’t that bad. It’s a great area to snorkel, people watch, relax.
Sand: Not much sand since there are a lot of high tides. Be careful on the rocks, they can get really slippery.
Parking: There is free parking if you are 1. patient and 2. lucky. There is a small free public lot, street parking (make sure to watch the sign for hour restrictions), and quite a few garages around (paid).
Bathrooms: At the top of the cove is a restroom facility with a shower outside to rinse off sand from your feet or swimsuit.
Beautiful and serene… keep this place clean!!!

When I first moved to San Diego in 1999, I lived a mere half mile from this fantastic spot. I was here quite often. Now, I live further away, but whenever I’m south of the 56, I always stop by.
It’s now full of tourists, but you can still catch an amazing view and even seals up close and personal. Please please please respect the rope boundary! You really don’t need to be on top of the seals. You just don’t!
The stench here is worth commenting on… it’s way worse than it was in 1999. If the wind blows a certain direction, you’ll want to bail immediately. Don’t bail… the wind will shift in two seconds and you’ll admire the view again while forgetting about all the animal waste that is causing said stench! HA!
Parking can be hard on the weekends– some is nose in, some is parallel parking. Don’t be a parking hog… oh, and the parking police is no joke. They’ll chalk your tires the minute you park… so watch your time limits! No need for a ticket to ruin a fantastic day.

So, so magical.
I was lucky enough to stay in La Jolla for a few nights month and it was truly hard to hop on a plane and head back east. This is a stunning cove and preserve with glorious panoramic views, crashing waves, and adorablleeeeee sea lions! Parking is a nightmare but I was lucky to snag a spot after about 15 minutes of trying (kept my eyes peeled!). The cove is in close proximity to a bunch of charming shops and restaurants, so you absolutely can’t go wrong. Sure, it’s a touristy area, but it’s that way for a reason. Totally breathtaking.

Beautiful views, beautiful beaches, and an amazing display of nature is what is so great of La Jolla Cove. Whether you visit in the summer, watch out though cause it gets really packed and parking might be a challenge, or if you visit in the winter, Yeaup still gets packed, but one thing you are guaranteed is the amazing views.
I love coming here because it is so relaxing for me. Grab a cup of coffee, yes plenty of options in this town and go for a nice stroll. Both beautiful and romantic. San Diego certainly had some beautiful places to visit and yes don’t forget to take a gander at the seals as they are a favorite especially if you have little ones. They are a hit and yes they are a part of La Jolla Cove.
Much much more to do aside from the beaches, they have many dining options. From Mexican, to Italian, to Seafood, and yes even Desserts, they have it all here. Oh yes and pay a visit to the many art galleries here as it is a joy to see the many works of art here. So as you can read, many things to do in La Jolla Cove.

La Jolla Cove brings back good
memories.
I especially remember celebrating
my 21^st birthday with my mom,
brother and a group of friends at
The Crab Catcher and roaming the
caves down a long stairway
that led us close to awesome views.
Today was exceptionally bliss.
It was high tide but you could
still see some of the tide pools
but the waves were rolling in
quick. There were some pretty
awesome ones.
I do love the high footers myself
it adds drama to the sights you’re
seeing. I especially loved them as
a kid and playing in them that
now I can appreciate just watching
them and I don’t even have to get
in the water. I was such a fish back
then.
Now this place is a good place
to get married at. I would book
it in advance though and if
you’re living in a different state. I
suggest to take a trip out here
first before booking your wedding.
There is so much to look at and
explore different areas because
there is so much to see that you
would’ve wished you had your
wedding at instead.
Plus there are so many beaches besides La Jolla Cove too.
The beaches are quite popular here that there is not just one to look at. There’s a ton. Even farther up North too.
Check out all of your options! You
will be glad that you did!

For those like myself who don’t live near the ocean or get the opportunity to visit it very often, La Jolla Cove was a beautiful place to take in the views and commune with nature. The ocean waves, the beaches, the rocky coasts, the plants and animal inhabitants were all so breath taking to observe! The cove offers excitement and relaxation at the same time!
During my vacation in San Diego, my nephew took us to La Jolla to stroll along the hiking trail, check out the nearby park and see the cave attraction. All the while we got to bird watch, seal watch and of course people watch. There are several places along the way to sit and relax, have a picnic, walk your dog, and take photographs. Locals and tourists were snorkeling, kayaking, swimming, tide pooling or just enjoying the water. And don’t forget to check out the shops and restaurants that are within walking distance. Needless to say, there is plenty to see and do at this beach!
There is something about gorgeous ocean views that always attract and mesmerize us humans! I will never take it for granted!

This is probably the best place to check out sea lions because you can get really close (they were 15~20 feet away from me) and take pictures with these creatures! Just a note, DO NOT TOUCH SEA LIONS! Here’s an analogy — how would you feel if a complete stranger suddenly touching (or molesting, depending on your perspective) you because he/​she thinks you are super cute just like sea lions? So respect these sea lions just like how you would respect anyone else!
La Jolla Cove is locating right next to the Ellen Browning Scripps Park and there are TWO areas to explore — a pretty small public sandy beach area with a huge crowd (you can do activities such as snorkeling, swimming, or kayaking) and tide pools. I almost missed these sea lions due to the ongoing construction, but there’s a tide pool located approximately 300 feet away from the northeast side of the public beach area (just walk around and follow the smell of animal feces).
Awful street parking: you can either park at parking garages just a block or two away from the Cove (for approximately $ 10 ~ $ 15) or park at least 3+ blocks away from the Cove for free street parking.
If you are planning to visit downtown La Jolla, then do not miss out the La Jolla Cove!

Who needs to go to the zoo when you can visit La Jolla to get up close and personal with the sea lions, smell the bird poop, get watched by squirrels, and watch seagulls steal food.
I saw so many posts about getting to take pictures with the sea lions and it is no joke, they just lounge around and bark at people who get too close. If they get hot they waddle around and get in the water then come back up to be lazy all over again.
Some tips to consider:
–Be careful when you move around the rocks because in my short visit I saw three people slip and fall.
–Come on a Sunday because parking is free near the food shops and the walk is less than 10 minutes.
–The closer you walk to the bird area, the stinkier it gets