La Jolla Beaches

San Diego County

La Jolla Beach, San Diego County, California
La Jolla Beach, San Diego County, California

La Jolla Beaches

San Diego County


La Jolla Beaches

The beaches in La Jolla range from the wide sands of La Jolla Shores Beach to the small pocket beaches such as La Jolla Cove and La Jolla Children's Pool to the big surf along Windansea Beach.

To the north is the Scripps Pier and more beach and tide pool areas. The pier is a research facility, but the beach and tide pools are open to the public. They are part of the Scripps Shoreline-Underwater Reserve. On either side of the Scripps Reserve are two other ecological reserves. All of the natural features and the marine life in these Reserves are protected and should not be touched or disturbed.



Map of beaches in La Jolla, San Diego County, CA

La Jolla Shores and Kellogg Park

La Jolla Shores Beach is popular with families because of the ease of access and the nearby facilities at Kellogg Park. Lifeguards are on duty. Separate areas are designated for surfing and swimming. Restrooms and outdoor showers are conveniently located. In Kellogg Park are picnic areas, fire pits, and expanses of grass. A few fire pits are located on the beach.

Parking at La Jolla Shores

A large paid parking lot is located along Camino del Oro, but on summer days it is usually full by mid to late morning. Free street parking is nearby.

La Jolla Children's Pool

A seawall offers partial protection to La Jolla's Children's Pool, a small pocket beach near Seal Rock. This picturesque beach is popular with families with children and others. Most come to observe the wildlife rather than to wade or sunbathe.

La Jolla Children's Pool, San Diego County, California

Children's Pool

Nearby Seal Rock is usually crowded with harbor seals and sea lions. These marine mammals have taken up residence on the beach, too. Visitors should stay well back from the seals and sea lions. Some people have advocated turning the beach into a marine mammal sanctuary.

Divers like Children's Pool for its easy access to the water and close proximity to interesting underwater reefs.

Lifeguards are on duty. Facilities include restrooms and outdoor showers. Parking can be found along Coast Boulevard and other nearby streets.


Windansea Beach

South of Children's Pool, Windansea Beach stretches along the coast at the foot of Nautilus Street. Known best for its great reef surf breaks, the beach is also popular with sunbathers who like finding secluded spots between the sandstone outcroppings along the shore.

Windansea Beach, La Jolla, San Diego County, California

Northern End of Windansea Beach

Because of a strong undertow and hard breaking waves, Windansea Beach can be hazardous for swimming. Lifeguards are on duty during the summer months. A palm covered surf shack on the beach is now a historical landmark. There are no facilities at the beach.


swimmers in surf at La Jolla, San Diego County, CA

La Jolla Cove

La Jolla Cove is a small beach north of Children's Pool. Sandstone cliffs stand on either side of the photogenic arc of sand. Steps lead down from Scripps Park on the bluff above. Since the beach faces north, it is protected from large waves, making it a popular spot for wading and swimming.

La Jolla Cove Beach, San Diego County, California

La Jolla Cove

Divers launch from the cove to explore the reefs just offshore. The cove is part of the Sand Diego La Jolla Underwater Park Ecological Reserve which gives protection to all the wildlife and natural features.

Facilities at the cove and adjacent Scripps Park include restrooms, outdoor showers, and a picnic area. Lifeguards are on duty. No surfing, boogie boarding, or similar activities are permitted at the cove.



Marine Street Beach

Marine Street Beach is more secluded than many of the other beaches in La Jolla, making it a favorite among the locals. The little beach is known for its glistening white sand. It is frequented by surfers who enjoy challenging themselves in the heavy shorebreak or at one of the nearby reef breaks.

La Jolla Restaurants

La Jolla Shores Beach Vicinity

  • Jeff's Burgers 2152 Avenida De La Playa
  • House of Pizza 8107 Camino Del Sol
  • The Shore Cafe 8080 La Jolla Shores Drive

La Jolla Cove Vicinity

  • George's at the Cove 1250 Prospect Street
  • Brockton Villa Restaurant 1235 Coast Boulevard
  • Goldfish Point Cafe 1255 Coast Boulevard

Beach Supplies

  • Sunglass Hut 1049 Prospect Street
  • La Jolla Surf Systems 2132 Avenida De La Playa
  • Surf Diva Surf School 2160 Avenida De La Playa
  • Rusty Boardhouse 2170 Avenida De La Playa
  • Hike Bike Kayak Inc 2222 Avenida De La Playa
  • Neighbor-Saver Market 2144 Avenida De La Playa
  • La Jolla Country Market 1030 Torrey Pines Road
  • 7-Eleven 6953 La Jolla Boulevard

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Ocean Safety

California State Parks and Recreation cautions that "large surf, cold water temperatures, backwash, sudden drop-offs, pounding shorebreak, and dangerous rip currents can turn what seem like safe activities such as playing near the surf line, wading, or climbing on rock outcroppings, deadly." Learn more about ocean safety at CA State Parks: Ocean Safety