La Jolla Cove

Lounging in the sun at La Jolla Cove all day is reason enough to visit this striking beach—but adventurous travelers won’t want to miss the chance to get out into the water. Tours typically include snorkel stops, and let you explore underwater rock formations and caves along the way. Swimming with sea lions and a range of colorful fish are highlights here. Other options include kayaking or exploring the coast by e-bike.

• La Jolla Cove has a permanent lifeguard station and lifeguards are regularly on duty.

• No alcohol, smoking, or overnight camping is permitted at this beach.

• Dogs are only allowed on the beach at certain hours; confirm hours ahead of your visit.

• Some areas of La Jolla Cove are accessible to wheelchairs and strollers, but the entire beach is not.

There is no parking at La Jolla Cove, but there are several options in downtown La Jolla for paid parking. From there, it’s only a short walk to reach La Jolla Cove. There is very limited free street parking in La Jolla, and parking enforcement is strictly monitored. La Jolla is located 15 miles north of downtown San Diego and most people arrive by private car. For public transportation, La Jolla is served by bus routes 30, 31, and 34/34A.

July through October are the most popular months of the year to visit La Jolla Cove. If you’re looking to skip the crowds, plan a trip after Labor Day when kids are back in school. While November through March can see some rain, many locals love this time of year for its peaceful atmosphere and views of migrating whales.

One fun aspect of visiting La Jolla Cove is encounters with sea lions. While getting into the water offers the chance to swim with them, you’re also likely to see them out of the water on the sand. Mating and pupping season for sea lions is from mid-May through July, so if you happen to be visiting at this time of year, don’t be surprised to see sea lion pups alongside their mothers sunbathing on the beach.