La Jolla Cove

La Jolla Cove is one of the most beautiful coastal spots in Southern California. Located in San Diego, this small, picturesque cove offers stunning ocean views, clear turquoise water, and a peaceful atmosphere. The cliffs surrounding the cove create a dramatic landscape that is perfect for photography. One of the highlights of La Jolla Cove is the wildlife. Visitors can often see sea lions and seals resting on the rocks, which adds a unique and memorable experience. The water is usually calm, making it a popular place for snorkeling and swimming. The underwater visibility is excellent, allowing people to observe colorful fish and marine life.

The most beautiful scenery and a fantastic experience with the seals and pelicans, and egrets, and seagulls. A must see place if you are visiting San Diego or just live here. Restore your energy and go as much as you can, 👍🥰

Beautiful view, proximity to sea life and overall a great place to stroll around (including the mini hike just north of it). I can only imagine the sunset must be great there.

Beautiful place to walk, watch the birds & the seals, and see the sunset. We were able to grab a Lyft from our hotel downtown very easily and it was the perfect last day to our San Diego trip.

Beautiful place a must in San Diego tourism. The trail provides incredible views and scenery. The Cove it self harnesses an oceanic eco system with a variety of sea life. Don’t get to the seal ions or seals. The area is heavily protected by rangers and lifeguards. Great place to enjoy from unique sea adventure or just a stroll with the family. Restrooms areas are clean as wells as showers. Play areas are ideal for weekend getaway togethers.

La Jolla is such a cool place in general with regular sea lions present. While there was no parking near the sea lion area (most people seem to go only to see the sea lions, so it stays packed), there's parking throughout the area if you don't mind walking. I parked slightly farther away and walked, but that also let me see that there are tide pools very close by. When I went, the tide pools weren't packed at all. Plenty of cool spots in the area to eat, grab coffee or drinks, and shop as well.

La Jolla Cove is absolutely stunning! It’s much more than just a beach; there’s a great park area with grass that is perfect for a family picnic. We even saw street performers making massive bubbles, which the kids loved. The absolute highlight is the wildlife. There are so many seals and birds everywhere—watching the seals play in the water or just chill on the rocks is fascinating. Word of caution: It is very busy and parking is a challenge. I highly suggest parking a bit further away and enjoying the walk along the coast to get there!

Beautiful ocean views and a scenic landscape surround the beach. You can see sea lions up close. Anyone traveling to San Diego should visit this spot to enjoy its magnificent natural beauty.

Such a nice and relaxing place to visit. The view of the ocean from here is breathtaking. The smell of the sea is amazing and the sound of the waves is so relaxing Parking can definitely be a challenge but once parked, it will be totally worth it.

ok, parking is a problem and that always bothers me. plus crowds. don't like them. the weather was great but, hmmm, San Diego weather ways is. just too many people and noise for me. not very thrilled. will I go back, not likely. I did practice scuba there as a youth but things have changed.

Such a cool place to watch the sea life. The seals are so close, just be careful around them and give them their space, especially the mommas and their pups. Lots of restaurants and shops in the area, or you can walk along the park to see the waves and wildlife. I have to admit I was confused with the vibe of the area...is it residential, touristy, business, or upscale? Maybe it's all of the above? I just wasn't expecting such a variety of people and shops.

The view and the area is beautiful! Wish we could have stayed longer, maybe had lunch being able to watch the wildlife and the ocean. The beach itself isn't too crowded (we went on a saturday) but it's not somewhere i would actually sit in the sand and get in the water. I respect the sea lions way too much and i feel like this is too close to their territory. yeah they stay by the rocks but some of them do swim in the water occasionally. there was a sea lion below some of the rocks on the sand and people were getting dangerously close to it. i felt so back for it. the stairs to get down to the beach should be taken cautiously. they're extremely slippery with the water and the sand and the bottom step is a STEP down to the beach. either from erosion of the sand or maybe the step is missing completely? but i would probably just stay on the road/sidewalk next time.

Wow, what a beautiful place! We got there just before sunset and it did not disappoint. Just beautiful. Parking is a little tight, but we were able to find a spot and enjoy the beauty of it all. The Seals and/or Sea Lions were all over the place along with thousands of birds (I don't know what type of sea birds they were). It was a little crowded, but there were plenty of places to watch and take a lot of pictures and video. The only thing I really noticed was the smell of the animals. I noticed the smell the moment I got out of the car, but it's so beautiful, you don't notice for long. There are condos across the street from the cove. I wonder if the smell bothers them. Make sure and check this place out, it's amazing!

I love La Jolla Cove It was such a cool experience for us seeing the seals in their natural environment. We went in the evening so a lot of the seals were asleep but we did see some swimming and playing with each other , lots of other wildlife. We were also lucky enough to catch the sunset here, just amazing. There are also no dogs allowed on the beach between 9 AM and 4 PM in the winter or between 9 AM and 6 PM in the summer. You can bring your dog to La Jolla Cove in the evening, but you'll have to make sure your dog stays on a leash. This is a beautiful place to take a stroll along the beach and explore the cute town too.

Breathtaking sunsets! Bonus views of the seabirds, seals and sea lions. Arrive early and explore the area...particularly the shops and restaurants along Prospect Place...it really is a lovely setting in the late afternoon. Arriving early is also a great way to snag an early parking spot...as it gets really busy as sunset approaches. We ended up getting street parking toward Prospect Place and Torrey Pines Road...there seemed to be a decent amount free street parking in that area..not too far from the cove.

La Jolla Cove is stunning! My husband and I were visiting San Diego. On a Thursday, early April, we decided to stop by La Jolla Cove, as well as the Tide Pools and the Children's Beach. It's beautiful, with the ocean waves, the rock formations, and the beach area! Depending on the time of day and year, you'll also see the tide pools in La Jolla! It's one of the most photographed beaches in Southern California. The north facing La Jolla cove is great for swimmers, scuba divers, and even snorkelers! The water visibility is amazing and so clear! La Jolla Cove also has a permanent lifeguard stationed. During the visit, we saw a lot of seals, sea lions, seagulls, and pelicans! There were 100s of Pelicans during our visit. It was quite fascinating! We had such a nice relaxing time at La Jolla Cove. It was great to smell the ocean breeze!

Clean, refreshing side of town to walk along. If you're a tourist, the Sea Lions are worth seeing! Things you should know: I. PARKING Your best bet is to take on street parking II. QUALITY The grounds are clean and well maintained. There are various benches to sit and get a romantic view of the sunset. III. CAPACITY Busy and crowded during clear days with good weather. But what else would you expect? It's still worth it!

We came here to meet friends and stroll along the beach. The park is very clean and offers showers and bathrooms. There's a beach to swim if you're inclined and everywhere there are lots of sea birds, seals, and walruses.

The La Jolla Cove is a beautiful sight to see, but sometimes an AWFUL smell to experience. Today it smelled HORRIBLE here, like dead fish, sea lions, and lots of animal poop. Besides the smell, though, it was a stunning day. The ocean is beautiful, the plants are blooming with flowers, the sun was shining, seals and sea lions were out, and tons of different birds! I saw the most amazing bird sighting here of Brandt's Cormorants with their eggs and hatched babies! These birds have blue necks and piercing blue eyes for mating season; truly stunning. You can walk down to the cove and experience the beach when the tide is low, but there are only stairs to get up and down there....not wheelchair accessible going to the sand. Overall, this is definitely something you want to see if you are visiting San Diego.

I loved it out here at the Cove, we came down from LA for a day trip to visit some spots in San Diego and this area didn't disappoint. Nearby there are some spots to eat and shop within walking distance. There's a large grass area park around the the walk way that you take to get down the beach access of the cove. The beach area is pretty small but it's a nice area to sit and watch the waves, kayakers, and sea lions go by. Up above in the walk way you can see more seals, sea lions, and pelicans. It's a pretty busy area that's absolutely worth visiting if you're doing any kind of sightseeing in the San Diego area.

Great spot to see the Sea lion nursery. Just beautiful seeing the animals. I would note that this is not a great place to "relax " on the beach. High foot traffic on a tiny cove without a breeze and an obstructed view of the water and wildlife.

******1st review***** "Breathtaking!" The blows of the ocean breeze, the crashing sound of waves against the rocky cliffs, and the sea lions - these are all sights to behold once you step onto the slippery, wet rock formations of La Jolla Cove. La Jolla Cove is a natural wonder, offering an unobstructed panoramic view of the Pacific Ocean. Here, you can have a close encounter with sea lions, leisurely basking under the vibrant sun. I was truly amazed and tempted to get near one, even attempting to touch its smooth, rubbery skin. Situated along the California coast, it takes about half an hour from San Diego center to reach this hidden gem. If you, like me, have a love for nature (particularly geology) and a great interest in marine life, this cove is a must-visit. You won't be disappointed; instead, you'll be awed by how it envelops your presence. Parking poses a challenge due to frequent visits by many tourists. It requires some patience to find the perfect spot for your car. We had to walk a few meters, but it was worth it, as a lovely sight awaited us. ***Afterthought*** This first review is like a 'baptism by fire' for me. Deciding which one to review first entails some thoughtful consideration and a deep connection to this specific place. Even before my first visit to the location and prior to coming to the US, I already had an idea and the chance to visualize it in my mind. This is because someone special, with whom I used to share stories, narrated a poignant tale of why he consistently returned to this place whenever possible. This cove holds a special place in his heart, and I then truly felt what he was talking about.

A beautiful cove with spectacular views and wildlife. Take the time to stop at the cliffs along the trail from the parking lot to the cove. There are also several vendors along the trail. The best part of La Jolla Cove is being able to view the seals and sea lions in its natural habitat. By the way, did I mention it's free? The only fee is for the parking that's located along the beach.

Lots and lots of people, seals are fun, but play hide and seek on the rocks, my sister almost sat on one! Beautiful views. Parking is not easy to find. Not much shade of that is what you are looking for. Pretty cool place, nice walking paths.

Wow! One of the most gorgeous places we have ever been. La Jolla Cove is the ideal place to go when visiting the San Diego area. We ate breakfast at Brockton Villa, which overlooks the Cove. We then walked down to the Cove. It was packed full of tourists and locals, but it makes sense due to its stunning beauty. The crystal clear water, stunning cove and abundance of sea lions was amazing. It was very entertaining watching people go up to the sea lions (not recommended) and get yelled at by the lifeguards. Those sea lions are feisty! Note, there is a strong fish/sea lion smell. I personally loved it as it added to the aesthetic but that may be an unpopular opinion.

I absolutely love the beach and this was a place to be. The coastline is breathtaking and the nature you see here is amazing. Tons of wildlife just right up close and I love the vibe here. You have a lot of private sellers showing off their crafts, families picnicking on the huge grass, and lots of restaurants and bars nearby all in walking distance. We got super close to the sea lions to snap a couple of photos with them and just right down the street, you get to see a whole pack of them just piled on top of each other, sun bathing.

Just gorgeous beaches and plenty of free parking. Pelicans, seals, and seagulls oh my! Have fun with families or dates! Beautiful grassy spaces and easy trees for shade or climbing. Don't forget the sunscreen! Highly recommended!

***This is why Yelp should have 10 stars*** La Jolla Cove is a small cove with a beach that is surrounded by cliffs in La Jolla, San Diego, California. Point La Jolla forms the south side of the cove. The area is protected as part of a marine reserve and is popular with snorkelers, swimmers and scuba divers. You can explore the sea cave, which is accessible via a tunnel. Take a walk along the rocky shore to view the sea lions lounging in their natural habitat and looking after their pups.. pelicans live here too. On a personal note, don't miss the sunsets ... they are magic. This is where I popped the question to Yelp's Elite Nancy V 37 years ago !!

La Jolla is my go to place to take beautiful photos of the sunset. I am a photographer in San Diego and La Jolla never disappoints. I love being there. Find me on Instagram as: secondsfilmeip. You will see what I mean.

I loved this stop on my way out of San Diego! The seals and sea lions are so close and adorable. There's a beach here too, so you can snorkle/swim and there were several out there swimming and playing in the water close to the people. There are also lots of different birds. A great wildlife watching spot. We parked on the street, near the entrance and had no problems finding a spot. There is a time limit, but it was more than enough for the time we spent there.

During the day, this place is already fun and beautiful, but it's when the sun is setting that it truly becomes a gem! The view is breathtaking, though sometimes the marine layer obscures the sunset. Nonetheless, witnessing the transition from day to night here resets your vibe and leaves you feeling refreshed. I'm grateful to live close by and make it a point to visit whenever I can.

I visited La Jolla Cove while visiting my niece. I wanted to see the seals, and they loved sunbathing on the rocks at the shoreline. The beach and park were pretty. There were some interesting trees throughout the park which were all growing slanted away from the beach. On the north end of the park, there was a long staircase that led down to a small beach. There were actually people in the water, brrrr! The park also had a couple of covered shelters on the top of the rocks at the shoreline. These were great photo spots. There was a public restroom. I wish they had more seating within the park. But I would go back to see the seals!

It's been many blue moons ago since I've been to the La Jolla Cove. This time around, it's just my eldest daughter and I. So many adorable sea lions and seals to look at... they are just lounging around like they have nothing else to do. Why can't us humans do that... well, we can... it's called retirement LOL. The only other place where I've also seen so many sea lions and seals was at Fisherman's Wharf in San Francisco. Besides looking at the mammals, you can sit on the rocks and watch the waters in La Jolla Bay. Beautiful sight with a nice cool breeze! Life is good! Great place to spend 30 minutes to an hour from your day. I think that's plenty. There's so much more to see along the Coast Blvd. Be forewarned... it gets really busy with lots of people. Parking will be an issue if you don't get here early to snatch yourself a spot. You can park nearby or a few blocks away and walk on over. That's what we did. Enjoy your visit!

The place to go if you like seals and sea lions, and don't mind a lot of people talking and taking pictures. Not meant as a beach to spend a quiet afternoon. One can walk down to the beach to swim/snorkel and be very close to the sea lions living in the area. There were people doing just that, even in October without wetsuits. There is also quite a bit of viewing areas above the cove, for people who can't get walk down to the beach, to get great views as well. It's probably the best natural place we've found to look (and smell) the sea lions in the 'wild'.

What a nice place to stop by and visit in San Diego! This is a small cove with a small beach and cliffs climbing up away from it all. There are so many sea lions in the area to see and I have to admit it smells from I assume them! I saw some people swimming and snorkeling and maybe I'm just a wimp but it seems that over the past 20 years or so there are an awful lot of shark attacks which is the reason I prefer swimming in pools nowadays. I didn't see any fishing going on so maybe it's not allowed?

Came here to get the view of La Jolla ocean. As we were walking around, my sister heard some loud barking noises off to the distance. We were confused and as we kept walking near the shore, we saw a bunch of sea lions/seals just in the distance where the rocks were and was shocked by how close they were! we saw a bunch of people down the shoreline and decided to get a closer view of the sea lions. It's crazy how close they were! Literally the sea lions were just sleeping and minding their own business while tourists were walking around taking pics with and of them. This was such a surreal experience for me and I'm glad I decided to check out this spot. Again, I came around late Dec but I'm not sure if every season you have the ability to see the sea lions/seals that close. I'm so glad we decided to keep walking or else we probably wouldn't have noticed! Just a note but parking here SUCKS so I'd recommend parking somewhere further and walking down here (about a 10-15 min walk) but better than dealing with traffic.

Looking for a nice free thing to do near San Diego La Jolla Cove is really nice and relaxing! Came here on a Saturday around 10:00am luckily not too many people there yet so found street parking free for 2 hours. There was a cliff you could take pictures and watch the waves. Very beautiful.

We stopped at La Jolla Cove to try our luck at seeing some sea lions and were greeted by the smell and noise of dozens upon dozens of them. You can actually ask down to the beach and get pretty close to them - of course do not touch them - but you can get a good picture. Some of them are just sunbathing but some of them are super active and keep coming in and out of the water. I saw a few people snorkeling in the water with the sea lions, which felt super scary and dangerous!

I loved coming here when I went to visit. You have those breath taking ocean views. You have seals and sea lions swimming and bathing on the beach. It's close to La Jolla Village, where you'll find some shops and restaurants. At the beach, you can relax, tan, and swim. For parking, I recommend coming in the morning and maybe early afternoon. Later than that, then it can be difficult to find parking. We came in the afternoon so we were thankful someone was leaving on the street, it was a nice walk to the cove. It wasn't very crowded when we went.

such a beautiful area. I always make sure to come here when I'm in La jolla! also a great spot for pictures.

I was here during the summer taking around visiting family and returned here once again with another set of family members in town visiting our gorgeous town San Diego! Of course the views are excellent but be prepared for a little stinky smell as you are near the seals/ sea lions! lol One thing I noticed is that people don't respect to distance themselves from the animals. I saw little kids too close for comfort and people taking selfies way too close to them. I'm just glad the animals at that time I was there were in a slumber not worried about curious human visitors. Anyway, approach at your own risk.

A must stop place in San Diego/La Jolla! Beware that the parking here is a disaster and it is always crowded, no matter if you come in the rain or shine. The sea lions are what makes the cove as they're always there, basking and sleeping and making noises. Super fun!

This is a small cove that often is a hang out for many live wild seals/sea lions. Since they are live wild animals you sometimes will experience the smell of nature. They have some nice grassy spaces you could bring a blanket and hang out and nearby you can swim or snorkel too but be advise you are sharing the ocean with wildlife. Parking can be quite challenging but this really is a beautiful space and while not secluded you can really enjoy the surroundings.

La Jolla Cove is such a beautiful place and is always filled with tourists throughout the year. There are beautiful caves to explore, snorkeling, kayaking, sea lion watching, a bubble man making huge bubbles, food vendors, art vendors, swimming, etc. I love coming here after enjoying a nice lunch along the main strip, and it's close enough for a nice scenic walk. This is as best as it gets!

A must stop when in the area. You will see many sea lions and seals hanging around or swimming. The scenery is beautiful. Lots of birds all around. The cove has a beautiful blue color even during hazy weather. You can swim, snorkel, kayak or do other activities. There is something for everyone to do so that's why this makes the perfect stop. Parking is hard to find specially on weekends when there are so many tourists. But once you are park you will enjoy yourself one hundred percent.

Even though this is the typical touristy type of place, where everyone comes to see the seals on the beach and walk on the walkway over the breaking waves, it's still highly recommended when visiting LaJolla! Nice views and a large enough area for all the onlookers to spread out. Parking can be very tough tho, especially handicap parking.

The place is amazing. There is free parking available,On this beach hopping day, this was my favorite stop. The sand wasn't as fine as the other beaches, but that made the water more clear. Gorgeous beach! There's a lot of great opportunities for amazing photography here, and lots of sealions and seagulls

Beautiful beach. Used to come here wen I was a kid w my grandpa, hasn't changed much at all. Just alot more busier. Water is Chrystal clear. There r tide pools to check out. U can rent kayaks, or go paddleboarding to the caves. There r an abundance amount of sea lions, n birds. This beach will not disappoint. One of my favs.

Super beautiful view but super stinky sea lions. It was also extremely difficult to find parking and we were fortunate enough to find some space further away from the main cove, but it was a still a little bit of a trek to where the sea lions were. Sunset was, however, a great time to go. The pinks and the oranges of the sky, backdropped against the expanse of the ocean was truly breathtaking. No surprise, then, that we saw people taking their engagement photos, a wedding, and a proposal happening within the span of the thirty minutes we were there!

The place is amazing. It is full of sea life and birds. There is free parking available, but it has a 3-hour limit. They also have a huge restroom facility, picnic tables and benches place throughout to sit and take it all in. There is also a community room there that can be rented and where they host weekly events like yoga. The first thing that you will notice about this place is the smell. It is horrible and you never get use to. I have never seen so many seals and sea lions in one place. They are just sitting on the rocks, hanging out. You will also hear and see them swimming around and playing in the water, but the majority of them are just laying around. There are also a bunch of seagulls and pelicans that are hanging out on rocks that they have turned white, with you know what. They almost look like they were painted white. You will also see some cormorants nesting near the wall. They were either sitting on eggs or little hatchlings. The cove has an active beach with a life guard station that you can walk down to and actually get in the water....burrrrrrr. Plus, I do not know how I feel about swimming with wild seals and other unknown sea life. There was a guy that did take the plunge while I was there. More power to him. Anyway, many people were walking out on the rocks at the beach to get close to some seals. They warn people to not get too close though and give the animals room. Still some people get to excited and get all up in the animals' grills and have to be warned by the life guards over the PA. There was actually a huge seal laying down on the center of the beach, without a care in the world. The majority of the visitors were good about giving him his space. I really, really, liked this place. it is busy with people and sea life, but still very relaxing. I happed to visit on a day with nice weather, which made my visit more enjoyable. This place is a diamond in the rough and is located just a short drive from San Diego. I highly recommend checking this place out. It is a must see and you can easily spend a half of a day here checking things out.

Love this place! Walking up and down the beach! Watching the Seals and pups! Real nice restaurants overlooking the ocean!

Love this place where u can see hundreds of seals and sea lions. This place is always packed with people. Parking is a bit challenging but plenty of street parking next to the cove. It's a bit smelly but it's fun to see the animals.

Beautiful is a understatement! If you are seeking mountain and ocean views, this is your spot! Don't plan anything else but sitting, meditating and taking in Mother Nature. It will be well worth it!

Great place to get your steps in and seal watch! There is a paved walk way along the coastline when taking in the ocean views. Highly recommend making a pit stop if you're in the area.

Really cute beach spot where you can spot locals sunbathing along with some sea lions. They are friendly and do not bark at you unless you get too close. Some tourists get brave and try to touch them, not knowing that all marine mammals are protected from being disturbed or harassed by the federal Marine Mammal Protection Act as well as California and City ordinances. Please do not pet the wildlife.

Beautiful location in San Diego to spend the day! A very touristic spot. A great place for a walk and enjoy the views!

Well kept beach with amazing views of the sunsets! Perfect tucked in little area where our kids were able to hang out, build sand castles, and wade in the water. Lifeguard on duty here. Water is fairly clean, but only downside were the restrooms. When we visited, they were closed, but there were plenty of restaurants and shops nearby. We enjoyed a stroll into town and did a bit of shopping before dinner.

What can I say that everyone else hasn't said?!?! If you enjoy the ocean views, you will definitely enjoy this one. We stopped for coffee and pastries and brought it with us to enjoy the view. The sound of the waves is so relaxing. For us, it's a nice way to destress and have a nice conversation with a little people watching! Hopefully the next visit will be of the sunset views! Parking is a little crazy. There's areas of outdoor showers to rinse the sand off. People climbing down to explore the cave area. The sea lions are cool. Sometimes it smells and other times it's not noticeable. Come check it out!!