Southern California
Things to Do in La Jolla: Seals, Sea Caves and Beaches
The best things to do in La Jolla: sea lions at the Cove, Children’s Pool seals, sea cave kayaking, La Jolla Shores, Torrey Pines, Windansea and parking tips.
By Alex Khachigian · Updated September 2026 · 5 min read
La Jolla is 20 to 30 minutes north of downtown San Diego and about 2 hours from Los Angeles. Its few miles of coast have sea lions, harbor seals, sea caves, a marine reserve and Torrey pines.
This guide covers the main sights, parking, tides and pupping closures.
In This Guide
- Getting to La Jolla and Where to Park
- La Jolla Cove: Sea Lions, Snorkeling and the Coast Walk
- Children’s Pool: Harbor Seals and Pupping Season
- Kayaking the La Jolla Sea Caves
- La Jolla Shores: Beginner Surf, Leopard Sharks and Scripps Pier
- Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve
- Windansea Beach and Tide Pools South of the Village
- Birch Aquarium and Where to Eat in La Jolla
- Where to Stay in La Jolla
- FAQ
Getting to La Jolla and Where to Park
From downtown San Diego, take I-5 north to the La Jolla Parkway exit, 20 to 30 minutes outside rush hour.
Street parking on Coast Boulevard and in the Village is free but time-limited and fills early on weekends and in summer.
- La Jolla Cove and Children’s Pool: Coast Boulevard street parking or a Village garage
- La Jolla Shores: free Kellogg Park lot, full by mid-morning
- Torrey Pines: paid state beach lots on North Torrey Pines Road
La Jolla Cove: Sea Lions, Snorkeling and the Coast Walk
La Jolla Cove is a small beach below Ellen Browning Scripps Park, inside a no-take marine reserve.
Sea Lions at Point La Jolla
Sea lions crowd the rocks at Point La Jolla, just west of the Cove. The city has closed the Point La Jolla bluffs during pupping season, roughly May through October. Follow the posted signs, which can change.
Snorkeling the Cove
On calm days the Cove has garibaldi, the state marine fish, plus leopard sharks, rays and sea lions.
Water is warmest and clearest about August to October. Check the surf report, since swell makes the rocky entry rough.
Sunny Jim Cave and the Coast Walk Trail
The Cave Store on Coast Boulevard sells entry to Sunny Jim Cave, down about 145 steps through a tunnel dug in the early 1900s.
Children’s Pool: Harbor Seals and Pupping Season
Children’s Pool is a small beach behind a 1931 seawall, now taken over by harbor seals.
The beach closes December 15 to May 15 for pupping season. You can watch from the sidewalk and seawall walkway; pups appear in late winter and early spring.
How to Tell Seals From Sea Lions
Harbor seals are spotted, have no ear flaps and scoot on their bellies. Sea lions are brown, have ear flaps, walk on their flippers and bark.
Kayaking the La Jolla Sea Caves
Seven sea caves line the cliffs east of La Jolla Cove. Guided kayak tours launch from La Jolla Shores at the end of Avenida de la Playa and paddle about a mile.
Tours last 1.5 to 2 hours. Guides decide on the day whether swell and tide allow entering a cave.
La Jolla Shores: Beginner Surf, Leopard Sharks and Scripps Pier
La Jolla Shores is a wide sandy beach with gentle waves, good for a first surf lesson.
From roughly June to September, leopard sharks gather in waist-deep water off the Shores. They’re harmless, and snorkeling over them is popular.
Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve
Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve, on the bluffs between La Jolla and Del Mar, protects the Torrey pine, the rarest native pine in the United States.
Best Trails at Torrey Pines
The Guy Fleming Trail is an easy loop of about two-thirds of a mile with spring wildflowers. The Beach Trail drops to Flat Rock.
Parking and Reserve Rules
Paid lots are at the beach on North Torrey Pines Road; a small upper lot by the visitor center fills fast. The reserve opens early morning and closes at sunset.
No food except water and no dogs. Stay on the trails.
Windansea Beach and Tide Pools South of the Village
Windansea Beach, south of the Village, has sandstone reefs and a palm-thatched surf shack from the 1940s.
Waves are powerful and break close to shore, so it’s for experienced surfers, not beginners or swimmers.
At low tide, the reefs from Windansea to Bird Rock have anemones, crabs and sea hares. My Southern California tide pools guide explains timing.
Birch Aquarium and Where to Eat in La Jolla
Birch Aquarium at Scripps, above La Jolla Shores, has a kelp forest tank and an outdoor tide pool plaza. Buy tickets online and check hours.
Restaurants With an Ocean View
Duke’s La Jolla, on Prospect Street above the Cove, serves Hawaiian-inspired food and Hula Pie.
The Marine Room on Spindrift Drive has served dinner on the sand at La Jolla Shores for over 80 years,. When I posted about it, it was open for dinner Wednesday to Sunday, so reserve ahead.
Casual Picks
Simpler stops around the Village:
- The Cottage La Jolla: patio breakfast
- George’s at the Cove: rooftop terrace over the water
- Bird Rock Coffee Roasters: near Windansea
Where to Stay in La Jolla
The Lodge at Torrey Pines is a Craftsman-style lodge on Torrey Pines Golf Course, a short drive from the reserve.
Orli La Jolla is a small inn in the Village, walking distance to the Cove and Prospect Street. Fairmont Grand Del Mar and Alila Marea Beach Resort Encinitas are about 25 minutes away.
For a longer trip, my 3 days in San Diego itinerary adds Coronado and Balboa Park.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Children’s Pool closed?
December 15 to May 15 each year, for harbor seal pupping. You can still watch from the sidewalk and seawall.
Where can you see sea lions in La Jolla?
On the rocks at Point La Jolla, next to La Jolla Cove. The bluffs have closed during pupping season, roughly May through October, so follow posted signs.
Can you swim at La Jolla Cove?
Yes, on calm days, and lifeguards are usually on duty. Check the surf report, since swell makes the rocky entry dangerous.
Do you need a tour to see the La Jolla sea caves?
You can see some from the cliffs and enter Sunny Jim Cave on foot. A guided kayak tour from La Jolla Shores is the safest way to reach all seven.
Is Torrey Pines free?
Walking in is free; parking costs a fee. No dogs or food (other than water) in the reserve.
When can you see leopard sharks in La Jolla?
Roughly June to September off La Jolla Shores, peaking in the warmest weeks. They’re harmless to people.
Destination guide
My San Diego County hotel, Airbnb and tour picks
