La Jolla Cove
La Jolla, CA
La Jolla Cove is a genuinely world-famous protected cove, calm and clear enough for excellent snorkeling among the sea lions and leopard sharks that gather in its marine protected waters. Ellen Browning Scripps Park sits on the bluff above with the Coast Walk path running along the cliffs, and the La Jolla Caves nearby are reachable mostly by kayak.
A genuinely world-class cove for snorkeling and wildlife viewing, one of the standout stops on the entire California coast.
How we score beachesThe sea lions here are wild and protected, admire them from a real distance rather than approaching, they can and do bite.
Limited on-street parking near the park.
Paved paths connect the blufftop park to stairs down into the cove.
Dogs are allowed on leash only outside San Diego's standard beach hours, before 9am and after 6pm in summer and before 9am and after 4pm in winter.
San Diego County's water climbs into the upper 60s and low 70s by late summer, with visibility for snorkeling often best in fall.
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