Picturesque La Jolla Cove beach in San Diego CA

La Jolla Cove is one of the most gorgeous beaches in San Diego county. Offering picture-perfect scenery, abundant wildlife sightings, and even a bit of seaglass, this quiet beach is the best option for anyone looking for a relaxing place to enjoy the coast. La Jolla Cove is a local gem, a picturesque beach with dramatic cliffs, tide pools, and lots of sea life.

Check out these gorgeous morning views & adorable sea lions relaxing on the rocks

Peaceful scenery at La Jolla Cove San Diego
Lots of sea lions and birds at La Jolla Cove in San Diego
2 sea lions at La Jolla Cove in San Diego
Adorable sea lion at La Jolla Cove in San Diego

Fun things to do

Scuba diving, snorkeling, and kayaking are popular here due to the calmness of the water and abundance of colorful marine species. It’s also a popular swimming spot in the summer months. However, if you visit early in the morning, you will be able to enjoy the entire beach to yourself, thus making this the best time for photography, relaxation, and beach combing.

Quiet morning views at La Jolla Cove in San Diego

Sea lions & seals!

You can often see sea lions and seals swimming close by or relaxing/sunning amongst the rocks. Many times they will come out to the beach and lie around in an attempt to warm up.

Cute sea lion at La Jolla Cove in San Diego
Views of a sea lion at La Jolla Cove in San Diego
A morning sea lion sighting at La Jolla Cove in San Diego

A seaglass hotspot!

Another fun activity unique to the area is collecting seaglass. Colorful seaglass pieces are nature’s made gems: pieces of broken glass which have been tumbled over and over again until they eventually become the smooth gem-like stones which you find scattered about the shores of rocky coast beaches. It’s amazing that what once used to be something as simple as a broken beer bottle has been turned into a beautiful jewel, created by the hands of nature and time.

Colorful seaglass at La Jolla Cove in San Diego

While seaglass is a pretty common find at many rocky coast beaches up north in places like the Washington, Oregon, and Maine coast, it’s a much rarer find in Southern California. Although you will not find the diversity of colors here (no treasured cobalt blues or beautiful purples), you will find lots of nicely tumbled gems of varying shades of white, green, and brown. You will know when you find one as they sparkle in the sun: a striking contrast to the dulls surrounding rocks. Tip: visit at low tide, preferably after a storm, for the best finds.

Why you should visit La Jolla Cove

Overall, La Jolla Cove is a must-see for any nature lover, photographer, and/or avid seaglass collector visiting San Diego. In contrast to surrounding beaches which are popular for partying and surfing, La Jolla offers a more peaceful, scenic vibe away from the crowds.

La Jolla is located at: 1100 Coast Blvd. There is no fee to park.

Have you ever visited La Jolla Cove? What is your favorite beach in the San Diego area?