Attraction of the Week: La Jolla Cove in San Diego
Disclaimer: We are not paid to promote any restaurant, hotel, activity, product, or attraction. All opinions are subjective and based on our personal experience. Your experience may be different.
I’ve been wanting to take a trip to San Diego for such a long time. I even lived in the L.A. area for a year a while back and never had the opportunity to visit. After a recent move to Arizona, I decided to finally plan a long road trip to escape the desert for a few days in exchange for the beach. In addition seeing the iconic Panda bears at the San Diego Zoo, I also explored some of the incredible beaches. After living in the desert for so long, I was craving a little water and fun-in-the-sun.
La Jolla Cove is one of the most gorgeous beaches in the region. Offering picture-perfect scenery in a low-key setting, this quiet beach is the best option for anyone looking for a relaxing place to enjoy the coast. It’s so scenic with the dramatic cliffs in the background, plus you can explore the tide pools and see lots of sealife.
This beach is most well known for the many seals and sea lions you can see sunning on the rocks. I’ve never seen anything like this before, so it was a pretty cool experience.
Fun things to do
Scuba diving, snorkeling, and kayaking are popular at the Cove due to the calmness of the water and abundance of colorful marine species. It’s also a popular swimming destination in the summer months. However, if you visit early in the morning, you will likely be able to enjoy the entire beach to yourself, thus making this the best time for photography, relaxation, and beach combing. We definitely enjoyed having the entire beach to ourselves, especially after biking the beautiful (yet very crowded) Mission/Pacific beach boardwalk the day prior.
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. They are so adorable! Be sure to watch from afar and do not disturb their natural environment.
According to the visitor bureau, early afternoon is the best time to see them as this is when they typically are sunbathing and the most active. We arrived around mid morning and saw a decent number. Late April and early June are your best bets for seeing the most. Why are they in this area? Basically, they have a lot to eat, they are safe from predators and dangerous waters. You can read more about their history in the area if you are interested.
On a side note, this beach is also a fabulous destination for birdwatching. Some of the species you may see include: brown pelicans, black turnstones, and oystercatchers.
A seaglass collecting hotspot!
Another fun activity for any beachcombers out there is collecting seaglass. Collecting these frosty gems has been a hobby of mine ever since I lived on an island off the coast of Maine called Islesboro. It was here that I first learned of seaglass (the island is a hotspot). Anytime I travel to the coast, I see if I can find any new pieces for my collection. I knew before visiting that this beach was a hotspot and i was surprised with my find after just an hour of searching.
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.
While seaglass is a pretty common find at many rocky coast beaches up north in places like the Washington, Oregon, and the New England 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, brown, and even turquoise. You will know when you find one as they sparkle in the sun: a striking contrast to the dull surrounding rocks. Tip: visit at low tide, preferably after a storm, for the best finds.
Why you should visit
Overall, La Jolla 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, this beach offers a more serene, scenic vibe away from the crowds.
Learn more about this beautiful beach
Address: 1100 Coast Blvd. There is no fee to park.
Where to eat: We dined at Caroline’s Seaside Cafe. I enjoyed a veggie quiche and the beautiful waterfront setting.
