La Jolla Beaches
Beach is King in La Jolla...
Torrey Pines State Beach
This is a favorite beach for both tourists and locals. High cliffs line the shore, creating a colorful backdrop come sunset. Surf conditions are good at this narrow 3.5 mile stretch of sand and hiking is close by at Torrey Pines State Reserve. Views from the top of the cliffs are stunning. For access to hiking trails, take the steps north of Flat Rock (also called Bathtub Rock). You will also find the most parking here – two lots with 700 spaces. As this beach is a state reserve, parking and access fees are required. Gates open at 8:00 am and close at sunset. General admission is $10, Seniors (62+) $9, and Disabled $5 (with qualified Dept Parks Recreation pass). At the north end of the beach are lifeguards and restrooms.Directions: From I-5, take the Carmel Valley Road exit. Turn left at the end of Carmel Valley Road.
Black's Beach
Here's your chance to "bare all." Although nudity was banned at this "bathing suit optional" beach years ago, the law hasn't stopped the daring sunbather. There is no permanent lifeguard station but lifeguards are usually on duty mid-day from April through the end of October. However, because of this beach’s remoteness, it can take as long as twenty minutes for lifeguard assistance. There is an emergency call box at the south end of the beach. No restrooms are available but portable restrooms are available at the Gliderport.Directions: This beach is difficult to get to. From I-5, take the Carmel Valley Road exit. Turn left at the end of Carmel Valley Road. Go south at Torrey Pines Road, turn west and park at the Gliderport. To get to the beach, you must take a steep path known as "Goats" Trail. Watch your step!
La Jolla Shores
This beach attracts people from all over. Parking is convenient, the beach is large, sandy and clean (although very crowded in the summer). A nice spot to bring the whole family...swings, grassy picnic areas, fire rings, volleyball. Boating, sailing and fishing are allowed on the north side of the pier. La Jolla Shores is a good scuba diving locale because of its easy surf entry and the rich offshore kelp forests in the underwater preserve. Lifeguards are on duty year-round and restrooms with outdoor showers are available. The beach area north of the pier and sometimes referred to as Scripps Beach and just south of La Jolla Shores Beach is the private La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club.Directions: Exit Interstate 5 at La Jolla Parkway. Take La Jolla Parkway down the hill to La Jolla Shores Drive. Turn right (north) on La Jolla Shore Drive, then left (west) on Vallecitos to Kellogg City Park.
La Jolla Cove
Favored by many as the best swimming, snorkeling and scuba spot. The Cove has a one-mile rough water swimming area, protected from ocean swells. Each September since 1916, the annual Rough Water Swim has been held here. The area is home to the underwater marine reserve where all marine life remains untouched. Lifeguards watch this area carefully. Ellen Browning Scripps Park is located up above the Cove with lots of room for picnicking, strolling, or just enjoying the spectacular view. Restrooms and showers are available. Parking is limited.Directions: Exit Interstate 5 at La Jolla Parkway. Stay left at the bottom of the hill where it turns into Torrey Pines Road. Continue up the hill on Torrey Pines Road & turn right at Prospect Place. Stay to the right and follow Coast Boulevard down to the beach.
Boomer Beach
On Coast Boulevard just south of the Cove, Boomer Beach is a good body-surfing spot for experienced body surfers, but body-boarding and surfing are not allowed. Because it is hard to get to, it is a good spot for shell collecting. Waves get very big and are fun to watch from the pathway above. Restrooms and showers are available at Ellen Browning Scripps Park located above the beach.Directions: Follow directions to La Jolla Cove. Boomer Beach is just to the south, within easy walking distance.
Shell Beach
Just south of Boomer Beach and north of the Children's Pool, this is a small beach is home to Seal Rock where California seals like to gather. It's a great spot for shell collecting and tidepooling. Small children like to wade here, but because the reef comes right up to the shoreline, swimming should be restricted to strong swimmers only. Body-boarding and surfing are not allowed. Lifeguards are on duty. Restrooms and showers are available at the Children’s Pool.Directions: Follow directions to La Jolla Cove. Shell Beach is located between Boomer Beach and the Children's Pool.
Children's Pool
The Children’s Pool (or "Casa Cove" as this area south of La Jolla Cove is sometimes called) is a small manmade cove created by a concrete breakwater which keeps the surf out and the waves gentle. At one time it was ideal for children to play or swim in, although swimming, and even entering the water at the Children's Poll, is now strongly discouraged since California seals and sea lions have taken the area over year-round. Sightseers can walk out onto the concrete breakwater to view the waves crashing against it and for a better view of the seals. But be careful at high tide or stormy weather as people have been washed out to sea! Parking is very limited during the summer. Restrooms and showers are available.Directions: Follow directions to La Jolla Cove, continuing further south on Coast Boulevard. Parking is very limited during busy summer months, so grab the first spot you can find!
Wipeout Beach
Located on Coast Boulevard south of the Children's Pool, this is a larger beach. Swimming is not recommended due to rocks and strong currents. There are small caves along the shoreline are more often than not blocked by flotsam and seaweed. Use this beach when exploring the caves.Directions: Follow directions to La Jolla Cove, continuing further south on Coast Boulevard just past the Children's Pool.
Marine Street Beach
Because of the reefs just offshore, this beach is excellent for experienced board and body surfers and is the home of the "Whomp," an extreme shore break. Clean and sandy, it makes a good spot for swimming and sunbathing. There are fire rings, but no restrooms. The northern end of the beach is sometimes referred to as Whispering Sands Beach. Lifeguards patrol in the summer and on some weekends in the spring and fall. Parking is extremely limited.Directions: Exit I-5 at La Jolla Parkway. Continue down the hill, viering left at the bottom of the hill where La Jolla Parkway turns into Torrey Pines Road. Follow Torrey Pines Road and turn right at Prospect Place. Take Prospect until it becomes La Jolla Boulevard and then turn right on Marine Street.
Windansea Beach
This beach was made famous by the Beach Boys who sang about it in the 60's and the Tom Wolfe book, "The Pump House Gang." Surfers consider Windansea to be a top surfing beach. Because of the tough waves it is not a good place to learn. Good body surfing here but swimmers should use caution because of the strong currents. There’s not a lot of sand here, it’s kind of rocky, but very pretty. The famed thatched hut is right above the surfers’ water entry at Neptune Place and Bonair Street. Just south of Windansea is Big Rock – the Bonzai Pipeline of Southern California. Lifeguards are on duty in the summer. There are a few fire rings, but no restrooms.Directions: Exit I-5 at La Jolla Parkway. Continue down the hill, veering left at the bottom of the hill where La Jolla Parkway turns into Torrey Pines Road. Follow Torrey Pines Road and turn right at Prospect Place. Take Prospect until it becomes La Jolla Boulevard and then turn right on Nautilus Street.
