La Jolla Cove & La Jolla Shores Guide: Seals and Parking

La Jolla Cove and La Jolla Shores are two of the best-known spots on the San Diego coast. Many visitors think they are the same place. They are not. The Cove is a tiny beach under the cliffs at the edge of La Jolla Village. The Shores is a long, flat, sandy beach about 1.5 miles to the north. This guide explains the difference, where to see seals and sea lions the right way, how kayaking and snorkeling work, and how to get there without fighting for a parking space.

Quick answer: La Jolla Cove is a small, cliff-lined beach next to Ellen Browning Scripps Park, best for snorkeling, photos and sea lion viewing from the walkway. La Jolla Shores is a mile-long sandy beach with gentle summer waves, a lifeguard station, a playground and the city’s only beachfront boat launch, where most kayak and snorkel tours start. Parking near both is hard, especially on summer weekends. From San Diego International Airport (SAN) the drive takes about 15 to 25 minutes without heavy traffic, and a private car can drop you right at the walkway and pick you up later.

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La Jolla Cove vs La Jolla Shores

Both beaches sit beside the same protected marine area, and both have permanent lifeguard stations run by San Diego Lifeguards. After that, they are very different places. Pick the one that fits your day, or plan to see both.

Topic	La Jolla Cove	La Jolla Shores
The beach	Very small, tucked between sandstone cliffs, faces north	About 1 mile of wide, flat sand
Waves	Small surf in summer	In summer, usually the gentlest of all San Diego beaches
Best for	Snorkeling, scuba, photos, sea lion viewing from above	Families, swimming, beginner surfing, kayak launches, scuba classes
Park next to it	Ellen Browning Scripps Park (lawn on the bluff)	Kellogg Park (grass, playground, picnic areas)
Facilities	Lifeguard station, restrooms, showers, picnic area	Lifeguard station, restrooms with showers, fire pits, playground, beach wheelchairs
Parking	Street parking only near the park	Kellogg Park lot (gates close 10pm), fills fast on summer weekends
Feel	Busy, scenic, right next to the shops and restaurants of the Village	Relaxed, open beach day with lots of space

The two are about 1.5 miles apart. Many visitors do the Cove in the morning and the Shores in the afternoon, or the other way around.

La Jolla Cove: what to know

The City of San Diego calls La Jolla Cove one of the most photographed beaches in Southern California. The beach itself is tiny. Most people spend their time on the walkway and the lawn above it.

Ellen Browning Scripps Park: a grassy park on the bluff right above the Cove, along Coast Boulevard. It is open 4am to 8pm and is a very popular spot for weddings and photos. There is a restroom nearby.
Snorkeling and diving: the Cove is a favorite for snorkelers and scuba divers. On good days the water visibility can be more than 30 feet.
Leopard sharks: large groups of leopard sharks gather in the shallow water each summer and fall. Snorkelers come to see them. They are a calm, bottom-feeding species.

The Cove is part of a protected marine area, so the rules are strict. Fishing is not allowed, and you may not take anything from the water or the rocks. More on that below.

La Jolla Shores: what to know

La Jolla Shores is the easy, family-friendly beach. It is about a mile long, and in summer the waves are usually the gentlest of any city beach in San Diego. That makes it a good choice for children, new swimmers and first-time surfers.

Kellogg Park: the park at the south end of the beach has a large lawn, a playground near the boardwalk and several restrooms with showers.
Boat launch: Kellogg Park has the only beachfront boat launch within San Diego city limits. Surf camps, divers and kayakers all use it.
Scuba classes: many beginner scuba classes are held here because of the easy entry from the sand.

Kellogg Park is open 4am to 10pm, and its parking lot gates close at 10pm. The city warns that it fills up quickly on summer weekends. If you arrive late morning on a warm Saturday, expect to circle the nearby streets.

Staying nearby? We often drive guests from the airport to La Jolla Shores Hotel and Estancia La Jolla, both a short drive from the beach.

Seals and sea lions: how to watch them respectfully

Seeing seals and sea lions up close is the highlight of La Jolla for many visitors. These are wild animals, protected by federal law. Harassing them is illegal, and they can bite. Here is where to see them and how to do it right.

Children’s Pool (harbor seals)

The Children’s Pool is a small beach partly protected by a seawall, a short walk south of the Cove. Harbor seals, and sometimes sea lions, rest on the sand there all year. The beach is closed to the public every year from December 15 to May 15, during harbor seal pupping season. You can still watch the seals from the seawall and the walkway above.

Point La Jolla and Boomer Beach (sea lions)

The rocky point between La Jolla Cove and Boomer Beach is where many sea lions haul out. Since 2023, Point La Jolla and Boomer Beach have been closed to people year-round. Signs say “Area closed, no entry,” and entering can lead to a citation. Watch from behind the barriers on the walkway.

Simple rules for wildlife viewing

Never touch, feed or chase a seal or sea lion.
Keep your distance. Federal guidance suggests at least 50 yards, and more for mothers and pups.
No close-up selfies. If an animal stares at you, moves away or slips into the water, you are too close.
Stay behind ropes and barriers, and follow any closure signs.
Be extra careful during pupping seasons. A disturbed mother may leave her pup.

Tide pools and the marine reserve rules

The water off La Jolla is a protected area. The Cove lies inside the San Diego-La Jolla Underwater Park, and the Matlahuayl State Marine Reserve covers the shoreline and water offshore of UC San Diego, next to La Jolla Shores. In a state marine reserve, it is illegal to injure, damage, take or possess any living, geological or cultural marine resource. That means no fishing, and no collecting shells, rocks or animals.

Tide pools along this coast hold snails, crabs, barnacles, chitons and limpets. If you explore them:

Go at low tide and check the tide table before you leave.
Look, take photos, and leave every animal where you found it.
Keep an eye on the waves. Never turn your back on the ocean.

Kayaking and snorkeling in La Jolla

Kayaking is one of the best ways to see the La Jolla coast. Most guided kayak and snorkel tours launch from the sand at La Jolla Shores, near Kellogg Park, and paddle south along the cliffs toward the Cove and its sea caves. Check the company’s age limits and swimming requirements when you book.

Where to go for snorkeling: La Jolla Cove has clearer water and more fish. La Jolla Shores is calmer and easier for beginners.
Best time: mornings are often calmer, before the afternoon wind picks up.
Safety: swim near the lifeguard stations, and ask the lifeguards about conditions before you go in. Reefs near the Children’s Pool can create strong currents in high surf.

Tour check-in times are strict. A pre-booked car gets you there on time, with no search for parking.

Sunset in La Jolla

The lawn at Ellen Browning Scripps Park faces the open ocean and is a favorite sunset spot. La Jolla Shores also has a wide sunset view across the sand. A good evening plan: sunset on the lawn, then dinner in the Village. The park is open until 8pm, and sunset comes early in winter, so check the time for your date.

Parking in La Jolla: why drop-off is easier

Parking is the biggest headache of a La Jolla beach day. The streets around the Cove and the Village are narrow and busy. Near Ellen Browning Scripps Park, the city lists street parking only. Many street spaces in the Village have posted time limits, and the rules change block by block.

At La Jolla Shores, the Kellogg Park lot is the main option, and it fills fast on summer weekends. Once it is full, you are looking for space in the nearby neighborhood.

With a private car, none of this matters:

Drop-off at the walkway: your chauffeur drops you as close to the Cove or the Shores as traffic allows.
Pickup when you are ready: agree on a time and place, and your SUV meets you there.
Two beaches, one day: with an hourly booking (3-hour minimum), the chauffeur stays nearby and moves you from the Cove to the Shores and then to dinner. Your bags stay in the car.

For everyday trips around the area, see our car service in La Jolla.

Getting to La Jolla from the airport

La Jolla is north of downtown San Diego. From San Diego International Airport, the drive usually takes about 15 to 25 minutes without heavy traffic, and longer at rush hour.

With our airport car service, your chauffeur tracks your flight and meets you at the curb outside arrivals. Meet & Greet inside at baggage claim with a name sign is available for $30. We wait up to 1 hour after landing at no extra charge. Each black SUV (Cadillac Escalade, GMC Yukon XL or Chevrolet Suburban) carries up to 6 passengers and 5 large bags. Popular drop-offs include Hotel La Jolla, the hotels near the Shores, and homes and rentals across La Jolla.

The price is fixed per vehicle and shown before you book. It covers the vehicle, chauffeur, fuel and tolls. Gratuity is not included. Child seats are $20 each, up to two per vehicle.

Frequently asked questions

Are La Jolla Cove and La Jolla Shores the same beach?

No. La Jolla Cove is a small beach under the cliffs at the edge of La Jolla Village. La Jolla Shores is a mile-long sandy beach about 1.5 miles north.

Which is better for families with young children?

La Jolla Shores. It has wide sand, gentle summer waves, a playground and restrooms with showers at Kellogg Park.

Where can I see seals and sea lions in La Jolla?

Harbor seals rest at the Children’s Pool, and sea lions gather around Point La Jolla near the Cove. Watch from the walkway, stay behind barriers and keep at least 50 yards away.

When is the Children’s Pool closed?

Every year from December 15 to May 15, during harbor seal pupping season. You can still watch the seals from the walkway and seawall.

Can I take shells or tide pool animals home?

No. The waters off La Jolla are protected. Taking or disturbing marine life, shells or rocks is not allowed.

Is there parking at La Jolla Cove?

Only street parking near Ellen Browning Scripps Park, and it is hard to find on busy days. A drop-off and pickup avoids the search.

How long is the drive from San Diego Airport to La Jolla?

About 15 to 25 minutes without heavy traffic, and longer at rush hour.

Can you wait while we go kayaking or snorkeling?

Yes, with an hourly booking (3-hour minimum). The chauffeur stays nearby, and your bags and dry clothes stay in the car.

Book your ride to La Jolla Cove and La Jolla Shores

Enter your pickup, La Jolla Cove or La Jolla Shores as the drop-off, and your date on the booking page. You see the fixed price for each SUV before you pay, and you can cancel free up to 24 hours before pickup.