The north facing La Jolla Cove has unusually coarse sand.
Grassy Scripps Park is immediately adjacent and an excellent area for picnicking.
Water visibility at the Cove can sometimes exceed 30 feet, making it a
popular location for scuba divers and snorklers. La Jolla Cove lies within
the San Diego La Jolla Underwater Park Ecological Reserve, which helps
to ensure that marine life remains plentiful. This is a look but don't
touch area and the possession of game is unlawful.
Lifeguards are staffed daily throughout the year. During
summer, lifeguard staffing hours are generally 9:00 a.m. to dusk. At other
times of the year, lifeguard staffing may not commence until 10:00 a.m.
Always check with lifeguards to check on any modification of staffing hours.
Most California beaches experience strong currents. The
safety tips section provides an explanation of rip currents and some methods
of freeing yourself if caught in a rip current. The best advice is to swim
near a lifeguard. The waters off this beach are reserved for swimming
and diving only.
This is an excellent beach for scuba diving diving when
surf conditions are low. Telephone the beach information line before coming
to the beach and always check with lifeguards before diving. A public
restroom building with showers can be found in Scripps Park beside La Jolla
Cove.
Due to the steep hillside immediately adjacent, the beach
itself is not wheelchair accessible. However, there is an excellent view
from the park above and an extensive oceanside walkway in Scripps Park.
There are no receptacles for beach fires. Open fires are
therefore prohibited. The taking or possession of sea life or artifacts
is prohibited. Floatation devices are prohibited in La Jolla Cove.
Spears are prohibited in La Jolla Cove. Alcohol is permitted only between
12:00 noon and 8:00 p.m.
From the north, take Interstate 5 to La Jolla Village
Drive, westbound. Turn left on Torrey Pines Road at the signalized intersection.
Follow Torrey Pines Road to the signalized intersection at Prospect Street
and turn right. Watch for the signs and bear right on Coast Boulevard.
From the south, take Interstate 5 north to Ardath Road.
Continue on Ardath Road as it becomes Torrey Pines Road. Follow Torrey
Pines Road to the signalized intersection at Prospect Street and turn right.
Watch for the signs and stay right on Coast Boulevard.
There is no public parking lot for La Jolla Cove. On-street
parking can be difficult to find, particularly in summer. It is limited
to three hours at a time on weekdays and unlimited on weekends, but check
the signs for any restrictions. Paid parking is available in downtown La
Jolla at several locations and is a short walk from the beach.
The basic rule of thumb is that any gathering of over
75 people requires a permit from the Park and Recreation Department. A
permit is also required for a wedding, water event, athletic event, voice
and/or music amplification, or use of special setup equipment (such as
an inflatable party jump, dunk tank, canopy, etc.) For permit information
call Coastline Parks at (619) 221-8901.
The Children's Pool (850 Coast Boulevard), also known
as the Casa, is a small beach partially protected by a seawall. The original
intention was to create a fully protected swimming area, but sand has filled
in much of the area inside the wall. This is a very picturesque beach with
a panoramic view. During much of the year, seals and sea lions are present
on or near the beach and a reserve for these marine mammals, called Seal
Rock, is just offshore.
The Children's Pool, is within a short walk of the commercial
area of the community of La Jolla. Grassy park areas can be found a short
distance to the north and south. Several small beaches are nearby including
Wipeout Beach to the south and Shell Beach to the north. This is
a popular beach for scuba divers because of the reefs just offshore. These
same reefs can create very strong currents and other hazards, particularly
in high surf conditions.
This beach information was supplied from the San Diego
Beaches online guide. It is provided for your interest and is subject
to change. Always call to before going.
|
