La Jolla Cove is San Diego's most famous beach, where you can see a vast number of seals and sea…read morelions. You can hear constant barking sounds at La Jolla Cove, and the source of this noise is the California sea lion. To distinguish between a seal and a sea lion, look at the ears: seals have only ear holes, whereas sea lions have visible, protruding ears. You will find far more seals and sea lions on land than swimming in the water, as they need to spend at least seven to eight hours a day out of the water to rest and regulate their body temperature. What makes La Jolla Cove special is that humans and animals share the beach; people, seals, and sea lions all swim in the same waters. Wildflowers bloom around the beach, and the area is home to a variety of wildlife, including cormorants and seagulls, alongside the seals and sea lions.

This was such a cool place to stop. You're able to be close with the sea lions and seals and get a…read moregreat view of the wildlife. It's a bit crowded with people, but with it being a free stop with no charge for parking and plentiful with animals it makes it all worth it. We've made the drive down from Oregon and stopped at sea lion caves, where we were charged to view them, and this out did those stops by far. Highly recommend. An added bonus is the birds flying by so close, it almost makes you feel like you're in a Jurassic Park filming.

This beach along with the adjacent Kellogg Park made for a lovely stop during our recent visit to…read moreSan Diego and La Jolla. The parking lot did not have space available on a Monday afternoon, but we found free street parking in the neighborhood a couple blocks away. Restrooms and wash stations were located near the playground and grassy field, and lifeguards were on duty with the beach crowd stretching for miles on this warm summer afternoon. We walked toward the sand castle house and settled where it was a little more secluded from all the loud families with kids near the main park. And the water was nice and warm with gentle waves as we swam and waded along the shore to cool off from the humidity and heat of the sun. We also relaxed and napped on our beach mat while picnicking in the sand under the shade of an umbrella we brought, a life saver with the sunshine beaming from above. The La Jolla Underwater Park and Ecological Reserve are cool features to this beach area as well, though snorkeling gear is helpful for exploring in more depth. They seem to offer kayak rentals on site too, with plenty of visitors enjoying watersports while we were there. The place was more congested than we had hoped on a weekday, but all in all, we still had a good time.

Had to squeeze one last beach trip in before heading to the airport! I was visiting early August…read moreand read that this time of year friendly leopard sharks come up to shallow water for breeding season so I had to check it out! I heard a good spot was near the La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club near The Marine Room and this turned out to be true! Took my snorkel gear and saw a ton of leopard sharks and stingrays so close to the beach! There was plenty of people around and lots of groups trying to catch a glimpse of the leopard sharks as well. The beach had a ton of people but it was very safe. There was a long wall where people were leaving some belongings while they were in the water so I also left my towel, shoes, etc there and I had no issues with my stuff even though I was by myself so I didn't have anyone to watch it. I also lucked out and got a parking spot right in front of the beach even though cars were circling quite a bit to find spots. I actually was going straight from the beach to the airport so I had my suitcase and all my belongings in the trunk of my car and it was safe while I was at the beach all day (a miracle for someone coming from the Bay Area LOL). The beach also had lots of rinse of stations so I was able to rinse off, get dry, change, and head to the airport!

One of my favorite beaches in San Diego is Windansea. I've been coming here since high school and…read moreit's always been one of my top beaches. It's not often I get to come since it is out of my way, but decided to go on July 3rd amidst the crowds. It was a beautiful day, and I found parking not too far away! The beach is spacious and is mixed with flat rocks to walk across. I went a bit further to get to the sand past Rosemont St. The beach is clean and the water is clear! Love Windansea and hopefully I get to come back more during the summer.

I visited Windansea Beach for a friend's go away party, and it completely lived up to its…read morereputation. I even conducted a survey at a Super Bowl party, and Windansea Beach came out on top as the most-loved beach among the locals. I truly enjoyed strolling along the coastline and taking in the beauty of Windansea Beach. While sitting on a bench, I had the pleasure of meeting a lovely couple, and we struck up a wonderful conversation. We all shared the same feeling -- this beach has something truly special about it. It's the kind of place that creates a connection, not just with nature, but also with the people who appreciate its unique charm. Unlike many traditional sandy beaches, Windansea's rocky shoreline gives it a unique character. Walking along the coast, watching waves crash against the rocks, and seeing surfers embrace the powerful ocean made the experience unforgettable. I've visited countless beaches around the world, and Windansea Beach easily ranks among my top 10 favorites. From the moment I arrived, I could feel a different kind of energy. I feel lucky that I can drive to this beautiful beach any day. Counting my blessings. I took off one star because the parking situation was not ideal. Finding a spot can be challenging. The traffic is also a problem. It is all worth it though.

City of San Diego dog hours:…read more Summer Hours (April 1 - Oct 31): Dogs are allowed before 9:00 a.m. and after 6:00 p.m. Winter Hours (Nov 1 - March 31): Dogs are allowed before 9:00 a.m. and after 4:00 p.m. My dog got the zoomies (excited perhaps?) just being on the sand. We saw a beautiful sunset and a half moon.

Scripps Beach is one of my favorite spots for a morning walk. I came here before a doctor's…read moreappointment and it was the perfect way to start the day. Early in the morning it's not too crowded, which makes it ideal if you want some peace while getting your steps in. I recommend walking from one end to the other and then heading inland toward the nearby coffee shops it makes for a really nice flow. One thing I really appreciate is that there are multiple bathrooms available, which isn't always the case at beaches. It's also noticeably calmer and cleaner compared to some other beach areas around San Diego, which adds to the overall experience. Great views, fresh ocean air, solid walking path, and an easy place to rack up steps without the chaos. Highly recommend for early AM walks.

* catching up on old backlogged drafts so this review may be a bit out of date…read more Stumbled upon this beach after getting food nearby and decided to post up here for the day and had a lovely time. We went in early August and brought our snorkel gear. Saw lots of little crabs and rock dwelling critters along the rocks on the right side, lots of seaweed/kelp/plant matter to swim through but a good amount of bright yellow garibaldi poking out from them as well! The best part was the harbor seals!! There were some lounging up on rock platforms and we had one curious little guy swimming along with us as well snorkeled the area. The beach was relatively empty on a week day although there were a few people being annoying to the lounging harbor seals and getting a bit too close!

Nice free activity. The beach was closed near Sun set time since there were seals on the shore. We…read morelooked at them for quite a while. And not too crazy crowded. Can get a bit chilly towards the night. There are bathrooms on site in case the tea you drank is done brewing. Street parking can be found ....eventually

La Jolla Tide Pools is a must visit when in the area of La Jolla. Parking may be a challenge…read moreespecially on weekends with crowds of tourists. Accessible down a flight of stairs, note there a few stairs but the wooden stairs are safer. The other stairs has uneven steps and the hand rail isn't securely fixed :( The best time to visit is when it's low tide, meaning the waves crash into the shore from a distant thereby allowing people to do more adventurous explorations. You can discover, learn and appreciate sea-life flora and fauna. So far, the maintenance crews and visitors and have done a great job keeping the area clean. La Jolla Cove's population of sea lions have not moved down to the tide pools area, so the area has an ocean air freshness. I absolutely love the beach, breathing the exhilarating fresh air and I am always amazed by the surrounding beauty. Truly Wonderful. Recommend

Roll Tide A small…read moresection of the CA coastline, situated between Whispering Sands Beach and Wipeout Beach, and is a premier destination for tidepooling action and superlative views. The Good: * Typical Cali coast views that we can't get enough of. * Lots of fun little nooks and crannies to explore. * Walking distance to a lot of restaurants and shops. * Free! The Meh: * Obviously, for the best experience here, you'll want to check the tide charts before coming and be aware the best low tides are btwn Dec & March. https://www.usharbors.com/harbor/california/la-jolla-ca/tides/ * No dogs allowed in the tide pools, but leashed dogs are OK on the trails above. The Ugly: * Street parking only, and it's tough to find at certain times of day. Like I mentioned above, maybe it's easier to park in town and just walk a bit, but you do you, boo. *Careful of the black algae on the rocks. That shit is slippery AF, son! Ask me how I know. 0_o The Good news is you won't see it coming. (: Conclusion: Fun place to get some nature in and family time with the kids.

Sand is different than other beaches around definitely worth visiting at low tide…read more Will find sea shells most likely at low tide.

Beautiful, clean beach. I've been here many times but it is especially busy in the summer months…read more Finding parking may be challenging during this time.

TikTok took me to Blacks Beach for a hike and I had no idea what I signed up for…read more The hike itself was actually scary but so fun. We took the route that involved a little rock climbing, super slippery paths, and at one point we literally crossed a narrow plank with ropes and I was questioning my life choices lol. But once we finally got down to the beach... wow. I was SO excited. All that hard work actually paid off. The beach was beautiful and it felt so rewarding getting there. Then we started walking further down and suddenly... I realized there were a bunch of completely naked people everywhere. I had NO idea Blacks Beach was a nude beach. I was shocked for like 2 seconds and then started laughing because out of all the things I expected after surviving that hike... that was not one of them. 10/10 experience. Scary, fun, unexpected, and definitely memorable.

A great place to be on a sunny day. The hike down the cliff is a bit of a hike but well worth it…read moreand actually its a fantastic leg workout. The beach is really clean with most beach goers carrying there picnic trash back up. Volley ball games usually take place in the summer. The views are not to be missed. The sun reflecting on the water in the late afternoons is mesmerizing so bring your best sun glasses & suntan lotions. For the shy person the RIGHT side as you climb down the cliff facing the water is for those who prefer bathing suits, Speedos & bikinis. To the LEFT side of the beach facing the water is clothing optional. Usually its a bit farther. Great that nobody bothers you & its a safe space for that all over tan. Sometimes beverages are sold on the beach discreetly, however, I'd recommend bringing your own & lots of water. Its a good idea toto bring food, snacks, fruit and sandwiches... insect repellant if needed. *True, sometimes it is a bit overcast so its best to check the weather report before leaving. *Free parking is available above the beach. Please be considerate while parking in an organized fashion in consideration of others. Thanks. Enjoy the beach & surf!!

Some of our planned excursions fell through, so we had to pivot and found this option on Yelp! It…read morewent with it as it was the only tour group that had a three person option (the world was not built with odd numbered families in mind)! We booked the tour knowing it was a bit overcast, choppy and the caves were likely closed but boy were we in for a treat. Nick was out guide and sadly the other couple with us were not able to join but that meant we had a private tour! On our way out we were treated to. Few dolphins. When we got to the caves the waves were just calm enough for a quick in and out. Then on our way back green sea turtle popped his head out of the water and swam under our boat! It was pretty incredible! Nick was an awesome guide! Super knowledgeable and dropped facts throughout the journey. We took my 7,10 and 13 year old sons and they all loved it. Not a bad pivot!!

We had such a great time on this tour! Got to go in one cave. Wish we got to do more caves but we…read morehad to go in 1-2 kayaks at a time and paddle back out. I thought we would be paddling thru multiple caves but that was not the case. Jade let us get out of our kayaks and swim, and I ended up capsizing our kayak when getting back in. She stayed super calm and helped us both get back in. If she wasn't as calm, I would've freaked out more! But we didn't capsize going in and out of the waves, which is the most common place to capsize!

What a hidden gem, at least for me! Maybe because it is so difficult to park on that area I never…read moreventured to explore what was there or how to reach there and I was content with seeing the whales from far (as I am not that interested in them that I am with the nature surrounding them). Finally, I had to go to a job interview and the parking nightmare was solved for me so I only had to walk a bit and found the 'hiking' path which is actually more a waking trail (but sturdy shoes are better than light sneakers to avoid slippery terrain). Just gorgeous, sunny, not crowded (again, I didn't go to the seals section, just wanted to walk and admire the ocean and the beautiful houses and the blue skies). Very soothing. There are several benches to stop and medidate if you are into this, as well as a commemorative rock dedicated to the Kumeyaay native Americans that lived here. You should expect to visit this between 30-60 minutes as is not a very long trail.

We lived over the La Jolla Underwater Park for a year. It's like waking up every morning looking…read moreinto a vast aquarium! From our balcony, we saw tiger sharks, green sea turtles, Garibaldi fish, and more ... including more than one whale offshore. We had a 'pet" osprey outside our window who'd share dinner with us -- OK, he was eating his fresh-caught fish while we had dinner.