Things to Do in La Jolla Cove: Seals, Secret Swing, and Water Activities

17 Sep Things to Do in La Jolla Cove: Seals, Secret Swing, and Water Activities

Posted at 18:01h in California, U.S.A., West by Alaina Thomas 0 Comments

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There are so many things to do in the town of La Jolla. For example, there is the secret swing on the Coast Walk Trail, Mount Soledad, and Ho Chi Minh Trail to Black’s Beach for example. However, La Jolla Cove remains one of the (if not the) most popular spots, mainly due to its large population of seals and sea lions. Additionally, it boasts shops, restaurants, beach access, snorkeling, kayaking, sea caves, and more.

1) Location of La Jolla

La Jolla is a town along the coast in San Diego, California. It is full of shops, restaurants, beaches, and marine wildlife. If in the area, plan to spend at least one evening. However, it is best to spend a day or two here to truly enjoy everything it has to offer.

Parking

There is parking available both along the street as well as in nearby parking lots. First, visitors can park along the side of the street on Coast Boulevard. Second, visitors can park at one of the multiple nearby parking garages or parking lots. For example, there is 1247 Cave St Parking, 1231 Cave St Parking, and Ace Parking.

Nearby Lodging

Check out lodging accommodations in the town of La Jolla if you would like to stay close by. Otherwise, check out options in downtown San Diego if you want to be right in the heart of the action.

Nearby Airport

The closest airport is the San Diego International Airport, which is located 20 minutes south. There are a few public transportation options available from the airport to the La Jolla area, though do be aware they take around an hour and a half. Furthermore, you can also choose to rent a car from the airport or utilize a ride share service such as Uber.

Looking out at the ocean from the Secret Swing

2) General Visitor Information

First, the cove area is open to visitors all year round. However, the Children’s Pool slightly south does close from December 15th through May 15th each year due to the fact newborn seal pups frequent the area.

Second, there is no fee to visit the area (other than any parking fees, of course).

Third, the best time to visit the cove is in the morning on weekdays. You will find the least amount of crowds there at this time, so you can enjoy a bit of solitude as you walk along the coast and spot sea lions as well as seals. Moreover, the best time of year to visit to see an abundance of seals and sea lions is between late April and early June. However, visit between early February and early March for the best chance to see newborn seals.

Fourth, plan to visit La Jolla Cove for at least one hour so that you can begin to check off some of the best things to do. This will give you enough time to walk around the area for a bit and to see some wildlife. However, I would recommend that you plan at least a half day to visit the area. Then you can take time to relax along the beach, find the secret swing, participate in a kayaking tour, etc.

3) The Main Attraction: Sea Lions and Seals

I would guess that at least half, if not the majority, of people visiting the cove are doing so to see sea lions and seals. Whether people are walking along trails, relaxing on the beach, snorkeling, or kayaking, they love to see wildlife in the area. They might be a little stinky at times, but they are still pretty cute.

Both Pacific harbor seals and California sea lions frequent this area. To tell the difference between them, just look at their ears. Sea lions have external ear flaps while seals do not.

The seals and sea lions (plus the additional things to do listed below) draw people from all over to La Jolla, which in turn helps to make San Diego one of the best cities to visit on the west coast.

Sea Caves – Things to Do in La Jolla

Visitors can see sea lions and seals in the sea caves as well as along the beaches and rocky shores of the cove area. The sea caves are slightly more difficult to access due to their location. However, visitors still have a few options to access the caves and to try and spot some.

First, there is one cave visitors can enter on foot – Sunny Jim Cave. Purchase tickets at The Cave Store and then descend the approximately 150 steps down into the cave. Sea lions and seals are often spotted inside the cave. Second, there is a path parallel to the shore. While the caves themselves are not visible, we saw a few sea lions hanging out on the rocks just outside of the caves. Third, rent a paddle board or kayak to catch a glimpse of sea lions and seals from the water. There are certain tours during which the guide leads kayakers into the caves. That kind of tour offers kayakers an even better chance of spotting the sea lions and seals.

Moreover, kayaking in La Jolla Cove is hailed as one of the best outdoor activities in all of Southern California. If I had not convinced you to book a kayaking tour before, maybe I have now!

Seals and sea lions along the shore near the cove

Beaches and Rocky Shorelines

If not accessing the sea caves in any manner, do not worry! Chances of seeing sea lions and seals are still high. We parked near the cove and then walked slightly south down the path parallel to the water. We saw a fair amount of people swimming in the cove and then a lot of sea lions and seals along the rocky shoreline just around the corner.

While we did not continue walking past this point, the path does continue further south. It passes by another beach/rocky shoreline as well as another swimming cove. Visitors have a good chance of spotting sea lions and seals at these spots as well. For the full experience, walk from La Jolla Cove south to the Children’s Pool and back again. Additionally, walk north on the La Jolla Coast Walk Trail for more ocean views and the chance to see a few more sea lions and seals.

Are you going to be in San Diego for a little bit longer? If so, then check out this 3-day itinerary for San Diego. It (of course) includes La Jolla in addition to a bunch of other popular things to do, for example Balboa Park and Old Town.

Words of Warning – Things to Do in La Jolla

While sea lions and seals might look cute and unthreatening, especially the pups, it is important to note they are wild animals. Do not approach them, touch them, or feed them. The general guidance is to remain 50 yards (~46 meters), which is the equivalent of half of a football field, from them at all times.

Unfortunately in the past, tourists have not always followed general safety guidelines. This resulted in sea lions and seals charging them or injuring them in some manner. Practice common sense and keep a safe distance from them at all times to avoid any incident.

Spotting wildlife along the shore

4) Secret Swing on the La Jolla Coast Walk Trail

TikTok has played a large part in the increasing popularity of secret swings. One of these swings can be found off the La Jolla Coast Walk Trail. This trail is just slightly north of the cove. More detailed information is in this article: Secret Swing on the La Jolla Coast Walk Trail.

For additional trails in the area, check out Los Penasquitos Canyon Trail as well as Ho Chi Minh Trail to Black’s Beach.

Directions to the Swing – Things to Do in La Jolla

I cannot provide an exact location of the swing but rather general directions – the rest is up to you! Walk along the La Jolla Coast Walk Trail until reaching a wooden bridge. On one side of the bridge is a “Danger Bluff Collapse” sign. The swing is just beyond this sign. Furthermore, we were even able to see a few individuals on the swing from the trail.

Behind the sign is a rope which visitors can utilize for assistance in descending to the swing. The path is somewhat steep with loose dirt/rocks, and thus the additional balance the rope provides is beneficial. The rope is about 20 to 30 feet (~six to nine meters) long. At the end of the rope is a more open and flat space before the swing itself.

Words of Warning

The “Danger Bluff Collapse” sign is a good warning itself, but it is important for me to note the risks here as well. The sign states that those who venture beyond it risk injury or death. The area beyond the sign is not maintained at all, and thus those who venture there do so at their own risk. If deciding to continue, remain cautious at all times and practice common safety considerations.

Swinging on the Secret Swing on the Coast Walk Trail

5) Water Activities – Things to Do in La Jolla

A trip to the cove is not complete until you get out on the water, and did I mention you are even more likely to see seals and sea lions while in the water? You can engage in any of the following things to do at La Jolla Cove: kayaking, paddle boarding, snorkeling, surfing, and swimming.

Kayaking

I personally love kayaking, and I even own an Intex Challenger inflatable tandem kayak. While I was not able to go kayaking in the caves during my last visit, it is definitely on my list for next time! Kayakers are able to visit the seven sea caves and even kayak inside one of them. Furthermore, there is a chance to see wildlife while kayaking, including sea lions, seals, turtles, and more.

There are a variety of kayak tours available:

Paddle Boarding – Things to Do in La Jolla

If kayaking is not your thing, check out paddle boarding. It will offer a similar experience to kayaking in the sense paddle boarders can explore the sea caves and will likely see wildlife. However, I did not find any tours available for paddle boarding. Instead, visitors are able to rent paddle boards and explore at their own leisure.

This is the main rental available:

La Stand Up Paddle Board Rental

Snorkeling

I have been snorkeling a few times in my life, and each time was a unique and incredible experience. For those who have not been snorkeling before, La Jolla would be a great location for a first snorkeling experience. There is a good chance to see a variety of wildlife, including sea lions, stingrays, sea turtles, and leopard sharks, while snorkeling. Tours are available for individuals of all levels of snorkeling, from beginner to experienced.

Viewpoint near the Secret Swing in La Jolla

Surfing – Things to Do in La Jolla

Regulars can bring their own surfboards and take to the waves. Those who are a little more new to surfing can take lessons, such as those mentioned below.

Swimming

The four main places to swim right around the cove are La Jolla Shores Beach, Children’s Pool, Shell Beach, and La Jolla Cove Beach. First, the La Jolla Shores Beach is slightly north from the cove. It has some of the more gentle waves in the area. Second, the Children’s Pool is slightly south from the cove. It is partially protected by a seawall and is a popular place to view sea lions as well as seals.

Third, the Shell Beach is located in between the Children’s Pool and La Jolla Cove Beach. However, people tend to search for shells on this beach rather than swim here. Fourth, La Jolla Cove Beach is probably the most popular swimming area. Walk down a set of stairs to arrive on the beach and possibly even see some sea lions and seals.

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Take a quick flight up north to explore Seattle: Day Trip to North Cascades National Park.

For more Seattle adventures: How to Spend One Day in Seattle.

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17 Sep Things to Do in La Jolla Cove: Seals, Secret Swing, and Water Activities

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