La Jolla Cove: Seals, Tide Pools, and Where to Eat After
La Jolla Cove is the single most-photographed spot in San Diego, and it earns it — a small, sheltered beach ringed by sandstone cliffs, with sea lions hauled out on the rocks year-round.
What to Do at the Cove
- See the sea lions and seals. They live on the rocks at the Cove and at nearby Children’s Pool year-round — no tour needed, just walk the seawall.
- Snorkel the La Jolla Underwater Park. The Cove sits inside an ecological reserve with clear water and kelp forests; rentals are available a block up the hill.
- Walk the tide pools at low tide along Coast Boulevard — check a tide chart before you go, since they disappear at high tide.
- Kayak La Jolla Shores for a look at the sea caves from the water.
Where to Eat Nearby
- Girard Avenue has the highest concentration of good restaurants — everything from casual fish tacos to upscale Italian.
- The Cottage La Jolla for a classic breakfast before a beach morning.
- Harry’s Coffee Shop if you want a diner-style local favorite instead of a tourist spot.
Local Tip
Parking is genuinely difficult on weekends — arrive before 9am or plan to walk a few blocks from a residential side street. The Cove itself has no formal lot.
Getting There
La Jolla is about 20 minutes from Serra Mesa via I-805 and La Jolla Parkway — an easy morning trip if you’re staying at one of GemNest’s Serra Mesa rentals.
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