Sharks. Yes, La Jolla Cove has a history of shark attacks. But don’t worry too much. Luckily the only sharks we see at La Jolla Cove nowadays are the harmless leopard sharks.
Welcome to La Jolla Cove. It is a small beach. It is tucked between sandstone cliffs. La Jolla Cove is one of the most photographed beaches in Southern California because of its extraordinary beauty.
La Jolla Cove lies within the San Diego La Jolla Underwater Park Ecological Reserve. This helps to ensure that marine life remains plentiful. Fishing and removing objects from this area is prohibited. Possession of game is unlawful here at La Jolla Cove.
Water visibility at La Jolla Cove can sometimes exceed 30 feet. This makes it one of the most ideal spots to snorkel and scuba dive in all of Southern California. On most days, you can see clearly right to the bottom of the seafloor. You might see a Garibaldi or two.
If you want the full experience, you can easily rent snorkeling or scuba diving gear at nearby La Jolla Shores. There are also guided tours available, if you don’t want to go it alone. Kayaking tours and rentals are also a terrific option. Especially if you want to check out the nearby La Jolla Caves and the sea creatures that lie below.
From 9am until the sun sets, you’ll see lifeguards at La Jolla Cove. La Jolla Cove is one of just a handful of beaches in San Diego that has lifeguards on duty regularly. This makes it a very safe place to take the kids.
La Jolla Cove is home to one of the oldest open ocean swims in the world. It is the La Jolla Rough Water Swim. The event dates back to 1916. That year, the World’s Fair Committee challenged each community to showcase their city by hosting a special event. What better way to show off the beautiful beaches of La Jolla than to host a Pacific Ocean swim?
Seven men participated that year. They swam 1.7 miles in the chilly waters. They finished off at La Jolla Cove. The race truly became an annual event in 1923. It has been held every year since then but five.
For decades, La Jolla Cove has been a magnet for experienced and new scuba divers alike. With its moderate temperatures and mostly calm currents, scuba is the ultimate experience. Get up close and personal with Garibaldi fish eels octopuses, kelp forests, lobsters, and anemones.
Typically, the water off the La Jolla Cove is colder than anywhere else along the San Diego shore. La Jolla Cove directly faces the La Jolla Underwater Park. There is plenty of sea life to be spotted here. The most obvious is of course the La Jolla Cove seals and sea lions. You can spot Seal Rock from the sidewalk above La Jolla Cove.
Two of La Jolla’s original beach cottages remain here. They are the Red Roost and the Red Rest also known as the Neptune and Cove Tea Room. These La Jolla cottages have been vacant since the 1980s. They are in a sad state of disrepair today. Due to their historical significance, there has been much debate about if and how to restore them.
You can even rent golf carts here. La Jolla Golf Carts has several for rent directly above La Jolla Cove. This is a perfect option for people who want to get off their feet for a little while. You can still explore everything beautiful La Jolla has to offer.
Remember as you explore La Jolla Cove. It’s more than just a pretty beach. It’s a protected habitat with a unique history. So take a deep breath enjoy the view and maybe you’ll even spot a harmless leopard shark.