La Jolla Shores
La Jolla, San Diego, California, USA
La Jolla, San Diego, California, USA
Location
La Jolla, San Diego, California
Sand Type
Fine, Golden
Water Clarity
Excellent — Crystal Clear
Facilities
Lifeguards, Restrooms, Showers, Kayak/Snorkel Rentals, Parking
Best Season
April – October
Nearest Airport
San Diego International (SAN) — 18 km
La Jolla Shores is one of California's finest all-round beach destinations — a broad, gently curving crescent of golden sand with exceptionally clear Pacific water, backed by the landscaped Kellogg Park and bordered to the north by the rocky headlands of La Jolla Cove. The beach offers something rare in Southern California: a combination of family-friendly, calm swimming conditions with genuine world-class snorkeling and diving immediately accessible from the shore.
The water at La Jolla Shores is protected to some extent by the headlands and is consistently clear and calm by Southern California standards, with little of the beach break shorebreak that makes some LA beaches challenging for young children. The primary reason for the beach's fame among divers and snorkelers is the immediately adjacent San Diego-La Jolla Underwater Park — a state ecological reserve protecting kelp forests, rocky reefs, and submarine canyons just 100 metres from the beach entry. The accessible kelp forest begins at wading depth and is home to species found nowhere else in Southern California.
Beyond the natural environment, La Jolla Shores is also one of the area's premier launch points for sea kayaking. Outfitters set up directly on the beach offering guided tours to the famous La Jolla sea caves — a series of tidal caves carved into the sandstone cliffs north of the cove, with the most famous, Sunny Jim Cave, also accessible via a staircase from a gift shop on Prospect Street above. The surrounding La Jolla village, up on the bluffs above the beach, is one of San Diego's most sophisticated dining and gallery districts, making the combination of beach day and evening dining one of the great San Diego experiences.
La Jolla Shores has accessible parking (limited), accessible restrooms, and beach access paths. The park behind the beach (Kellogg Park) is fully accessible. Beach wheelchairs are available. The soft sand transition from pavement can be challenging — access mats are available seasonally.
Drive north on La Jolla Shores Drive from I-5 north of San Diego, or south from Torrey Pines Road. The MTS bus 30 connects La Jolla to downtown San Diego. Parking in the 200-vehicle lot behind Kellogg Park (paid, limited in summer) or street parking in the surrounding neighbourhood. Arrive early on summer weekends — the lot fills by 10am.
🐡 La Jolla Underwater Park
Protected ecological reserve with exceptional diving
🦪 La Jolla Cove
Protected cove teeming with sea lions and seabirds
🏛️ Birch Aquarium
Scripps Institution of Oceanography public aquarium
🏘️ La Jolla Village
Sophisticated dining and gallery district above the bluffs