Where To See Seals In La Jolla (2024)
Are you wondering where to see seals in La Jolla? This article’s for you.
The best place to spot seals and sea lions is La Jolla Cove, a beautiful turquoise blue bay around 15 minutes north of downtown San Diego. This has become La Jolla’s main attraction, because dozens of seals and sea lions flock to the shore, relying on the nearby caves for shelter.
Right next to La Jolla cove, another amazing place to spot seals is the Children’s pool, a once kid-friendly beach that’s become taken over by harbor seals.
Here is everything you need to know when visiting La Jolla Cove, including where to park, the best seal watching viewpoints, and other fun things to do in the area.
How To Get To La Jolla Cove
La Jolla Cove is a picturesque bay in the heart of La Jolla, so you can park anywhere along Coast Blvd, and walk to it. Along this street there are free 2 or 3 hour parking spots, which can be difficult to find during peak times. However, you’ll likely be able to find a spot as long as you circle around a few times.
I visited on a busy Friday, and found a spot along Coast Blvd after waiting for a few minutes.
Where To See Seals And Sea Lions In La Jolla
1. La Jolla Cove
The best place to see seals and sea lions in San Diego is La Jolla Cove. La Jolla Cove has a viewing area with a lifeguard station, and stairs leading down to the sandy beach with bright blue water.
On the right side of the bay (to the right of the lifeguard station) is where I saw the most amount of seals. There were over a dozens seals resting on the rocks, and sea lions waddling around the shore and barking at each other.
Just keep in mind that it’s illegal to disturb seals and sea lions, so try to stay at a healthy viewing distance of 50 yards. If you get too close to sea lions, they can charge at you, and there unfortunately has been many cases of this happening at La Jolla Cove.
You’ll have an amazing view of the seals and sea lions from the viewing area and stairs, so it’s not necessary to walk up to them on the beach.
On the far left of the bay, there’s a small cave and rock outcroppings where you may get to spot a few more seals as well.
2. Children’s Pool
The next best place to spot seals is Children’s Pool, just a short 5 minute walk south of La Jolla Cove. This beach was originally a children’s beach, protected from strong waves by a seawall. Beginning in the 1990’s, it was taken over by harbor seals who used the beach to birth pups.
In 2009, there were over 200 seals using this beach as home! Now, it’s a popular tourist attraction, where you can view the seals by walking along the seawall. The amount of seals you’ll see at Children’s Pool varies depending on the time of year, but you’ll have a great chance of spotting a few.
Keep in mind that this beach is closed during seal pupping season, from December 15-May 15 each year. Additionally, dogs aren’t allowed on this beach.
Things To Do At La Jolla Cove
Here are a few more interesting things to do near La Jolla Cove.
Visit Sunny Jim’s Sea Cave
Sunny Jim’s Sea Cave is the most popular tourist attraction in La Jolla besides the beach. It’s one of the 7 unique La Jolla sea caves, and the only one accessible by land. This cave was named “Sunny Jim” because the outline of the cave resembles Sunny Jim, an early 1900s cartoon character used to advertise Force cereal.
You can see the outline by climbing down 144 wooden stairs from a gift shop, through a man made tunnel. At the bottom, you’ll likely see kayakers pass by, and potentially a sea lion or two relaxing on the rocks.
The Cave Store charges a $10/person entrance fee to the cave, and they’re just a 5 minute walk from La Jolla Cove. This gift shop sells a variety of neat little trinkets and jewelry, so it’s worth a stop whether or not you visit the cave.
Check out our article on Sunny Jims Sea Cave for more details on its fascinating history.
Have A Picnic At Ellen Browning Scripps Park
To the immediate left of La Jolla Cove, the Ellen Browning Scripps Park is the perfect place to have a picnic or watch the sunset. It’s a clean grassy park with restrooms, picnic tables, and benches overlooking the ocean.
Go Kayaking Through The 7 Sea Caves
If you’re up for an adventure, go on a kayaking tour around La Jolla cove to see all 7 unique sea caves, and spot sea lions, seals, dolphins, and more. With a naturalist as your tour guide, they’ll point out the wildlife so you won’t miss anything.
If you’re not a fan of kayaking, you can see the sea caves from afar as well. To the left of the Cave Store, there’s a short trail out onto a cliff (Goldfish Point) where you’ll have a good view of the caves, and people kayaking around them. Just be careful to watch your step, as there’s no railing here.
See The Clam Cave
The Clam Cave is another interesting sea cave located in between La Jolla Cove and The Cave Store. It has a massive arch, and is located on the left side of the rock formation where the tunnel to Sunny Jim’s Sea Cave was built into.
La Jolla Cove Attractions Map
La Jolla Cove FAQs
When’s the best time to see seals at La Jolla Cove?
The best time to visit La Jolla Cove is during weekdays, as it can get extremely busy on weekends. If you visit early in the morning, you’ll have the best chance of finding easy street parking. However, you’re almost guaranteed to see seals and sea lions no matter what time of day you visit.
Is La Jolla Cove dog-friendly?
Yes, leashed dogs are allowed at La Jolla Cove but with limited hours. They’re allowed before 9am and after 6pm (April-October), and before 9am and after 4pm (Nov-March). Just remember to keep them at a healthy distance from the sea creatures, and that dogs aren’t allowed at Children’s Pool.
What animals are in La Jolla Cove?
La Jolla Cove has seals, sea lions, leopard sharks, stingrays, and even dolphins and whales. As you walk around, you’ll see hundreds of seagulls and pelicans as well.
What’s the difference between seals and sea lions?
The biggest differences between seals and sea lions is their mobility and size. Sea lions are larger and have long flexible flippers so they can walk around on land.
Whereas seals are smaller, with short flippers so they use their bellies to move around. Additionally, sea lions can bark like dogs whereas seals are relatively quiet.
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