La Jolla Children’s Pool

Close to downtown La Jolla is the Children’s Pool or also known as the “Casa” as locals call it. It’s a tiny cove protected by concrete breakwater. It used to be a swimming area for children until the seals and sea lions took over the beach. Now visitors can sunbathe and enjoy the added bonus of seeing a marine mammal show play around on the shore or at Seal Rock. Walkers and hikers can also check out trails next to Coast Boulevard. High above the beach, there are panoramic views of the water and sandstone cliff. Grassy picnic areas lies north and south of Children’s Pool.

Swimming is now discouraged at the beach, but the Children’s Pool is still beautiful place to sunbathe. Diving is no allowed any longer since the seals and sea lions are protected from harassment by federal law. The seals and sea lions inhabit the beach every season except the summer and visitors can walk out onto the breakwater for close-up views of the Pacific or to observe the tide pools. The beach does not have any wheelchair access due to the steep incline leading down to the ocean.

Parking:

There are no parking lots near the beach and the street parking (which is metered during the week) will fills up quickly on summer weekends. It’s best to arrive early, park downtown in one of the paid lots or stroll from the hotel to the beach. Downtown is only a short distance to the beach.

Directions:

From the North:

Take the I-5 to La Jolla Village Drive West.
Turn left on Torrey Pines Road
Turn right at Prospect Street, bearing right on Coast Boulevard

From the South:

Take the I-5 North to Ardath Road
Stay on this road until it turns into Torrey Pines Road
Take Torrey Pines Road to Prospect Street and turn right
Veer right on Coast Boulevard

Tips

At low tides, tide pools emerge on the west side of the sea wall which have plenty of sea life and several are suitable for wading and swimming.