La Jolla Shores Beach: What to Do, Where to Eat, and Tips from a Resident

La Jolla Shores Beach is my family’s favorite beach in San Diego, and after more than two decades of living in La Jolla, I still go all the time.

It has everything: a mile of wide sandy beach, calm water that’s great for kids and beginners, a protected underwater park teeming with sea life, and a handful of really good food spots within walking distance. Here’s what you need to know to plan a great day here.

About La Jolla Shores Beach

La Jolla Shores Beach is a mile-long stretch of sand in La Jolla, one of San Diego’s most popular coastal neighborhoods. To the south, the beach meets La Jolla’s famous sea caves, while Black’s Beach lies to the north. Kellogg Park borders the beach, providing grassy areas perfect for picnics and a playground for kids. The Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego sits on the bluff above the north end of the beach, and Birch Aquarium at Scripps is just up the hill.

You’ll sometimes see this area called La Jolla Shores Park on review sites. That’s not an official name. I’ve never heard a resident refer to it that way. The beach is La Jolla Shores Beach, and the grassy park bordering it is Kellogg Park. A local might say “the park at La Jolla Shores Beach,” but nobody here says La Jolla Shores Park. If someone gives you directions, they’ll use the actual names, so don’t get confused.

The other thing most visitors (and even some residents) don’t realize is that the La Jolla Underwater Park and Ecological Reserve lies just offshore. This protected marine reserve is one of the first of its kind in California, and it’s the reason this beach is so special. The underwater park’s topography creates the gentle wave conditions that make La Jolla Shores Beach ideal for beginner surfers and families with young children. It’s also why leopard sharks aggregate here in massive numbers each summer in the calm, warm shallow waters to incubate their babies before giving birth.

All of this is why La Jolla Shores Beach tops my lists of best beaches in San Diego and San Diego beaches for families.

Things to Do at La Jolla Shores Beach

There’s a lot to do here beyond laying out a towel, and most of it takes advantage of the calm water and the underwater park just offshore.

Surfing

The gentle waves at La Jolla Shores Beach make this an ideal spot for beginner surfers. Because of the underwater park, waves break more gently here than at many other San Diego beaches, and the sandy ocean bottom makes learning more comfortable than beaches with rocky bottoms. During winter, when swells peak, you’ll see surfers of all levels catching waves. The beach is divided into designated surfing and swimming zones for safety.

You can book lessons and rent boards and wetsuits at several shops in the La Jolla Shores business district, just a few blocks from the sand. Surf Diva offers San Diego surfing lessons for men, women, and children, and is a great option. For all tour operators and rental shops, see our La Jolla Shores neighborhood guide.

Swimming

La Jolla Shores Beach is one of the best swimming beaches in San Diego. The sandy ocean bottom slopes gradually so that you can wade in slowly, and the waves are gentler here than at most San Diego beaches, thanks to the underwater park’s topography.

Lifeguards are on duty year-round, and the beach has designated swimming zones separated from the surfing areas. If you’re visiting San Diego with kids who actually want to get in the water, this is the beach I recommend.

Kayaking and Stand-Up Paddleboarding

It’s easy to launch a kayak or paddleboard into the ocean from La Jolla Shores Beach, and the protected waters of the underwater park make this one of the best spots in Southern California for both. You can rent gear and go on your own, or take a guided kayak tour of the sea caves and underwater park.

I recommend the guided tours, whether you’re a tourist or a resident. Experienced guides show you hidden sea caves, point out marine life, and share insights about the underwater park that you’d miss on your own. The odds of seeing La Jolla sea lions from kayaks or paddleboards are quite high. We have a partnership with Everyday California, whom I recommend for kayak tours.

Snorkeling With Leopard Sharks

Between roughly June and December, La Jolla Shores Beach hosts the largest annual aggregation of leopard sharks in the world. Female leopard sharks gather in the warmer shallow water near shore to incubate their babies before giving birth, with peak viewing typically in August and September.

These sharks are harmless to humans. They have smaller mouths and teeth designed for feeding on crustaceans, and I haven’t heard of anyone being bitten. You can see them while kayaking, snorkeling, or sometimes just by standing in the water near The Marine Room restaurant. Learn more in our complete leopard sharks guide.

Scuba Diving

The La Jolla Underwater Park makes this one of the best dive sites in California. The protected marine reserve supports abundant sea life, and the conditions are ideal for both experienced divers and those taking novice scuba classes.

You can dive on your own (call the lifeguard beach information line at (619) 221-8824 first) or book a guided tour online in advance. Most dive operators in the area meet at the beach rather than operating storefronts in La Jolla Shores.

Tide Pools at Dike Rock

At the north end of La Jolla Shores Beach, just beyond Scripps Pier, you’ll find Dike Rock, one of the best La Jolla tide pools. During low tides (usually late fall to early spring when low tides occur during daylight hours), you can spot sea anemones, sea urchins, hermit crabs, and various fish species.

Birch Aquarium at Scripps leads guided tide pool adventures here where naturalists help you discover marine life and share fascinating facts about what you’re seeing. More eyeballs mean more sea life spottings. You can also explore on your own by consulting our guides to La Jolla tide pools and San Diego tide pools.

Scripps Pier

If you’re facing the ocean from the La Jolla Shores parking lot, head right on the beach and you’ll reach the pier within minutes.

The Ellen Browning Scripps Pier is one of the world’s largest research piers, used by the Scripps Institution of Oceanography for experiments and data collection about ocean changes. The pier serves as a great landmark for beach orientation and makes for excellent photos.

You can check live footage from the Pier Cam on the Scripps website to see beach conditions before heading over. During certain times of the year, Birch Aquarium offers pier tours, including full moon walks, which aren’t normally open to the public.

Kellogg Park and Playground

Kellogg Park borders La Jolla Shores Beach and offers a huge grassy area perfect for picnics, kite flying, and games. The playground is geared toward younger kids with a jungle gym, swings, and other equipment. Many families come here to enjoy the beach atmosphere without getting sandy.

Next to the playground, you’ll find the world’s largest LithoMosaic called “The Map of the Grand Canyons of La Jolla.” The colorful concrete tiles embedded in the ground showcase the topography of the underwater park and the sea life living in it, helping people on land appreciate what exists beneath the waves.

This is a great stop when visiting La Jolla with kids.

Boardwalk

The La Jolla Shores Beach boardwalk isn’t very long, but if you have kids who want to test out roller skates or scooters, arrive early in the morning before the crowds. Hit the playground, then head to the beach for a full day out.

Bonfires

The fire pits on the beach are available during summer for all-day and evening use (except between midnight and 5 a.m.). Bring s’mores, hot dogs, and wood to burn. Just don’t stack it too high, as 12 inches above the pit is the maximum allowed. Like parking, you’ll want to stake a claim on your fire pit early since there are only a handful available and they go fast.

Grunion Runs

Spring through summer is grunion running season, when the little silver fish come to shore to spawn. Open season is when it’s okay to actually catch grunion (with a fishing license), and closed season is for observation only.

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife maintains a grunion run schedule and rules. Birch Aquarium at Scripps also leads organized grunion runs on La Jolla Shores Beach during the season.

Photography

Popular with Instagrammers, a photo beneath Scripps Pier, looking directly out to the ocean between the pylons, is sure to be a favorite. At golden hour, you may see families with photographers next to the pier taking holiday card photos and couples snapping wedding photos. Twice a year, the sun aligns perfectly between the pylons at sunset, drawing crowds of photographers.

Between the surfers, the birds, the ocean, and general beach activity, any time is a good time to practice your skills here. It’s one of the most popular places to take photos in La Jolla.

Walking Your Dog

We walk our dog on La Jolla Shores Beach year-round. Dogs are not allowed during daytime hours listed above, but outside of those hours, leashed dogs are welcome.

We absolutely love early morning walks here. The beach at sunrise is peaceful and beautiful, with just a handful of other dog walkers and joggers sharing the sand. Because the beach is so long and wide, dogs and non-dog people coexist easily. Learn more about things to do with dogs in La Jolla.

Running and Exercise

I absolutely love running on La Jolla Shores Beach. Near the water’s edge, the sand is compact, so you can run barefoot without your feet sinking too far. The breeze usually isn’t too strong, and your view in all directions is spectacular, all the way to La Jolla Cove and the sea caves. During low tides, you can walk north to Black’s Beach and beyond (be sure to time your return accordingly so you don’t get stuck as the tides rise).

Several boot camps meet at Kellogg Park, should you want a full-body workout amid ocean breezes.

Making the Most of Your Beach Day

La Jolla Shores Beach is just a few blocks from the shops and restaurants on Avenida de la Playa, which makes it easy to pick up everything you need for a great day on the sand. Here are some tips.

Food to Bring to the Beach

You don’t need to pack a cooler from home. The Cheese Shop on Avenida de la Playa makes overstuffed sandwiches that are perfect for a beach picnic. I’m partial to the turkey, jack cheese, and avocado, but the roasted pork loin is their most popular. Don’t skip the homemade oatmeal cookies.

Jeffs’ Beach Burgers is another great grab-and-go option on Avenida de la Playa. Go for classic burgers, fresh fries, hot dogs, and an all-day breakfast sandwich, all at reasonable prices.

Dough Momma Pizzeria is right on the promenade and sells New York-style slices that are easy to grab and eat on the go. The hand-tossed crust is excellent.

Brick and Bell opens at 6 a.m. if you’re heading to the beach early. Grab a scone (they’re famous for them and sometimes sell a thousand in a day between their locations), a coffee, and a breakfast sandwich to go.

The Corner Mercantile & Eatery on La Jolla Shores Drive is a bit further from the sand than the other Avenida spots, but it’s worth the walk if you want scratch-made food. Their eatery turns out sandwiches, bowls, and breakfast items, and the market side has drinks, snacks, and beach essentials. Open daily from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.

For afternoon treats, Scoops La Jolla has Van Leeuwen ice cream, including vegan flavors, and Neighbor-Saver Market lets you build your own ice cream sandwich.

Gear Rentals

Don’t want to drag beach gear from home? Surf Diva rents beach chairs, umbrellas, and boogie boards in addition to surfboards and SUP gear. Everyday California also rents kayaks, snorkeling equipment, and paddleboards. Both are located on Avenida de la Playa, a short walk from the beach.

Dining on the Sand

If you want a sit-down meal without leaving the beach, The Marine Room is literally on the sand at the south end of La Jolla Shores Beach. During high tides, waves crash against the restaurant’s floor-to-ceiling windows, which is an experience you won’t find at many restaurants anywhere.

I recommend visiting at sunset or at high tide for the full effect. They have an excellent happy hour. It’s also one of La Jolla’s best restaurants and a fantastic spot for a special occasion.

Where to Stay on the Beach

Two hotels sit directly on the sand at La Jolla Shores Beach, and both offer amenities that make a beach day effortless.

La Jolla Shores Hotel is an excellent value for an oceanfront San Diego beach hotel. The hotel sets up beach chairs, towels, and umbrellas for guests, and offers private beach barbecue and s’mores setups so you don’t have to compete for the public fire rings. Tip: They’re performing balcony enhancements, so the pool will be closed until May.

The La Jolla Beach and Tennis Club is perfect for multigenerational travel. This family-owned property has a private beach where you can drink alcohol, which is the only beach in La Jolla that allows this. Overnight guests also have access to the Olympic-sized pool, tennis courts, and pitch-and-putt golf course.

Both hotels are excellent choices for hotels near UCSD and rank on our lists of best La Jolla hotels and best San Diego beach hotels.

Parking and How to Get to La Jolla Shores Beach

Address: 8200 Camino del Oro, La Jolla, CA 92037

Parking: La Jolla Shores Beach has a fairly sizable parking lot that is free to use. Street parking is also free, though some streets have hourly limits, so pay attention to posted signs.

During peak times (summer weekends and school holidays), the parking lot fills up quickly. I recommend arriving before 9 or 10 a.m. during summer, or consider taking a rideshare so you don’t have to worry about parking.

From I-5 South (Carlsbad/Del Mar):

• Exit on La Jolla Village Drive
• Turn right onto La Jolla Village Drive to head west
• Turn left onto Torrey Pines Road
• Turn right onto La Jolla Shores Drive (at the gas station)
• Turn left onto Avenida de la Playa
• Turn right onto Camino del Oro
• Drive two blocks
• You’ll see the La Jolla Shores parking lot on the left

From I-5 North (Downtown San Diego/Coronado):

• Exit on La Jolla Parkway (52 West)
• Drive straight as the road briefly turns into Torrey Pines Road
• Turn left onto Torrey Pines Road
• Turn right onto La Jolla Shores Drive (at the gas station)
• Turn left onto Avenida de la Playa
• Turn right onto Camino del Oro
• Drive two blocks
• You’ll see the La Jolla Shores parking lot on the left

Tips for Visiting La Jolla Shores Beach

Get there early if you’re coming in the summer. The best time to arrive for parking is before 9 a.m. during the summer months. Off-season and weekdays offer more flexible timing, but summer weekends require early arrival or a rideshare.

Bring sunscreen and layers. The marine layer can make mornings cool, even in summer, and temperatures can change throughout the day. The beach is beautiful year-round, even in winter or on cloudy days. We use it differently in cooler months (walking, building sandcastles, watching sunsets), but it’s pretty fantastic.

The water is warmest in late summer and early fall. September and October typically have the most comfortable ocean temperatures if you’re planning to swim or do water sports.

Do the stingray shuffle. When you walk into the water, shuffle your feet along the sandy bottom instead of stepping normally. Stingrays rest in the sand in the shallows, and shuffling gives them a heads-up to move out of your way. It sounds silly, but locals do it every time.

Check the Scripps Pier webcam before you go. You can see live beach conditions via the Scripps Pier webcam, which is particularly helpful if you’re deciding between beaches or want to see crowd levels.

Birch Aquarium is just up the hill and is worth a visit. Birch Aquarium at Scripps is run by the Scripps Institution of Oceanography and focuses on the ocean science happening right here in La Jolla. Kids love it, and adults learn a lot more than they expect to. Check our Birch Aquarium guide for ticket info and tips.

La Jolla Shores Beach is one of the most accessible beaches in San Diego. Free beach wheelchairs are available at the lifeguard tower on a first-come, first-served basis (bring a photo ID). During summer months, beach access mats are laid out from the parking area toward the water, making it easier to navigate the sand. The boardwalk, Kellogg Park, and the Avenida de la Playa promenade are all flat and paved. Call (619) 525-8247 for reservations or questions.

I’ve been going to La Jolla Shores Beach since I was a student at UC San Diego, and it never gets old. It’s one of the best things to do in La Jolla, and whether you’re here for a week or just an afternoon, it’s the kind of beach that makes you understand why people move to San Diego.