10 Best Beaches in La Jolla, California: A Local’s Guide

La Jolla’s rugged seven-mile coastline is part of its charm, and each of its beaches is favored for different reasons. Here, I outline the best La Jolla beaches and why you will enjoy each one. Learn more

LA JOLLA SHORES BEACH

[{"selector":"#anim-510ac640-bf63-4f35-a2e8-e3935a368888","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":600,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-3a0cc763-8702-4346-95e0-c7bb89d5b1d6","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":400,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-727965f4-fba2-4e8d-b713-638601884347","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-115.60509%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":400,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-d7733bc9-e34e-4896-884c-63f39dd78f5a","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":400,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-7db1e3ff-b414-40ac-82a5-bf36c2399d08","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-115.92356%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":400,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Learn More This is the best La Jolla beach for all-day sunbathing, family fun, and a wide range of water sports.

La Jolla Cove Beach

[{"selector":"#anim-d10a6271-7808-4a4b-aaf6-16305f3b4ca5","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":400,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-f6d47048-bdbf-4f21-88e8-a01a9ec6225e","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-114.83871%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":400,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-77c65313-ce9f-47b4-8f27-9ff192abd7b2","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":600,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-f647836d-cd87-4fb3-8f93-f5efce470f52","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":400,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-e0bbb43b-69d8-4442-a4dd-61cd1c514fe6","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-115.23179%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":400,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] It’s one of the best La Jolla beaches because of easy entry into the ecological reserve for snorkeling and diving. Learn More

To see the famous La Jolla seals and walk on the sea wall.

[{"selector":"#anim-46160742-3529-4f57-8d1e-52b7a556d783","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":400,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-03722cb7-33f5-4798-9e1c-fd3a72f74788","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-115.73771%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":400,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-5e7df676-331d-471c-ad87-e7c308405038","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":600,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-3a4b5337-e1ba-423e-baa7-4d8031090aa0","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":400,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-e66d7d15-4f6b-43fb-ac9a-dcbcc933f694","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-114.81482%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":400,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Learn More

BLACK’S BEACH

[{"selector":"#anim-a94fce11-751b-46f9-b071-91b19f5ad808","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":400,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-feeb6d8c-5731-431f-b457-6f87305f4c27","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-115.89405%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":400,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-c2c20d39-6ca5-4110-908a-dc26b5a96320","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":600,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-d9b266bc-ac59-4711-88a6-c3ecbcaec37c","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":400,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-850a50a5-1f13-4f4a-b5d0-897099bc4985","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-114.46541%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":400,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] To surf or enjoy some quiet (note that some people still go nude here) without the kids. Learn More

To experience a quiet, local favorite and to surf.

[{"selector":"#anim-6b06cbba-5b93-4337-9c7b-eb63be27f133","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":600,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-cf1d1398-f471-49dd-8eae-0cc00a4ee9e0","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":400,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-b8989eb9-4dc6-4b32-908f-ba3e705a6fb8","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-115.78948%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":400,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-92f1a2b8-8e8f-4701-bc25-e3b6eb5268f9","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":400,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-dbec1cd9-51e6-4d61-ac44-f46cb9ca35ad","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-117.25352%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":400,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Learn More

You’re an expert surfer in search of killer waves or looking for a scenic place to lay out or watch the sunset.

[{"selector":"#anim-9e0a6e25-abcd-4882-8c77-beb3310d5d47","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":400,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-4de60e04-bf77-40c0-a77d-80abe9f86552","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-115.18988%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":400,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-4b789c5e-455d-4f0c-b632-006414c48a20","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":400,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-0143f83b-88e1-4502-b61f-d822d8062fc6","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-115.53399%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":400,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-1f551fab-6228-4fc8-94f4-27aa60a5fb5f","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":600,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Learn More

Swipe up to learn more!

[{"selector":"#anim-0c889684-15bf-4758-b96b-506d4ca1052c","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":250,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-0c50b5a5-4b07-43e1-a498-86206ffd654a","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-140.25975%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":250,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Learn more

More posts

[{"selector":"#anim-2653c814-acdb-462c-a548-7854d1ccaaf2","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-201.46342%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-706566c8-4acc-466d-a8ed-9e9ebaaba1cd","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-5f47d8ee-aa69-4243-94cb-2b8783402ecd","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.15)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-ed55a2ad-6138-4a1f-8ee1-820b9d71880b","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-202.451%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":900,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-77ef9f73-9cb7-45d7-a69e-10cee812bdb2","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":900,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-f7d9011a-3557-4a83-ba95-b56dd171b9c4","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.15)","scale(1)"]},"delay":900,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-1001b248-978e-4240-8baf-8a8cb2d90dc2","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-250.34484%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-533a0e35-1047-4961-a362-067b22ea38b1","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-c698d317-7e25-4309-b481-7bba092db28c","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.15)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-86770577-84fd-4093-a78c-07c412f227db","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-250.34484%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":700,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-7b220bc2-fb15-494a-b710-ac40848c3afb","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":700,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-670a0cdd-6b6d-4dee-a0b1-2e2929fe9dc4","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.15)","scale(1)"]},"delay":700,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-73ef6051-22d1-492e-a4e3-20ae87b38457","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-249.31508%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":900,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-a1f4c012-2bfc-4e52-8813-147482ff25a9","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":900,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-f73e6c38-4da1-4528-8dd7-22f2e7251abc","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.15)","scale(1)"]},"delay":900,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-6dd4ea43-6814-4668-a9bc-9f47cfd09b6d","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-2d2c3465-f17c-49e4-b234-d47fc94b1dad","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-115.03067%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] What to Know About Ellen Browning Scripps Park Expert Tips for Visiting La Jolla Tide Pools and Where to Go La Jolla Sea Caves: History and How to See Them