10 Fun Things to Do at La Jolla Cove, San Diego
La Jolla is a seaside community within the city of San Diego in California. The most popular attraction within La Jolla is La Jolla Cove, which is picturesque cove and beach that is protected as part of the marine reserve as it is rich in marine life. If you are visiting San Diego, you should set aside some time to visit the cove as you will find plenty of activities to keep you entertained during your visit. Here are just 10 of the fun things you can do when you visit La Jolla Cove, San Diego.
1. Stroll Around the Cove
The cove is one of the most picturesque spots in the whole of San Diego, if not California. Therefore, you should take some time to take a stroll around the perimeter of the cove to admire the views from different perspectives. Not only can you enjoy looking at the cove, but you can also admire the sea views, watch the birds and other wildlife, and enjoy the fresh air.
2. Make the Most of the Beach
The beach at La Jolla Cove is arguably the most famous of the ten beaches at La Jolla, says LaJolla.com. This beach is one of the major reasons why people visit La Jolla Cove. Visitors enjoy relaxing on the beach, sunbathing, people, watching, paddling, and playing with their children. If you fancy a change of scene, a short walk in either direction will lead you to the other La Jolla beaches, each of which has something different to offer.
3. Relax with a Picnic
One of the facilities provided to visitors to La Jolla Cove is picnic benches that are dotted around the area. This is great for you to take a break at lunchtime and enjoy a picnic in pleasant surroundings. You are not restricted to eating your picnic on the beach as you can choose to relax with it on the beach or to find a shaded area around the cove to get out of the midday sun if you prefer.
4. Enjoy a Fine Dining Experience
While eating a picnic at lunch is a nice way to enjoy the outdoors, you may prefer a more formal dining experience at dinner. There are several fantastic restaurants at La Jolla Cove where you can enjoy an outstanding meal. One of the best restaurants is George’s at the Cove. This is a beautiful restaurant with an outdoor terrace where you can enjoy panoramic views across the cove. It serves Californian cuisine with a modern twist, and seafood features highly on the menu. A less formal option is Brockton Villa, which is open from breakfast through to dinner. The restaurant is in a historic cottage that boats fantastic views.
5. Take a Dip
Another reason why people visit La Jolla Cove is to take a dip in the beautiful blue waters of the Pacific Ocean. This is a great way to cool off on a hot summer day and is an activity that all the family can enjoy. It is relatively safe to swim in the cove, as there is a lifeguard station that monitors activity in the cove with lifeguards on hand at all times.
6. Go Snorkeling or Scuba Diving
According to La Jolla Mom, one of the best ways to spend your time in La Jolla Cove is to try snorkeling or scuba diving. The underwater world of the cove is fascinating and spectacular to see as it is home to some magnificent marine life. It is a chance to get up close and personal with this marine life and to enjoy a unique experience. There is snorkeling equipment on hire at the cove, and it is possible to hire instructors to take you out if you are a novice.
7. See the Famous La Jolla Sea Lions
La Jolla Cove has become famous as a hang out for sea lions. There are several points in the cove where you can get close enough to the sea lions to take photographs, including from the boardwalk. However, it is recommended that you do not get too close as they are wild animals that need their space. Watching them interact with each in the ocean and on the rocks is a fascinating sight. If you head a little further along the coast towards the Children’s Pool, you can also watch La Jolla seals.
8. Explore the Cave
Although there are seven caves in the cove, only one of these is accessible by land. This is the Sunny Jim Sea Cave, the entrance to which is within a souvenir shop called The Cave Store. Inside the cave, you will also pass Clam’s Cave, which is the only one of the caves in California that you can see from the land. This is only a short activity, so you can include this in your itinerary along with several other activities if you are visiting for just one day.
9. Have Fun at the Tide Pools
If you are visiting La Jolla Cove with children, you should take them to the Tide Pools, which lie just between the actual cove and the place where the sea lions hang out. These are great for children to explore looking for some of the smaller marine life.
10. Visit Ellen Browning Scripps Park
Adjacent to La Jolla Cove is Ellen Browning Scripps Park. This is a large grassy area that Dr. Seuss could see from the window of his home in La Jolla. It is rumored that the trees in this park inspired the truffula trees that feature in his best-selling book ‘The Lorax’. This is a great space for having some family outdoor fun. It is ideal for picnics, ball games, walking, small kit flying, outdoor games, and yoga. In the mornings, the grass is usually quite damp. So, you should bring along a waterproof blanket if you are visiting in the morning and intend to sit on the grass.
