Watch the La Jolla Seals relax at La Jolla Children's Pool, a.k.a. San Diego Seal Beach, one of the most photographed sights in San Diego, California. You can also see some seals nearby at La Jolla Cove.
Last updated October 29 2011 La Jolla Seals.
One of the most popular sights to see in San Diego is the La Jolla Children's Pool, now home to a colony of San Diego harbor seals. Although the beach was donated to the city of San Diego to be used as a children's beach, the seals have now taken it over. If you are looking to see the La Jolla seals in SD, this is the place to come. If you want to take your children to a great La Jolla San Diego beach to play in the water or sand, I recommend La Jolla Shores instead.
View of La Jolla Coast from La Jolla Children's Pool
La Jolla Children's Pool, or the Casa beach, is a small beach protected by a seawall. Several other small beaches are nearby including Wipeout Beach to the south and Shell Beach to the north. A very popular walk is to continue along the La Jolla coast walk from Children's Pool, past Shell Beach, and Scripps Park to La Jolla Cove.
Seals at La Jolla Children's Pool
The La Jolla seals have taken over the beach, and the tourists love to take pics of these awesome creatures. Advocates of the seals have been fighting to allow them to stay at the beach. This legal battle is still ongoing, but so far it looks like the seals will most likely have the beach to themselves.
Most visitors to the beach look at the beautiful views and the seals, and don't actually wander down onto the beach. If you visit and you are allowed on the beach, please do not get too close to the seals.
La Jolla Children's Pool Information
Location: 850 Coast Boulevard, La Jolla, San Diego, California
Directions to La Jolla Children's Pool San Diego:See below | Google Map
Parking: Limited free parking on Coast Blvd. or in one of the paid parking lots in downtown La Jolla.
Getting There: Short walk to the beach from parking areas. Enjoy to beautiful La Jolla coastline.
Things to Do: Watch the seals, look down in the clear water at the sea life, walk along the La Jolla Coast walk to La Jolla Cove and the La Jolla Sea Caves.
Things to See: Harbor seals, sunset over the Pacific Ocean
Facilities: Restrooms, trash cans, concrete seawall, concrete walkway along the scenic La Jolla coast walk.
Services: Many restaurants, bars, and hotels nearby in downtown La Jolla.
High Tide Access: At high tide, the view is nice from Coast Blvd. At low to medium tide, you can walk out along the sea wall for a closer view of the seals, and the marine life.
Lifeguard: No lifequards.
Dogs: No dogs allowed. This is San Diego seal beach now!
Things NOT to Do: No disturbing the seals, no surfing, no boogie boarding, no alcohol, no glass containers, no smoking, no littering, no disturbing noise, no overnight sleeping, camping or parking.
Disability Access: Some disabled parking and access along Coast Boulevard. No direct access to Children's Pool, but you can enjoy the concrete sidewalk along the coast which offers spectacular views.
Hazards: Dangerous rocks, rip currents, seal colony makes water unsafe for swimming.
You can also get a closer view of the La Jolla seals near La Jolla Cove, just a short walk away along the La Jolla Coast Walk.
Directions to La Jolla Children's Pool (Seal Beach) from the north - From Interstate 5, go west on La Jolla Village Drive, left on Torrey Pines Road, and right on Prospect Street. Watch for the signs and bear right on Coast Boulevard (take the second entrance if the first one looks busy).
Directions to La Jolla Children's Pool (Seals Beach) from the south - From Interstate 5, go west on La Jolla Parkway, continue on Torrey Pines Road, and right on Prospect Street. Watch for the signs and turn right onto Coast Boulevard (take the second entrance if the first one looks crowded).
