La Jolla Cove and Children's Pool (Seal Beach)

La Jolla Cove and the nearby Children's Pool (also known as Seal Beach) together form one of San Diego's most magical family destinations — and it is completely free. This stretch of La Jolla coastline offers wild harbor seal encounters, world-class snorkeling, tide pool exploration, and some of the most beautiful coastal scenery in Southern California.

The Children's Pool is the star attraction for families with young kids. Originally built in 1931 as a sheltered swimming area for children, the small beach behind its concrete seawall has been claimed by a colony of harbor seals. Dozens of seals haul out on the sand year-round, and during pupping season (January through March), you can watch mothers nursing fuzzy white seal pups just yards from the viewing area.

A rope barrier keeps visitors at a safe distance, and the elevated seawall walkway provides perfect photo angles. For kids who have never seen a wild marine mammal up close, this experience is genuinely thrilling.

La Jolla Cove itself, a 5-10 minute walk north along Coast Boulevard, is a small, dramatic inlet framed by sandstone cliffs. The water here is part of a marine reserve, which means no fishing or collecting — and the result is underwater visibility that can exceed 30 feet on calm days. Snorkeling at the cove reveals brilliant orange garibaldi (California's state marine fish), leopard sharks (completely harmless to humans), sheephead, spiny lobster, and occasionally sea lions swimming alongside you.

For kids ready to snorkel (strong swimmers, generally ages 8+), the cove is extraordinary. However, parents should know that there is no sand beach at the main cove — entry requires climbing down rocks that can be slippery. The water can also have a strong smell of sea lion waste, particularly in summer, as sea lions occupy the caves and rocks at the base of the cliffs.

This is natural and harmless but can be off-putting to some visitors.

Tide pools are the third pillar of the La Jolla Cove experience. During low tides, the rocky shelves along the coast between the cove and the Children's Pool become a living classroom. Kids can spot purple sea urchins, giant green anemones, hermit crabs scuttling between pools, sea stars clinging to rocks, and tiny sculpin fish darting for cover.

A few guidelines: never remove animals from tide pools, step carefully to avoid crushing organisms on rocks, and check tide charts before visiting — tides below +1. 5 feet are ideal.

The Coast Walk trail that connects the cove to the Children's Pool follows the bluff edge with spectacular ocean views. Along the way, you will pass sea caves, the famous Sunny Jim Cave (accessible via a stairway from The Cave Store for a small fee), and viewpoints where sea lions bark on the rocks below.

Parking in La Jolla can be challenging, especially on summer weekends. Free street parking along Coast Boulevard and Prospect Street is available but limited. Arrive before 10 AM for the best chance at a free spot.

Paid lots on Prospect and Girard ($15-30/day) are the backup option. The La Jolla Village commercial area is a 5-minute walk from the cove and has excellent dining options for post-beach meals.