This is an amazing park. My brother took us here during a trip to San Diego. The views are wonderful and it was a great experience being able to get to see sea lions up close. You can walk down to an area where there is no physical barrier between you and the animals if you want, but there are signs warning you against getting too close to those animals. You can also just view them from an elevated walkway at a distance. We visited on a Sunday afternoon/evening and there were lots of people out just walking on the concrete path, taking pictures of the sea lions and kids playing in the grass areas. There were also small vendors along the walking path selling unique items. This was a great place to visit and I would highly recommend if you're in San Diego.

Could stay here watching the seals and sea lions for hours! Gorgeous views and plenty of seals, sea lions, and birds. Great area for a picnic - plenty of local restaurants a walk away.

Amazing cliff and beautiful sunset view. I love here a lot!

A gorgeous place to bring the family or friends, nearby restaurants are within walking distance. Parking is limited, gorgeous views of the Pacific and beautiful sunsets. We've been coming here since we were teenagers which is a very long time, we've enjoyed each visit. The cove attracts a diversity of people which I love, and it's a dog friendly park which makes it nice for Carnelo and Pitbull to enjoy

If you can find a place to park along Prospect Dr. consider yourself extremely fortunate. Otherwise, up the hill along Cave Street, you can expect to pay $35 to self-park. Ouch. Nonetheless, during mating season, which June through September, the seal and sea lions beached along the rocky shore is a spectacle to behold. You'll never see nature in action like this at the zoo.

La Jolla Cove is beautiful and a great place to snorkel and Swim! Above the Cove is Prospect Ave, a great place to dine, shop, and see Art Galleries. George's on top of the Cove and Eddie V's are my personal favorite! Overlooks the Shores/Cove & Tidepools!

So beautiful with many of sea lions and seals everywhere. People swim with them near by too. They are so cute. During pupping season from May to Oct 31, you can see them lying down here. I feel closer to nature than ever.

This place is absolutely amazing. You can see seals and sea lions wild and they swim with you.... they are so close that almost you can touch those . You can see also pelican. All the coast is awesome You can walk around and see the environment change with beautiful beach and nice cliff... Nice wild beach . Suffers .... I like this place a lot if you pass through here you must stop

Beautiful view of the Pacific Ocean! What is cooler though - Sea Lions are literally just hanging out on the rocks next to the humans swimming... like seriously - RIGHT THERE! It seems as though if you leave them alone, they'll leave you alone... unfortunately, people aren't that bright. Gorgeous area - Very highly recommended.

This is a must-see if you're in San Diego! Beautiful views plenty of sea lions everywhere. Most of the restaurants in the area are fine dining.

If you are in the San Diego area, this is definitely worth a stop. It’s a nice, peaceful place to breathe for a moment and just take it in. Free parking can be a challenge but it appeared there were several parking garages available. Probably better to use those if you want to walk around, peruse the shops, and maybe grab a bite as there a lot of restaurants to chose from.

Such a nice place to see sunset in San Diego. Perfect spot for a picnic date with your better half or a day out with your family, this place has something for everyone. Around sunset time parking is hard to find. It took us 15 minutes to find a spot and it was still worth it. They have benches along the road facing the sea and the sunset. A lot of restaurants near by to stop by for dinners post sunset. A must visit.

It was nice to visit here. It can be a great place to catch a sunset in San Diego. You can also have a picnic on the greenspace, or go hang out on the beach. The water was freezing when we went. On a certain section of the beach part of the cove, you'll see the seals sunbathing. You can't miss them. Honestly, the day we went(around July 4th) it was a constant fog in the air, so it was overcast all day. In the later afternoon time, parking will be harder to find. They have benches along the walk facing the sea and the sunset. Back up on the street level, there are shops and restaurants you dine at. It's a visit you make if you're in the San Diego area, but it won't take up much of your day. Start at the Cave Store and work your way down to the tide pools. I'd say visit, but let the weather determine if you swim or snorkel here. Especially with the water being so cold.

I have loved this place for many years ❤️. And it still actually works well for me. There is a lot of activity for kids. For example, I found two spots with bubbles 🫧 🍾 😄 Please, see attached photos 📸. It's definitely will be nice for a picnic or for hanging out with your folks. Green grass, smiling faces, good weather, peaceful place is good mind medicine 💊 😊. Highly recommended for families and romantic couples who want some new ocean experience.

That’s my favorite place in this awesome state. From wildflowers to wildlife and everything between, highly recommended.

If you visit San Diego, this is a must-to-visit place. I've been many times, and I think is the first time I come in Monday and I highly recommend to do it on a weekday, it's nothing busy as in weekend, so you can really enjoy of walking, spaces, beautiful views and to watch the sea lions. Lovely place.

Very nice nature with seals & sea lions of different ages. Relaxing wave sounds. Many birds who show their presence with distinctive smell 👃

Why an amazing and beautiful place, one of my favorite places to be now, so many things to do, look, watch, activities and beautiful beach, even sea lions, pelicans, birds and beautiful hike down the cove and beach, up the cove where all restaurants, shopping, cafes and anything you can think of. Highly recommend this area.

Such a beautiful place! Saw some seal pups and sea lions! Great place to take your kids and spend a day on the beach.

One of the most beautiful beaches California has to offer. You'll encounter so much wild life here. From seals , rabbits , crabs and so much more. Beach is clean and well maintained. San Deigo has obviously taken pride in keeping it safe for wild life while maintaining the surroundings from human trash. Wish more California beaches would take San Diego's lead in cleaning and maintaining their beaches.

An experience like no other. Water is cold, it’s to be expected so plan accordingly. Yes the wildlife is fun to see but be smart and stay a safe distance. Life guards have to constantly remind people to NOT approach or TOUCH! Be responsible and respectful and your day will be memorable and fun.

10/ 10 ! you have to see this. A great place to relax. Sea lions on the rocks make sounds, you can get close to them. They are not afraid of people

Nice walk path. Good restaurants around with some nice options. Wonderful area for someone looking for a day trip.

Rather crowded, lots of people is the worst part. The sea lions are worth the trek out there! It's got some very beautiful views!

September 18, 2021, a Saturday afternoon. This is one of my favorite parks - anywhere. It is situated in the apex of the bejeweled crown of the San Diego coastline. There is plenty of room and allowance for most any activity. Or if you prefer - 'inactivity'. Right on the ocean with abundant green grass, shaded areas, picnic tables, benches, a pergola or two, sidewalks and limited beach access. We are regional locals and treasure any visit that we make here. Creature watching of all sorts abounds - land, sea, air. Sometimes, people watching is the most engaging and entertaining. Parking is a challenge, to be sure. Patience in obtaining a space may tax your capacity, but if you keep playing peacefully, the lottery win of spots will open for you in the perfect spot. I promise. Enjoy!

Amazing place for watching sea lions and seals on the beach. Sunset is very beautiful at the beach. The beach is good for swimming. Lots of street parking available around the area.

Crowded extra small area, beautiful blue water. Sea lions and wildlife stink up the street. Pretty area for snorkeling, but it feels wrong to go down and get so close to wildlife. Especially bc of disrespectful tourists taking pictures less than 5ft from the sea lions. Restrooms and showers upstairs by the park. Nightmare traffic surrounding the one-way street.

Don't get to close or the Sea Otters might Yell at ya. Such a beautiful place to bring your Family. We always stop here in S.D 😍

This is a great spot to watch the wildlife (and the people watching the wildlife). You can see the preserve from above or in the water swimming, diving or kayaking. There are sea lions galore, pelicans and the ubiquitous sea gulls plus seals.

Awesome scenery, opportunity to see wildlife, seals, sea lions and Birdlife. Town is picturesque, good places for shopping and dining.

Beautiful walk full of shops and restaurants. This area is an upscale area that is clean and family friendly. Peaceful and a great place to walk around with family to see the seals and sea lions.

La Jolla Cove today, was a picture perfect day, for nature photography. Therefore, I was determined to take full advantage of my La Jolla road trip. As I made my way, across the park grass, I spoke with a photographer. She told me it was the first day in a while, the sun had come out early. I noticed thin, white streaks spread randomly across the sky. This phenomena made the La Jolla Cove landscape, even more entrancing. Not at all far from the northwest corner of the park, you'll see the large nice new restrooms, & multi-station showers, so you can hose the sand off, following a dip in La Jolla Cove. They really did a nice job on this, completely leveling the old rr's and building humongous as well as nice, brand new ones. I got incredible stills, & some beautiful nature videos here, & it all began, with us finding a lucky parking spot, just downhill from the Cave Store. This is where you'll enter, pay & start your tour of the cave from. For a fee, you can take a 15-20 minute self-guided walking tour, down 144 stairs, & into Sunny Jim Cave, where Bootlegger's smuggled alcohol & Opium into the cave, during Prohibition times. First sight I saw, now talking about outside, peering over the railing, & down at the blue water, were people in single kayaks, paddling along the cliffs, which lead toward La Jolla Cove. As my wife & I made our way downhill, along a concrete walkway, we first noticed a large group of cormorants, spread out on a rocky ledge. These not very attractive birds, were gullar fluttering. This is the term used, to describe how birds shed excess heat. You can easily notice a patch of skin, under their lower bill, which you'll see rapidly vibrating. Their mouths open & close, in time with their quivering throats. You'll only notice this, on sunny & hot Southern California days. The cormorant colony, gave way to a a massive presence of Brown Pelicans, which were busy preening, and turning their fleshy throat pouches inside out, as well. These large, fish eating birds, like to flap their wings about, as if they're gonna take off. The mature Brown Pelicans have gray bodies, white heads, & yellow bills, tipped with red color. The muted, dull brown-colored juvenile pelicans, which easily outnumber their mature counterparts, also hang out, along La Jolla Cove's steep, sloping sandstone hillside. Occasionally, a group of pelicans, would launch skyward & soar single file, along the bluff edge. Next we watched the sea lions, while listening to them bark, pretty much constantly. They like to chase each other through the water, then hang out on flat rocks, when done. These mammals tend to hang around the edges of the cove, playing in it's clear, protected waters. Scuba divers & snorkelers make their way, from the bottom of the beach stairs, across a tiny bit of sand, into turquoise clear waters of La Jolla Cove. There, they practice snorkeling & diving techniques, while keeping a safe distance, from all the sea lions, who were here first. We made our way past this really popular area, then headed uphill, on the walkway, in the general direction of San Diego. It's so pretty here, with sandstone cliffs, & oddly textured rocks, plus tons of sea-life to view, both above & beneath this calm water. You'll notice the turquoise water gives way to the briny blue, the further from shore, you look. We watched, as wave after wave blasted off the steep & rugged cliffs. My wife noticed several small ground squirrels, feeding on ice plant spears, just off the walkway. I even got pics & video of 2 adult California Gulls, watching over their tiny, cute & very sleepy, speckled fluff-ball babies. Also, quite amazingly, I captured a young sea lion, surfing in front of a 3 foot-tall wave. This place is so incredibly cool, with lots of birds, & tons of people. All these folks have a great love for the beach! La Jolla Cove is a California coastal showcase, where you're treated to nice views of the scenic San Diego coastline & even more impressive blue ocean views, both up & down the coast!

Great spot to visit the seals and sea lions. Just be warned it smells pretty intense even on colder days. I believe it's the birds that hang around though as the Elephant seals beach doesn't smell like this cove at all. I loved hearing the animals talk to each other it was fun watching them in there own element. We even saw some swimming and jumping into the ocean from the rocks. Really great spot to bring the kids too. Parking is very limited so you may need to park further away and walk down the hill. But it's totally worth it to see this beautiful spot.

It smells awful but it’s worth it. Parking can be a bit of a challenge on the weekends, but still worth the hunt. I brought my dog and kept her on the side walk portion because the beach itself is not dog friendly. Great place to view the life of sea lions. Street vendors are also around selling art and ice cream. There are restroom dispersed.