La Jolla Cove Beach, San Diego (must see)

La Jolla Cove, located in La Jolla, San Diego, is a small cove embraced by cliffs and features a beautiful beach. Point La Jolla marks the southern side of this enchanting spot. This area is safeguarded as part of a marine reserve and is immensely popular among snorkelers, swimmers, and scuba divers. Within the waters of the Cove, one can encounter California sea lions, which occasionally haul out, taking a break from the water to rest on the beaches, cliffs, and bluffs.

The beach at the Cove is quite petite, and the sand has a gritty texture. Nevertheless, it remains a highly sought-after location for swimming, snorkeling, and scuba diving. Some swimmers even challenge themselves to swim to and from Scripps Pier, covering a total distance of 3 miles round trip. Throughout the year, the Cove hosts numerous open water swimming events, including the Rough Water Swim and the 10 Mile Relay swim.

As La Jolla Cove lies within the San Diego-La Jolla Underwater Park, which serves as a marine refuge area, the use of swimming devices such as surfboards, boogie boards, and inflatable mattresses is prohibited. Additionally, kayakers are not permitted to enter the Cove. This ecological reserve strictly prohibits fishing and the collection of marine invertebrates, even including deceased specimens or seashells. All sea creatures are protected by law, including the abundantly found orange Garibaldi fish. La Jolla Cove is home to hundreds of sea lions, which can occasionally be spotted in the deeper areas of the Cove or basking on rocks.