Description

This is a must-see if you have children. Seal Rock is aptly named for its seals. This rock is off-limits to give the seals a refuge.

A hundred feet south of Seal Rock lies Children's Cove. This cove used to be a beach for children. In the early 1900s La Jolla built a sea wall so children would be protected from the heavy surf. However, in the last decade, seals have taken over this beach. Over 50 harbor seals now call this stretch of sand home, and for the same reason: protection from the surf. The pups are cute as they try to shuffle out to the water. There was a fierce struggle between animal activists who wanted the allow the seals to stay, and others who felt that the beach was for people. This was a prime staging area for divers and snorkelers. The seals have won for now.

The beach has been corded off because people and wild animals don't mix. These harbor seals can bite!!

Best viewing of these loveable creatures is from the sea wall. Please don't feed them.

Before the seals took over, this beach was often used for movies. Years ago I saw Peter O'Toole here as he was filming some WW2 beach scene.

How to get there: from La Jolla Cove, stay on the sidewalk and go south.