Visitors to La Jolla know about the popular beaches, especially La Jolla Cove or The Children’s Pool Beach. Those areas can get crowded, with people vying to get a good look at the seals and sea lions or jockeying for a prime spot on the sand.
If you prefer a quieter location that still has the features you want during a day at the beach, you should consider visiting South Casa Beach and Wipeout Beach. These beaches are just south of The Children’s Pool Beach; in fact, South Casa Beach shares a lifeguard station with its better-known neighbor.
South Casa Beach
The triangle-shaped cove doesn’t have a concrete seawall for protection, so the waters can be a bit rougher, making it less suitable for swimming than some of the other beaches nearby. When the waters are calm and the visibility good, however, South Casa Beach is a great spot for snorkeling and scuba diving. You’ve got reefs and kelp beds not far from shore, and it’s an easy entrance and exit for those who want to see some of the native fish or seals underwater.
Speaking of seals and sea lions, they too like the coziness of South Casa Beach, but not to the same extent as they do at The Children’s Pool. You may occasionally see them on the sand but more likely, they hang out on the rocks and sun themselves. If you do find them on the beach, keep your distance from them, as they can get aggressive and have been known to bite.
Wipeout Beach
Wipeout Beach is farther south still, and as the name suggests, you may not want to go surfing here. You can, however, enjoy a wider shore, making it a great location for sunbathing or playing in the sand. Be sure to check the tides, as low tide will expose the reef and it is a perfect place to explore all the sea creatures in this tide pool.