Just in time for the ramp up to summer: The definitive guide to staying safe in the water and on sand at La Jolla’s incredible beaches.
La Jolla is home to some of the world’s best beaches. We know it, you know it, as evidenced by the increasing traffic to the coast the last few weekends.
Ahead of the summer breaks, summer weather and summer crowds, here’s what you need to know to ensure your gorgeous La Jolla beach day is safe and spectacular, along with tips particular to most of our beaches.
Pre-summer
If you’re one of the many already on the sand and in the water this spring or planning an imminent beach trip, you need to know water conditions have been “really dangerous” this season, according to San Diego lifeguard Lt John Maher.
Large surf and mixed swells are creating strong rip currents, which is typical for this time of year, as winter storms gradually taper off between April and June, Maher said.
“We’re always advising people at the beach to swim near lifeguards, to check in with lifeguards, to know their limitations,” Maher said, advice that is repeated endlessly due to its importance.
Maher also suggested checking the weather and surf forecasts before heading to the beach.
“When in doubt, don’t go out,” he said.
On a boat? Ensure you’ve got life jackets, the boat operator has a safe boater card, and know the rules of navigation, Maher said.
And whether boating, swimming or otherwise in the water, if you haven’t hit the ocean all winter long, “slowly transition back into it,” he said.
Beach by Beach
La Jolla Shores
La Jolla Shores is intensely popular, and geographically has a “a lot going on, with the cliffs and rocks and sandy beach,” Maher said, which draws mixed-use visitors including kayakers, snorkelers, boaters and scuba divers, along with recreational swimmers and more.
Whatever your aim at The Shores, talk to a lifeguard to determine the best and safest spot, Maher said.
Shores is split into swimming and surfing areas, so identify the black and yellow checkered flag that separates one from the other. “That really helps prevent injuries caused by surfboards and collisions,” he said.
One danger that’s more specific to Shores than other La Jolla beaches: stingrays. To avoid the venomous barb, “it’s really important that people shuffle,” Maher said.
The “stingray shuffle” is well-known among those who frequent The Shores. As you enter the water, keep your feet on the sand and shuffle without lifting your feet. The vibrations warn stingrays you’re coming, so they’re not surprised into stinging you and can swim away before you step on them.
If you are stung, call a lifeguard or go to a lifeguard station. Lifeguards will immediately control the bleeding with direct pressure and gauze and get your wounded foot into very hot water.
Hot water, not to exceed 110 degrees but as hot as you can stand, helps enormously with the pain from stingray envenomation, Maher said. Hot water treatment lasts from 45 to 90 before the pain subsides.
La Jolla Cove
When swimming at La Jolla Cove, “you want to be mindful of the marine life,” Maher said. The Cove is a Marine Protected Area, so taking anything, from sand and shells to even seaweed is prohibited.
Part of the biodiversity abundance at The Cove is the presence of the sea lions; people need to stay at least 50 feet away from these (and any) pinnipeds.
“Give them their space so that everyone can enjoy The Cove equally,” Maher said.
When swimming, stay within your limits, he said. If you’re not a strong swimmer, check in with a lifeguard and stay inside the shallow area of The Cove.
Long-distance swimmers should wear a brightly-colored hood, use a swim buoy and let lifeguards know how far you’re planning to go.
From mid-May to mid-October, quarter- and half-mile buoys will be installed in The Cove, prohibiting boats from coming too close to shore (large winter swells knock the buoys out if left through winter storms), Maher said; the buoys are a great place for swimmers to stop and turn around.
Shell Beach
Shell Beach, while beautiful, has a very strong rip current, Maher said. “We advise that only very strong swimmers go there.”
The Children’s Pool
The Children’s Pool is iconic, built nearly a century ago to break the waves and create a safe place for children to swim. It’s open to the public from May 15 to Dec 15, and summer crowds often share beach space with harbor seals.
Make sure to give the seals plenty of distance, and be aware The Children’s Pool is often under a water advisory for bacteria levels due to the seals.
Wipeout Beach and Marine Street Beach
Wipeout and Marine Street beaches are more frequented by locals and they both have shore breaks, where “the water goes from shallow to deep pretty abruptly,” Maher said.
The break happens just about 10 feet off the shoreline, creating two issues, he said.
One is that nonswimmers will be in shallow water one second and the water over their heads the next second. If you’re going to cool off in the water, do it in very shallow water and in front of a lifeguard, Maher said.
The other concern is the abrupt depth change also creates large wave breaks that are “very powerful,” he said. Large waves breaking on very shallow water can create injuries from people striking the bottom.
Windansea Beach
Windansea Beach also has a shore break, along with rocks that mean novice swimmers need to take extra care.
The best places to swim are just north and south of The Shack, Maher said, where lifeguards are keeping watch, along with at the lifeguard post at the foot of Westbourne Street.
The surfing area can be very busy at Windansea. “We ask people to be mindful of the hazards that come with a very congested surfing area,” he said. “People can collide pretty easily when it’s so busy.”
Windansea is also not a good place to learn how to surf, Maher said. If you’re new to the sport, begin at The Shores or further south in Pacific Beach at Tourmaline, he said, where waves are friendlier and surfers are more spread out.
Summer lifeguard staffing
Now that schools’ spring breaks are finished, the main lifeguard stations in La Jolla (The Shores, The Cove, The Children’s Pool and The Shack) will remain staffed daily, with the smaller, satellite stations throughout The Shores, Wipeout Beach and other spots staffed on the weekends.
Seasonal staffing will increase through the summer into mid-October, as weather stays warm.
Satellite lifeguard staffing will transition from weekends to seven days a week as summer approaches, Maher said.
Full and seasonal lifeguard staffing will be in place by Thursday, May 29, when San Diego Unified School District lets out for the summer.
If you’re unsure of rules and regulations at any of the La Jolla beaches, make sure you’re in touch with a lifeguard so you “can have a safe and pleasant experience,” Maher said.
Explore more of La Jolla’s beaches here, including parking tips and information about amenities.
