Prepare for one of the most historic open water races in the US with our 2026 look at the La Jolla Cove Swim schedule, best viewing spots and parking.
The La Jolla Cove Swim is setting the stage for its 110th year, with even more swimmers anticipated than last year’s banner race and more money donated to the Prevent Drowning Foundation San Diego.
More than 1,100 are expected to take on the race Sunday morning, Sept 13, in an annual tradition that sends swimmers into the ocean from La Jolla Cove and back to the sand.
The history of America’s premier open water race
The La Jolla Cove Swim was originally named the La Jolla Rough Water Swim and debuted in 1916 as a sporting event attached to San Diego’s Panama-California Exposition. Only one other Boston-based open water swim is older.
La Jolla Rough Water Swim 1918/Image courtesy of Museum of History and Culture
Over the years, the La Jolla Rough Water Swim became the La Jolla Cove Swim and has been taken on as an annual event sponsored and hosted by the Kiwanis Club of La Jolla.
Aaron Brennan, race director for the last four years, hopes to return to the La Jolla Rough Water Swim name as early as 2027, he said.
The La Jolla Cove Swim is a remarkable event because of the location and swimming to Scripps Pier, Brennan said, adding there aren’t many places where swimmers can get into ocean water without going through large surf.
“It’s an iconic swim,” he said, noting swimmers come from Thailand, Europe and more. “It’s a big deal.”
This year, that big deal means more than 1,100 swimmers are expected, which is about 200 more than last year’s number and about double the number of 2023 entrants.
“It’s grown substantially,” Brennan said, which is good news for Prevent Drowning, a nonprofit dedicated to providing free swimming lessons and more to local children and teens.
In the last three years, the La Jolla Cove Swim has donated about $100,000 in proceeds to the Prevent Drowning Foundation.
Regular registration closed Aug 31 but late and same-day registration remains available.
The 2026 La Jolla Cove Swim event schedule and start times
The La Jolla Cove Swim officially contains four levels of racing, listed below by their Sept 13 start times:
- 8 am: Leopard Shark (formerly the Gatorman) 3-Mile Swim, ages 18+.
- 8 am: The Whole Enchilada Swim (the Leopard Shark and Sea Lion swims), ages 18+.
- 10:30 am: Sea Lion 1-Mile Swim, ages 13+.
- 10:30 am: Garibaldi Groms Fun Swim, ages 6 to 12.
This will also be the second year of a “welcome swim” at 10 am Sept 12, a sold-out companion to the La Jolla Cove swim for those who enter the race without having previously swam The Cove.
“Open water swimming isn’t like jumping in a pool,” Brennan said. “You don’t have lane lines; getting out there and knowing where to navigate … being explained by a local swimmer who does it all the time is really helpful.”
The welcome swim also includes a side tour to Sunny Jim’s sea cave.
Securing the best viewing locations at The Cove
The La Jolla Cove Swim is also a popular La Jolla event every September even for those on dry land. Here’s where and how to watch.
Ellen Browning Scripps Park
Adjacent to The Cove is Ellen Browning Scripps Park, a large swath of grass with plenty of viewing spots, restrooms and more. Walk the sidewalk along the northeast edge of the park to watch the swimmers and commune with the sea lions (from a distance!), or stand on the viewing platform just above the Cove’s beach.
Brunch at Brockton Villa
Multitask: Pair your La Jolla Cove Swim watch with a delicious meal in a historic cottage at Brockton Villa, where brunch is as iconic as the view. The outdoor patio is right over the race route, so you can toast the swimmers from above as they crawl past the sea caves below you.
Stroll Coast Walk Trail
Move in time with the swimmers – from above. Coast Walk Trail, a short out-and-back jaunt along the La Jolla bluffs steeped in over 9,000 years of heritage, starts at The Cave Store and traverses over Goldfish Point. You’ll see the swimmers and get a spectacular view of La Jolla’s marine life while you’re at it.
Parking logistics
Parking near The Cove on a Sunday morning will be tough: wherever you decide to go, check our La Jolla parking playbook ahead of time for the best strategy.
The local insider secret: don’t even try for a spot on Coast Boulevard, which is always backed up, especially on race day. Park up the hill on the residential streets near Torrey Pines Road to save yourself time and stress.
Post-race celebrations and dining in The Village
Whether you’ve completed the La Jolla Cove Swim or finished cheering, you’ll need to eat and the La Jolla brunch scene has you covered. Head up the hill to George’s at the Cove for lunch with a view of where you just were, or reserve a table on La Valencia’s patio for a view of the park.
La Jolla Cove Swim FAQ
- What date is the La Jolla Cove Swim?
- The La Jolla Cove Swim, formerly the La Jolla Rough Water Swim, is always the Sunday after Labor Day; in 2026, it’s Sunday, Sept 13.
- How long is the Gatorman race?
- The Gatorman is now the Leopard Shark 3-Mile Swim and starts at 8 am on race day.
- Where is the best place to watch the La Jolla Cove Swim?
- Check our guidelines above, or head to about 1180 Coast Blvd for an unobstructed view.
- Do I need a ticket to watch the race?
- Nope! Watching the swimmers at La Jolla Cove is always free.
- What is the water temperature in La Jolla in September?
- September has among the warmest ocean temperatures in La Jolla, at an average 70 degrees Fahrenheit.
Swimmer or not, rough water fan or not, experiencing the La Jolla Cove Swim is a must for anyone in town. Grab your sunglasses and prepare to cheer!
Looking for more La Jolla events? Head to our Events page for the best goings-on.
