Following the end of harbor seal pupping season, humans can once again access the beach while staying mindful to keep a 50-foot distance from the animals.

The annual closure of The Children’s Pool beach in La Jolla is lifted Friday, May 16, and people are once again granted access to the sand and shoreline.

The chains across the stairs have been removed, but a rope across much of the beach will remain to encourage people to maintain a safe distance from the seals that still haul out to rest on the sand.

The Children’s Pool, also called Casa Beach, was created and dedicated in 1931 by La Jolla philanthropist Ellen Browning Scripps, following her gift to fund the construction of a sea wall protecting the sand from large waves.

For several years, however, the beach has been closed seasonally from Dec 15 to May 15, during pupping season for the harbor seals.

© lajolla.ca