La Jolla Shores
About
La Jolla Shores offers a mile-long stretch of soft sand with protected, mellow waves that make it San Diego's best beach for families learning to surf or boogie board. The wide beach transitions to a grassy park area with playgrounds, picnic tables, and Kellogg Park, while the calm waters attract friendly leopard sharks in summer and sea lions year-round.
Highlights
- ✓Swimming with harmless leopard sharks in summer months (June-September)
- ✓Gentle waves perfect for first-time surfing and boogie boarding
- ✓Kellogg Park playground and grassy area for non-beach activities and picnics
Pro Tips
- 1.Visit June through September to see the harmless leopard sharks that gather in shallow water,kids can wade right among them
- 2.Rent beach equipment (umbrellas, chairs, boogie boards) from multiple vendors along the beach instead of lugging your own
- 3.The north end near the Marine Room restaurant has the calmest water and is best for toddlers, while the south end has slightly bigger waves for surfing
Best Time to Visit
Weekday mornings for parking and smaller crowds. Summer mornings for leopard shark viewing. Low tide creates tide pools at the north end worth exploring with kids.
What to Know
The Shores Restaurant overlooks the beach with kid-friendly menu. Multiple casual spots along Avenida de la Playa including pizza and tacos. No food vendors on the beach itself. Large free parking lot at Kellogg Park (arrives early,fills by 10 AM on weekends). Street parking on Camino del Oro and surrounding streets with 2-hour limits. Public restrooms and outdoor showers at Kellogg Park. Generally clean with changing tables. Paved path along Kellogg Park is stroller-friendly. Beach access requires navigating sand, so bring a beach wagon for gear. Accessible parking at Kellogg Park. Paved pathways to beach. Beach wheelchairs may be available through lifeguard services.
Seasonal Notes
Summer (June-September) brings the famous leopard shark aggregation,a must-see for kids. Water is warmest August through October. Lifeguards on duty year-round with extended hours in summer. Winter swells can make waves larger and less suitable for beginners. Fourth of July brings huge crowds and fireworks viewing.
Nearby Eats
Avenida de la Playa has several family-friendly options within a 2-minute walk: The Shores Restaurant for sit-down dining with ocean views, Barbarella for pizza and Italian, and several cafes. La Jolla village (1 mile away) has many more options including ice cream shops.
More Activities Near San Diego
Mission Bay
Mission Bay is a 4,600-acre aquatic playground with calm, wave-free bay waters that feel like a giant swimming pool,perfect for nervous swimmers and toddlers taking their first dips. Kids can paddleboard, kayak, build sandcastles on numerous beaches, feed ducks, play at waterfront playgrounds, and enjoy the grassy picnic areas without any ocean current concerns.
Balboa Park
This massive cultural oasis offers families far more than a typical park - it's essentially multiple destinations in one 1,200-acre wonderland. With everything from world-class museums and a miniature railroad to multiple playgrounds, gardens, and the hands-on Fleet Science Center, you could spend days here and still not see everything, making it the ultimate rainy day backup or multi-visit destination.
USS Midway Museum
The USS Midway Museum lets kids explore a real aircraft carrier that served for 47 years, with 60+ exhibits and 29 restored aircraft to climb into and around. Children can experience what life was like for sailors at sea, sit in actual cockpits, and try flight simulators that put them in the pilot's seat.
Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve
Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve offers families a chance to hike through rare pine forests to dramatic ocean cliff overlooks, where kids can spot dolphins, seals, and migrating whales below. The reserve features several kid-friendly trails ranging from easy to moderate, with unique red-rock cliffs, native plants, and a visitor center with educational exhibits about the endangered Torrey pine trees found almost nowhere else on Earth.