Among sunny California’s unending list of magical, enchanting beaches is La Jolla Cove, home to adorable sea lions and beautiful sunsets. Located within San Diego, California, the vast cliffs and rocky shores offer visitors a stunning view of the Pacific Ocean all year round. Yet the summer months of La Jolla are undoubtedly superior, for it brings about the perfect weather for surfing, paddleboarding, kayaking, and of course, late-night walks along the beach.
Quite a few theories exist regarding where La Jolla gets its name. Some say that the Kumeyaay Indian name mut-lay-hoyyah, meaning “the cave place,” was transcribed to La Jolla by Spanish settlers. Others say that it is an alternative spelling of the Spanish phrase la joya, meaning “the jewel.”
La Jolla occupies 11 kilometers, or seven miles, of the coastline along the Pacific Ocean. It is known for its majestic natural attractions including sea caves and sea lions.
Vivid flowstones and sophisticated stalagmites comprise the Seven Caves of La Jolla: White Lady, Little Sister, Shopping Cart, Sea Surprize, Arch, Sunny Jim, and Clam’s caves. The caves were formed as seawater pounded into the fissures and sand draped in, expanding the crevices. Apart from the spectacular rock formations, flowstone, stalagmites, and stalactites, the caves also present stunning Pacific marine life such as sea lions, harbor seals, and leopard sharks. La Jolla’s many guided kayaking tours offer the best views of the seven caves, and depending on the weather and tide conditions, these tours may even enter Clam’s cave. Kayak rentals are also available for those who choose to embark on theirown oceanic journey.
The calm waters of La Jolla Cove allow it to have a very high concentration of sea life, which is why it is easy to sight seals and sea lions bathing under the sun on the sand or the rocks surrounding the cove. The cliffs of the cove are where the most sea lions can be found, and seals are more likely to be seen at the Children’s Pool, a small beach partially protected by a sea wall.
La Jolla Cove is also a world- renowned snorkeling site. Snorkelers of La Jolla have reported sighting leopard sharks, sea turtles, shovel nose guitar fish, and even dolphins. Thousands of pregnant female leopard sharks migrate to the beaches of La Jolla because of how much warmer and calmer the waters are. The beaches of La Jolla offer an ideal surrounding for young sharks to develop faster. Thanks to this one-of-a-kind sight, snorkeling in La Jolla is an experience you won’t ever find anywhere else in California.
After a hot summer day of taking in the marvelous natural beauty of La Jolla, there is nothing better than a sweet, icy pick-me-up. La Jolla Cove is also home to one of California’s best gelato spots: Bobboi Natural Gelato. Their unique flavors made with locally sourced seasonal ingredients have been attracting locals and visitors of La Jolla since 2014. Signature Bobboi flavors include Matchatella, made with Japanese matcha tea and chocolate shards, Rosehoney, made with organic honey and Lebanese rosewater, and Charcoal Vanilla, made with activated charcoal.
The downtown area of La Jolla is also full of charming activities. La Jolla is known for its vibrant art scene, with many art galleries such as the Madison Gallery, Joseph Bellows Gallery, and R.B. Stevenson Gallery. These galleries showcase various collections of contemporary art and photography, including paintings, photographs, sculptures, and installations by local, national, and international artists. Boutiques like the Girard Avenue Collection and Pangaea Outpost are also worth a visit when at La Jolla. These boutiques offer curated selections of clothing, accessories, and home décor items sourced from around the world.
With unbelievable natural sights to see and refreshing summer treats to indulge in, La Jolla is most definitely one of California’s ultimate summer destination