LOCATION:
Adjacent to the 800 block of Coast Boulevard, La Jolla [Map It]

HOURS:
Accessible 24 hours per day; no camping

PARKING:
Street parking only, with most spaces having two- or three-hour limits

PHONE:
619/221-8899

FACILITIES: [Legend]

Beach Information

Special Comments: Children's Pool in La Jolla, plus nearby Wipeout Beach, South Casa Beach and Shell Beach, are located along one of San Diego's most scenic stretches of coastline. Cozy little beaches alternate with jagged rocky points and reefs. The semi-circular seawall that stands on the Casa Reef forms the pool, where harbor seals frolic in a protected environment established for them by the Coastal Commission.

The Children's Pool itself was built during the early part of the 20th century with money donated by philanthropist Ellen Browning Scripps. Scripps' intent was to provide a safe place for children to swim along this often-treacherous coastline.

The popular seawall originally had sluices, or vents, in its base that allowed seawater to surge back and forth. But after a man was sucked into one of the sluices and killed they were sealed with concrete. This allowed sand to accumulate inside of the seawall, creating the beach that exists today.

In recent years harbor seals have begun to haul out and rest, enjoying the security of the beach here. Today the seal population is so established that the federal government has recognized the Children's Pool Beach as a seal rookery and it is now permanently off limits to humans. The seawall serves as an excellent observation point from which to view the seals.

While the Children's Pool no longer lives up to its name, there are three excellent beaches in the vicinity that are still open to humans.

To the south of the Children's Pool is South Casa Beach, accessed by a flight of concrete stairs. This is a short stretch of sand beach nestled between the Casa Reef, the location of the Children's Pool seawall, and a small rocky point.

At high tide, the rocks at the north end of South Casa Beach form a sand-bottom pool about 30 feet in diameter and three to four feet deep. On days when the surf is not too large swimmers can float in this pool, gently buffeted by waves from two directions.

The small rocky point on the south end of South Casa Beach separates it from Wipeout Beach. Wipeout is named for the heavy plunging waves that break right onto its steep sand beach. Don't turn your back to these waves or you may learn the true meaning of this beach's unusual name.

The last beach in this area is Shell Beach to the north of the Children's Pool. Shell Beach is accessed from a flight of concrete stairs near the south end of Ellen Browning Scripps Park, the grassy area between the Children's Pool and La Jolla Cove.

Shell Beach is a little more isolated, thanks to sandstone cliffs that rise about 30 feet above the sand. Seal Rock, a large, flat rock rising about four feet out of the water 25 feet off Shell Beach, is a haven for seals. Shell Beach affords an excellent view of the rock, but be advised that Seal Rock is included in the wildlife refuge, so keep off.

Shell Beach also has excellent snorkeling, but beware of a strong rip current pulling out next to Seal Rock. If you're caught, swim away from Seal Rock onto the flat-rock reef area in front of the stairs and let the waves push you back in to the beach.

Food/dining: A number of moderate to high-priced restaurants are located along Prospect Place three to four blocks from the Children's Pool.

Restrooms: Public restrooms and cold showers are available below the lifeguard stations at Children's Pool/South Casa.

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