Children’s Pool, also called Casa Beach, is a small cove on Coast Boulevard in La Jolla, San Diego. Harbor seals and sea lions gather on its sand and swim close to shore, while the coastal path gives you views of the Pacific and the curved seawall. During pupping season, you may spot young seals with their mothers from a distance; beach access is closed then to protect the animals. The cove is a short walk from La Jolla Cove, so you can include both on a coastal stroll.
A swimming cove with a different purpose today
Children’s Pool was built as a protected place for children to play and swim. In 1931, philanthropist Ellen Browning Scripps funded a concrete seawall to shelter a section of La Jolla’s shoreline from the Pacific’s stronger waves and currents. The curved barrier created a calmer cove and a small beach.
The cove’s sheltered conditions also attracted harbor seals. By the 1990s, seals and sea lions had become regular residents, and the beach became a place where seals gather to rest and raise their pups. The name still recalls the original plan, but wildlife watching is now the main reason to stop here.
Viewing seals during pupping season
The annual beach closure runs from December 15 to May 15, when harbor seals use the shore to give birth and care for their young. People cannot go down onto the sand during this period, but the animals remain visible from the nearby path. Seal pups may be seen swimming with their mothers or resting on the beach.
Stay back from the animals and watch without trying to approach them. The closure is intended to protect both the seals and people. Seals and sea lions may also be seen in the area outside pupping season, though the beach closure dates are the clearest guide to when access to the sand is restricted.
Walking the La Jolla coast
Children’s Pool lies close to La Jolla Cove, and the two spots can be visited on the same coastal walk. The path gives you a view of the ocean and the cove; waves can splash over the seawall when conditions are rough. Take care on the wall, which can be slippery, and keep away from unstable bluff edges along the coast.
Parking in La Jolla can take patience, particularly when the area is busy. An early weekday visit may make it easier to find a space. If you are interested in tide pools, nearby coastal areas are another option, but check the tide schedule before setting out; low or negative tides are the best time to explore them.
Perguntas frequentes
Can you go onto the beach during pupping season?
No. The beach is closed to people from December 15 to May 15. You can watch the seals from the nearby path.
When can you see seal pups at Children’s Pool?
Pupping season runs from December 15 to May 15. You may see pups with their mothers from the path while the beach is closed.
Why is it called Children’s Pool?
The cove was created in 1931 as a protected swimming area for children. Seals later settled on the beach, which is now known for wildlife viewing.
