Swimming in La Jolla
La Jolla, CA, United States
Best Swim Spots in La Jolla
Ranked by community ratings. Check real-time conditions before heading out.
La Jolla Cove
La Jolla Cove is a small, north-facing cove below Scripps Park and the home water of the La Jolla Cove Swim Club, whose members swim here every day of the year. Summer brings the smallest surf and water near 70°F; winter can drop to about 50°F. Read the lifeguard chalkboard before you go, and when the surf is up, watch for Takeoff rock and the inlet to the right called the Hole.
La Jolla Shores
La Jolla Shores is about a mile of sand with a gentle, sandy-bottom shoreline, and San Diego lifeguards say its summer waves are usually the mildest of any city beach. Cove regulars swim here when surf closes out the rocks across the bay. Shuffle your feet as you wade in, because stingrays are common on this sandy side, and get to the Kellogg Park lot early on summer weekends.
Open Water Swimming in La Jolla
La Jolla offers 2 open water swimming locations across Ocean environments. Whether you are a beginner looking for a calm, sheltered swim or an experienced open water swimmer seeking a challenge, there are options for every level.
Before heading out to any swim spot in La Jolla, check current water conditions on SwimPass. Our SwimScore combines real-time weather, marine data, tides, and water quality into a single 0-100 rating so you can make an informed decision in seconds.
Ocean swimmers in La Jolla should pay attention to tide schedules and swell forecasts. Swimming around slack tide typically offers the calmest conditions. Check our guide to reading water conditions for tips on interpreting local marine forecasts.
New to open water swimming? Start with our safety guide and first swim guide before heading to any new spot.
Swimming Guides
Prepare for your swim in La Jolla with these guides.
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