La Jolla Cove

Location 1100 Coast Blvd La Jolla, California 92037-3600 © 2002-2005 Kenneth & Gabrielle Adelman, California Coastal Records Project An aerial view of the La Jolla Cove area. The Cove (left), Point La Jolla aka "Alligator Head" (center), then Boomers (right). © 2001, SanDiegoDiving.com The beach at La Jolla Cove. © 2003 SanDiegoDiving.com Diver-friendly facilities at La Jolla Cove include public restrooms and showers Dive Plans Kelp Beds Little Wall

Description
La Jolla Cove is one of the most renowned dive sites in San Diego. Set in picturesque La Jolla California, the Cove offers many interesting reef areas, caves and kelp. This is a great place for underwater photographers, videographers, deep divers and night divers alike.

There is an abundance of marine life at the Cove, mostly because it is part of the La Jolla Park Ecological Reserve, so no hunting of any kind is permitted. The marine biodiversity is partially sustained by the nutrient-rich water, which is the result of upwelling from the nearby La Jolla Submarine Canyons. A number of harbor seals frequent the area and will occasionally join you on your dive. Sometimes the seals will come in close to take a peek at you, other times they just zoom by you, seemingly to prove who the better swimmer is.

The kelp beds are located about 400 yards northwest of the Cove.

History of La Jolla Cove
In 1887, the area surrounding La Jolla Cove was called "La Jolla Park". On October 18, 1927, the park was renamed Ellen Browning Scripps Park in recognition of the contributions that she made to Scripps and La Jolla.

General Considerations
Weather conditions can greatly affect the quality and safety of this dive. Diving conditions at the Cove can vary from excellent to awful, depending mainly on the visibility, swell and surge. Frequently updated diving conditions can be obtained by calling the San Diego Beach and Weather Report at 619-221-8824.

A great variety of marine life can be found in the waters off La Jolla. While diving at the Cove is generally considered very safe, please be aware of potentially hazardous marine life including kelp, rockfish, stingrays, moray eels, harbor seals, and an occasional blue shark. It is advisable to familiarize yourself with the local sea life, either with reading materials or through briefing by lifeguards or local divers.

La Jolla Cove is a very popular destination, not just with divers, but also tourists, locals, sightseers and many others.

Facilities
There are benches, public rest rooms, telephones and showers in Scripps Park, conveniently located next to the stairs down to the Cove. There is a lifeguard station directly above the Cove and lifeguards are on duty year round. The lifeguard station opens at 9am in the summer and as late as 10am at other times of the year. The station closes at dusk. When planning your dive, it's a good idea to confirm hours of operations with the lifeguards.

Designated parking is available along Coast Boulevard, but competition for an open space is often fierce, especially near the entrance to the Cove. Three hour weekday parking limits are strictly enforced, but weekends are unlimited. It is always advisable to check the signs before leaving your car. Paid parking is also available in downtown La Jolla and across the street from the Cave Shop.