San Diego Tourist Guide

Marine Street Beach

Beaches and Reefs of La Jolla CA

Marine Street, Windansea, Shell Beach, Casa Beach,
Hospitals Beach, Wipeout Beach & Reefs.


The amazing natural scenery of La Jolla is unique to the San Diego area. Begin a walking tour at La Jolla Cove Beach and head south. Take the staircase at the south end of the park to descend to Shell Beach. When the tide is out, California Seals congregate at Seal Rock. When the tide moves in, the seals move inside the breakwall at Children’s Pool.

When the seals are on the beach, check with the lifeguard to see if you’re allowed to go further. There has been a great debate about
interaction between seals and humans. The rules change often. If you are allowed on the beach when seals are present, keep in mind that they are wild and unpredictable. Instead, walk on the seawall to get a bird’s eye view of the seals in their natural habitat. It is an amazing experience.

Casa Beach is a small beach located south of Children’s Pool. To the south is Wipeout, a slightly larger beach. There are a lot of rocks and swiftly moving water at both of these beaches and swimming is not recommended. The small caves located along the shoreline are fascinating, but are most often choked with flotsam and seaweed. Exploring the caves can be dangerous, so use caution if you decide to investigate.

When you reach a narrow grassy park, you’ve arrived at Hospitals Reef. Tide pools abound when the tide is out. If you enjoy searching for unique seashells and sea creatures, this is the perfect place to search. It’s a beachcomber’s paradise and a bit of probing will bring some magnificent finds. When the tide is in, Hospitals is the best place to scuba dive in the San Diego area. The undersea ledges are home to thousands of lobsters and dramatic underwater arches will leave you breathless.

Marine Street Beach is the most beautiful beach in the San Diego area. The white sand makes the beach popular with locals and the younger set. Its clam to fame is “Whomp,” a wicked shore break. Bodyboarders and bodysurfers take short tube rides here when the waves hit the shelf and unload onto the shore. The many surf breaks at Marine Street Beach are a great thrill for the adventurous, but caution should be used, as they’re also fickle and can be dangerous for the inexperienced.

South of Marine Street Beach is Windansea, which was made famous through the story The Pump House Gang by Tom Wolfe. The beach is abundant with alcoves created by the rocky shoreline. These alcoves make perfect place for a private rendezvous or for a private beach party. If you wish to swim, do so between Big Rock Reef and Kolmar Street. The beach at the end of Bonaire Street near the grass shack is always under intense scrutiny by lifeguards and is a safe place for swimmers.

The richest reefs in the area are located between Big Rock and P.B. Point. If you enjoy beachcombing, seek out the stairs at Big Bird Rock on the neap tide. You will discover the sea floor spread out before you. It’s a beachcomber’s paradise.

This area is great for surfing when the swell is running. When it’s not, the beach presents a great point of entry for scuba divers. This is a remote area that has no facilities, but provides a naturally raw beauty for photographers and nature lovers. It’s one of the most beautiful areas on the Pacific Coast.

If you’re going to be in the San Diego area, be sure to check out the reefs in the La Jolla area. The rugged beauty will astound you. It’s an experience that will linger in your memory for years to come.
San Diego, California