La Jolla Cove

The cove sits within the San Diego-La Jolla Underwater Park, an ecological reserve where taking anything is prohibited, and the result is unusually dense marine life close to shore - garibaldi, leopard sharks in summer, and clear water by southern California standards, which makes it a well-known snorkelling spot. California sea lions haul out on the rocks and harbour seals use the Children's Pool beach nearby, which was built as a protected swimming area in 1931 and is now closed to people during pupping season, a arrangement that has produced two decades of litigation between animal advocates and people who want the beach. The smell from the colonies and the bird guano on the bluffs is genuinely strong and the city has tried several remedies.

The landscape

• A marine reserve close to shore - garibaldi and summer leopard sharks.
• Sea lions on the rocks - and harbour seals at the Children's Pool.
• A twenty-year legal fight - over who gets the beach.
• A notorious smell - from the colonies and guano.

When to go

Year round; leopard sharks gather in late summer. Half a day.

Before you go

The smell is real and strong on warm days. Parking is street-only and difficult. Sea lions have bitten people who got too close, and they move fast. Beaches close seasonally for pupping.

Nearby

Torrey Pines is north; downtown San Diego is south.

Key facts