There are lots of amazing things to do in San Diego, but one of the most exciting experiences is getting to see wildlife up close and in real life. And there’s no more exciting experience than seeing the La Jolla seals and sea lions.
Wondering where is the best place to see the La Jolla seals? Or how to see them? Read on to discover some of the best places to see these magnificent creatures as well as read everything you need to know to experience them safely and respectfully!
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Where to See the La Jolla Seals and Sea Lions
While you can see seals and sea lions all up and down the coast of San Diego, there are a few hotspots where these magnificent animals love to congregate at different times throughout the year. So here are the best places to go to see them!
1. La Jolla Children’s Pool
This is my favorite place to go to see seals in La Jolla! The Children’s Pool was originally constructed in 1932 with a seawall to protect the shore from waves, thus making a great area for children to play in the water without danger. However, this seawall turned out to also create the perfect conditions for seals to enjoy!
Seal Rock (just north of the Children’s Pool) used to be and still is a favorite for seals to lounge on and enjoy sunning themselves, so because of its proximity to the pool this may have increased their interest in the area. And with the seawall protecting this little safe harbor, seals now love to use it to sun themselves as well as using it as a place to give birth to their seal pups!
There has been some controversy over this beach as some locals wish for it to remain a spot for humans to swim and the seals’ waste makes it unsanitary to swim in. But in 2018 it was decided that during birthing season (December 15 through May 15) the city should close the beach so the seals can birth and raise their pups in safety and undisturbed by humans.
But this doesn’t mean you can’t go see the seals during these months! On the contrary, this is one of the best times to visit as you get to see the little babies at their cutest (or maybe even see one being birthed!) So while you can’t go onto the actual beach area, you can walk along the seawall and observe from above.
Throughout the rest of the year, the seals still love to sun themselves on the sand and the rocks nearby, so no matter what time of year you are visiting San Diego this is a great place to stop to see them!
2. Seal Rock
As mentioned above, Seal Rock is just to the north of the Children’s Pool and is a beloved rock to the seals. If you’re already at the Children’s Pool, you can see the rock in the distance…but it can be worth it to walk along the trail on the coast to get a closer look. With a name like Seal Rock, you’d better believe it’s worth it!
3. La Jolla Cove
La Jolla Cove is quite a small beach known as a great place to go snorkeling, but that’s not all that’s great here. It’s also one of the best places to see sea lions in La Jolla! They enjoy sunbathing on the rocky sea cliff area and all you have to do is follow their barking sound to find them.
You can get surprisingly close to the sea lions here as they are used to people, but this doesn’t mean you should invade their territory. Remember to be respectful (and careful) as you don’t want to accidentally anger one! They are wild animals and should be treated as such.
What to Know About La Jolla’s Seals and Sea Lions
There are a few basics that you need to know about La Jolla’s seals before you visit. From identifying them to how to treat them, here are some tips for visiting the La Jolla seals and sea lions!
Does La Jolla Have Seals or Sea Lions?
La Jolla actually has both! Although they usually have slightly different preferred locations to lounge, you can see both California Sea Lions and seals in La Jolla and throughout San Diego. Not sure how to tell the difference between seals and sea lions? Read on!
Is it a Seal or a Sea Lion?
Let’s just get this out of the way: a common mistake tourists (and sometimes locals) make is confusing seals and sea lions. So how can you tell the difference?
Both seals and sea lions are pinnipeds (meaning that they have fins/flippers for feet). But despite this similarity, they are actually quite different in other ways. Sea lions have small flaps that make up their outer ears, while seals do not have any externally visible ears. You may see tiny holes on the side of a seal’s head, and those are actually their ears!
California Sea Lions are also usually brown and kind of furry looking, while seals are often various shades of gray/black/brown with speckled skin. You may also hear sea lions making a lot of noise and “barking” while seals are usually quieter.
One other main difference is that while both spend time in and out of water, seals crawl/shimmy around land on their bellies while sea lions can “walk” on land by rotating their front flippers and dragging their tails behind them. This means that sea lions can do better in rocky/cliff environments than seals can.
So next time you see a sea lion or a seal, take a quick minute to check out their features and you’ll know exactly which pinniped you’re looking at!
How to Act Around Seals and Sea Lions
Although seals and sea lions often look cute and cuddly, it’s important to remember that they are wild animals. It can be tempting to try to get close for selfies or to take a good picture and see them up close, but please do not do this!
Not only is it dangerous and stressful to the animals for you to get close to them, but it is also quite dangerous for you as well. Keeping a respectful distance is the best way to ensure both you and the seals and sea lions remain happy and healthy.
What To Do If You See a Hurt Seal or Sea Lion
From time to time, hurt or distressed seals and sea lions turn up in La Jolla and across San Diego. SeaWorld San Diego runs a rescue team that will come and help these animals and make sure they get the care they need. So if you see a marine animal in distress, be sure to call 1-800-541-SEAL (1-800-541-7325) to get it the help it needs! Visit SeaWorld’s website to learn more about their rescue operation and the questions they will ask when you call.
While the SeaWorld line is great to call if you see a hurt or distressed seal or sea lion, if you see someone abusing a marine animal you should call the San Diego Police Department at 1-619-531-2000 or the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Enforcement at 1-800-853-1964. The responsibility belongs to all of us to make sure the seals and sea lions remain safe on our shores!
Where to Park to See the La Jolla Seals and Sea Lions
Parking can be a bit tricky in La Jolla, as it often fills up quickly (especially on the weekends). You may have to drive around for a bit and be patient, but eventually you will find parking!
One of the most popular places to park is along Coast Boulevard, as this gets you close to a lot of the great seal and sea lion locations. It is also perfect for enjoying La Jolla Cove even if your goal isn’t specifically to see the seals and sea lions!
Parking along Coast is usually limited to 2-3 hours. If you can’t find parking along Coast or get tired of waiting for a spot to open up, then you can consider some other options such as these free parking spots (often only for those who are customers of the restaurants and stores mentioned) or one of the public parking lots around the city.
La Jolla Seals and Sea Lions Map
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