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Lalit Gupta

Snorkeling in La Jolla with kids: the Cove or the Shores?

5 min read Checked October 20, 2026 Report a correction

With kids, start at La Jolla Shores: a sandy walk-in, the gentlest waves in the city and rentals across the street. The Cove has more fish, bright orange garibaldi and kelp, but a rockier entry and terrible parking.

Easiest for kids
La Jolla Shores

Sandy entry, small waves

Most fish
La Jolla Cove

Reef and kelp

Rental
$30 a day

$40 with a wetsuit

Rule
Look, don't touch

State marine reserve

The short version

  • The City says La Jolla Shores has the gentlest summer waves of any San Diego beach; both it and the Cove have permanent lifeguard stations.
  • La Jolla Cove has shallow reefs at 10 to 20 feet, kelp about 100 yards out and the state marine fish, the garibaldi.
  • Garibaldi have been off-limits to recreational anglers since 1953 and became California's state marine fish in 1995.
  • Everyday California on Avenida de la Playa rents mask, snorkel and fins for $30 a day, or $40 with a wetsuit.
  • Check water quality first: the Cove met standards less than 60% of the time in Swim Guide's data, and the Shores had a summer bacteria advisory.

La Jolla is the best snorkeling in San Diego, but its two spots are very different with kids. One is a gentle sandy beach where a nervous 7-year-old can stand up whenever they want. The other is a rocky little cove with far more to see. Here's how to choose, and what to check before anyone gets wet.

Cove or Shores?

La Jolla ShoresLa Jolla Cove
EntryWalk in off a wide sandy beachSmall beach and steps; rocks and swell
WavesGentlest summer surf in the cityNorth-facing, small in summer
What you'll seeLeopard sharks in summer, rays, sand dwellersGaribaldi, reef fish, kelp, sea lions nearby
Depth2 to 4 ft at the Marine Room endReefs at 10 to 20 ft
ParkingKellogg Park lot, 4 a.m. to 10 p.m.; fills on weekendsStreet parking; very hard after about 7 a.m.
RentalsAcross the street on Avenida de la PlayaBring your own or rent at the Shores
Best forYoung kids and first-timersConfident swimmers, older kids
Where to go
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2
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Leaflet © OpenStreetMap contributors

Snorkel spots

Rentals

Pins from OpenStreetMap; Everyday California pin approximate. Checked October 20, 2026.

See these on the full San Diego map

The orange fish your kids will chase

The bright orange fish all over the Cove's reef is the garibaldi, California's state marine fish since 1995. Recreational anglers haven't been allowed to keep them since 1953, and the 1995 law also stopped commercial collection. They grow to about 14 inches and are curious, but males guarding eggs from spring into summer may nip at a diver who gets too close. Teach kids to look, not touch: the whole area is a state marine reserve, where taking or disturbing any living thing is illegal.

What to rent, and what it costs

Everyday California at 2261 Avenida de la Playa rents a mask, snorkel and fins for $30 for the day, or $40 with a wetsuit; single items are $15. In fall the water is in the low to mid 60s, so a wetsuit is the difference between five minutes in the water and an hour.

A good snorkel morning

  1. 01

    Check water quality

    Look at the County's map at sdbeachinfo.com. Skip the ocean for 72 hours after rain.

  2. 02

    Go early

    Mornings are usually calmer and clearer, and parking is still possible.

  3. 03

    Swim near the lifeguards

    Both beaches have permanent lifeguard stations. Ask them about conditions; they'll tell you.

  4. 04

    Shuffle your feet

    Stingrays rest on the sand at the Shores. Shuffling warns them off. See stingray season.

Coming in summer? Plan around the leopard sharks at La Jolla Shores. Older kids hooked? Read how to get scuba certified.

Is this still right?

We last checked this tip against its sources on October 20, 2026, and we re-research every tip on a schedule. Things in San Diego change, sometimes overnight.

Prices, fees, hours and rules change, often at the start of a year or season. Confirm with the official source linked below before you rely on a number.

This is general information, not legal, financial, tax, medical or safety advice.

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