Yes, especially for a beach trip. La Jolla Shores is about a mile of sand where summer waves are usually the gentlest of any San Diego beach, with permanent lifeguard stations, a playground, restrooms and showers. Birch Aquarium at Scripps opens daily at 9 a.m.; online child tickets (ages 3 to 12) are $29.95, and younger children get in free. Two things to plan around: the Children’s Pool is a seal-viewing beach rather than a place for kids to swim, and Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve is closed to all visitors until its scheduled reopening in March 2027.
Where families start
La Jolla Shores Beach: about a mile of sand with usually the gentlest summer waves in San Diego, permanent lifeguard stations, a playground, restrooms and showers.
Birch Aquarium at Scripps: open daily at 9 a.m.; child tickets (3 to 12) are $29.95 online, under 3 free, with tide pools and little blue penguins, and wheelchair accessible throughout.
Children’s Pool: a small seawall beach where harbor seals haul out year-round; the beach is closed to people from Dec. 15 to May 15 for pupping season.
Beach days
The City of San Diego describes La Jolla Shores as a sandy beach about a mile long where, in summer, waves are usually the most gentle of all San Diego beaches. It has permanent lifeguard stations, and the city lists a playground, beach wheelchairs, picnic areas, fire pits, restrooms, showers and parking among its amenities. Alcohol and glass are not allowed. Dogs are barred from the beach from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. between November and March and from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. between April and October; at other hours they must be on a leash. Many beginner scuba classes are held there.
La Jolla Cove also has a permanent lifeguard station. The city calls it ideal for swimmers, snorkelers and scuba divers, with small summer surf and visibility that can exceed 30 feet.
Seals, not swimming, at the Children’s Pool
The Children’s Pool was built behind a seawall as a protected swimming area, but the city says sand has since filled much of it, and the reefs just offshore can create very strong currents, especially in high surf. Today it is best known for harbor seals, which haul out on the beach year-round. The beach is closed to public access during pupping season, from Dec. 15 through May 15 every year.
Birch Aquarium
Birch Aquarium at Scripps opens daily at 9 a.m., with closing times that change by season, and is closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day. Adult tickets (13 and up) are $39.95 at the door or $34.95 online; child tickets (3 to 12) are $34.95 at the door or $29.95 online, and younger children are free. The whole aquarium is wheelchair accessible, with ramps at Tide Pool Plaza and the little blue penguin exhibit.
What is closed
Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve has been closed to all visitors since Sept. 22, 2026, including all trails and the Beach Trail staircase, and is scheduled to reopen in March 2027. Torrey Pines State Beach and its North and South beach parking lots remain open.
The short answer
For a family beach vacation, La Jolla works well: plan beach time at the Shores, an aquarium morning at Birch and a stop to see the harbor seals at the Children’s Pool. Save the Torrey Pines hike for after it reopens.
Related La Jolla guides
FAQ
What is the best beach in La Jolla for kids?
La Jolla Shores. The City of San Diego says its summer waves are usually the gentlest of any San Diego beach, and it has permanent lifeguard stations and a playground.
Can kids swim at the Children’s Pool?
It is not a good swimming beach for kids. Sand has filled much of the area inside the seawall, the reefs offshore can create strong currents, and the beach is closed to people from Dec. 15 to May 15 for harbor seal pupping season.
How much is Birch Aquarium for kids?
Child tickets (ages 3 to 12) are $29.95 online or $34.95 at the door, and younger children get in free.