Yes, above all in and on the water. Off La Jolla, Matlahuayl State Marine Reserve protects 1.04 square miles of sea, from sandy beach and sea caves to a submarine canyon 331 feet deep, and the state lists leopard sharks, garibaldi, sea lions, dolphins and migrating whales among the animals it shelters. La Jolla Cove is a small, north-facing beach with summer visibility that can top 30 feet for snorkelers and divers; La Jolla Shores usually has the gentlest summer waves of any San Diego beach; and Windansea’s reefs make surf breaks. On land, Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve is closed to all visitors for construction until its scheduled reopening in March 2027, though Torrey Pines State Beach stays open.
Where to start outdoors
La Jolla Cove: a small north-facing beach where summer surf is small and visibility can exceed 30 feet, ideal for swimmers, snorkelers and divers, with a permanent lifeguard station.
La Jolla Shores Beach: about a mile of sand with usually the gentlest summer waves in San Diego, a permanent lifeguard station and many beginner scuba classes.
Windansea Beach: a rocky shore known for surf breaks over underwater reefs; its strong shore break suits surfers more than casual swimmers.
In the water
California’s Department of Fish and Wildlife describes Matlahuayl State Marine Reserve as 1.04 square miles with 1.7 miles of shoreline and water from the shore to 331 feet deep. It protects sandy beaches, rocky intertidal areas, surfgrass beds, rocky reefs, sea caves and submarine canyon habitat. The La Jolla and Scripps submarine canyons bring cold, nutrient-rich water, and the department calls the area a hotbed of biodiversity, naming leopard sharks, blue-banded gobies, garibaldi, nudibranchs, California spiny lobsters, sea lions, kelp bass, dolphins and migrating whales. Next door, the San Diego-Scripps Coastal State Marine Conservation Area covers just under 1.5 square miles and takes in an area first protected in 1929 as the San Diego Marine Life Refuge.
The City of San Diego calls the north-facing La Jolla Cove ideal for swimmers, snorkelers and scuba divers, with small summer surf and water visibility that can exceed 30 feet. La Jolla Shores, about a mile of sand, usually has the gentlest summer waves of all San Diego beaches, and many novice scuba classes are held there. The Cove lies within the San Diego-La Jolla Underwater Park Ecological Reserve and the Shores is adjacent to it; in the reserve, fishing and removing anything is prohibited. Both beaches have permanent lifeguard stations.
For surfing, the city says Windansea is best known for breaks created by underwater reefs. Much of it has moderate to severe shore break, so swimmers should go in and out carefully.
On land
Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve has been closed to all visitors since Sept. 22, 2026, including all trails and the Beach Trail staircase, while State Parks upgrades utilities and accessibility. It is scheduled to reopen in March 2027. Torrey Pines State Beach and its North and South beach parking lots remain open.
The short answer
Come to La Jolla for snorkeling, diving, surfing and watching marine life in a reserve the state calls a hotbed of biodiversity. If long hikes are the point of the trip, check whether Torrey Pines has reopened first.
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FAQ
What wildlife can you see in La Jolla?
California’s Department of Fish and Wildlife lists leopard sharks, blue-banded gobies, garibaldi, nudibranchs, California spiny lobsters, sea lions, kelp bass, dolphins and migrating whales in the La Jolla marine protected areas.
Where is the best snorkeling in La Jolla?
La Jolla Cove. The City of San Diego calls it ideal for swimmers, snorkelers and divers, with small summer surf and visibility that can exceed 30 feet.
Is Torrey Pines open?
Not the reserve. Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve has been closed to all visitors since Sept. 22, 2026 and is scheduled to reopen in March 2027. Torrey Pines State Beach and its beach parking lots remain open.