Shell Beach Tide Pools, La Jolla: Address, Shell Beach Tide Pools Reviews: 4.5/5
Shell Beach Tide Pools
Shell Beach Tide Pools
4.5
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Best nearby
Restaurants
245 within 5 kms

Bobboi Natural Gelato
703
96 mR • Dessert • Italian • Vegetarian Friendly

Eddie V's Prime Seafood
1Â 446
0.3 kmRRRR • American • Seafood • Vegetarian Friendly

NINE-TEN Restaurant & Bar
660
0.2 kmRRRR • American • Vegetarian Friendly • Vegan Options

Girard Gourmet
255
0.4 kmRR - RRR • Dessert • American • Cafe

Catania
312
0.3 kmRR - RRR • Italian • Mediterranean • Vegetarian Friendly

Burger Lounge
362
0.3 kmRR - RRR • Quick Bites • American • Fast food

Puesto
1Â 024
0.2 kmRR - RRR • Mexican • Latin • Vegetarian Friendly

Richard Walker's Pancake House
486
0.3 kmRR - RRR • American • Cafe • Vegetarian Friendly

Bubba's Smokehouse BBQ
329
0.3 kmRR - RRR • Quick Bites • American • Barbecue

Cody's
1Â 212
0.1 kmRR - RRR • American • Seafood • Vegetarian Friendly
Attractions
90 within 10 kms

Ellen Browning Scripps Park
212
79 mParks

La Jolla Cove
13Â 601
0.2 kmBeaches • Parks

Ellen Browning Scripps Memorial Pier
6
69 mBeaches
Gallery La Jolla
5
0.1 kmArt Galleries
Colosseum Fine Arts
1
0.2 kmArt Galleries

Children's Pool
1Â 357
0.4 kmBeaches

Athenaeum Music and Arts Library
9
0.2 kmTheatres

Legends Gallery
15
0.2 kmPoints of Interest & Landmarks

RC Gorman Navajo Gallery
4
0.2 kmArt Galleries

La Jolla Caves
730
0.4 kmCaverns & Caves
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
171 reviews
Excellent
107
Very good
43
Average
16
Poor
3
Terrible
2
Alicen M
14 contributions
Couples
The La Jolla Tide Pools have changed since I was there over 20 years ago. The ride pools are not as deep and some of the rocky area has worn away. But it's still worth a visit, love the area.
Written 16 June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
caymama
Houston227 contributions
Lucky us!! Low tide in March on our visit enabled me to take Grandson poking round in tide pools . Essential to have old tennies or Merrill water shoes, step carefully and see what's down in there! FUN!
Written 16 April 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
MrsBray2218
Kentucky225 contributions
Couples
The beach is tiny but the tide pools are worth it. It was quite difficult to get to, the rocks to climb down were challenging. But once we were down the fun began. Finding the shells was so fun. And though the water was so cold, it was fun being able to be so close and look into the small tide pools at the organisms and wildlife.
Written 13 March 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
katieblue1112
Lancaster, CA12 contributions
It was invigorating to all the senses to discover the various types of sea critters! I didn't know about the little black snail shells, but they are among my favorites. I can't wait to come back soon~I love this place.
Written 29 June 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Downhill Marmot
Santa Ana, CA51 contributions
Behind you, a throng of tourists, t-shirt vendors, bars, hotels, and all that La Jolla has to offer. Before you: the Pacific Ocean, algae-covered rocks, tide pools, octopuses, crabs, sea lions, and who knows what else lurking in the depths. It's a remarkable place to stand, the veneer of civilization worn thin by the incessant rush of the sea.
Written 10 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Tess
Seattle, WA12 contributions
Solo
If you want to walk along the beach this isn’t the right one for you. Quite small and some rock climbing below the stairs is required to get to the sandy portion. Slightly tricky to get to and there isn’t really anything at high tide so make sure to check and go when it’s low. Some cute little shells and sea glass if you enjoy beach combing but nothing big. A lot of very adorable hermit crabs as well as neat formations in the cliff!
Written 26 December 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
raj b
Bharuch, India160 contributions
This is a great place anytime of day but sunsets are spectacular when the "June Glooms" are absent. Take a sweater or light jacket. It can get cool quickly.
Written 27 September 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
motherchristmas61
Richardson, TX861 contributions
Solo
I went here to look for sea glass and shells... The beach is very small and there were the tiniest shell and sea glass fragments, so disappointing. (picture 1)The water was too high to see tide pools the morning I went.
But, all was not lost. I walked along the cove and saw sea lions frolicking in the waves, some were surfing! Saw babies playing in pools of water on the rock cliffs. Very entertaining and watching people swim and snorkel in the same water as the seals.
Went to the children's beach area and there is where I found sea glass. (Picture 2)I'm sure finding it has to do with current, but there was so much, I just couldn't pick it up fast enough before a big wave would roll in.
Made for a fun morning.
Get there early for good parking. There are some parking lots about a block up from the beach.
But, all was not lost. I walked along the cove and saw sea lions frolicking in the waves, some were surfing! Saw babies playing in pools of water on the rock cliffs. Very entertaining and watching people swim and snorkel in the same water as the seals.
Went to the children's beach area and there is where I found sea glass. (Picture 2)I'm sure finding it has to do with current, but there was so much, I just couldn't pick it up fast enough before a big wave would roll in.
Made for a fun morning.
Get there early for good parking. There are some parking lots about a block up from the beach.
Written 25 August 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
AuntieJo
Los Angeles, California14 contributions
Great fun- just watch out- slippery...
Kids love this place- very hands on!
I love to photograph the sealife.
Come low tide for best viewing.
And since it's free, the price is unbeatable!
Kids love this place- very hands on!
I love to photograph the sealife.
Come low tide for best viewing.
And since it's free, the price is unbeatable!
Written 22 August 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
happymomx3
Northern NJ525 contributions
Family
On our first night in La Jolla, we walked down from town and found this amazing spot. From above the cliffs, you have spectacular views of the surf below. There’s also a beautiful park above the beach with play equipment and cool trees kids were climbing. We even saw a wedding in the park and the bride and groom were getting photos taken on the beach.
Walk down the steps and find a sandy paradise where you can dip your toes in the water or climb a rock and relax.
Just steps from the beautiful La Jolla Village, you feel like you’re far from civilization.
Walk down the steps and find a sandy paradise where you can dip your toes in the water or climb a rock and relax.
Just steps from the beautiful La Jolla Village, you feel like you’re far from civilization.
Written 12 August 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
LadyElaine5847
1 contribution
Is this a good place to visit in February? I live on the east coast and wasn’t sure if the weather is too cold or if that impacts your chances of viewing sea lions if visiting in the winter?
npoirri
New Orleans, LA103 contributions
How do I figure out when low tide is going to be? Where can I look this up?
BE_Travelin
San Diego, CA89 contributions
Easiest is to ask your smart phone "when is low (or high) tide" once you are in San Diego. Otherwise look it up on the web: Shell Beach San Diego on Tideschart (sorry, TA doesn't allow URLs):
Should bring you to their site:
United-States
California
San-Diego-County
Shell-Beach
sorry to bother you again, but are there any beaches in the san Diego area were shell collecting is allowed?
Thanks again
Judpma012
Hermosa Beach, CA206 contributions
Lots of small shells left as high tide recedes. The Pacific Ocean drops some nice ones, but I wouldn't plan a shelling trip there. You are better off doing a tide pool excursion.. Lots of critters to see.
I would love to know if shell collecting is allowed. I have loved shell collecting for many years and I'm know visiting this beach.
Thanks bunches!
2beans2000
San Diego, CA3Â 094 contributions
Formally, there is to be no removal of anything from coastal parks or properties, so no shells, rocks, sea animals (starfish, anemones, etc.).
With that being said, I think there are probably small caches of memory-shells in nearly all bedrooms across the country of children who have visited San Diego or Coronado beaches.
Sometimes it's also very special to take pictures of all the great shells and make collages or photo cards to share with loved ones.... that's also a very nice way of both maintaining memories and sharing them, while honoring the park policies to the letter.
Enjoy the beaches!
gili
riverside, ca116 contributions
How accessible is this spot for a 3 year old? I don't want to risk injury to any of us especially if having to routinely pick up and carry little one over algae. Thanks.
invertpaleo
New York City, NY345 contributions
There is a steep flight of concrete steps from street level to the beach.
If you get there at a very low tide indeed, there will be a large expanse of shallow water (not exactly your classic tide pools) with lots of interesting creatures, but not immediately spectacular.
Some of the rocks will be slippery with algae, as is almost always the case in a low-tide-with-rocks situation.
If you are worried about safety, you could go to the Scripps Aquarium instead -- it's a fabulous aquarium and they have some outdoor fake tide pools that are very nice, but you can't pick up the critters.
Don't bother with Shell Beach unless the tide is VERY low (like a minus tide) otherwise the "tide pool" areas will be knee deep or waist deep in water.
Frequently Asked Questions about Shell Beach Tide Pools
- We recommend booking Shell Beach Tide Pools tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 1 Shell Beach Tide Pools tours on Tripadvisor
- Hotels near Shell Beach Tide Pools:
- (0.02 km) La Jolla Cove Apt with Panoramic Ocean Views. 30 night minimum. 2 people.
- (0.05 km) Beautiful 2br/2ba La Jolla Cove Condo
- (0.11 km) Pantai Inn
- (0.09 km) La Valencia Hotel
- (0.20 km) Grande Colonial La Jolla
- Restaurants near Shell Beach Tide Pools:
- (0.06 km) Cove House
- (0.10 km) Bobboi Natural Gelato
- (0.13 km) Cody's
- (0.13 km) We Olive & Wine Bar
- (0.07 km) Mediterranean Room