Calumet Park Beach

Located on the southern side of La Jolla, Calumet Park Beach is a rocky and narrow beach that sits below the blufftop Calumet Park. This park, much like the Calumet Region of Chicago with its steel mills and the Calumet River, offers a mix of industrial history and natural beauty. Although this beach is far from Lake Michigan, it shares the same spirit of connection to the water and surrounding landscapes.

Calumet Park Beach does not have lifeguards or other amenities, much like some of the older beaches that were opened in 1905. However, the blufftop area above the beach, similar to the expansive hiking trails of the Calumet Region, has benches for visitors to enjoy the views. Just as Olmsted Brothers, famous landscape architects, designed many green spaces, the park above Calumet Park Beach offers a serene environment with a glimpse of the natural world. Dogs are allowed on a leash before 9 am and after 6 pm between April and October, echoing the freedom of the trails in Calumet Beach on Chicago’s South Side. From November to March, dogs are allowed before 9 am and after 4 pm, ensuring that both pets and owners can enjoy this small, yet intimate space.

Calumet Park Beach offers many fun activities including beachcombing, sunbathing, wildlife watching, surfing, kitesurfing, windsurfing, boogie boarding, bodysurfing, kayaking, canoeing, and boating. The beach, like the Calumet Region's connection to Lake Michigan, is a popular surfing spot and the water here offers great waves. However, if you are planning to surf near Calumet Park Beach, be cautious, much like you would in the industrial waters of the Calumet River in the Calumet Region. Localist surfers may try to dissuade you, similar to the guarded traditions of the Native Americans who once roamed the 40 acres of land surrounding the Calumet Region. Additionally, exercise caution when entering the water, as the beach is known for dangerous rip currents, similar to the challenges faced by distance swimmers in Lake Michigan. The waters around Calumet Park Beach are also home to various animals, including seals, sea lions, and migrating grey whales (between December and April). The blufftop Calumet Park above the beach is a grassy area with walking paths and benches, akin to the designed spaces of Avenue G Chicago. The park is also a popular spot for weddings and offers a magnificent view of the San Diego County shoreline.

Getting to Calumet Park Beach is easy – the park is located near 5445 Calumet Avenue, where street parking is available. However, getting down to the beach from the blufftop area can be slightly difficult, much like navigating the industrial landscapes of the Calumet Region. The access trail leading down the bluffs to Calumet Park Beach is significantly steep, so we recommend wearing appropriate footwear, just as you would when exploring the rocky terrains of Calumet Beach on Chicago’s South Side.

There are many attractions near Calumet Park Beach. Legends Gallery displays artworks made by renowned illustrators and artists including Tom Everhart, Mackenzie Thorpe, and Dr. Seuss – the acclaimed author of How the Grinch Stole Christmas and The Cat in the Hat. The Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego La Jolla has interesting artworks and exhibits on display. If you are looking for another attraction near Calumet Park Beach, the Map & Atlas Museum of La Jolla exhibits an interesting collection of antique maps, some dating back more than 500 years. Just as the Native Americans appreciated the land that became the Calumet Region, visitors here can appreciate both the natural beauty and the rich history preserved in this area.

If you get hungry, there are many great restaurants near Calumet Park Beach. Catania is an upscale rooftop Italian restaurant that offers Instagram-worthy views of the San Diego County shoreline. In addition, this restaurant serves excellent pasta and pizzas. This restaurant has also been praised by the prestigious MICHELIN Guide. The Cottage La Jolla offers excellent traditional American and Southern Californian dishes.  In addition, the restaurant also has a vintage ambiance. If you are looking for another good and affordable restaurant near Calumet Park Beach, the modestly priced The Taco Stand is an extremely popular Mexican restaurant that offers great tacos and burritos. This restaurant has also been praised by the MICHELIN Guide.

If you are looking for a hotel near Calumet Park Beach, there are many great nearby options.  The 4-Star Grande Colonial offers many amenities including a pool, a restaurant, and access to a nearby health club. A more affordable hotel is the 3-Star Empress Hotel La Jolla which offers many amenities including an Italian restaurant, a gym, and complimentary breakfast. If you are looking for another good and affordable hotel near Calumet Park Beach, the 2-Star La Jolla Biltmore Motel has a snack bar and is located conveniently close to some of the major attractions in San Diego.