La Jolla Strand Beach

Located in the community of La Jolla, La Jolla Strand Beach is a narrow rock-and-sand beach with some interesting rock formations, similar to other San Diego beaches. This beach is situated below steep oceanfront bluffs and offers a mix of sandy beaches and rocky areas. The rocky portions of this beach are composed of sandstone, much like those found in sea caves along the coastline. It is important to note that this beach can be rockier during the winter season as winter storms can often blow away the sand. While La Jolla Shores Beach and Torrey Pines State Beach are more popular, La Jolla Strand Beach provides a quieter alternative with its unique landscape.

La Jolla Strand Beach does not have lifeguards, unlike the more popular surf spots with lifeguard stations, but the blufftop area above the beach has benches and a restroom (which is situated near Gravilla Street). The beach allows dogs on a leash before 9 am and after 6 pm between April and October. Between November and March, the beach allows dogs before 9 am and after 4 pm.  

La Jolla Strand Beach offers many fun activities, including sunbathing, beachcombing, wildlife watching, swimming, surfing, bodysurfing, tide-pooling, bodyboarding, scuba diving, picnicking, snorkeling, kayaking, canoeing, jet-skiing, boating, and wakeboarding. If you are planning to go into the water near La Jolla Strand Beach, we recommend being careful as the water near this beach has dangerous rip currents. The water near this mile-long beach is also home to many animals, including seals, sea lions, and migrating grey whales (between December and April). This beach is ideal for those looking for a quiet beach session as it sees fewer visitors than other La Jolla beaches like La Jolla Shores Beach or Torrey Pines State Beach. During low tide, you can explore the interesting rock formations present on the beach and along its shoreline. The beach also offers fantastic views of Downtown La Jolla and the Pacific Ocean.

Getting to La Jolla Strand Beach is easy - the beach is located along Neptune Place between its intersections with Palomar Avenue and Gravilla Street, with street parking available nearby. There are multiple stairways along Neptune Place which lead to La Jolla Strand Beach. We recommend visiting this beach during low tide as during high tide this beach can be significantly submerged.

There are many attractions near La Jolla Strand Beach. Nautical History Gallery & Museum displays interesting maritime antiques and beautifully handcrafted model ships which offer a unique insight into maritime history and technology and naval warfare. If you like cats, The Cat Lounge is arguably San Diego’s only non-profit cat lounge which offers visitors a fun, engaging, and even therapeutic experience with cats rescued from local shelters. In addition, you can also adopt cats from The Cat Lounge. If you are looking for another attraction near La Jolla Strand Beach, Athenaeum Music & Arts Library has an extensive collection of art books, music books, periodicals, librettos, CDs, DVDs and also hosts many concerts, lectures, exhibitions, and cultural performances throughout the year while also offering art classes.  

If you get hungry, there are many great restaurants near La Jolla Strand Beach. The Marine Room is an upscale restaurant that offers a memorable oceanfront dining experience and serves amazing seafood. This restaurant has been praised by many prestigious publications including the MICHELIN Guide and AFAR. Duke’s La Jolla offers a pleasant oceanfront dining experience and serves fantastic fusion dishes with Hawaiian and Southern Californian influences. If you are looking for another good and affordable restaurant near La Jolla Strand Beach, the modestly priced Cheese Shop offers amazing sandwiches, salads, and soups.

If you are looking for a hotel near La Jolla Strand Beach, there are many great nearby options. The 4-Star Pantai Inn offers many amenities including complimentary breakfast, barbecue grills, and laundry facilities. A more affordable hotel is the 3-Star La Jolla Cove Hotel & Suites which offers many amenities including a pool with sundeck, firepits, barbecue spots, and pool tables. The hotel also has a hot tub and a rooftop bar that offers incredible views. If you are looking for another good and affordable hotel near La Jolla Strand Beach, the 2-Star Casa De La Playa is located conveniently close to some of the major landmarks in La Jolla. In addition, this hotel also has a spa and a barbecue.