Windansea Beach

Located on the southern part of the neighborhood of La Jolla, Windansea Beach is located below a bluff-top residential area in the city of San Diego. The beach has light brown sand, strong water currents, and large waves. There are numerous large sandstone rock formations along the beach shoreline, and a rocky reef is also present in the water near the beach. The name Windansea Beach is a shortened description of "Wind-and-Sea" which was the name of a hotel near the beach shoreline that burned down in the 1940s. 

While Windansea Beach has lifeguards available daily during summers and on weekends during the rest of the year, it does not have any other amenities except a shack and a sitting area, so plan accordingly. The beach allows dogs on a leash before 9 am and after 6 pm from April to October, and allows dogs before 9 am and after 4 pm during November to March.

Windansea Beach offers many activities including tide-pooling, wildlife watching, surfing, sailboarding, kayaking, canoeing, boating, paddle boarding, boogie boarding, bodysurfing, skimboarding, sunbathing, and beachcombing. If you are planning to go into the water here, we recommend being careful due to extremely strong currents and large waves. Windansea Beach is a popular surfing spot owing to its thrilling, sharp, and large surfing waves. During winters, surfing waves can be as high as six to eight feet. The water near the beach is also home to a variety of animals including dolphins, seals, sea-lions, and migrating whales (between December and April). On the southern portion of the beach, there is a surf shack made of eucalyptus and palm fronds which has been designated as a historical landmark by the San Diego Historical Resources Board. The beach has gained widespread popularity throughout California and the United States not only as a surfing spot but as its association with counter-culture. Windansea Beach plays a role in the titular story in Tom Wolfe’s book The Pump House Gang, and the famous pop artist Andy Warhol also shot his renowned film San Diego Surf on Windansea Beach.

Getting to Windansea Beach is easy - the access route to the beach is located near the intersection of Neptune Place and Nautilus Street. There is a free parking lot near the edge of the bluff above the beach and there is free street parking along Neptune Place and Nautilus Street. However, we recommend visiting early as these parking spots fill up quickly.

There are many attractions near Windansea Beach. If you like shopping, Downtown La Jolla offers numerous designer and branded stores, boutique shops, spas, and restaurants. Athenaeum Music & Arts Library has an extensive collection of art books, music books, periodicals, librettos, CDs, DVDs and also hosts many concerts, art classes, lectures, exhibitions, and cultural performances. The La Jolla Historical Society offers educational exhibits detailing the vibrant and interesting history of the La Jolla community and organizes a variety of informative events including lectures, discussions, and tours.

If you get hungry, there are many great nearby restaurants. Nine-Ten Restaurant & Bar offers excellent California Coastal cuisine and has been praised by a variety of publications including the MICHELIN Guide. A great family-friendly restaurant is The Cottage La Jolla which offers delicious breakfast dishes including French toast, eggs benedict, pancakes, and omelets. A modestly priced option is House of Pizza which offers outstanding pizzas and calzones.

If you are looking for a hotel near Windansea Beach, there are many great options nearby. The 4-Star Hotel La Jolla, Curio Collection By Hilton offers many amenities including a pool, fitness center, and a restaurant. A more affordable option is the 3-Star Holiday Inn Express & Suites La Jolla - Beach Area which offers numerous amenities including a pool, a jacuzzi, bike rental, fitness center, and complimentary breakfast. Another good and affordable hotel is the modestly priced 2-Star The Shoal La Jolla Beach which offers many amenities including a pool, a hot tub, and a fire pit.