Right Beaches › California › La Jolla
Emerald Cove Sea Cave
4.3★ · 86 Google ratings · La Jolla, California
✓ Parking✓ Short walk✓ Restrooms✓ Showers✓ Picnic tables
At a glance
Parking
On-site lot · 340 ft away · paid · fills up
Walk
200 yd · 2 min
Restrooms
Yes · 325 yd away
Cost
Paid parking
Water
71°F
Tide
5 ft range today
Length
310 ft of shoreline
Sand
160 ft from the water to the back
Water quality
Poor · 100% of 55 over the limit · 2025
Map of Emerald Cove Sea Cave
1
1Parking340 ft from the listing
Guide
Good to know
Plan 10-15 minutes inside cave
Most visitors spend under ten minutes viewing the cave opening and taking photos before returning upstairs.
See sea lions and coastal birds
The cave overlooks a natural marine habitat where sea lions bask and Brandt's cormorants nest year-round.
Arrive before 10am on weekends
Afternoon weekend lines exceed 50 people with waits over an hour, while Friday mornings stay manageable.
Expect 145 narrow wet stairs
The descent and return climb involve small steps that are slippery, requiring sturdy footwear and caution.
Park on side streets early
Nearby parking lots are expensive; free three-hour street parking exists but fills quickly in mornings.
Conditions
How it is right now
Air
68°F · mostly clear
Water
71°F
Waves
3.4 ft · 10 s apart
Wind
3 mph from the NNW
Shelter
Cross-shore · wind running along the beach
UV index
8 peak today
| Time | Tide | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 15:14 | High tide | ↑ |
| 23:42 | Low tide | ↓ |
Last updated Sep 4, 5:38 AM.
Practical
Plan your visit
📍 La Jolla, CA 92037
🅿 Parking 340 ft from the listing
🌊 Water 200 yd away, about 2 min walk
🚽 Restrooms 325 yd away
Nearby
Other beaches close by
0.8 miles away
1.0 miles away
1.6 miles away
2.1 miles away
2.2 miles away
3.7 miles away
Find another
Not the right one?
Find another beach that works for today.
Where are you starting from?
More options
What matters today?
Contribute
Been here recently?
Help other visitors with fresh information about Emerald Cove Sea Cave. Everything below is optional except the last box.
Questions
Common questions
Where do you park at Emerald Cove Sea Cave?
The nearest mapped parking area is 340 ft from the listed location. Positions come from OpenStreetMap, not from review text.
How far is the walk to the water at Emerald Cove Sea Cave?
The listed location sits on the shoreline itself, so there is no walk to speak of once you are out of the car.
Does Emerald Cove Sea Cave have restrooms?
Restrooms are mapped 325 yd from the listing.
Measured from OpenStreetMap, public aerial imagery and live conditions data, and counted from visitor reviews. Every source, in full.
