San Diego is famous for its seals and sea lions. They’re fun to watch because they’ve got big, expressive personalities and love to play. They’re truly “ocean dogs.”

Let’s break down everything you need to know about visiting the seals and sea lions in San Diego.

Consider this a “dry guide” for seeing our local pinnipeds. But perhaps we can convince a few of you landlubbers to get your scuba or freediving certification (mwahaha!).

---

Dive Right In: Seal or Sea Lion? | Rules and Regulations | The Seal Beach | La Jolla Sea Lions | 5 Reasons Why You Should Join Sea Lions in the Water | Is It Safe to Swim with Sea Lions?

---

San Diego is home to seals and sea lions. We have the California Sea Lion and the Pacific Harbor Seal.

What’s the difference between seals and sea lions, anyway?

Do Seals and Sea Lions Hang Out Together?

Seals and sea lions may look similar, but they rarely spend any time together. The two animals have very different behaviors.

Harbor seals are alone most of time, unless they’re nursing pups. Sea lions, on the other hand, are very social animals and spend lots of time playing with one another and cuddling on shore.

Basically, harbor seals are introverted, while sea lions are extraverted.

San Diego has laws protecting the seals and sea lions, and lifeguards actively work to enforce these laws. Ignore them and you could get fined or even arrested.

These laws are meant to protect both you and the seals / sea lions. These animals look calm and cuddly, but they’re still wild animals. They can be highly territorial, especially when their pups are nearby, and they will bite or even maul anyone they feel is encroaching on their territory and threatening their young. You don’t want to get bitten by a pinniped–not only is it painful, but you could get a serious or even life-threatening infection that requires expensive medical treatment.

Keep yourself and the seals / sea lions safe by following a few simple rules:

• Keep Your Distance: The most important rule, but the rule that’s broken most often. When you get too close to the seals / sea lions, it creates stress that is poor for their health. You can also pass on diseases just by touching them. Don’t be one of those lame influencers who puts an animal’s health at risk just for the sake of their Instagram. Keep a respectful viewing distance at all times.
• Do Not Feed: Pinnipeds have a very particular diet! Any food you give them—even raw fish from the market—can make them sick. Seals and sea lions are great hunters and they’re happy catching their own meals.
• Pick Up Your Trash: Any trash you drop could be eaten by a seal / sea lion. The trash could also wind up in the ocean and get eaten by fish–which are then eaten by the seals / sea lions. In either case, human waste is not healthy for our pinnipeds. Most San Diego beaches have plenty of trash and recycling bins, so be sure to responsibly dispose of your bottles, cans, and wrappers.

If you hear someone mention the “seal beach,” they’re definitely talking about the Children’s Pool in La Jolla.

The Children’s Pool is a beach that’s protected by a large breakwater. Originally, the breakwater was designed to create a calm swimming area for children (most of the beaches in La Jolla are battered by strong surf).

Unintentionally, the breakwater created the perfect environment for harbor seals to give birth. During pupping season–which lasts from about mid-December to mid-May–dozens of harbor seals take refuge at the Children’s Pool to nurse their newborns.

The beach is closed during the pupping season to protect the harbor seals and their babies. But you’ll have an excellent view from the nearby walkway. After the pupping season, the seals mostly abandon the Children’s Pool and the beach is occupied by swimmers during the summer months.

Outside of the Children’s Pool, it can be difficult to find harbor seals because of their solitary nature. Even for scuba divers, the harbor seal can be quite an elusive animal.

You can spot sea lions anywhere along the San Diego coastline, but you’ll find the largest number of them at La Jolla Cove.

La Jolla Cove is famous for its sea lions, and it’s the best place to go if you want to see them in their natural habitat.

Here’s why the sea lions are thriving at La Jolla Cove:

• Protection: La Jolla Cove is protected within the Matlahuayl State Marine Reserve. Fishing is strictly off-limits here, so there’s plenty of fish available for the sea lions to eat.
• Laws & Regulations: Local authorities do their best to prevent people from harassing or harming the sea lions.
• Shelter: The La Jolla kelp forest acts as a natural barrier against large predators. Plus, the Cove has plenty of rocks on which the sea lions can rest.

La Jolla Cove is home to a rookery, where sea lions give birth to and nurse their pups. Naturally, you can spot dozens of pups and juveniles hanging out on the rocks or playing in the water.

La Jolla Cove is only a short walk from the Children’s Pool. Walk from one to the other if you want to spot seals and seal lions. It’s a scenic stroll with gorgeous views of the Pacific Ocean. Take a look at the map below.

La Jolla Cove is a beautiful place to watch the sea lions, but…

We’ll be honest. Sometimes, watching the sea lions on land can be a real drag. Here are a few things that can ruin your visit with the sea lions:

• Summer Crowds: In the summer months, La Jolla is jam-packed with tourists and beach-goers. There are heavy summer crowds at the sea lion rookery, which can make it difficult for you to get a good view of the action.
• Annoying People: Sadly, not everyone is very respectful when they visit the sea lions. Some people harass the sea lions by getting too close or trying to touch them. Others will make your ears bleed when they loudly practice their sea lion impression, which is just… ughhh. It’s considered very rude to bark at dogs you aren’t familiar with–you shouldn’t do it with sea lions, either.
• Shyness: Sea lions are fast and agile when they’re in the water… not so much on land. Since they’re more vulnerable on land, they tend to keep their guard up when there’s people around.

The best way to view the sea lions is by going out in the water with them.

Here are 5 reasons why you should try and view the sea lions in their preferred habitat:

1. Escape the Landlubbers

When you go out in the water, you’ll be able to get away from the tourist crowds and those aforementioned people who… you know… bark at the sea lions.

2. Better for the Sea Lions

Most of the time, sea lions are friendlier in the water. They know they’re better swimmers than us, so they’re not as fearful. In fact, sea lions may get shockingly close to scuba divers, snorkelers, and kayakers.

On land, the La Jolla sea lions are surrounded by people on three sides, and the people are always creeping into the rookery, getting closer and closer to the animals and their pups. Many sea lions get stressed by this kind of human behavior. Some have even died due to tourist activity.

But it’s a different experience when you’re in the water. If a sea lion swims up to you, the sea lion is probably in a curious or playful mood and wants to investigate you. It has chosen to approach you, and not the other way around. This viewing method is safer and healthier for the sea lions.

3. Better Views

Scuba divers and snorkelers get the best view of the sea lions, without a doubt. Only when you’re able to look underwater can you watch the sea lions perform their incredible underwater acrobatics. They like to blow bubbles at divers and show off their incredible swimming skills.

You can’t get very close to the sea lion pups on land–unless you want to be fined or attacked. But swimmers, snorkelers, and scuba divers may be lucky enough to swim with sea lions pups. In certain times of year, the adult sea lions will permit the juveniles to come out and investigate any of the humans in the water. It’s one of the most exciting wildlife experiences in America.

4. Explore the Sea Caves

The sea lions enjoy lounging and playing in the La Jolla sea caves (also known as the Seven Caves). You can explore these caves by snorkeling, scuba diving, or kayaking.

5. Experience the Aquatic Life at La Jolla Cove

Sea lions aren’t the only animals that live at the Cove. There’s a huge variety of marine life at La Jolla Cove, but you’ll only see it if you dip beneath the surface of the water.

At La Jolla Cove, there are three ways you can get out in the water:

• Scuba Diving / Freediving: Diving will give you the best sea lion experience. The La Jolla sea lions tend to be very playful with divers. Take our guided tour of La Jolla Cove or consider getting your freediving certification.
• Snorkel Tour: For non-divers, a snorkel tour will give you the best opportunity to spot sea lions in the water. A snorkel tour will also take you over the beautiful reefs at La Jolla Cove.
• Kayak Tour: Don’t want to get into the water? Consider taking at kayak tour of the La Jolla sea caves. Sea lions lounge inside and outside of the caves, and can sometimes be playful with kayakers.

Because the La Jolla sea lions are well-acquainted with swimmers and divers, it’s very safe to swim with them at the Cove–so long as you don’t try to feed, touch, or approach them. They’ll come to you if they’re interested.

Swimmers and divers regularly encounter sea lions in La Jolla. Adults may occasionally snap at divers as an intimidation tactic, but it’s usually just to warn you that you’re getting too close to the pups.

Maintain a safe distance and always keep your hands to yourself.