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Children's Pool

850 Coast Blvd, La Jolla, San Diego, CA 92037
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Ranked #13 of 24 attractions in La Jolla
Type: Beaches
Fee: No
Recommended length of visit: 1-2 hours
Description: It was supposed to be a children's pool, but the harbor seals took over and it's a main tourist and local attraction. Great picture spot.
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203 reviews from our community

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    19
Date Rating
San Diego, California
Senior Contributor
31 reviews 31 reviews
11 attraction reviews
Reviews in 14 cities Reviews in 14 cities
10 helpful votes 10 helpful votes
1 of 5 stars Reviewed 14 May 2013 NEW

This Children's Pool is no longer that. It has been over run by seals and it is smelly, in fact, it stinks! 30 years ago it was a great place for families to bring their children to swim, the sea wall protected them from the high waves, it is a shame that the seals have taken over what was once... More

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Saint Louis, Missouri
Senior Contributor
23 reviews 23 reviews
16 attraction reviews
Reviews in 6 cities Reviews in 6 cities
19 helpful votes 19 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 11 May 2013

This is a beautiful place not to be missed, we love how close you can get to the seals, and I love how clear and beautiful the water is here.

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See 3 more reviews by SaraMBrawley for La Jolla
Oceanside
Senior Contributor
32 reviews 32 reviews
10 attraction reviews
Reviews in 5 cities Reviews in 5 cities
8 helpful votes 8 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 10 May 2013

well, shouldn't it?? there's continual court proceedings and arguments over the uses of this "pool", which isn't a pool, and certainly NOT for children. BUT it does give the whining environmental extremists something to be constantly harping about. Never mind that there is a very long, beautiful and easily accessible beach a mile away with loads of parking and picnic... More

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San Diego, California
Senior Contributor
28 reviews 28 reviews
8 attraction reviews
Reviews in 10 cities Reviews in 10 cities
10 helpful votes 10 helpful votes
1 of 5 stars Reviewed 10 May 2013

If you enjoy viewing a living toilet bowl...have fun. This place was created to be a safe place for children and families...then the seals came and the animal activists....The city will not honor the original plan/donation nor will they correct the situation. Seals have invaded the place. Don't swim here. The seals are aggressive and the water is constantly polluted... More

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See 6 more reviews by d h for La Jolla
Los Lunas, New Mexico
Reviewer
5 reviews 5 reviews
Reviews in 4 cities Reviews in 4 cities
5 helpful votes 5 helpful votes
3 of 5 stars Reviewed 9 May 2013

Well, as someone who grew up in La Jolla in the 50s and 60s about 3 blocks from the beach in question, and who learned how to swim in 1952 at the "Casa Cove", now known as the "Children's Pool", I have very mixed feelings about its evolution to being a seal habitat today. It's not as if it was... More

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San Diego
1 review
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 9 May 2013

I just so happen to live close by so we drive down here couple times a year to walk around La Jolla and then watch the seals. They are pretty much sleeping most of the time, but it is very relaxing to see them being lazy. Takes your mind off of a busy life. There are also tide pools close... More

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1 review
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 9 May 2013 via mobile

One of my favorite beaches in SoCal. My friends and I were even able to get a picture with a sea lion behind us! We hung out for a couple hours and watched the sunset. I would love to visit again.

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San Diego, California
1 review
1 of 5 stars Reviewed 9 May 2013

I have lived in San Diego for nearly 40 years & Childrens pool USED TO BE a nice place for young moms to take their kids. Now "they" let the sea lions take over....Let's see how the Chamber of Commerce likes it when we more Great White Shark attacks ;( Yes, I Love the ocean & spend time in it...

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Reviewer
5 reviews 5 reviews
Reviews in 4 cities Reviews in 4 cities
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 9 May 2013 via mobile

A must see place! You can watch seals up close in a not so crowded Enviroment. LaJolla weather is always nice. Great food and shopping a close walk away. See tide pools, caves, hundreds of sea birds and seagulls ( who's poop odor is unforgettable) Its all free! Close parking is hard to find.

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Frederick
Reviewer
3 reviews 3 reviews
Reviews in 3 cities Reviews in 3 cities
3 helpful votes 3 helpful votes
1 of 5 stars Reviewed 9 May 2013

I first saw La Jolla in the late 70's. Since this little beach was taken over by the seals, it has turned into a nasty smelling, bacteriological environment. As others have said, if the wind is right, you can smell it long before you see it. People feeding deer (Oh, look, Bambi) and geese have similarly led to negative consequences... More

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