Kellogg Park

Kellogg Park in La Jolla is less a park and more a family base camp — a grassy oceanfront lawn that gives you the perfect staging area for one of San Diego's best family beach days. The park fronts La Jolla Shores beach, which consistently ranks among the best family beaches in Southern California, and sits right next to La Jolla Cove, one of the most biodiverse snorkeling spots on the West Coast.

For families with young kids, La Jolla Shores beach is the main draw. The surf here is gentler than most San Diego beaches — the cove's protection keeps the waves small and the current manageable. Lifeguards are on duty during summer months. The long, wide sandy beach gives everyone room to spread out without feeling on top of neighboring families.

The wildlife viewing from Kellogg Park itself is remarkable. California sea lions haul out on the rocks at La Jolla Cove regularly, and pelicans cruise the shoreline in formation. In summer, leopard sharks patrol the shallow surf zone at La Jolla Shores — a perfectly safe, genuinely exciting wildlife encounter that kids talk about for months afterward.

For older kids or tweens with snorkel gear, La Jolla Cove is exceptional. The protected marine reserve means abundant fish, garibaldi (California's state marine fish, bright orange and electric), and kelp forest views. Even a basic mask and snorkel unlocks an impressive experience.

The park has restrooms and outdoor showers on-site. The one persistent challenge is parking — La Jolla is one of the few places in San Diego where parking is genuinely difficult and expensive. Arriving before 8am on summer weekends is essential for street spots, or budget for a pay lot.