Aloha from Hawaii: Visiting the most photographed spot in San Diego: Ellen Browning Scripps Park

Ellen Brown Scripps Park is a popular waterfront park in the village of La Jolla. According to AAA it is the most photographed spot in the beautiful city of San Diego.

It is located right in the heart of La Jolla along the coast. It has large grass lawns that give unobstructed view of the Pacific Ocean. Blue ocean, perfect sunsets and towering palm trees make a perfect backdrop for public events and weddings. Summer concerts are held here every Sunday throughout summer.

Sunset at La Jolla

This area is often featured in local art works, paintings and photography exhibits by local artists. The park has picnic areas, restroom, outdoor showers and barbecue amenities.

Ellen Browning Scripps was one of San Diego's most influential patrons and philanthropists. She is the founder of the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, The Bishop’s School, the La Jolla Recreational Center, Scripps Memorial Hospital, the Children’s Pool, and Torrey Pines State Reserve and many other landmark institutions.

The park has a variety of tree life from around the world, including several mature Mexican fan palms, large Monterey pines, Australian tea trees, New Zealand Christmas trees, and a very large dragon tree from the Canary Islands.

Dragon Tree

Dragon tree

Australian tea tree

Dragon tree

Australian tea tree

You can enjoy a leisurely walk along the scenic coast by following the coastal trail. The trail wraps itself around the Scripps park. At the north of the Scripps park is La Jolla Cove. It’s a popular recreational spot and offers some of the best snorkeling and kayaking opportunities.

If you stroll to the south from the Scripps park you will arrive at Seal rock and Children’s Pool Beach and many other less visited beaches at La Jolla. In 1930, Ellen Browning Scripps sponsored the construction of a wall to create an area where the children could easily play and enjoy the sea. But, in later years sand washed in this area and the beach was closed because of unhygienic conditions. At present, the beach in front of the wall is a favorite location for harbor seals to lounge in the sun and the wall provides a perfect spot to watch the seals and sea lions.

It is closed from December 15 to May 15 during the birthing season of seals to protect the newly-born seal pups.

Children's pool

One of the most famous attractions of the La Jolla are the seals and sea lions always inhabiting the shoreline from sea cave to children’s pool and beyond. You can see them huddled together on the rocky cliffs.

Seals and Sea lions

Puppy

Doing some Yoga

Children watching the seals and sea lions

You will experience a typical stink from seal and sea lion poop, but we adjust to the smell very quickly

It is best to watch them from a distance and not go very near. The sea lions can become aggressive if they feel threatened. They are also protected by law and ‘flushing’ a seal or sea lion will cost you a hefty $500 fine.

If you see a sick or injured seal or sea lion, call the Sea World Mammal Rescue at (800) 541-7325. Likewise, if you see an animal being abused, call the San Diego Police Department at (619) 531-2000 or the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Enforcement hotline at (800) 853-196.

The natural habitat of seals and sea lions is threatened by local litigation that sees the seal odor as hurting nearby commercial interests. Seal Conservancy is an organization formed in 1999, to preserve and protect the La Jolla harbor seal rookery for the enjoyment and educational benefit of children, and for the ecological, scientific, historic, and scenic benefits to all.

The Seal Conservancy is also working towards educating the public about the La Jolla Harbor Seal Rookery. Over the past 15 years, they have educated hundreds of thousands of visitors to Casa Beach about the La Jolla harbor seal rookery, sharing viewing tips, harbor seal facts, and helping visitors spot the births that take place every February at Casa Beach.

Many visitors to Casa Beach come with residents who want to show their guests this natural attraction in La Jolla.