San Diego Beaches: Hospital Beach and Cuvier Park La Jolla

Share

The rocky shoreline of La Jolla is dotted with many spots that have names mostly known only to locals.  One such spot is Hospital Beach/Hospital Point, often referred to as the Hospitals.  This area, below the small Cuvier Park is extremely scenic, but it is not a beach in the traditional sense.

• Beach Type: Rocky area with minimal sand
• Access: Short stairs, climb down rocks
• Parking: Free street parking
• Facilities: None but restroom changing north at Children’s Pool lifeguard station
• Good For: Exploring Rocks, Tidepools, Scuba Diving, Snorkeling
• Not Good For: A traditional day at the beach, swimming

If you want a sandy beach in the area, you can always station at Marine Street Beach, Wipeout Beach or Children’s Pool and take the short walk to Hospitals.  Kids generally love climbing along the rocks.  If the tide is low there is usually plenty to explore in the tidepools.  This area is also a short walk down the coast from La Jolla Cove.

If you want to hang out at Hospitals, there are plenty of spots to sit on the rocks and sunbath.  When the tide is low there may even be some sandy spots.  There is also a nice grassy area above the beach, Cuvier Park, also called Coast Boulevard Park.  This is a popular spot for weddings which is why it is often referred to as the Wedding Bowl.  Assuming there is no wedding going on Cuvier Park can be a nice place to hang out.

Overall, Hospital Beach is a nice area to visit when you are in the general La Jolla area.  It makes for great photographs and is conveniently located in the heart of La Jolla.  We have designed a full walk in this area that goes from Marine Street Beach to La Jolla Cove, passing by Hospitals on the way.  Even if you do not do this walk, you should check out the Hospitals area if you are near La Jolla Cove.

As a final note, that applies to all the beaches in the La Jolla Cove area, this is a popular place.  There is free parking but it can be hard to find.  We almost always park a few blocks away in central La Jolla village and walk down the hill.  However, this also requires walking back up hill.

Be sure and check our full guide to all San Diego beaches.

Guide to San Diego's Best Beaches

The ocean is a major San Diego attraction.  San Diego County has 70 miles of beach along the Pacific Ocean.  Deciding which beach is most appropriate can be a difficult decision.  Fun Diego Family is mapping out the entire San Diego coastline.  This is our guide to San Diego’s Best Beaches. The San Diego County […]

For nearby lodging suggestions check out our guide on Where to Stay in La Jolla.

Where to Stay San Diego: La Jolla

The San Diego area is huge and getting around can be a challenge.  Choosing a general location to stay is essential for maximizing the enjoyment of a visit to San Diego.  Fun Diego Family has created a detailed guide to each of San Diego’s major areas.  This is our guide to staying in the La […]

Share