The Children's Pool Beach is a small sandy beach area located at 850 Coast Boulevard, at the end of Jenner Street, in San Diego, California, United States.
The Children's Pool earned its name after the construction of a concrete breakwater in 1931. The structure was gifted to the community of La Jolla by the local philanthropist Ellen Browning Scripps, who paid for the construction of a breakwater project in order to create a place where children could play and swim that would be protected from waves coming onshore and onto the beaches adjacent to this area. The gift was confirmed by an act of the Legislature, signed by California Governor James Rolph, Jr. in 1931.
The Children's Pool has become the subject of a debate related to a growing colony of harbor seals which has inhabited the beach since the mid-1990s.
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Children's Pool in La Jolla was originally an area in San Diego designated for children to swim. In 1932, a seawall was built to protect the shore from oncoming waves, making it the ideal spot for children to paddle without danger. While the Children's Pool in La Jolla provides a swimming spot suitable for children, the conditions also prove to be idylic for harbor seals and sea lions. Seal Rock, which is located just north of the beach is home to hundreds of seals, and its close proximity to the Children's Pool La Jolla has increased seal interest in the pool area. Seals have since come to the La Jolla Children's Pool to bathe, bask and even give birth to their seal pups. The introduction of these seals to the Children's Pool in La Jolla has caused recent controversy over whether the beach should be preserved for the marine life or for the children.
Due to the increased seal population, marine life advocates have fought to close La Jolla Children's Pool in order to protect and preserve the wildlife. These advocates are pushing for the Children's Pool in La Jolla to become a marine mammal sanctuary, while debaters on the other side want to maintain the beach as an area designated for children. Although the debate continues, the beach is currently being shared by both humans and seals and is open to the public.
Because of the overwhelming presence of the seals, swimmers are allowed, but highly discouraged from entering the water at the Children's Pool in La Jolla due to conditions concerning water quality and safety. Although many of the seals have become accustomed to the presence of humans, the public is encouraged to maintain their distance from the wild animals as they can be aggressive and unpredictable. Children's Pool La Jolla is still a popular beach spot, however, as it has become a must-see San Diego Attraction where visitors can witness the unique wildlife from only a short distance away. During low tide at La Jolla Children's Pool, additional wildlife can be observed in the tide pools as well. Children's Pool in La Jolla also provides 360-degree incredible views of La Jolla, the Pacific Ocean and sunsets.
- Parking: There are no parking lots close to the beach and metered spots fill up quickly especially on the weekends. Visitors are welcome to park in Downtown La Jolla and walk to the Children's Pool in San Diego.
- Smoking: Smoking is not permitted at this spot.
- Public Restrooms: Restrooms and showers are available to the public.
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* The above information was gathered from https://www.sandiego.com/listing/childrens-pool-in-la-jolla/78/ and https://en.wikipedia.org/?title=Children%27s_Pool_Beach
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To log a find for this cache, please message the CO with the answers to the following:
1) Number of cachers in your group including geocaching names.
2) # of abalone shell decorations on both sides of the wall and # of starfish decorations on both sides of the wall. There is a WP showing the wall to walk around. There is only the one wall right behiing GZ that is necessary for the logging requirement.
AND
3) Post a photo of you or something of yours at GZ area.
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Virtual Rewards 4.0 - 2024-2025
This Virtual Cache is part of a limited release of Virtuals created between January 17, 2024 and January 17, 2025. Only 4,000 cache owners were given the opportunity to hide a Virtual Cache. Learn more about Virtual Rewards 4.0 on the Geocaching Blog.
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Congratulations
ReneeCache & HVYripper
for FTF!