Every year, Sea Lions at La Jolla Cove draw millions of visitors eager to witness one of San Diego’s most iconic animals. Bursting with biodiversity, dramatic coastal views, and the rare chance to observe these fascinating marine mammals up close, it’s no surprise that La Jolla Cove is ranked “#4 Best Beach in the U.S.” and a visit to the Cove tops the chart as the “#1 Thing to do in La Jolla” according to TripAdvisor. But with that visibility and popularity comes the critical need for responsible tourism.
La Jolla is the only place on the California mainland where California Sea Lions still give birth, with all other rookeries located out on the Channel Islands. While most sea lion births take place at Point La Jolla, an area that’s been successfully closed off to protect sea lions since 2023, some sea lions give birth to their pups just around the corner on the popular, public beach, La Jolla Cove, where overzealous tourists risk “loving them to death.” While it’s vitally important to respect wildlife from a safe distance year-round, it is most critical during the sea lion pupping season: May 15 through October 31. Unfortunately, this timing coincides with a dramatic increase in seasonal tourism (and cases of harassment), as well as an increasing threat from harmful algal blooms that lead to illness and death.
A Selfie Isn’t Worth a Sea Lion’s Life
Unlike seals, sea lion pups stay with their mothers for nearly a year, but in the early weeks, mothers must leave them ashore while they forage for food. These young pups can’t yet swim well, can’t hold their breath for long, and are completely dependent on their mother’s milk for survival. During this time, poorly managed human interaction in La Jolla Cove can have devastating impacts, and getting too close can be fatal for these animals.
Tourists often make the mistake of approaching resting sea lions and pups for photos or for the thrill of getting up-close-and-personal with nature.
Just one touch from a human can change a pup’s scent causing its mother to abandon it, and results in slow starvation and death. In 2024 alone, 78% of sea lion pups born at high-traffic La Jolla Cove died within six weeks, while only 10% died at the better-protected Point La Jolla, which is closed off to human access. This dramatic difference highlights the life-saving importance of keeping a safe distance.
A wave of curious visitors checking out an adult sea lion at La Jolla Cove. Photo: Chris Parkes
A Comeback Story That Needs Continued Protection
Once nearly wiped out, California sea lion numbers have rebounded since the establishment of the 1972 Marine Mammal Protection Act, growing from less than 10,000 individuals to over 250,000 in U.S. waters by 2019. In La Jolla, their recovery has been supported by ongoing local conservation work, especially the year-round closure of Point La Jolla in 2023, which protects essential sea lion habitat.
This closure was the result of persistent advocacy led by the Sierra Club Seal Society, with support from San Diego Coastkeeper and other environmental groups. It’s already having a powerful impact, giving sea lions a chance to thrive and visitors a front-row seat to witness their natural behaviors safely and respectfully. However, dangerous human-wildlife interactions continue to occur regularly at La Jolla Cove, putting both the public and sea lions at risk.
Domoic Acid & Harmful Algal Blooms: Why Sea Lions in La Jolla Are Getting Sick?
In addition to human disturbance, La Jolla sea lions now face another major threat alongside thousands of other marine mammals and seabirds along the coast of southern California: domoic acid poisoning from harmful algal blooms. These neurotoxins are produced by microscopic algae that thrive in warm, nutrient-rich waters—conditions made more common by climate change, pollution, and agricultural runoff. [1, 2]
When sea lions consume contaminated fish, the toxin builds up in their bodies, particularly in pregnant and nursing females, who eat more to nourish their pups. Domoic acid poisoning can cause:
- Seizures
- Disorientation
- Mass strandings
- Death
Recent months have seen a surge in strandings and fatalities along the California coast, making it more important than ever to give sea lions the space they need to recover and survive.
A California Sea Lion (Zalophus californianus) sick from domoic acid poisoning. Photo: KCBX
What You Can Do to Help Protect La Jolla’s Sea Lions
Every person who visits La Jolla plays a critical role in the future of this unique sea lion population. By avoiding restricted areas, keeping a respectful distance, and observing quietly, you are directly helping to protect wildlife. Additionally, you can protect their marine habitat by reducing pollution that would otherwise runoff into coastal water and contribute to algal blooms and illness.
Sea Lion Safety Tips:
- Stay at least 50 feet away from all sea lions, especially mothers and pups.
- Never touch or approach a sea lion—pups can be abandoned if they smell different.
- Leash pets and keep them well away from marine mammals.
- Properly dispose of all trash—what’s left behind ends up in the ocean.
- Avoid using fertilizers and pesticides, which contribute to algal blooms and marine toxicity.
Get Involved:
- Share this information with friends and family—especially visitors new to the area!
- If you see something, say something—let visitors know to show sea lions respect.
- Volunteer with our friends at the Sierra Club Seal Society to become a Wildlife Docent, or join their Emergency Response Team to protect newborn pups in the Cove by contacting: scsealso[email protected].
Let’s protect what makes La Jolla Cove so extraordinary—for their sake and ours.
Sea Lions at La Jolla Cove use the rocks for rest and protection. Venturing too close poses risks to them and human visitors. Photo: Chris Parkes
