Point La Jolla and the California Sea Lion

Point La Jolla is a rocky portion along the San Diego coastline between La Jolla Cove and Boomer Beach in the community of La Jolla. In recent years, the point has become a popular area for California Sea Lions to haul out of the ocean and rest and for sea lion mothers to raise their young during the annual pupping season.

With the increase in the sea lion population, Point La Jolla has become a popular tourist destination for the public to view these wild animals close up. As a result, interactions between sea lions and the public have increased.

Members of the public have been observed trying to touch, take "selfies," and get as close to sea lions as possible which is a potentially dangerous situation for both the public and the animals. 

Additionally, sea lion pupping season, which typically begins in early May and concludes in October, is a very important time for mother sea lions and their young to bond, nurse and learn to swim. Human interactions with adult sea lions and their young during this important time could potentially result in injury or abandonment of sea lion offspring and aggressive behavior from adult sea lions. These interactions are not only dangerous for both humans and wildlife it may actually be a violation of the federal Marine Mammal Protection Act which helps to safeguard these animals. 

2021 Emergency Seasonal Closure

In an effort to moderate close interactions with the public and the sea lions the City issued a temporary seasonal closure of Point La Jolla via Emergency Coastal Development Permit No. 2572053 from Aug. 10, 2021, through Sept. 15, 2021. Below is a boundary map of the area included in the 2021 emergency closure. 

• 2021 Emergency Seasonal Closure Map

2022 Coastal Development Permit

California Coastal Commission Public Hearing Notice - Friday, April 8, 2022 

The City applied for a Coastal Development Permit to the California Coastal Commission to implement an annual seasonal closure of Point La Jolla from May 25 through September 15. The Coastal Development Permit application has not yet been deemed complete and is, therefore, subject to change. The proposed closure includes posted signs for the area to be closed, any necessary K-rail barriers and a chain to cordon off the wooden beach access stairs at the border of Point La Jolla and La Jolla Cove.

Public input will continue to be collected, and there will be additional opportunities for public comment at future Coastal Commission and City Council meetings.

Coastal Development Permit Application and Supporting Documents

• Updated Permit Application
• Legal Property Interest
• Assessor Parcel Maps
• Vicinity Map
• Updated Project Plan
• Continued Contact Information
• Signed Local Agency Review Form (Appendix B)
• Mailing List

Coastal Development Permit Application and Supporting Documents

Additional Information/Relevant Documents

• Point La Jolla Seasonal Closure: Emergency Coastal Development Permit – No. 2572053  
• California Sea Lion Observations at La Jolla Cove – Final Report (June 28, 2016)
• Marine Coastal Management Plan – La Jolla (May 1, 2017)
• Final Report - Evaluation of Potential Time and Area Closures Near Point La Jolla (April 7, 2022)