La Jolla Seals

Coastline of La Jolla

The last big thing we did while we were in San Diego was to drive up the coast to the little town of La Jolla.  It's right at the ocean and there's a spot where hang-gliders will literally jump off the cliff above the Pacific Ocean and sail around for awhile before coming in for a landing back in their original spot in the cliff.  It's right next to part of the UC San Diego campus so I expect there are times in good weather where the place is packed with people.  The weather the day we went was nice, but apparently not for hang-gliding. We didn't see anyone flying around, which was probably just as well.  Looking at the huge drop to the water, you couldn't pay me enough money to try that trick myself!  My dad thought it would be cool and I"m sure if my brother had been there he'd have been first in line, but there's no way I'd do that.  My definition of "can't" might be changing, but there are still things that cross the line into "won't". Hang-gliding above shark infested waters is one of those.

Protected cove with cool rock formations and beach

A little further down the coast we stopped at an area where there is beach access.  It's amazing the difference a few hours drive makes.  Two hours from Ocotillo and you're traveling through mountains with amazing boulders everywhere, then you find yourself at the coast of the Pacific Ocean.  My idea of beach coasts and oceans is mainly based on my experience with beaches leading to the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean.  Gentle slopes, lots of sand, etc.  The Pacific, on the other hand, is mountains, cliffs of rocks cutting off sharply to hit the water, and coves of sand and protected shores. At least, the area I saw was like that. Up the cliff you're in a town with upscale shops and a retirement community, cross a road and go down a flight of stairs and you're at rocky cliffs and little beaches with seals.

Seal, sunning himself

There are signs all over the place telling you not to bother the marine life because it's only your common sense (and the lifeguards protecting the animals) that keeps you from walking right up to a seal.  They sun themselves on the rocks in low tide and there were a few swimming in the protected cove who would even come up to the beach.  This particular beach is closed during calving season to guarantee the seals and their pups a little peace, but the rest of the time it's open.  We didn't go down onto the beach but walked along the walkway that let's you get a slightly elevated view of the water and the rocks with the seals.  I have to tell you, seals aren't that graceful out of the water. What makes them so perfect in the water makes them a lot like giant slugs when they try to move on shore.  And it reminds all SharkWeek devotees that seals aren't the only thing swimming around out there.  Even if I could swim, you wouldn't get me in that water! The seals can have it!

Seal swimming in protected cove

                                 

                                  Seal, risking his life swimming in the shark infested Pacific Ocean