Windansea Beach - A La Jolla Gem!
Windansea Beach La Jolla is one of the most popular "local's beach" in San Diego. Windansea is known as having one of the best reef breaks in San Diego and also as being one of the most scenic beaches. The beach itself is only about 6 blocks long
with a small sandy beach area and rocky enclaves. The "tiki hut" is the icon that represents Windansean Beach and it has stood at that spot for over 25 years.
In addition to great surf it is also a popular spot for photo shoots for clothing companies, newly weds and surf photographers who crowd into the beach area on high surf days.
The rocky shore of Windansea Beach (6800 Neptune Place) is perhaps best known for its beautiful scenery and surf breaks created by underwater reefs. Sandstone rocks act as partitions along the beach offering a secluded atmosphere for sunbathing. Much of the beach at Windansea experiences shorebreak, a condition on steep beaches which results in hard breaking surf right at the shoreline. Swimmers should enter and exit the water carefully to prevent spinal injuries.
Lifeguard Protection:
Lifeguards are normally staffed at this beach on weekends in springtime, daily in summer, and on weekends in September. The hours are generally from 9:00 a.m. to dusk. Check with lifeguards for specific staff hours.
Rip Currents:
Most California beaches experience strong rip currents. The best advice is to swim near a lifeguard.
Water Activity Zones:
This beach has separate water areas reserved by ordinance for swimming and surfing.
Surfing:
Surfing can be excellent at Windansea, but the popular surf breaks are very concentrated and can become quite crowded. Novice surfers may wish to consider La Jolla Shores instead.
Scuba:
This is not a good beach for scuba diving, due primarily to the shorebreak.
Restrooms and Showers:
There are no public restrooms or showers at this beach or anywhere in the vicinity.
Disabled Accessibility:
This is a natural beach with numerous sandstone cliff formations. Therefore, the beach is not accessible to wheelchairs. The adjacent sidewalk offers excellent views of the beach.
Beach Fires:
Receptacles for beach fires are not provided at Windansea. Open beach fires are prohibited at all San Diego beaches.
Regulations:
Standard San Diego beach regulations apply, with the following modifications:
- While the consumption of alcohol at this beach is prohibited at all times, consumption of alcohol at the park area is prohibited between the hours of 8:00 p.m. and noon.
- Directions: From the north, take Interstate 5 to La Jolla Village Drive, westbound. Turn left on Torrey Pines Road at the signalized intersection. Follow Torrey Pines Road to the signalized intersection at Pearl Street and turn right. Turn left on La Jolla Boulevard at the signalized intersection. Turn right on Nautilus at the signalized intersection.
From the south, take Interstate 5 north to La Jolla Parkway. Continue on as it becomes Torrey Pines Road. Follow Torrey Pines Road to the signalized intersection at Pearl Street and turn right. Turn left on La Jolla Boulevard at the signalized intersection. Turn right on Nautilus at the signalized intersection.
Public Transit:
Call San Diego Transit at (619) 233-3004 for buses that serve this beach.
Parking:
The public parking lot has only 18 spaces. The only other parking is on street in a residential area.
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