There’s a lot to be said about the Children’s Pool. Donated to the children of San Diego by Ellen Browning Scripps, this man-made alcove offers a convenient beach entry for divers, snorkelers, and swimmers looking to explore the rocky reefs offshore. It is also a popular spot for underwater hunters since it lies outside the La Jolla ecological preserve. It’s also a popular and federally protected spot for seals and sea lions since Seal Rock (a historic seal haul-out) lies just a stone’s-throw away from the beach. There is HUGE controversy afoot about the presence of these sea lions (google it, you’ll see the articles) and to explain the entire thing would take quite a while.

In short, the animal rights people want the seals to have exclusive use of the beach. The rest of the City of San Diego wants the beach to remain open to humans as it was intended. This problem started when the pool was closed for several years to due high concentrations of bacteria from seal poop. With humans out of the water, the sea lions moved in and took over the beach. Now that the bacteria levels are back down, the people want their beach back, and the animal rights people want nothing of it. As of 3/3/2007, the beach is OPEN for human use (provided you do not harass the animals) as long as it isn’t closed for pupping season (a compromise struck between the two groups). Ask a lifeguard before going down to the beach because the animal rights people sit at the stairs and shout/belittle/harass ANYONE who steps foot on the sand. At one time, there was even an altercation where one activist attacked an elderly gentleman with a stun gun.

INSIDER TIP: Arrive early to find parking and check with a lifeguard to GET THE FINAL WORD on whether use of the beach is permitted. If they give you the OK, IGNORE the seal people as you walk down the steps (they will heckle you, guaranteed, they called my wife a “b*tch,” for example.)

For additional information on how to deal with confronting animal rights activists at the Children’s Pool, click here.

Last Modified : January 26th, 2007
Filed under : Children's Pool
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