Solana Beach to the border
Spots
99 of 99 spots · 61 approximate locations
A. Solana Beach, Del Mar & Torrey Pines5 spots
- Table Tops ReefBig flat reef just north of a very long staircase; small-surf days only.ShoreLegalMap ›
- Fletcher CoveEasy ramp entry with showers and lifeguards; finger reefs to the north at 25 ft.ShoreLegalMap ›
- PowerhouseShallow sand-and-reef beginner dive off Powerhouse Park; "some lobster."ShoreLegalMap ›
- Torrey Pines Artificial Reef #1Deep quarry-rock boat reef (~67 ft); the Scripps no-take line is about 370 m south.BoatLegalMap ›
- Torrey Pines Artificial Reef #2Shallower quarry-rock boat reef (~44 ft) north of Torrey Pines.BoatLegalMap ›
B. La Jolla — offshore rocks4 spots
- T RockBoat/kayak pinnacle at 65–75 ft with a 10 ft T-shaped rock; outside the reserve.BoatLegalMap ›
- Quast RockClassic La Jolla pinnacle with a big cavern; boat or kayak; outside the reserve.BoatLegalMap ›
- Anchor RockPinnacle with a 20 ft anchor-shaped formation; boat or kayak, 65–75 ft.BoatLegalMap ›
- God's RockSmallest of the Point La Jolla pinnacles; closest to the reserve line.BoatLegalMap ›
C. La Jolla — Cove to Marine Street12 spots
- Buoy A RockpileBig rock pile at the first yellow buoy off the Cove, ~40 ft; treat as no take until pinned.ShoreUnconfirmedApproximateMap ›
- Goldfish PointVery shallow reef and sea caves east of the Cove; calm days and higher tide only.ShoreNo takeApproximateMap ›
- Boomer BeachShallow reef off Point La Jolla; calm days only; land access is closed (see legal note).ShoreRestrictedMap ›
- La Jolla CoveFamous shallow reef in a no-take reserve — look, don't take.ShoreNo takeMap ›
- Cousteau MemorialStainless tank memorial at ~40 ft straight out from Casa Cove.ShoreLegalMap ›
- Children's PoolLedgy reef reached by riding the breakwall rip; seal rookery — beach closed Dec 15–May 15.ShoreRestrictedMap ›
- South CasaRip-assisted entry down a sandy channel; only when you can see the rocks in the shallows.ShoreLegalApproximateMap ›
- Casa Cove kelp bedsDeep kelp off Casa Cove — a 30–45 minute surface swim through the boat lane.ShoreLegalApproximateMap ›
- Hospital PointArches and ledges "full of lobster" when it's flat; high tide and no surf only.ShoreLegalMap ›
- Horseshoe ReefSemicircular rock reef north of Marine St; mostly a boat dive.ShoreLegalApproximateMap ›
- Marine StreetSand flats and scattered reef in the kelp; only when no waves are breaking.ShoreLegalMap ›
- Little PointDeeper reefs off the point between Marine St and Windansea; boat or long swim.BoatLegalApproximateMap ›
D. South La Jolla (no-take reserve)5 spots
- WindanseaBusy surf beach just north of the South La Jolla reserve; no dive source found.ShoreLegalMap ›
- Big RockReef and kelp at 10–30 ft off Hermosa Terrace — inside the no-take reserve.ShoreNo takeMap ›
- Bird RockRich reef off the Bird Rock Ave stairs — inside the no-take reserve.ShoreNo takeMap ›
- Baja La JollaWrinkled-ridge reef at the south end of the La Jolla kelp — inside the no-take reserve.BoatNo takeMap ›
- Tourmaline Surfing ParkSurf park with a big lot, showers and restrooms; shallow sand, rock and eelgrass — no-take reserve.ShoreNo takeMap ›
E. Pacific Beach2 spots
F. Mission Beach & Wreck Alley8 spots
- HMCS Yukon366 ft destroyer on its side in 100 ft — San Diego's signature wreck; advanced.BoatLegalMap ›
- NOSC TowerCollapsed 1959 Navy research tower — a steel maze at ~55–65 ft; all levels.BoatLegalMap ›
- Ruby EUpright 165 ft cutter in 85 ft, buoyed; local divers don't hunt it.BoatLegalMap ›
- Ingraham Street Bridge rubble1992 bridge rubble field at 55–65 ft with a 50 ft roadway section.BoatLegalMap ›
- El Rey100 ft kelp harvester in 85 ft, ¼ mile south of the Ruby E; no mooring.BoatLegalMap ›
- Mission Beach Artificial ReefCDFW-built reef off Mission Beach; coordinates still needed.BoatLegalApproximateMap ›
- Mission Bay Park Artificial Reef (concrete rubble module)20 acres of 1992 concrete roadway rubble that grew its own kelp forest.BoatLegalMap ›
- Entry Channel ReefsFinger reefs in 65–85 ft straight out from the Mission Bay channel.BoatLegalApproximateMap ›
G. Mission Bay17 spots
- Bonita CoveCalm, shallow bay beach used for check-out dives; Franko calls the lobster "surprisingly good."ShoreLegalApproximateMap ›
- Mission Bay Channel North JettyBoulder jetty under 20 ft; known night lobster spot. Check the city's channel rule first.ShoreRestrictedMap ›
- Mission Bay Channel (entrance)Sheltered channel with jetty entries on both sides; incoming tide only. City limits apply.ShoreRestrictedMap ›
- Mission Point Park rocksShallow (~15 ft) rock pile; a backup when the ocean is too big.ShoreUnconfirmedApproximateMap ›
- Mission Bay Channel South JettyEnter right off the jetty by Lifeguard HQ; small lobster reported in the channel.ShoreRestrictedApproximateMap ›
- Bahia PointSandy point behind the Bahia Resort; easy beach entry and free parking on Gleason Rd. Not scouted yet.ShoreLegalApproximateMap ›
- Paradise Point (Vacation Isle west tip)West tip of Vacation Isle by Paradise Point; park at the free Vacation Isle West lot. Not scouted yet.ShoreLegalApproximateMap ›
- Ventura Cove pointPoint by the W Mission Bay Dr bridge at Ventura Cove; free lots, showers. Stay 75 ft from the bridge.ShoreLegalApproximateMap ›
- Vacation Isle south shoreSouth shore of Vacation Isle west of Ingraham St; free lots and showers nearby. Not scouted yet.ShoreLegalApproximateMap ›
- Fiesta Island southwest pointSouthwest corner of Fiesta Island; park on the island road. No restrooms on the island.ShoreLegalApproximateMap ›
- Mariners Point east shoreThe City says no swimming at Mariners Point. Check with lifeguards before diving here.ShoreRestrictedApproximateMap ›
- Mariners Point south tipLeast tern nesting area: stay 500 ft away. Probably off-limits; ask lifeguards.ShoreRestrictedApproximateMap ›
- Mission Point (Mariners Basin side)North side of Mission Point Park, facing Mariners Basin; free parking and showers.ShoreLegalApproximateMap ›
- Mission Point east tipEast tip of Mission Point facing Hospitality Point; next to the turning basin, so check with lifeguards.ShoreUnconfirmedApproximateMap ›
- North Jetty – channel side (inner end)Inner end of the north jetty on the channel side, right by the lot. Check the city's channel rule first.ShoreRestrictedApproximateMap ›
- North Jetty – tipOcean end of the north jetty at the channel mouth; waves and boat traffic. Check the city's channel rule first.ShoreRestrictedApproximateMap ›
- South Jetty – outer sectionOuter part of the south jetty on the channel side; walk out from Hospitality Point. Check the city's channel rule first.ShoreRestrictedApproximateMap ›
H. Ocean Beach2 spots
I. Sunset Cliffs23 spots
- Bermuda Beach stairsNew 2024 staircase to a pocket beach where Sunset Cliffs begins.ShoreLegalApproximateMap ›
- Pescadero StShort cliff climb to a rocky beach; eelgrass and kelp on rock in 10–40 ft.ShoreLegalApproximateMap ›
- Sunset Cliffs – Osprey StCity promontory with a small lot; a cove under a 20 ft bluff just south (cliff jumping is illegal).ShoreLegalMap ›
- Sunset Cliffs – Bird Shit RockReef in front of the rock — swim over from No Surf or Osprey; don't climb down.ShoreLegalMap ›
- No Surf BeachSmall pocket beach boxed in by tall cliffs; no formal way down.ShoreLegalApproximateMap ›
- Smugglers CoveNamed cove near Bird Shit Rock; access not described.ShoreLegalApproximateMap ›
- IndicatorSurf break between Bird Shit and Luscomb's; possibly the outer reef.ShoreLegalApproximateMap ›
- Needles EyeSurf break between Bird Shit and Luscomb's; name only so far.ShoreLegalApproximateMap ›
- Sunset Cliffs – Luscomb PointRock-climb entry to 15–30 ft crevice reef with lighter pressure; lobster hold in the cracks.ShoreLegalMap ›
- RockslideBig rocks, caves and ledges in 5–40 ft; lobster listed; dangerous in heavy surf.ShoreLegalApproximateMap ›
- LizardsBreak just south of Rock Slide; surfers paddle to it from North Garbage.ShoreLegalApproximateMap ›
- Sunset Cliffs – GarbageRocky-shelf reef at the north end of Garbage Beach, by the stairs at the big bend in the road.ShoreLegalMap ›
- South GarbageSand below the bluffs south of the stairs; reached by a rope route locals use.ShoreLegalApproximateMap ›
- Ladera St stairsThe only official stairway; reef from 8 ft out to 35 ft. Stairs closed in 2018 — check before going.ShoreLegalApproximateMap ›
- SubBreak named for "Submarine Rock," a fallen cliff chunk dry at low tide.ShoreLegalApproximateMap ›
- AbBeach below the bluffs reached only by eroding user-made trails.ShoreLegalApproximateMap ›
- South AbRight-hand break south of Ab; name only so far.ShoreLegalApproximateMap ›
- NewbreakLast easily reached break, below PLNU; sharp reef; no established path.ShoreUnconfirmedApproximateMap ›
- ChasmBreak south of Newbreak near a fence line; name only so far.ShoreUnconfirmedApproximateMap ›
- 33sUncrowded break south of Chasm; name only so far.ShoreUnconfirmedApproximateMap ›
- Pink HouseBreak south of 33's; name only so far.ShoreUnconfirmedApproximateMap ›
- Pillbox (Sunset Cliffs)Break near the south end of the cliffs; name only so far.ShoreUnconfirmedApproximateMap ›
- RalphsSouthernmost named break before Navy land; name only so far.ShoreUnconfirmedApproximateMap ›
J. Point Loma kelp & sea cliffs14 spots
- 6 FathomsEasy "house reef" — flat rock ending in a 5 ft ledge where lobster hide.BoatLegalApproximateMap ›
- Three FingersThree rock wedges on the outer kelp edge, 45–90 ft; lots of lobster but many short.BoatLegalMap ›
- Goal PostsPatch reefs with arches and overhangs in 35–55 ft; a dozen lobster in deep holes, few legal.BoatLegalMap ›
- New Hope RockShallow boulder field (20–45 ft) good for new divers; lots of lobster, mostly small.BoatLegalMap ›
- Horsehead ReefLedgy reef with a horse-head rock; "good lobster hunting" in the ledges.BoatLegalApproximateMap ›
- Green TankThick kelp over tabled reef lined up on the green water tank; 15–75 ft.BoatLegalApproximateMap ›
- Nort'sNamed Point Loma kelp reef near Goal Posts; details not found.BoatLegalApproximateMap ›
- NRAD / NROD KelpCracked reef in a clearing ringed by kelp on three sides, 55–65 ft.BoatLegalApproximateMap ›
- Broomtail ReefCharter site in the Point Loma kelp; details not found.BoatLegalApproximateMap ›
- Lazy DazeOld ship ribs, a winch and 20 ft boulders in 75–85 ft.BoatUnconfirmedApproximateMap ›
- Sewage PipeLedges and boulder piles near the tip, 15–50 ft — may be at the Cabrillo reserve edge; pin before hunting.BoatUnconfirmedApproximateMap ›
- Dino HeadT-Rex-shaped pinnacle on the sea-cliff wall, 65–100 ft; advanced.BoatUnconfirmedApproximateMap ›
- Ancient Sea Cliffs (main wall)Drowned Ice Age sea cliffs a mile out, 65–115 ft; lobster in the top ledges and bottom boulders.BoatUnconfirmedApproximateMap ›
- Train WheelsSlot canyon in the sea cliffs at ~100 ft with old train wheels inside; strong current.BoatRestrictedMap ›
K. San Diego Bay5 spots
- Zuniga JettyRock jetty at the bay mouth with lobster along the east side — legality unconfirmed.BoatUnconfirmedApproximateMap ›
- Shelter Island PierThe bay's top hoop-net pier — lobster at night over the eelgrass, some near 11 lb.PierRestrictedApproximateMap ›
- Embarcadero Marina Park PierSecond-busiest bay hoop-net pier, behind the Convention Center; lot closes at 10 p.m.PierRestrictedApproximateMap ›
- Coronado Ferry Landing PierSmall L-shaped Coronado pier — fish only from the designated section.PierRestrictedApproximateMap ›
- Pepper Park PierLighted National City pier over deep dredged water; free parking; light hoop-net use.PierRestrictedApproximateMap ›