Have you ever come across swings facing coastal waters, in your Instagram or Facebook feed? And seem to be known only to people who have actually been there? Yes, the secret swings of La Jolla.
There’s 3 and maybe more, but that’s for the next hunt. It’s nothing really fancy except you get have a great view, short hike and be a member of some kind of secret society of people having found them swings. Sometimes they are there, sometimes they aren’t. People remove them to repaint, put quotes in them and simply change them from wood to metal to car tire.
Head to La Jolla
First off, drive to La Jolla, (put the cave store la jolla or la jolla cove on your GPS), a seaside neighborhood in San Diego County that boasts of rugged coastlines, beautiful trails and sandstone canyon in Torrey Pines Preserve. After a little less than 2 hour drive from Moreno Valley, we arrived at the Cave Store. Found a parking on the side road. However there are also paid parking within the vicinity.
Cave store also called Sunny Jim Store is a historic landmark in La Jolla Cove area that has a century old smuggler’s tunnel of 143 step man-made tunnel built into it that heads down to a large sea cave below. Book to reserve since they control the people inside because of pandemic. Free walk in days on Tuesday and Thursday. $10 fee to walk down the stairs that opens to a sea cave.
To the right of the Cave Store is a cute stairwell towards the cliffs. If you take the Coastal trail that starts from the store to your right- you’ll get to the 3rd secret swing.
From the Cave store walk towards the cove to a small park, then to Shell Beach and continue on to The Children’s Pool. You’ll be greeted by the seals and sea lions lounging on the beach. There are lots of eateries and restaurants around the area. Bring layers as the sea breeze can be chilly.
How to get to the 1st swing
Long way- Drive to UCSD Coastal Apartments. To your right cross the street and go through the 3 metal short posts to the edge, follow the trail to the left. Short 10 minute walk, you’ll see the hidden swing.
Short way- Drive to Birch Aquarium Parking. Find a wooden plank serving as a bridge and the trail. Hike up to the swing.
How to get to the 2nd secret swing
If you took the long way, once you get back to the apartments, walk out to the hi- way corner of discovery way to your left, about 100 steps. You will see a tree with some ropes on it (probably there were wooden swings there before), continue walking around the tree and you’ll see the 2nd secret swing facing the coastline of Pacific Ocean (picture above).
From La Jolla Shores and Discovery Way, drive back to Ellen Browning Scripps Pier. Ellen Browning Scripps Memorial Pier, the only concrete, research pier. Enjoy watching the golden hours from this iconic site. Park from La Jolla Shores and walk up to the Scripps Beach. Also lots of surfers around.
How to get to the 3rd secret swing
The 3rd one is a little tricky to get to, even risky, and definitely hidden from site. Drive back to The Cove Store and find parking near. From the right of the store is a trail parallel to the coastline. Hike the trail for about half a mile until you get to the white picket bridge. Mid bridge you’ll notice palm trees. The swing is hidden under and behind those palm trees. You need to crawl down a muddy soil with only rope to hold into, to get to the wooden swing.
If you are not really into swinging your way, there is a bench where you can sit and linger for a while. Some people continue to crawl down into the beach. Your choice.
Once found all three, we drove to Liberty Station to dine @ Liberty Public Market. And that ended our day hunting for secret swings. https://youtu.be/gnEBTMftjIk -link to a short video.
Recent Comments