The California Coastal Commission is evaluating the possibility of limiting public access to La Jolla Cove temporarily to safeguard sea lions from further harm.
This discussion follows an incident involving an 18-year-old man, who was seen in a viral video kicking a sea lion at Point La Jolla. He confessed this week and was charged with breaching the federal Marine Mammal Protection Act.
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M.G. Perez On Saturday, visitors at La Jolla Cove stand on the stairway just a few feet away from California sea lion pups and their mothers, La Jolla, Calif., August 15, 2026.
The incident appears to have heightened public concern regarding interactions between visitors and sea lions at the Cove, which is open to swimming, compared to the nearby protected area that is not.
Point La Jolla features a seawall and multiple signs advising people to keep their distance from the mammals during pupping season.
During a meeting on Friday in Santa Cruz, coastal commissioners discussed whether a partial closure could support the sea lion population’s growth.
“A partial closure is really the only solution until the city can finalize their program and investigate what’s happening,” said California Coastal Commissioner Matt O’Malley.
In June, the city of San Diego, alongside the Sierra Club Seal Society, proposed a plan to protect sea lions during the pupping season. This plan involved additional park rangers, along with the use of cones and security tape, but commissioners noted that issues persisted.
Jamie Timmons and her husband, J.J. Timmons, who were visiting San Diego from Atlanta for the first time, expressed that while visitors should be able to view the sea lions, they must maintain a safe distance.
“I believe we shouldn’t have unrestricted access. We should leave them undisturbed while still enjoying the view,” stated J.J. Timmons.
“We definitely don’t want any harm to come to these animals. Seeing them is such a wonderful experience for both visitors and locals. I’d hate for anyone to lose that,” added Jamie Timmons.
Commissioners also referenced Monterey in central California, where the beach is closed to the public during sea lion pupping season.
“In Monterey, they close the beach when sea lions are pupping. They do their thing and then depart,” remarked California Coastal Commissioner Ann Notthoff.
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M.G. Perez A family of sea lions rests on the beach at Point La Jolla. Signs and barriers are in place to keep people away, La Jolla, Calif., August 15, 2026.
Since June, 56 sea lion births have been documented in the La Jolla Cove area. Unfortunately, there have also been six confirmed deaths at the Cove and two additional pup fatalities at Point La Jolla. The latest reported death, documented by the Seal Society, occurred last Thursday evening after Sea World San Diego rescuers had monitored the pup just the day prior.
Emily Piatanesi, a senior policy adviser for San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria, addressed coastal commissioners virtually on Friday, stating that the city attorney is exploring local or state laws that could empower lifeguards and park rangers to issue citations to visitors violating protection measures.
Jamie and J.J. Timmons expressed hope that sea lions will still be present on their next vacation to San Diego.
This story was first reported by NBC San Diego. AI tools assisted in adapting the story into a digital format, which was then edited for publication by an NBC San Diego journalist.
