Windansea Beach is below Neptune Place in La Jolla at the west end of Westbourne, Nautilus, and Bonair Streets. The name is a shortened version of “Wind-and-Sea” and comes from a hotel at this spot named Windansea that burned down in the 1940s. Like a lot of La Jolla’s beaches, this one is just large enough to spread out for sunbathing. Winter storms can remove a lot of the sand here so it’s quite different between summer and winter. Windansea is an expert surfing spot and due to rocks and strong currents, it’s not a great swimming area. That said, this is a picturesque beach with sandstone points sticking out into the surf at both ends.

At the south end of the beach, there is a simple surf shack with a palm roof for a shade that has been designated as a historical landmark. There are a couple of stairs that descend the steep bluff where you’ll have to scramble down off sandstone ledges if the sand is low. There are about ten designated parking spots above the beach and street parking spaces if those are taken.