Secret Swings | La Jolla, CA - Sun Kissed Hiker

Swinging life away on a Saturday has never been so sweet when swinging on the Secret Swings in La Jolla, California. This hidden spot is difficult to find, but if you are blessed with navigation skills or reliable GPS, it is the perfect way to spend an evening—swinging and admiring the sun set over the Pacific Ocean in the distance.

UPDATE: As of April 2016, these swings have unfortunately been taken down.

On a gloomy fall day, my good friend Brianna and I parked my car near Scripps Pier (and received a $65 ticket thanks to poorly marked parking signs) and headed to the Secret Swings, tucked away on an unpopulated, rugged ridge behind the Birch Aquarium. Unfortunately, they were much more difficult to find than we expected because 1) As the name suggests, they are supposed to remain a secret and 2) The number of poor write ups on how to get to this destination. Although they are meant to be secret, I will be blowing their cover to help you find these hidden gems and capture some of the best views of La Jolla.

Begin by parking near the Ellen Browning Scripps Memorial Pier off Discovery Way. As I mentioned earlier, be careful where you park and read the signs surrounding this area carefully. Because this area is considered to be part of UCSD, many of the spots are not free and require a fee to park—even on weekends. We explored beneath the pier and along the beach nearby because it was a gorgeous day, but this isn’t necessary and is more of an add-on to your adventure.

Once you reach the top of the pier you will want to head up Discovery Way. Turn left at the first street, continuing down the pavement until you approach a set of stairs. Climb the stairs and turn left once more, walking until you encounter a second set of stairs. Walk up these stairs and admire some of the beautiful architecture and blooming pink flowers along the way.

Next you will walk up your third set of stairs at the wooden Geophysics and Planetary Physics Unit II building. You can also take the elevator when you reach this building instead of walking up the steps, or you can continue your fitness spree and get some more cardio in. Either way, once you get to the top of the steps, you will find the Scripps Crossing Bridge—a 130-foot pedestrian suspension bridge reinforced with concrete slab, spanning over La Jolla Shores Drive. Once you cross the bridge, head right at the junction and continue along the concrete pathway towards the Stephen Birch Aquarium and Museum. Once you get to the intersection for Birch Aquarium turn left to get to the first swing.

The first swing is located up an unmarked dirt path. Approximate GPS coordinates for the first swing are: 32.864321, -117.247991. If you continue along the same dirt path, you will discover two ladders nailed to a tree. Of course, we had to climb up both sets of ladders, which isn’t advisable for those that are afraid of heights. A little further up the same dirt path is a second swing, although this one is much higher and more difficult to hop onto it, in a eucalyptus grove.

Turn left when you see this sign

First swing

There are plenty of posts that write about two swings side by side that overlook the ocean and bluff below, however now it appears they’ve been taken down according to City Beat and our own exploring. I was highly disappointed that they were removed but got over it shortly after because there are still two secret swings that remain with equally spectacular views. Finding them is just part of the adventure.