Direct answer
Are there sharks in San Diego?
Quick answer
Yes, but the ones you will see are harmless. Hundreds of docile leopard sharks gather in the warm shallows off La Jolla Shores from July through October, and juvenile great whites cruise beyond the surf line near Del Mar and Torrey Pines. Attacks are extraordinarily rare — San Diego County has recorded only a handful in a century.
Last updated
Key facts
Leopard sharks at La Jolla Shores
Every summer, pregnant female leopard sharks school in the warm, calm water just off the Marine Room. They are three to five feet long, spotted, and completely uninterested in people. Snorkelers wade in waist-deep water and drift over dozens at a time — it is one of the easiest wildlife encounters in California.
- Peak numbers: August and September
- Enter near the Marine Room, south end of the Shores
- Morning water is clearest and calmest
- Shuffle your feet — stingrays share the same sand
Great whites in North County
Juvenile great white sharks use the shallow water off Del Mar, Torrey Pines and San Onofre as a nursery. They feed on rays and fish, not swimmers, and lifeguards post advisory signs when one is sighted. Follow posted closures and swim near a staffed tower.
The actual risk
You are far more likely to be hurt by a rip current or a stingray barb than a shark. Lifeguards treat dozens of stingray injuries a day in summer; shark bites are measured in decades between incidents.
Related questions
Are leopard sharks dangerous?
No. They have tiny teeth, feed on crabs and small fish, and swim away from people.
Where can I swim with leopard sharks in San Diego?
La Jolla Shores, near the Marine Room, from July through October.
Should I worry about great whites at San Diego beaches?
Follow lifeguard advisories, but juvenile whites in North County have shown no interest in swimmers.
The Sandi Spots Newsletter
San Diego, in your inbox.
New beach finds, hidden taco shops, weekend events, and seasonal guides — once a week from a local. No spam, ever.
One email a week. Unsubscribe anytime.