A little stench didn't stop La Jolla Cove from Wednesday being named the sixth-best beach in the U.S. by the travel information website TripAdvisor.
"Often regarded as the most photographed beach in San Diego, this SoCal spot is ecologically protected, making it the perfect place to snorkel, dive, or simply relax," according to the website.
La Jolla Cove attracts throngs of locals and visitors for its cliffside views, marine mammals and other wildlife. However, area residents and shop owners often complain about an odorous combination of bird and sea lion droppings.
The rankings were derived from the quantity and quality of user reviews and ratings on TripAdvisor over the past year.
"For travelers looking to escape the snow and cold, we've unveiled the world's best beaches based on feedback from the TripAdvisor community," said Barbara Messing, chief marketing officer for TripAdvisor.
The top U.S. beach was Siesta Beach, at Siesta Key, Florida, which was singled out for its "pure, quartz crystal sand and clear, calm surf."
La Jolla Cove was the only California beach in the top 10. All of the others were in Florida and Hawaii.
The No. 1 beach in the world, according to TripAdvisor, is Baia do Sancho, in Fernando de Noronha, Brazil.
