Sunny Jim Sea Cave
Explore the only land-accessible sea cave in California, descending 145 steps through a historic tunnel with tales of bootlegging.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Fewer crowds, calmer experience
Sunny Jim Sea Cave
Best Time
Fewer crowds, calmer experience
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Explore the only land-accessible sea cave in California, descending 145 steps through a historic tunnel with tales of bootlegging.
"A must-visit to get a cool view inside a cave looking out to the ocean. 
👟 Wear Non-Slip Shoes
Stairs can be wet and slippery. Good footwear is a must for safety and comfort.
⏳ Be Prepared to Wait
Lines can form, especially on weekends. Arrive early or be patient.
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
The Iconic Sunny Jim Profile
Inside the cave
Marvel at the natural rock formation that resembles an old man's profile, the cave's namesake.
The 145-Step Descent
Tunnel from The Cave Store
Experience the unique journey down a man-made tunnel and staircase to reach the sea cave.
Ocean Views from Within
Cave opening
Gaze out at the Pacific Ocean through the cave's opening, a truly unique perspective.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Beat the Crowds & Secure Your Spot
Stairs & Footwear Essentials
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
👟 Wear Non-Slip Shoes
Stairs can be wet and slippery. Good footwear is a must for safety and comfort.
⏳ Be Prepared to Wait
Lines can form, especially on weekends. Arrive early or be patient.
💰 Cash for Tickets
While not explicitly stated, having cash can sometimes speed up transactions.
🚶♀️ Take Your Time
Descend and ascend at your own pace, especially if you have mobility concerns.
Tips
from all over the internet
👟 Wear Non-Slip Shoes
Stairs can be wet and slippery. Good footwear is a must for safety and comfort.
⏳ Be Prepared to Wait
Lines can form, especially on weekends. Arrive early or be patient.
💰 Cash for Tickets
While not explicitly stated, having cash can sometimes speed up transactions.
🚶♀️ Take Your Time
Descend and ascend at your own pace, especially if you have mobility concerns.
📸 Capture the Views
The cave offers unique photo opportunities of the ocean and rock formations.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Visitors generally find Sunny Jim Sea Cave to be a unique and worthwhile experience, especially for its historical intrigue and the novelty of accessing a sea cave via a store and tunnel. The 145-step descent is a memorable part of the adventure, though some find the wait times can be long on busy days. The cave's natural beauty and the iconic 'Sunny Jim' profile are highlights for many.
"Very nice experience. We visited on a Saturday afternoon and waited maybe 30 minutes before getting in to buy tickets. They let from 12 to 14 people in line at one time (the line is outside the store).
When you enter you buy your tickets, and then walk down $145 steps to get to the cave, where you can spend as much time as you like before heading back up. Be aware the stairs are wet at about the halfway point. Also keep in mind their short stairs with handrails on both sides, and a low hanging ceiling in some areas so watch your head.
Seniors and active military are $8, adults are $13 (I don't recall what the price was for children)."
Alex Kertis
"Just got a chance to visit Sunny Jims Sea cave. I thought it was worth the $10 to get in, something different to do. Its a short 10 to 15 minute tour, but you get a once in a lifetime chance to look inside the cave and see what inspired the Wizard of Oz Director and writers, lots of knickknacks and seashells and stuff to buy inside The store. If you’re older, you just have to take your time and walk down the wooden steps inside the cave, there’s ample parking week ends get there early. Its a great experience. The staff and people were very nice and knowledgeable. They also offer a senior and military discount."
Jeff S
"It’s a good experience, it has total 145 stairs, takes a minute to go down and three minutes to come up. When you go down. You can see the cave. You can see lion and it’s a good experience. You can take good pictures there. They take $13 per adult and for children, it’s around eight or six for children below three.
We did student in the line for one and a half hour, which was quite a lot. Although the line was moving fast in the starting then slowdown of time, just get inside."
Divya Choudhary
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
Sunny Jim Sea Cave is located within The Cave Store at 1325 Coast Blvd, La Jolla, CA 92037. You'll enter the store to purchase tickets and access the tunnel.
Ample parking is often available, but it can get busy on weekends. Arriving early is recommended.
No, access to the sea cave is exclusively through The Cave Store, where you purchase your admission tickets.
Navigate to 1325 Coast Blvd, La Jolla, CA 92037. The Cave Store is a prominent landmark on the coast.
While specific public transport routes can vary, La Jolla is served by local bus lines. Check local transit schedules for the most up-to-date information.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
Admission is typically around $10-$13 for adults, with discounts for seniors and active military. Prices can vary slightly.
No, tickets for Sunny Jim Sea Cave are purchased on-site at The Cave Store. Advance booking is not available.
The Cave Store and the sea cave are generally open daily. It's best to check their official website or social media for the most current hours of operation.
Once you descend, you can spend as much time as you like in the cave before heading back up the stairs.
The cave is suitable for most ages, but it's not recommended for individuals with significant mobility issues due to the stairs.
🎫 🏞️ Onsite Experience
There are approximately 145 steps leading down to the sea cave through a man-made tunnel.
You'll descend a tunnel and stairs to a platform within the cave, offering views of the ocean and unique rock formations.
The cave is generally safe with handrails on the stairs. However, be mindful of low ceilings and wet surfaces.
The tunnel was dug in 1902 and is rumored to have been used for bootlegging during Prohibition.
Swimming is not permitted inside the sea cave itself due to safety and conservation reasons.
📸 📸 Photography
The cave opening offers stunning ocean views, and the rock formations themselves are photogenic. The profile of 'Sunny Jim' is a must-capture.
Yes, photography is allowed inside the cave. Be mindful of other visitors and the slippery conditions.
A wide-angle lens can be useful for capturing the cave's expanse. Consider a camera with good low-light performance.
Drone usage is typically restricted in coastal areas and near attractions for safety and privacy reasons. Check local regulations.
Mid-day light can be harsh. Consider early morning or late afternoon for softer light and fewer crowds.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
However, parents should be mindful of the damp stairs and low ceilings, ensuring children are supervised and wear appropriate footwear. 🚶♀️ Budget Travelers
The short duration of the visit (around 10-15 minutes inside the cave) means you can fit it into a busy itinerary without a significant time commitment, allowing more budget for other La Jolla attractions. Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
The History and Legend of Sunny Jim
Legend has it that during the Prohibition era, this secluded cave was ingeniously used by bootleggers to smuggle alcohol and opium into San Diego, adding a layer of intrigue to its past. The cave's distinctive rock formation, resembling an old man's profile, earned it the moniker 'Sunny Jim,' a name that has stuck and become synonymous with this La Jolla landmark. Beyond its bootlegging lore, the cave is said to have inspired directors and writers, though specific connections are often anecdotal.
+1Navigating the Descent: Tips for the 145 Steps
These steps are carved into the rock and can be damp, especially closer to the cave entrance, making sturdy, non-slip footwear highly recommended. While the descent is manageable for most, the return journey up can be more strenuous.
Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit