Sunny Jim Sea Cave

Once you emerge into Sunny Jim Sea Cave, you’ll see ancient carvings and a rainbow of colors from various mineral deposits on the walls. Guided tours of La Jolla sometimes include a stop at the cave, or you can explore on your own—it’s a quick side trip that easily fits into a day of sightseeing. To reach the bottom of the cave, you’ll need to descend a staircase, which can sometimes be slippery, and there’s a walkway leading out to the middle of the cave. You can also view the cave from the water on kayaking excursions.

• The cave was named by Wizard of Oz author Frank L. Baum, who noted that it resembled a British cartoon character named Sunny Jim.

• It takes about 15-20 minutes to tour the cave.

• There is an admission fee to enter the cave.

Sunny Jim Sea Cave is fittingly located on Cave Street, off Coast Boulevard in La Jolla. The entrance to the cave, which is open daily, is inside a souvenir shop (The Cave Store). Segway and e-bike tours of La Jolla typically pass by the cave but do not stop to visit.

The best time to visit La Jolla is from July through October when you’ll experience pleasant temperatures and little rain. The period from November through March can bring more rain, but overall, San Diego is generally sunny and warm year-round. If you plan to explore the sea caves by kayak, book a tour during low tide.

Formed by the erosion of the cliffs by the ocean water, the sea caves in La Jolla are considered a must-see. Except for Sunny Jim Sea Cave, the caves are only accessible via kayak, so consider booking a guided tour. The Clam’s Cave offers ocean views from the inside and protects from rough surf conditions because of its position, while the Sea Surprize Cave is home to calcite-coated sea anemones and orange walls due to rock deposits.

The Sunny Jim Sea Cave is a historic sea cave accessible via a manmade tunnel that dates back to the Prohibition Era. An unusual tourist attraction, it’s among the only sea caves in the area accessible by land, down a staircase located inside the Sea Cave Store on Coast Boulevard.

Yes, you can take photos and videos inside the Sunny Jim Sea Cave in La Jolla. The route down the tunnel staircase to the viewing platform and cave looking out onto La Jolla Bay offers opportunities for snapping atmospheric photos, but keep in mind that it can be quite dark.

No, not really. The route from the cave store down the tunnel staircase to the viewing platform and cave starts with a descent of 145 steps, which can sometimes be slippery. Although there’s a railing, the staircase isn’t recommended for people with mobility challenges or those who live with disabilities.

Yes, you can explore Sunny Sea Cave without a guide. The Cave Store, through which you can access the sea cave, offers only short self-guided tours. Some private La Jolla tours stop at the store, but rarely—if ever—step inside, and some kayak tours cruise by the cave’s exterior.

If you visit the Sunny Jim Sea Cave in La Jolla, you can expect to descend roughly 145 wooden steps through an underground tunnel. The tunnel is lit, but dark, and has railings that lead down to a viewing platform looking out of the sea cave onto La Jolla Bay.

Yes, there are plenty of things to do near the Sunny Jim Sea Cave in La Jolla. The Cave Store recommends finding shops, galleries, and eateries on Prospect Street nearby, visiting sea lions at La Jolla Cove, or wading in South Casa Beach tidepools after checking out the sea cave.