Sunny Jim Sea Cave
Sunny Jim Sea Cave

Sunny Jim Sea Cave

1325 Coast Blvd., La Jolla, California, 92037

The basics

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.

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Things to know before you go

  • 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.

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How to get there

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.

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When to get there

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.

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Exploring La Jolla’s sea caves

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.

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Frequently Asked Questions
The answers provided below are based on answers previously given by the tour provider to customers’ questions.
Q:
What are the nearest attractions to Sunny Jim Sea Cave?
A:

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